Chapter Four: The Queen's Fear (Part Two)
465 Words
The forest grew quieter with every step.
Only the crackling of burning trees and the distant cries of soldiers remained. Eleanor followed Haniel through a narrow mountain path. Neither of them spoke.
She hated the silence.
"Who are you?" she finally asked. Haniel kept walking.
"You ask too many questions."
"And you answer none of them." For the first time, a faint smile crossed his face."I answer the questions that matter."
Eleanor frowned.
"The Alpha Gem reacted to you."
"It reacts to many things."
"You knew the Guardian."
"I know many things." She stopped walking.
"No."
Haniel paused but didn't turn around. "I'm done chasing strangers who refuse to tell me the truth."
"If you expect me to trust you, then tell me who you really are." A long silence followed.
The wind swept across the mountains.
Finally... Haniel turned. His amber eyes met hers.
"I don't know who your father told you I was."
"But I am not your enemy." Before Eleanor could reply, the mountain shook violently.
Birds burst into the sky. A deep horn echoed through the valley. Haniel's expression changed instantly.
"They're here."
"Who?"
He looked toward the western cliffs. "The Shadow Riders."
Moments later...
Dark figures appeared along the rocky ridge. Each rider wore black armor with crimson markings. Their horses had glowing red eyes. They weren't ordinary soldiers. They hunted magical creatures. Their captain removed his helmet.
"I've searched years for you, Demigod." Haniel's face became unreadable.
"So... Theresa finally remembered me." The captain smiled.
"The Queen never forgets her enemies."
Eleanor looked from Haniel to the riders.
"Demigod?" Haniel ignored the question.
Instead, he gripped his spear.
"Run."
"What?"
"Run." The captain laughed.
"Too late." The riders charged.
The earth thundered beneath hundreds of pounding hooves.
Before they reached the mountain pass, a roar split the heavens.
The Guardian Dragon descended from the clouds. Its golden wings stretched across the valley. The Shadow Riders halted.
Even they looked afraid.
The Guardian landed between Eleanor and the approaching army. Its ancient voice echoed through the valley.
"The balance has been broken."
Then... It turned toward Haniel.
Not Eleanor. Haniel stared back at the Guardian for the first time...
He knelt. Eleanor's eyes widened.
The greatest warrior she had ever seen...
Had bowed.
The Guardian spoke again.
"The time has come to fulfill the oath your mother died protecting."
Haniel slowly closed his eyes. A memory flashed across his mind. A woman with silver hair. A cradle wrapped in golden cloth.
Flames consuming a temple.
A voice crying.
"Protect my son!" The memory vanished.
Haniel opened his eyes. They burned like molten gold. He stood. Looked at Eleanor.
Then quietly said,
"If Queen Theresa knows I'm alive..."
He tightened his grip on his spear.
"...then the war has already begun."
- Writer
