The Destined Guardians Part I

Relliana walked through the blood-stained corridors of the castle, her red hair disheveled and clinging to her pale face, each step more taxing than the last.

She stepped past the bodies of soldiers who had died protecting the halls they once guarded. Their armor lay broken, their weapons scattered across the floor, but her gaze did not linger.

One hand pressed firmly against her abdomen, holding the scarf wrapped around the open wound. The cloth was already soaked crimson, blood slipping through her fingers with every step, yet she continued forward.

Pain seared through her body, sharp enough to blur her vision, but she refused to slow down. Every step carried her toward the only thing that mattered now.

Damian.

When Relliana pushed open the nursery door, the sight inside almost stopped her—not because of destruction, but because there was none.

A pile of gifts rested neatly in the corner: beautifully wrapped boxes, handmade toys, tiny clothes, and small treasures sent by guests who had already begun arriving at the castle. A celebration waited there, bright and untouched, for a day that had lost all meaning.

The prince's first birthday was only days away. Relliana had counted every day, planned every detail, changed the arrangements more times than she cared to admit, and worried over the smallest things—the decorations, the feast, the clothes he would wear.

She had wanted everything to be perfect.

His favorite toys lay scattered nearby—wooden swords of different shapes and sizes.

Her attention was drawn by a small sound. Damian stood in his crib, both hands gripping the rails for balance.

The fear on his little face vanished the moment he saw her. He pulled himself onto his tiny legs and let out a shriek of joy.

Relliana smiled despite everything. The blood covering her, the pain tearing through her body, and the nightmare beyond the room—none of it existed to him.

He only saw his mother.

In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to hold her son and mourn the man she loved, but fate had denied her both.

She reached the crib but did not lift him immediately. With trembling fingers, she began removing everything she carried: the heavy necklaces, the bangles, every jewel and precious stone she could find.

Then her fingers stopped at the ruby ring on her hand.

The ring the king had given her.

She paused, remembering a love stolen too soon and a motherhood that would end far earlier than it ever should have. Tears streamed down her face as she looked longingly at her son.

With trembling fingers, she slid the ring free and let it fall into the pouch with everything else.

Relliana tied the pouch securely around Damian's waist, wrapped him beneath a heavy cloak, and left the nursery without looking back. Damian clung to her shoulder, one tiny hand gripping her dress as she forced herself farther down the corridor.

Her knees buckled.

She caught herself against the wall, staggered forward another step, then collapsed into a puddle of her own blood. Even as she fell, her arms tightened instinctively around Damian, shielding him from the cold stone beneath them.

His tiny hands clung desperately to her clothes, trying to wake the only person he knew could comfort him.

Elsewhere in the castle, Stefan moved through the ruins toward the kitchens, where a secret tunnel offered his only escape. Memories of his life within those walls flashed one after another, as though some part of him sensed the end of his own life.

He had entered the castle as a boy who loved cooking and knew little else. He had learned from the finest chefs in the kingdom, ruined more dishes than he could remember, and slowly earned his place—apprentice, sous chef, and finally head chef of the royal family.

Only days ago, these same halls had been alive with joy as servants rushed through them, preparing for a royal celebration.

Then the desperate cries of a child reached him.

There was only one child in this part of the castle.

The crown prince.

Stefan rushed toward the sound, only to stop dead in his tracks.

"Your Majesty..."

Relliana lay collapsed in the corridor, her life slipping away onto the cold, blood-slicked stone. Her beautiful face was stained with tears and ash, yet even now, one arm remained wrapped tightly around Damian, refusing to let him go.

Stefan dropped to his knees beside her.

"My Queen... please, wake up. We have to leave. I can get you both out."

Slowly, her eyes opened. She looked at Stefan, then down at Damian, still cradled in her arms.

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Save him."

Stefan shook his head before he even realized it.

"No..."

Relliana gently placed Damian into his arms.

"My Queen... please. Ask me for anything else."

But there was nothing else left to ask.

"Raise him..." she whispered, her breath catching painfully in her chest. "As your own. Go to the city where I was born... find my sister."

She squeezed her eyes shut against the agony before forcing out the final words.

"She will know him. She will give you refuge."

Her trembling hand moved toward the pouch tied securely around Damian's waist.

"Use this... to secure his future."

Stefan looked at the small pouch hidden beneath the cloak. He did not question her. He did not need to.

With shaking hands, he accepted the prince.

The moment Damian left his mother's embrace, a sudden, desperate wail echoed through the empty corridor. His tiny hands reached back toward her, grasping at the empty air as he was pulled away.

Relliana watched him, and the pain of that moment surpassed every physical wound she carried.

With the last of her strength, she lifted a trembling finger. A beautiful trail of glittering gold emerged, and from it, a dozen blue ethereal butterflies took shape—the exact color of Relliana's eyes.

They danced around the crying child, their delicate wings filling the ruined corridor with gentle light. Damian's sobs softened into hiccups as his tear-filled eyes followed the beautiful lights, tiny hands reaching toward them in wonder instead of sorrow.

The sound of approaching soldiers echoed through the corridor.

"Find the prince! Murder everyone in sight!"

Time was running out.

Stefan held Damian close and forced himself to stand. He lingered only a moment before hurrying toward the passage that would carry them both away.

Relliana gave her son one last lingering look before gathering every fragment of strength she had left. An illusion spell spread silently through the corridor, concealing Stefan and Damian as they blended seamlessly into the ruined surroundings.

Only then did her hand finally release the terrible wound she had been holding together.

Her gaze remained fixed upon the empty archway where she had last seen her son. A small smile rested upon her face as she lay motionless amidst the ruins of her home.

He was safe.

With that final thought, Relliana took her last breath.