Chapter 3 THEIR FIRST MEETING

Aurelia had never seen anyone fight like him. The stranger moved as though he could predict every attack before it happened, his sword flashing beneath the moonlight, forcing the men to retreat with an effortless grace that left her breathless and trembling where she stood hidden.

One attacker tried to approach him from behind while he was distracted forward. "Behind you! He is behind you!" Aurelia shouted, her voice breaking with fear, her hand flying to her mouth. The man turned without hesitation, as if he had already sensed the danger, and struck the attacker's weapon from his hand with a sharp, precise motion.

Within moments, the remaining men backed away, breathing hard, their confidence shattered. "This is not over, we will return with more men and make you regret this," their leader warned, his voice trembling despite his attempt to sound threatening. The stranger lowered his sword calmly, his expression cold and unimpressed.

"Then return when you have learned better manners and better swordsmanship. Tonight you are only wasting my time and testing my patience," he said coldly, his tone dismissive and final. The men disappeared among the trees, cursing under their breath, glancing back fearfully as they fled into the darkness.

Aurelia slowly stepped out of the shadows, her legs shaking, her dress torn and dusty from running. "Thank you. You saved my life.

The stranger wiped his blade carefully before returning it to its sheath, his movements deliberate and controlled. "You should be more careful about where you wander at night. The Red Realm is not a place for lost princesses who run without thinking of consequences," he said, his voice low but firm.

"I did not wander. I was escaping. I chose to leave," she said, lifting her chin despite the fear still shaking her hands. Escaping from what? What could be worse than this wilderness at night?" he asked, studying her face closely.

"It explains enough. It explains that I would rather risk death here than live caged and told whom to marry and where to live forever without choice," she answered, her eyes flashing with defiance and unshed tears. He looked at her as though he could not decide whether she was foolish or simply stubborn beyond reason.

Do you even know the direction you are heading?" he asked, his tone edged with faint amusement but also with a concern he tried to hide. Somewhere I can breathe freely and choose my own future," she said confidently.

Do you think freedom means being reckless with your own life?" he asked, his voice softer now, less harsh than before.

"It seemed better than marrying a stranger chosen by my parents.

"Go home, princess. The world outside is not kind to girls who romanticize escape. You will not survive out here with that innocence and hope you carry so openly," he said.

"You sound exactly like everyone else. Do you all think I am just a child who knows nothing about life and cannot decide for herself," she replied, hurt visible in her eyes.

She opened her mouth to argue, but he had already turned away, his cloak moving with the wind, ready to leave her alone again. "Wait! at least tell me your name. You saved me, I should know who you are and thank you properly," she called, stepping forward impulsively, not wanting him to vanish.

He paused, his back to her, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Names are unnecessary between strangers who will never meet again. Forget me, princess. It will be easier for you that way and safer for both of us," he said quietly. Then he walked away, leaving her standing outside the cave with a dozen questions and a heart behaving in a way she could not explain. She watched until he disappeared into the darkness.

By morning, royal chariots had reached the outskirts of the Red Realm, their wheels creaking loudly on the rough road. Aurelia stood between two attendants, her hair tangled and her face smudged, while the Queen of Earth approached, her face pale with worry and sleeplessness from searching all night.

"What were you thinking? Do you have any idea how terrified we were? You could have been killed out here alone without protection!" her mother demanded, her voice sharp with fear rather than anger.

"I wanted to choose my own life, Mother. Just once. I wanted to make one decision for myself she whispered, tears threatening to fall. Do you think marriage is worse than death? Do you think we would give you to someone cruel who would hurt you? We love you," her mother cried. She reached out and pulled Aurelia into an embrace, holding her tightly as if she might vanish again.

Far away, in the underworld, Darian Voss stood before his father, dressed in dark armor that gleamed under torchlight, his face composed but his eyes troubled with doubts he hid carefully behind a mask of obedience.

He had inherited his father's height and commanding presence, but his expression was more controlled and observant. Where the Underworld king ruled through fear and intimidation, Darian preferred to observe before he acted, to understand before he struck, which made him different in ways that mattered.

His father studied him with critical eyes that missed nothing. "Earth has refused our proposal. They have chosen defiance over wisdom and will pay the price for their arrogance," he announced coldly, his voice echoing in the hall. Darian frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his face.

"What proposal Father? Darian asked carefully, trying to understand the reasoning behind a conflict that seemed unnecessary. "The agreement that would have prevented war. I offered them an opportunity to cooperate, to join us willingly, and their king rejected it outright without consideration," his father said.

Darian hesitated, choosing his words with caution. "Father, if our objective is peace between the realms, why must we threaten Earth?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

The king's expression hardened instantly, his eyes narrowing dangerously with displeasure at being questioned. Earth has forgotten the power of the Underworld. Its king believes he can stand against me and still protect his people. He is wrong and naive," his father said.

"I intend to make an example of him so no other realm dares defy us again. That is how empires last eternally, through strength and fear that keeps others obedient," his father said, his smile cold and merciless.

"Your orders, Father? What would you have me do for the kingdom?" he asked, bowing slightly in respect he still held despite his doubts. The king placed a heavy, possessive hand on his shoulder, gripping tightly. "When the full moon rises, you will lead our army into Earth. Break their defenses. Bring their king to his knees and make him beg for mercy he does not deserve," he commanded.

Darian lowered his head, his heart heavy with a burden he did not want to carry into a war that felt unjust. "As you command, Father.