Crown of Thorns and Roses

The camp was quiet, save for the low crackle of the fire and the occasional shuffle of footsteps as survivors took turns keeping watch. Sleep, however, refused to claim Elena. She sat near the dying embers, her back against a tree, the sword she had taken resting beside her.

Her mind wouldn't stop turning. The bridge, the guards, the bodies in the shadows—all of it replayed over and over again. Each life she had taken felt like another weight pressing down on her shoulders.

"You should sleep."

Elena turned her head to see Cassian standing nearby, his silhouette outlined in the faint light of the fire. His silver eyes glimmered in the dark like distant stars.

"I can't," Elena replied softly.

Cassian moved to sit beside her, lowering himself with a quiet grace that seemed out of place for a man who had seen so much war. "You're thinking about the soldiers."

Elena nodded, staring at the embers. "They didn't expect us. They weren't ready. It felt…" She hesitated, the words catching in her throat.

"Wrong?" Cassian offered.

She looked at him, surprised. "Yes."

Cassian let out a slow breath. "The first time always feels that way. You'll carry it with you, no matter how right your cause is. But remember—if you hadn't acted, they would have killed all of us."

"I know," Elena whispered. "It doesn't make it easier."

"It's not supposed to be easy," Cassian said, his voice low. "That's what keeps us from becoming like them."

The fire crackled softly between them, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Do you think we'll win?" Elena asked finally, breaking the silence.

Cassian tilted his head slightly, studying her. "I think we have no choice but to try."

"That's not an answer."

"No, it's not," he admitted, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Elena shook her head, though she couldn't help but return the smile—brief and fleeting. For the first time, the silence between them felt less like a burden and more like something steady.

"Get some rest," Cassian said, rising to his feet. "Tomorrow will be harder."

Elena nodded, though she knew sleep would still evade her. As Cassian moved back to his post, she stared at the fire and made herself a promise.

If tomorrow is harder, then I will be stronger.

The morning broke cold and gray, the sun hidden behind heavy clouds. Elena and her group moved quickly, leaving the camp behind as they pressed deeper into the wilderness. The river now lay far behind them, a thin ribbon of silver disappearing into the trees.

"Where's the next village?" Maren asked, her breath misting in the chill air as she walked beside Elena.

"Two days from here," Cassian replied, striding ahead of the group. "It's smaller than the last one, but there may still be people there."

"And if there aren't?" Maren pressed.

"Then we move on," Elena said firmly. "Until we find them."

Maren nodded, though her expression remained wary.

By midday, the forest grew darker, the trees packed so closely together that little light filtered through their branches. Elena couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, hidden just beyond the edges of her vision.

"Stop," Cassian said suddenly, raising a hand.

The group froze, weapons sliding from their belts and makeshift sheaths. Elena's heart began to pound.

"What is it?" she whispered.

Cassian didn't answer. His silver eyes scanned the forest, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The silence pressed in around them, heavy and suffocating.

Then, from somewhere deep within the trees, they heard it—a low, guttural growl.

Elena's blood ran cold. "That's not a soldier."

Cassian's expression hardened. "No. It's worse."

The growl came again, closer this time, followed by the soft rustle of movement. Elena tightened her grip on her sword, her eyes darting through the shadows.

"Form a circle!" Cassian barked.

The survivors obeyed instantly, their faces pale with fear as they moved back-to-back, weapons raised.

"Cassian, what's out there?" Elena demanded.

Before he could answer, the creature emerged.

It stepped into the clearing on all fours, its massive frame shrouded in darkness. Its fur was matted and black as pitch, its eyes glowing a sickly yellow. Its claws dug deep into the earth with every step, and its mouth—lined with rows of jagged teeth—curled back into a snarl.

Elena's breath caught. "What… is that?"

"A shadow beast," Cassian said grimly. "They're drawn to blood. Lucian uses them to hunt."

The beast let out a deafening roar, and the forest seemed to shudder in response.

"Hold your ground!" Elena shouted, though her voice trembled.

The beast lunged.

Chaos erupted as the creature tore into the circle, its claws slashing through weapons and shields like they were made of paper. Elena ducked beneath a swipe, driving her sword into its side, but the blade barely pierced its hide. The beast snarled, its massive paw striking her hard enough to send her sprawling across the clearing.

"Elena!"

Cassian was there in an instant, his sword flashing as he drove the creature back. "Get up!" he shouted, his voice fierce.

Elena gritted her teeth, pushing herself to her feet. Around her, the survivors fought desperately—arrows flew, spears jabbed—but nothing seemed to stop the creature.

"It's too strong!" Maren cried, loosing an arrow that shattered harmlessly against the beast's hide.

"There has to be a weak point!" Elena shouted back, her mind racing.

Cassian ducked another swipe, his silver eyes blazing. "The throat!"

The beast roared, charging straight for him. Cassian sidestepped, but the creature was fast—too fast. It knocked him to the ground, its claws pinning him as its jaws opened wide.

"No!" Elena screamed.

She ran forward, her sword gripped tightly. The world seemed to slow as she moved, every sound fading into a dull roar. The beast's throat was exposed, the pale skin beneath its jaw pulsing faintly.

Elena didn't hesitate. She leapt onto its back, driving her sword into the soft flesh beneath its jaw with everything she had.

The beast howled, its body thrashing violently. Elena held on, her teeth gritted as she pushed the blade deeper. The creature staggered, its movements growing weaker, until finally—

It fell.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Elena collapsed to the ground, her chest heaving as the beast's body lay still beside her. The survivors stared at her in shock, their weapons lowered, their faces pale.

Cassian rose to his feet, wincing as he wiped blood from his brow. He looked at Elena, his silver eyes sharp but steady.

"You killed it," he said, almost in disbelief.

Elena pushed herself up, her hands shaking. "It wasn't just me."

Cassian's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded. "You gave them something to fight for."

Elena looked around at the survivors, who were now gathering close, their expressions a mix of awe and relief. The fear that had gripped them moments ago was gone, replaced by something else—belief.

Elena stood, her sword still slick with the beast's blood. "This is what Lucian sends to hunt us," she said, her voice clear and strong. "But we're still here. And we're not running anymore."

The survivors nodded, murmuring in agreement.

Cassian stepped beside her, his voice low. "You're starting to become what they need."

Elena turned to look at him, her jaw set. "Not yet. But I will."

As night fell, the survivors moved on, leaving the beast's body behind. Elena walked at the front of the group, the weight of her promise settling on her shoulders.

We will fight. And we will win.

The shadows in the forest seemed to part before them now, as though even the darkness knew they would not be stopped.