Bonded by shadow

The spell

Their ragged and heavy breathing echoed throughout the ride from the town hall to the governor's residence. Lyra was now feeling weak due to the heavy chains around her. Her hair drenched in sweat scattered around her face making her look cute. She sighed heavily has she gathered all the courage left in her to pull through.

They finally arrived at the governor's residence and now being directed to the shabby home reserved for them until they left for the Trial. The soldiers removed the chains around them and gave them something to change into and to eat and drink.

"Pest, what are we going to do now?" Mara said when they were left alone with other prisoners

"We're doomed, no one goes out or in until we're called for" a female prisoner about the same age has Mara said. She looked more tough and experienced

"How long have you been Imprisoned?" Mara asked

"For has longs as 4 days if I can remember". She shuddered and said

"I'm Mara, this is Lyra and you're?"

"Alexa" Alexa said. Mara sensed Lyra's silence and nudged her.

"Hey pest, look at you all scaredy after you brought us here"

"I'm sorry Mara I didn't mean to"

"It's fine, it's now our game to survive okay?"

"Hmm" she hummed in response.

They were called out to the main entrance hall to be addressed, the hall was designed in expensive interior designs made with gold and decorated with colorful chords.

A sergeant with high rank, dressed in his uniform stood up from his chair amongst other governors and addressed

"Welcome The Touched, the battle of the fittest will commence. Y'all will leave Immediately it's dawn for now you'll be given fair treatment and trainings." He continued

"Each one of you will be gifted a divine power that you have to figure out in the long run. It will be a mystery to you, figure out your capabilities, find your way out of the Trail and become one of the most favored soldier of them all. For now you may leave".

Once again they were sent out to a deserted garden. They prepared their swords for a little training. Lyra was dressed in her armour while other began charging their swords to their opponent.

The tall lad with the brunette hair, about 5'11 inches tall held his sword in his firm hand charging towards Lyra, she gulped down scanning his body. He was also one of the captives amongst the male,the buttons of his shirt open showing off a bit of his chest. His abs and biceps bulged out of his shirt. His hair still covered every part of his face leaving his blue eyes to pierce through her.

He swung his sword to her little figure has she dodged it, also giving him her best moves. With a swift of his hands she used all her might to protect herself. The clanging and slashing of their swords caught the attention of other duels too. Their duel was intense filled with malice.

"Who are you?" Lyra gasped has she managed herself off the ground her knees became weak and wobbly. He was silent hitting her sword still on the ground. Mara's eyes widen at the maniac with the sword.

"Who is he?" She asked one of the prisoners

"He's the most silent among all of us, he just arrived yesterday"

"Does he know Lyra?" Alexa asked

"No but..." Mara's voice trailed off the instant she saw Lyra's sword swing by, his sword against her throat piercing her, until the glimpse of blood dropped on the dust.

"What are you doing?" Mara ran towards them. She hit the tall man so hard but he didn't bulge. She squat next to Lyra

"Are you okay?" She asked

"Am fine..I..." She stuttered, the tall man started to move away when she called

"Who are you?" She asked has he stopped in his tracks. He scoffed and went ahead.

The duel was ruined,they were taken to their cottage waiting to be called for the Nightmare Trial. Mara dressed Lyra's wound has the rest of the prisoners settled in their sleeping position

"You dumbass, look at your throat" she hissed and Lyra flinched at the pain from her sore throat

"Stay put". She scolded.

"I felt like that man holds a grudge against me" Lyra said has she adjusted herself to her sleeping position with the others

"No we know nobody here, he's probably pitying you for being stupid".

"Am sorry Mara I shouldn't have done that"

"It's fine, what could possibly go wrong" she pouted. They both laid on the cold floor facing the ceiling .

"Hey, you were brave out there" one of the prisoner whispered and the remaining girls agreed.

Lyra smiled at their words. They had a formal introduction of their names. Most of the girls had sad past experiences wishing their lives to be just normal.

It's past midnight still Lyra couldn't fall asleep. She wiggled in different directions trying to fall asleep. She snuck past their room and went to have fresh air outside. She sighed heavily taking a stroll along the thick trees.

She slouched down the woods to the pond wanting to practice her magic skill again. She began by concentrating her energy on one tree

"Calm Lyra you can do it".she coaxed herself

A surge of unsteady and inexperienced magic she has tried to tame in her since she lost her parents has always been the reason to her sleepless nights and nightmares.

Ever since the collapse of Mideveil the magic to tame evil, bring light and love had been dung among the darkness of the land. She always felt an iota of that power in her. She started by chanting the f*******n spells of light. A dim light started building up inside of her, the pain was intense but she had to in other to save herself in the realm.

"Shantae da vinsay mae Ikora fila...." She chanted, the light became bright and painful for her to endure

"What are you doing?" A sudden voice screamed making her lose control and falling hard against a tree. She clung to her chest

The bloke from the duel, he ran to her pulling her closer whispering some spells to her. After a while the pain in her subsided has she opened her eyes slowly to find herself wrapped around his arms . Their locked eyes together for a while before she jolted out of his embrace

"What are you doing here?"she snapped

"Am supposed to be asking that, seems you're performing the f*******n spells" he adjusted himself up. Her throat went dry because she was aware of the consequences

"You're not a shadow?" He asked looking amused

"Am not" she defended

"But how come, you.. I- I mean.." he trailed off

"You wanted to kill me at the duel" she hissed

"No I didn't mean to, I thought you were a shadow too, I mean how can a small figure like you go to the realms of the beyond so courageously".

"How brazen of you to look at a woman's shape" she pouted

"No, I didn't mean that, I meant..." He went silent"am sorry".

"It's fine has long has no one knows about this" she tried walking away, until he pulled her wrist gently

"Can I know what your name is my Lady?" He asked, she looked a little confused

"Lyra and you're?"

"Regaleone, but you can call me Leone"

"Alright then Sir Regaleone it's a pleasure to meet you" she was about to move again when he didn't let go

"How old are you?" His question made her cringe, is she really that small, she thought to herself

"I'm eighteen, I'll be nineteen soon"

He chuckled, she found that angry making her feel like he mocked her

"What's funny" her innocent voice cried out

"The fact that you're scared to tell me your age".

"Well it's not that, I just didn't notice how small you think I am".

"Well, I don't blame the bad government you should be home with your husband and kids now"

"Sir Regaleone, I'm not betrothed to anyone, I lived with my best friend before now".

"Oo really why not chose to get married rather than risking your life" he was being serious. She pressed her lips together at his question

"Have never thought of getting married to someone I don't love".

"True but it's a tradition in Mideveil for every female of age to be married". Her doe eyes widen

"Sir Regaleone, do you mind not asking about marriage now".

"It's a pleasure". He adjusted himself and chuckled at her cute face,she wiped her dress.

"We're going to the Nightmare Trial soon, you have to get back to your dorm" he said sighting the rise of the sun.

"Why aren't you in bed too?" She asked while he walked her back

"I didn't feel like sleeping since I saw you" he smiled. She finds him admiring and interesting

"Why is Sir Regaleone not married too?" She asked, he chuckled and faced her

"Because he wasn't privileged too". Lyra has always been curious and spirited has a kid so asking questions was like her hobby.

"What do you mean by that Sir Regaleone".

"My lady Lyra it's better you take a nap, the journey has the rise of the sun will be hectic and scary" he leaned and whispered that.

His hot breathe fanned her neck, she already finds him comfortable to be with but a little shy

"Then I'll be eager to journey and know more about you" she smiled, her beautiful flawless skin shorn,It was beautiful despite not been taken care of. Her red hair caught Regaleone's eyes he smiled back and she went ahead to her dorm.

She snucked past the guards straight to her position to sleep. Her eyes lingered around searching for something, searching for hope and faith. She's heard so many tales about the realm of the Nightmare Trial, she's heard about millions of soldiers that went for power but never came back. She's heard of the cursed guardian of the Shadows,the one loyal but now ruthless guardian.

True love has always been a tale she revelled in but Mideveil lost love so no one ever respected love. She Imagined every night has a little girl wondering what the shadow guardian did and how he lived alone among beasts.

She sighed heavily and held the jade locket around her neck. It was her mom's the guardian of love. A tear dropped from her eyes has she reminisced on the times of delight

TBC