Ch 3 Run Away

Simon Oberon lay on the ground, his body convulsing from the impact of Elara's power. The sound of his heartbeat could be heard in his own ears, the rumble of his heavy breathing blending with the chilling night wind. 

He tried to get up, but the magical power was still clinging to his body as if locking his body and soul from rising again.

With a vengeful gaze, Simon looked towards the cave. His lips trembled with pain, but in his soul, the hatred and intent to destroy Elara was burning.

"I... will not lose...," he muttered, his eyes narrowed with determination. "That little girl must die, not me! All of Blaise's descendants must be wiped off the face of this earth, I will make sure there is no more Blaise blood in the world!"

Inside the cave, Wilhelm quickly approached Elara who looked weak after unleashing that great power. "Are you alright?" asked Wilhelm, his hand touching Elara's forehead to ensure that she was still conscious.

Wilhelm's face looked worried, although he knew Elara was fine but considering the girl's age was still very young, Wilhelm felt anxious.

Elara nodded, but her body was trembling. "I can feel him... his strength... he's alive," she said hoarsely.

Grace, who was standing not far away, looked at Simon who began to move. "Wilhelm, we don't have time. We have to leave now before he revives completely."

Wilhelm followed the direction of Grace's gaze and nodded quickly. "True, but you should know, Elara. The power you just used... it's only a fraction of what you really have. You must learn to control it better. Simon won't stop until he's succeeded in destroying you."

Elara gripped her necklace tightly. "I don't know if I can... I'm afraid... afraid of this power."

Wilhelm looked at her with confidence. "Fear is your greatest enemy, Elara. Don't let it overcome you, or Simon will win this fight without swinging a sword."

Grace reached over and took Elara's hand. "We will protect you. You're not alone in this fight."

But suddenly, a loud rumbling sound came from outside the cave. The ground shook and cracks began to appear in the walls of the cave. 

Simon, despite his injuries, had managed to get up, and now he again released his black energy that slammed into the cave barrier, making the boulders fall.

"Come out!" shouted Simon in a fury. "Or I'll level this place to the ground!"

Elara took a step back, terrified. "What are we supposed to do? We're stuck here!"

Wilhelm let out a long breath. "We can't fight Simon here. This place won't last long. We need to find a safer place, where you can perfect your powers."

Grace bit her lip, her mind racing. "There is one place. An old town behind the Silverthorne Mountains. A long time ago, Elara's mother told me about that place. There are remnants of Blaise's power that we can use to protect Elara."

Wilhelm nodded. "Good. We'll head there. But, the journey to Silverthorne is dangerous. Many creatures hide in the mist, and Simon won't stop chasing."

Grace looked at Elara. "We have no other choice. Are you ready?"

Elara nodded, though her heart was still trembling. "I'm ready."

Grace nodded towards Wilhelm who responded quickly. Without waiting any longer, Grace and Wilhelm immediately cast the spell while tightly grasping the girl Elara's right and left hands.

Outside the cave, Simon was getting angry. The barrier that had held him back was now destroyed. With a single movement of his hand, he ordered his soldiers forward, surrounding the cave entrance.

"We drag them out. Kill anyone who resists," he ordered in a hateful voice.

However, before his soldiers could move, a loud noise suddenly echoed from within the cave. A magical explosion broke the silence, and instantly, Simon's body staggered backwards again, hit by a wave of energy he hadn't expected.

"What is this?!" he shouted, trying to keep his body from falling.

Through the smoke, Wilhelm, Grace, and Elara appeared. Elara's eyes shone brightly, the necklace around her neck now emitting a stronger blue light. This time, Elara was no longer afraid. She knew her power would decide their fate.

"We will not give up, Simon," Wilhelm said in a tone full of confidence. "Elara is a future you cannot destroy."

Simon stared at them with burning anger. "You will not be able to escape! I will pursue you to the ends of the earth, and Elara will fall into my hands! Remember my vow, Blaise!"

Grace raised her sword, ready to protect Elara with her life. "Try it, Simon. We won't let you win."

With Elara standing behind, Grace looked alert and ready for Simon's every move. So was Wilhelm. 

Quietly without Simon's knowledge, Wilhelm began to chant again, creating a magical passageway between the trees of the forest. A bright blue light appeared, forming a path in the air that only the three of them could see.

"Come on, hurry!" Wilhelm shouted, pulling Elara into the passage. "This is our only way to escape."

Elara followed them in, but before she was lost in the magical passageway, she saw Simon running towards them, eyes burning red with anger.

"I'll find you, Elara!" Simon's voice echoed as the passage closed, leaving Elara, Grace, and Wilhelm in the quiet darkness. They had escaped, temporarily.

However, Elara knew that the real battle was just beginning. And, she must not let her guard down because Simon will continue to look for loopholes to destroy Blaise's descendants.

The journey to Silverthorne now awaited them. The mountains, filled with dark mist and mystery, were their final destination in their quest to escape Simon, and the place where Elara would discover her true power.

In the distance, Simon still stood in front of the ruined cave, his eyes fixed on the magical passage that was now gone. "I will not stop," he muttered in a low, vengeful voice. "You will fall, Elara. I swear to destroy you as I destroyed Marie Blaise, that demon-worshiping woman."