The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves – a noxious perfume that clung to her skin like a damp shroud, suffocating her. Fear gripped her heart, squeezing tight.
Then, she saw them. Wolves, their fur as black as coal – their eyes glowing yellow in the darkness like embers from a fire that burned her soul. Ava stood frozen, expecting them to attack – their jaws snapping shut around her fragile neck like a vice. Her heart racing, she trembled with fear. It had suddenly become colder even though heart was working twice as fast. All kinds of horrid imagination filled her mind, making her brain reel with the mental torture.
She tried backing away slowly but her soft feet couldn't move. She was petrified with fear. This is all in my head, can they really attack me. Shouldn't be like a dream? She boggled her mind frustratingly. She peered back to where she came, where the mirror should be. But it wasn't. The mirror with black liquid _like glass was gone.
Gone!? Her fear was now so palpable that she could almost smell its horrible stench, wrenching the air and soaking into her every pore. Fearfully, she watched them as they closed in. She understood she couldn't outrun them, so why try. But as they prowled closer they didn't attack.
They padded closer, surrounding her like a living shield – their hot breath on her skin making her shudderYet, amidst the fear, Ava felt a spark of wonder. The wolves didn't attack – instead, they seemed to regard her with a deep intelligence. Their eyes held a wisdom that transcended words, a knowing glance that pierced her very soul. Ava's fear ebbed, replaced by curiosity. She reached out a trembling hand, touching the nearest wolf's fur. It felt like silk beneath her fingers, the wolf's eyes never leaving hers.
Ava walked forward, the wolves beside her like dark specters – their paws silent on the forest floor. The trees seemed to close in around them, branches creaking ominously in the wind. Ava felt the weight of the forest's gaze upon her, the trees watching her every move.
Suddenly, the air around her seemed to shimmer – like heat haze on a summer's day, distorting the trees like a funhouse mirror. She felt a strange sensation, like pins and needles – as if her very cells were shifting. Then, it vanished – leaving behind an eerie silence. The wolves growled, their eyes fixed on something ahead. Ava looked up – and saw guards running towards her, their swords glinting in the moonlight like shards of glass. Her heart skipped a beat, fear gripping her once more.
She hadn't seen them there. Where had they come from. Is this an ambush or a coincidence? She looked around believing it may not be her
*Halt right there!* one guard yelled, his voice echoing through the forest like a death knell. *You're under arrest for breaking the barrier!
Ava stood frozen, unsure what to do – her heart racing like a rabbit's. Barrier? What barrier?The wolves growled again, their hackles raised – as if protecting her from the guards' deadly intent. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her mind reeling with fear.
*Save it for the General,* another guard growled, grabbing her arm like a vice. They dragged her away, the wolves following closely behind like dark shadows. Ava struggled, but the guards were too strong. They pulled her through the forest, the trees blurring together.
*The General will want to see her immediately,* one guard said, as they approached a large tent – its canvas a deep, bloody red.
*He's already on his way,* another replied, his voice dripping
Ava walked forward, the wolves beside her like dark specters – their paws silent on the forest floor. The trees seemed to close in around them, branches creaking ominously in the wind. Ava felt the weight of the forest's gaze upon her, the trees watching her every move. Suddenly, the air around her seemed to shimmer – like heat haze on a summer's day, distorting the trees like a funhouse mirror. She felt a strange sensation, like pins and needles – as if her very cells were shifting. Then, it vanished – leaving behind an eerie silence.
The wolves growled, their eyes fixed on something ahead. Ava looked up – and saw guards running towards her, their swords glinting in the moonlight like shards of glass. Her heart skipped a beat, fear gripping her once more.
*Halt right there!* one guard yelled, his voice echoing through the forest like a death knell. *You're under arrest for breaking the barrier.
Ava stood tall, her eyes fixed on the General. But behind her gaze, chaos reigned. Memories eluded her, like sand between fingers. She recalled only her name, and the wolves.
*The General's face twisted in anger.* You broke the barrier. How?
Ava's mind was a blank slate. She shook her head. Her brain couldn't explain why it remembered nothing,as if it had just slipped out of reality.
The General's eyes narrowed. *You'll pay for your insolence.* He nodded to the guards. *Whip her until she talks.*
The guards dragged Ava away. The General watched, his expression unyielding.
*The whipping post loomed before Ava. She felt the first lash, then the second. Pain seared her skin, but memories remained elusive.*
The General's voice cut through her agony. *Tell me, girl. What do you know?*
Ava gasped, her vision blurring. *Nothing...I remember nothing.*
*The General's face darkened. He raised his hand, and the guards continued their gruesome work.*
*Just as Ava felt her consciousness slipping, a voice rang out.* Stop!
*The guards paused, looking up. Lyrien, the chief commander, stood in the doorway. A mage stood beside him, eyes fixed on Ava.*
What are you doing, General? Lyrien demanded.
*The General's expression didn't change.* Interrogating a prisoner. Leave now, Commander.
Lyrien stepped forward. *I won't leave. This girl's been through enough.* He turned to the mage. *Heal her wounds.*
*The mage nodded, raising his hands. A warm light enveloped Ava, soothing her pain.*
*The General's face twisted in rage.* You'll regret this, Lyrien.
*Lyrien stood tall.* I doubt it, General.