CASTLE MANOR

　　King Cyrus laid down on the bed sleeping peacefully with his wife, Helena. For an unknown reason, he felt a sense of danger. He shot up from the bed and couldn't help but inhale deeply.

　　Yes, he could sense a great danger coming. The last time this happened, he'd encountered war.

　　"What's wrong my king?" Helena muttered softly getting up from bed. She somehow felt the restlessness in him.

　　"Sonia. We need to go to Sonia immediately" he said with a hint of urgency.

　　Seeing her husband's state, she didn't question him. She quickly stood up, wore another layer of cloth then paused"Let's go"

　　As they rushed towards their child's room, Helena couldn't help but ask worriedly"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Not knowing what's happening caused her to feel insecure and that's one of the feelings she hates in her life.

　　Cyrus took her hand"Do you believe in me?"

　　"Yes, of course, with everything that I am"She answered without giving it much thought. If there's anyone she trusts in the world, it's him.

　　Cyrus nodded in satisfaction"Something is coming. Something big. I feel like even I won't be able to handle this"

　　Helena shivered when she heard this, she knows about her husband's intuition has always been right so him saying it's something he can't handle sent chills down her heart.

　　"So what do you want to do now?"

　　We paused outside of Sonia's room before he spoke up"We need to get our daughter out of here. She might be our only hope in the future"

　　Helena blinked the tears from her eyes"You're scaring me, Cyrus."

　　Cyrus pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly"I wish I can tell you everything will be alright, but I can't. If it's really what I'm thinking then we're doomed"

　　At this moment, little Sonia was sleeping when she heard her father's voice. Her eyes popped open, she quickly got down from the bed and opened the door.

　　"Mama? Papa?"

　　Cyrus squatted down"Come here, princess"

　　She gladly went to hug her dad"Is something wrong papa?"

　　At seven, Sonia is wise enough to know that something is wrong, she could hear the sadness in his voice.

　　He kissed her forehead"No matter what happens Sonia, always remember this. You're strong, never give up no matter the situation you find yourself in. Your mummy and daddy will always be there with, in your heart okay?"

　　"Okay papa"

　　"You're special and remember, never trust anyone"

　　Just then, a scream rang out through the silent night. Clangs of swords were hard. Cyrus stiffened, no! This can't be happening, it can't!

　　He stood up, pulled his wife into his arms, and kissed her softly. For some unknown reason, he felt like this their last kiss.

　　He broke the kiss, rested his forehead on hers"Run, take Sonia with to the southern part of the castle, there's a secret passage that leads to the Brahmani River, you'll see a horse there, do not let them get their hands on Sonia"

　　Helena's heart was racing already, she knows what's going on outside"My king..."

　　He shook his head"Now!"

　　His words snapped her into action, she took her daughter's hand in hers and did as he asked. Not long after they left, three masked people's surrounded the king.

　　At that time, he has already worn his armor and weapons.

　　One of the masked guys chuckled"King Cyrus, provide your daughter and we'll let you die in a befitting way"

　　Cyrus snorted"That's if you don't die first"

　　"Very well, you asked for it" With that, the three masked guys charged towards him at the same time. Cyrus has been in battle before, he's also considered a warrior himself.

　　In no time, he killed one of the guys. The other was heavily injured. With a powerful swing of the sword, he killed the second one. Then without wasting he killed the last.

　　For the first time in his life, Cyrus was afraid. He has fearlessly fought in battle before and has always won but today wasn't a normal battle. He could tell these people weren't after him but his daughter.

　　He needs to protect her at all cost, he can't let them get their hands on him. With that thought, he turned to the south and ran towards the secret passage.

　　As he ran, he suddenly felt a bad premonition. His instinct told him to duck. He did, but he wasn't fast enough.

　　An arrow pierced through his neck, killing him instantly.

　　At the same time by the river, Sonia screamed clutching her neck. "What? What is it, Sonia?" Helena asked anxiously.

　　Tears fell from her eyes" Papa, he's hurt"

　　Helena stumbled"What?" She gazed at her daughter in horror"Are you sure?"

　　Sonia nodded"We need to go back, we must save him"

　　With tears in her eyes, Helena shook her head"No dear, we need to get out of here"

　　"But mom..."

　　Instead of answering her, Helena picked her up and put her on the horse"Shhh honey, remember what papa said? We must leave, your papa can take care of himself"

　　Just Helena was about to get on the horse, someone stepped out of the shadow"Going somewhere?"

　　She froze and then blocked Sonia protectively"Who are you? And what do you want?"

　　"It doesn't matter who I am but I want her, the princess"

　　"No, never! You'll have to go through me first"

　　The next minute, the guy appeared in front of her"Gladly" before Helena could process what just happened, the man has already wrapped his hand around her neck, snapping it.

　　The man let the body fall and walked towards the girl"Hello princess"

　　•••

　　"Ahh!!" Sonia shot up from bed with her hands on her chest. A dream, it's just a dream.

　　Tears fell from her eyes as she remembered how her parents died. Many years have passed after that incident and she's still hunted with the memories.

　　The door opened revealing Sasha, the chief maid."Sonia? Get ready, the dark lord will see you soon"

　　Dread filled her the moment she heard that. Her face paled, she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

　　Ever since she was captured, she has never gone outside. She doesn't have any idea where she is or how the building looks like. All she knows is that the dark lord wants her for something.

　　She doesn't know what that is but each time he visits, bad things happen. As she got up from the bed, she put on clothes and knelt on the floor. Soon, she'll experience another nightmare.