The Entrance to a Penious Land
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+25 Points
The Entrance to a Perilous Land
When Alessandro returned to the room, he found Abril on the balcony, staring at the starry sky as if searching for something. He approached, hugged her from behind, and asked, “What are you looking at?”
“The stars. They look beautiful tonight. There’s such peace, such calm. Everything that happened yesterday seems like it was just a nightmare, or maybe that’s what I wish.”
“You’re right, and you’re not the only one feeling that way. I also wish it were all a nightmare, to open my eyes and wake up with you in my arms, but that won’t happen. This is our reality,
whether we like it or not.”
Abril leaned her head back, resting it on Alessandro’s shoulder, and said, “Luckily, I have you, which makes my reality not so bad.”
Alessandro kissed her cheek and replied, “Without a doubt, everything is better with you.”
Abril stared into the distance for a moment and asked, “How are the wounded?”
“They’re fine, better. The mages have come to help.”
“Were there many deaths?”
“Yes, although mostly guards, many of them fell during the battle.”
“If I had arrived earlier…”
“No, you did everything you could. In a war, there are always wounded, Aby. Even if we want to, we can’t save everyone.”
“I know, but I still feel powerless because I can’t help them.”
“I understand, I feel the same way, but there are things that can’t be avoided.”
“I know.”
They stayed on the balcony a while longer, enjoying the night views, then went to sleep. That night, Sophia appeared in Abril’s dreams. Whenever she appeared in her dreams, they were in beautiful gardens and vast meadows, but this time it wasn’t like that. Abril only saw darkness around her. They were the only points of light in that darkness.
“Why is there only darkness?”
“This is the future that awaits us if we don’t defeat the darkness, an endless darkness.”
The Entrance to a Peulous Land
“We won’t let the darkness win, I won’t let it happen.”
Sophia took her daughter’s hand and said, “To do that, your power must fully awaken You must become stronger, my child.”
“I know, but how do I do it?”
Sophia caressed her daughter’s cheek tenderly and, with a sweet look, she replied, “When the darkness rises and the light is threatened, your power will awaken.*
“And what does that mean? I don’t understand.”
“When the time comes, you will understand.”
***
Maya felt thirsty and tired. She hadn’t had a good night since she had to sleep on the cold ground. That day they had gotten up very early and had only stopped to rest for a moment to eat something.
Cassian, seeing that Maya was falling behind, told the two elves walking ahead at a fast pace, “Let’s stop to rest for a moment. She’s tired, she can’t keep up with you.”
Ethan replied, “Just a moment, the entrance to the land of the fairies is near.”
Maya sat on the trunk of a tree that was turned over. Cassian approached, gave her his canteen, and said, “Here, drink.”
“It’s your water.”
“Don’t worry about that, I’m better than you.”
Maya took the canteen with water and took a long drink. The fresh water flowed down her throat. At that moment, she felt revived; her throat had been so dry she felt like she was dying.
“Thank you, a little more, and I would have died of thirst.”
“I know.”
Cassian began to massage her legs. She asked him, “What are you doing?”
“You’re not used to walking, your legs must be sore.”
“I’ve never walked so much in my life, since I never had the need to.”
“I’m the prince, but sometimes it seems like it’s the other way around.”
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< The Entrance to a Perilous Land
“I used teleportation scrolls, it’s more practical.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Although I won’t deny that I’ve been a spoiled daughter by my father.”
“And by your mother.”
25 Printe
“I don’t know, I don’t remember her. She died when I was very young. I think that’s why my father was softer with me. Since then, I’ve been the light of his eyes. I suppose it will be hard for him when I’m gone.”
“When you’re gone?”
“Children leave, it’s the law of life. Even if I don’t want to, there will be a day I won’t return to
him.”
Dantriel interrupted them and said, “It’s time to go.”
Cassian extended his hand to Maya to help her up. She grimaced as she stood up and complained, “If I’d known I’d have to walk so much, I wouldn’t have come.”
“I promise your effort will be well rewarded. You can ask for whatever you want.”
“Then I’ll start thinking about what to ask.
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They continued walking for a few more hours. Maya was leaning on Cassian as her legs felt so heavy that each step was difficult. In the end, she couldn’t take it anymore and said,
“Hey! How much longer are you going to make us walk?”
Ethan answered her question.
“Nothing, we’re already here.”
Ethan pushed aside some branches to reveal the entrance to a cave. It looked narrow and dark. Maya said,
“What a letdown. I thought it would be more impressive.”
“This is just the entrance. The land of the fairies is a beautiful place.”
Dantriel added,
“But it’s also very dangerous, so don’t wander off, don’t touch anything, and don’t accept any food or drink.”
“Why not?”
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The Entrance to a Perilous land
Cassian asked.
Dantriel replied,
+25 Points
“Because you might not return if you did. As I said before, the land of the fairies is a beautiful place, full of light and color, with cheerful music and sweet, delicious food. Time there passes differently; what seems like a day to you could actually be weeks, months, or even years.”
Ethan touched the necklace around his neck and said,
“These necklaces will help us return, so never take them off, or you might never come back.”
Dantriel entered the cave first and said before disappearing completely into the darkness,
“Let’s go, there’s no time to lose.”
Maya and Cassian followed, unable to see anything, feeling along the wall to guide themselves and avoid falling. After a few minutes, they saw a bluish light at the cave’s end. They called out for Ethan, but it was Dantriel who responded.
“Are we heading in the right direction?”
“Yes, the land of the fairies is on the other side, so let’s not waste any time.”
Dantriel stepped into the ring of light and disappeared.
Cassian took Maya’s hand as she trembled slightly and said,
“Don’t be scared, I’m right here with you.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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