Brugour's relentless assault continued, raining rocks upon the tower. My heart raced as I noticed the shield's once pristine surface now marred with cracks from the unceasing onslaught. The rumbling intensified, resonating through my chest with newfound speed.How can I possibly take them on? Two against one? It seemed they were determined to persist until the tower crumbled. The threat loomed – any second now, they could breach the protective perimeter and end me. They were poised to eliminate me, all for the sake of a certain Miss."Break the shield!" Tigrani strained her vocal cords almost to the point of snapping. She was feverishly eager to finish me off. The fervor in her eyes, the tension in her jaws, and the clenching of her fists made it clear that she was willing to carry out my execution at any cost.I needed to devise a strategy to escape their grasp. There are battles that taste like victory, and there are battles that taste like retreat. I had to be discerning. I had to

As exhaustion took its toll, I found myself dozing off while waiting for Kenru's signal. For a moment, I was enveloped by darkness and tranquility.I jolted awake when I felt the warmth of Kenru's skin against my arm. He was burning with fever, likely from the injuries he sustained earlier. I also sensed a slight tremor in his body, which raised my concern.It was nearly dusk, and the surroundings were growing darker. The breeze carried a chill, and I realized how cold it was becoming. Kenru had fallen asleep beside me, and I watched his peaceful form as we waited for the crickets' call. I observed his handsome face, his smooth skin, and I couldn't help but notice how perfectly sculpted he looked. Yet, whenever I gazed into his eyes, I saw a glimpse of sorrow. This wasn't the first time I had noticed the sadness in his eyes and expression; it had been there many times before.I recalled earlier when he mentioned being the king's bastard of the 2nd region. I sensed that his eyes held m

At a young age, I learned to take care of myself. I grew up facing the challenges of life early on. Hardships molded me to be brave and resilient. I always relied on myself and the love of my siblings to navigate each day.Sometimes, I wondered what it would feel like to be vulnerable. Just once, I wanted to let go of the tough exterior I had built, which felt like hot metal against my skin.It's tiring to be strong all the time.People label me as tough and unyielding. I forged an image of strength because I had to. Cali and Poras were too young and vulnerable, and I needed to be their living shield, their protector. I became accustomed to defending myself and my siblings. A strong persona became my second nature years ago.So when Kenru stepped in front of Killan, it felt different. I could protect myself, but experiencing someone defending me felt unusual. It felt like being taken care of, like someone genuinely cared and was ready to put themselves in harm's way to protect me.Ken

The electrifying and chilling sensation courses through every nerve in my body. A mixture of ice and electric current churns in my gut, as if my body is starting to metabolize the energy it has absorbed. For several minutes, I'm almost crouched by the edge of the river, overwhelmed by this new sensation.It takes several minutes for me to gain control over the unfamiliar force within me, until my body returns to its normal state. The sensation is both electrifying and chilling, lingering like a ball of ice and electric current in my stomach. I gradually straighten up, feeling the tingling remnants of the energy coursing through my veins. My body feels rejuvenated and empowered, yet at the same time, I'm drained from the experience.Exhaustion is slowly taking over. I'm on the verge of collapse tonight. I'm hanging on by a thread, all but a shadow of my former self. After absorbing the energy from the soul of the black jaguar, my body is burdened with an overwhelming tiredness.I walk

Death was an inescapable facet of existence, its shadow lengthening over me. Each step my adversaries took felt like a countdown to the dominus, a word that reverberated with the finality of death itself.A harsh force constricted around me, binding my hands behind my back while Tigrani's hair ensnared my feet. The air grew thin as I struggled to breathe, my legs swollen, my back aflame with agony.I was dragged across the earth like a savage, the pain a symphony of torment. Tears mixed with sweat as they traced salty paths down my battered cheeks. To my captors, I must have appeared a wretched spectacle.Leading the procession was Tigrani, her every step exuding triumph. The ominous figure of Brugour trailed behind, his presence as foreboding as his silence. Following closely were Killan and Lanuza, two shadows cast by the misfortune of their alliance."Perhaps, Tigrani, carrying her would be prudent. Dragging her only intensifies her suffering," Killan's voice reached me near my fee