Ch 2 Simon Oberon

The night wind blew strongly, carrying the scent of death from Marie's steaming pile of ashes.

Simon Oberon stood at the edge of the field, his eyes blank with vengeance. "Hunt him down," he whispered to the two soldiers standing next to him. "Find his daughter. There is no place on earth large enough for him to hide from me."

Simon's two men immediately carried out their superior's orders. They ransacked the houses of all the villagers and set Marie's house on fire so that she could not return to it. 

They also continued their search to the edge of the forest. Both of them looked hesitant, but the two soldiers were forced to cancel their intention to return when they saw Simon and the others had already caught up and led them all into the forest. 

"We must find the girl until we do. I will not let Marie Blaise's descendants live to pollute this world with their magic."

In the dark and winding forest, Grace, the aunt of the little girl, continued to run, her breath coming in short gasps.

Tree branches and twigs slammed into her face and body, but she didn't care. She had to get her niece, Elara, to safety. 

They had travelled quite a distance, but she knew they weren't safe yet.

"We have to go faster," Grace said, holding Elara's hand tightly. "They must have picked up on our trail."

Elara, still wearing the necklace her mother had given her, walked beside Grace without complaint.

Her blue eyes shone faintly in the moonlight, as if radiating the strength hidden behind her tiny body.

"But where are we going, Aunty?" Elara asked in a low voice. "Everyone hates me. They all believe I'm the son of the devil."

Grace looked anxiously at her niece. "We'll go somewhere far away from here, Elara. Out in the country there are people who understand and do not fear your power. You are Blaise's descendant, and you must survive."

Elara bit her lip, unsure of what she should feel. However, she knew one thing, she had to survive.

Her mother had given her life for her, and she would not let that sacrifice go to waste.

Meanwhile, Simon led his small army through the darkness of the forest. The sound of twigs snapping under their horses' feet and the swish of the wind brought a thickening tension. Every step felt like a pull towards a deeper hell.

"Are you sure we'll find them here, Lord Oberon?" asked one of the soldiers in a trembling voice.

Simon only snorted. "The girl is the key to ending this curse. Her blood must be stopped. And, I know...," Simon paused, his eyes staring straight ahead, "I will feel it."

At the edge of the forest, they reached a hidden cave covered in dense foliage. Grace immediately pulled Elara inside.

Inside the cave, they met an old man with a white beard who wore a tattered robe, but his eyes were full of wisdom.

"You've come at the right time," he said in a low voice. "Simon will not stop until this girl is dead. But, there is a power within him that is stronger than he realises."

Grace took the old man's hand, "Help us, Wilhelm. We need protection. Elara... she's too young to face this."

Wilhelm looked at Elara with concern. "She must learn. Time is not on our side. Simon is getting closer, and his power is great. But, I have a plan."

Outside the cave, Simon's army was getting closer. Their shadows danced among the trees, illuminated by the moonlight. Simon dismounted, approaching a large rock not far from the cave.

He stopped, his eyes closed, sensing something. "I can feel her presence," he said softly.

Suddenly, from the direction of the cave came a rumbling sound. Wilhelm began to chant loudly, while inside the cave, the walls began to tremble.

Elara held her necklace tightly, feeling a strange chill creeping over her skin. The necklace glowed again, brighter this time. "What happened, Aunty?" she asked with unconcealed fear.

Grace hugged her tightly. "Believe in your strength, Elara. It's our only hope."

Suddenly, from behind the trees', Simon appeared, followed by his soldiers. His eyes glowed with hatred, and without hesitation he pointed his hand towards the cave. "I've found it," he said quietly but forcefully. "There's nowhere for you to hide anymore."

Wilhelm immediately stepped forward, raising his hand, creating a magical barrier between them and Simon. "You won't get in, Simon Oberon!" he shouted. However, Simon only smiled sarcastically.

"This little barrier won't stop me," he muttered. With one swift motion, he swung his hand and a beam of black energy shot out, striking Wilhelm's barrier with devastating force. The cave began to shake more violently, and the barrier began to crack.

Inside the cave, Elara felt her body grow heavy, her legs weak. The necklace around her neck glowed brighter and brighter, as if responding to the power coming from outside.

Grace looked anxiously at her niece, knowing that something big was about to happen.

"Elara," Grace whispered, "it's time. Only you can stop it."

Elara looked up at her aunt with eyes full of confusion. However, in her heart she knew what she had to do.

In a low voice, she began to chant the words she had learnt from her mother, ancient spells that had been passed down in their family for centuries.

Simon, who was outside the cave, was stunned when he heard Elara's voice. His eyes widened, and for the first time, fear appeared on his face. "No... no way!" he cried.

However, it was already too late. The blue light from Elara's necklace shot out, piercing through the broken barrier, hitting Simon with tremendous force. Simon's body was thrown backwards, hitting a tree hard.

In the cave, Elara fell limp, but she was still alive. The shaking cave began to calm down, and Wilhelm smiled with pride.

"You did it, Elara," he said softly. "You have begun your destiny."