Anna stood before her mother and father in the library, the room enveloped in a quiet stillness. Her mother perched on the edge of a table, while her father stood beside the tall window, gazing out at the neatly trimmed hedges. The cheerful chirping of birds drifted through the open window, mingling with the lingering scent of her mother's perfume.

"Yesterday, when we told you that you had to go with the heroes, why didn't you want to go?" her father asked, turning to face her. "This has always been your dream, hasn't it?"

A frown creased Anna's brow as thoughts swirled in her mind. Yes, it had always been her dream. She was on the brink of living it, yet she hesitated. This wasn't how she envisioned it. She had imagined training alongside Carlos, joining the Vanguard, and growing stronger through shared experiences. The idea of simply being thrust into something with the heroes felt wrong.

While she admired their power and prowess, and dreamed of a day when she might meet them, she knew the reality. The heroes held an air of privilege, rarely seeing others as equals. What they commanded had to be done without question. It stung that her parents were the ones sending her away, framing their decision as a necessity for her training.

*Why me?* she wondered, frustration swirling within her. *What's with this big coincidence? How many nobles and families were considered before me?*

She glanced at her father, who patiently awaited her response. But in that moment, Anna found herself at a loss for words, unable to articulate the confusion and hurt she felt.

Anna knew she couldn't voice the thoughts swirling in her mind. After all, her father had been unwilling to listen yesterday; why would he want to hear it now? Deep down, she also sensed that her father felt trapped, and this was one of the first times she had seen him so frustrated and powerless. Her mother's hands trembled, why were they trembling? Wasn't this just training?

Finally, Anna spoke up, "It's because I didn't want it to happen this way. I wanted to train with Carlos, maybe even join the Vanguard, but I didn't want to be trained by the heroes."

Her father frowned, confusion crossing his face. "But isn't that so much better? The heroes are incredibly skilled and experienced. The Vanguard don't even compare."

"I know…" Anna replied, locking eyes with her father.

Her mother chimed in, "I understand what Anna is trying to say."

Both Anna and her father shifted their attention to her. Her mother continued, "You're saying you wanted things to go differently. I know it feels sudden and not what you envisioned. You might think this is too big for you. But Anna, you don't have to worry about anything. You should see this as an opportunity. Things don't always go as planned, and in a way, this might actually be better than your initial plans."

Anna listened, a mix of gratitude and frustration swirling within her. Her mother's words offered comfort, but the uncertainty still lingered.

Her shifted her expression, a forced smile curving her lips, soft and tentative, pulling at the corners of her mouth as a quiet resolve settled in her chest like a steadying breath. She looked between her father and the bow in her hands, the chill still lingering on her skin.

"I understand. You're right. This is actually a blessing in disguise. I should take this opportunity to learn more. After all, I'm still going to train with Carlos. And the best part is, it'll be with the heroes, too. I get it now. Thank you." She bowed her head slightly, the motion pulling at her ponytail, a faint scent of morning soap rising from her clothes.

Her father smiled faintly, lines crinkling around his blue eyes. "Right. I'm glad you understand this now. I wish I could emphasize the opportunity more, but the carriage has arrived, we don't want to keep them waiting."

Her mother stood then, her black hair swaying gently like dark silk in the library's still air, the wooden chair scraping against the tiled floor with a sharp, echoing grind that cut through the hush.

She noticed Anna's strained look, the tight set of her jaw, the subtle tension in her shoulders, as if holding back a storm, and moved closer, the faint rustle of her dress filling the space. Reaching out, she cupped Anna's cheek, her palm warm and soft, scented with faint lavender from the morning's linens.

Anna's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise rippling across her face like a sudden breeze, her skin tingling under the unexpected touch, heart skipping in mild shock.

"Anna," her mother said, voice gentle yet firm, carrying a warmth that eased the knot in Anna's gut. "You don't have to be nervous. You can do this. I have no doubts, you're my little girl, always so strong. You never gave in easily. Among all the noble girls, you were always different. You strived, challenged yourself. You wanted to learn, and you always grew. This will be the same. We believe in you. You always make us proud. You've never disappointed."

Her father stepped in, his voice steady and encouraging. "Your mother is right. Go ahead and make us proud." At that moment, Anna felt the genuine weight of her parents' words, not just spoken out of obligation or fear, but from a deep place of love and belief. A warmth spread through her, wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. She pressed her mother's hand on her cheek, relishing the connection.

"I promise, I'll do my best. I'll make you proud, both of you."

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Meanwhile, outside in the front yard, Carlos and Bethany waited by the carriage. The horses stood patiently, their reins held by the carriageman, who wore a tall hat that added a formal touch to the scene.

"Why do you think she's taking so long?" Bethany asked, glancing toward the mansion.

Carlos shrugged, his gaze on the door. "She's probably having a heart-to-heart with her parents."

Bethany huffed lightly, a smile tugging at her lips. "Well, she sure is taking her time. How long does it take to say goodbye?"

"They're likely discussing more than a simple farewell," Carlos replied. "Knowing her father, he's probably reminding her of what she needs to do when she gets there."

Bethany nodded knowingly. "Yes, her father has always been a bit harsh."

Carlos countered, "I prefer to think of him as stern or serious. At least her mother is trying to comfort her."

Just then, Anna emerged from the mansion, her figure framed by the doorway. With each step toward them, the resolve in her expression was evident, a silent promise of the strength she carried within her.

"Sorry I took so long," Anna said, stepping closer to her friends. "You know how it is with my parents."

"Oh, don't worry," Carlos replied, glancing at the carriage. "But we're a little late, and we have to get going."

Bethany moved toward Anna and wrapped her arms around her in a quick embrace. Anna wasn't surprised anymore; she had grown accustomed to Bethany's affectionate goodbyes. With a smile, she hugged her friend back, feeling Bethany's warmth and the rhythmic hum of a sigh escape her lips as she closed her eyes in the embrace.

Withdrawing, Bethany looked at Anna, her eyes wide. "I can't believe you're leaving."

Anna rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't worry about it. It's only for a week. I'll be back."

"Yeah, but you'll have to go back again," Bethany pointed out, a hint of concern in her voice.

Carlos nodded. "We'll be coming back every week for the next two months. That's all. After that, we'll return, permanently. We'll visit you every time, alright?"

Bethany's face brightened at the reassurance. She then hugged Carlos tightly. He towered over her, his height evident as he looked down at her, her blonde hair brushing against his chin. He returned the embrace, smiling at the warmth of their friendship.

"Oh, the both of you are so lucky," Bethany said, stepping back with a grin. "You get to train with the heroes, especially you, Anna. I mean, you've wanted this since I've known you."

Anna chuckled, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling within her. Just then, the carriageman leaned forward, concern etched on his face. "Um, my lady, I'm sorry, but we're running a bit late. Forgive me for intruding."

Both Anna and Bethany shot him a flicker of annoyance, and he felt his heart skip a beat under their gaze.

He regretted his words instantly. If either of them complained to someone about being disturbed, he could be in serious trouble. After all, nobles often viewed commoners, especially those who worked for them, as beneath consideration. "I'm sorry," he murmured, looking straight ahead to avoid drawing attention.

Bethany sighed, her mood shifting. "Well, I guess this is goodbye," she said, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice.

"Yeah, I'll see you in a week," Carlos replied as he stepped into the carriage, holding the door open for Anna. He settled onto the comfortable bench inside.

Anna waved back as the carriage rolled away. Her heart swelled with anticipation and excitement. As they moved further from the garden, she caught herself thinking,*Her dream is finally coming true. I never imagined it would happen this way.* She placed her hand over her chest, feeling the cool touch of her silver necklace with its encased jewel. *I feel as if I'm being left behind.*

Suddenly, a small voice pierced through her thoughts, muffled by the distance and the wind. "Wait!"

Anna's little brother came barreling down the path, dressed in small shorts and a white shirt, his white hair fluttering wildly in the breeze. His small boots tapped against the cobblestones as he sprinted toward them.

He leaned forward, breathless, hands resting on his tiny knees, his face scrunched in concern. "I didn't even get to say goodbye!"

Bethany covered her mouth with her fingers, her eyes wide with concern. "Oh, she didn't say goodbye?"

"No," jack replied, tears beginning to glisten in his eyes. "She's gone." His voice trembled, and then he started to cry.

Bethany rushed to comfort him, kneeling down as she softly said, "No, no, no, don't cry. She's going to come back, okay?" Though she struggled with how to soothe children, being an only child herself, Bethany had observed how Anna effortlessly handled her little brother.

She leaned closer, wiping the tears from little Jack's cheeks. "Don't worry," she said softly. With a grunt, she lifted him up, his small frame resting against her wrist. "There you go! Come on, let's go back inside. Let's find your mother."

As Bethany carried him through the mansion's door, the outside world fell into silence, the gentle wind rustling through the grass and hedges of the front yard.

They had expected Anna and Carlos to return transformed, sharpened by lessons, forged stronger in the crucible of training, but little did they know, little did anyone suspect, that the souls dispatched would not be the ones who came back. Her friend, their cherished daughter, would emerge altered: a flicker of something darker in her dark eyes, a subtle edge to her graceful stride, the air around her carrying an unspoken weight, like the chill of frost lingering long after the storm had passed.

*******************

Anna soared through the sky, a stern expression etched on her face as the sprawling landscape of Veridia unfolded beneath her. Memories of a distant past flashed through her mind, echoes of six years ago, when her friendship with Carlos had still been pure and untainted. Before the terrible events that reshaped their lives forever. Before they trained with what people referred to as heroes.

But to Anna, those "heroes" were monsters in disguise. The stark contrast between them and the creatures they fought fueled her inner turmoil. The monsters roamed the land, primal and savage, growling, scratching, killing, and consuming without thought. Yet the heroes were different. They were broken, time and again, reveling in their own twisted games. They found amusement in chaos, their boredom giving way to a darkness that chilled her to her core.

The vivid memories clawed at her, each recollection sending fresh tendrils of dread spiraling down her chest. It felt as if her very soul was being scorched or poisoned, a constant reminder of the trauma etched into her being. No matter how many years passed, the weight of those moments clung to her, a specter she could never fully escape. She hated to dwell on it, yet every time she ventured back into those thoughts, the pain resurfaced, raw and unyielding.

Shaking her head, Anna let the wind whip against her face, seeking to purge the memories that clung stubbornly to her mind. She focused on the expanse ahead as she glided through the open sky, determined to cast the darkness away.

Then, in the distance, she spotted a figure standing solemnly against the horizon. Beside this figure was a gaping maw in the earth a massive gash that resembled a wound, a tunnel as if carved by a primordial beast's claws tearing through the very fabric of the ground. Anna's heart quickened as she approached, drawn to the mystery that lay before her.

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