Arian's POV

*BANG BANG BANG BANG!!!*

"Mom..what's happening...?"

"Arian..listen carefully..you need to run..The Denarians have invaded the town..you need to hide!!"

"But Mom...you and Dad.."

""It's ok...we'll catch up toyou...you have to run as fast as you can..into the woods if you can so that they won't find you.."

"Mary!!! They're almost here!! I'll block the door! you need to go..Now!!" shouted dad from the door

"No!! I won't leave you!!!"

"But...Arian..."

"We'll stall time for her to escape..she'll have a better chance of escaping without me ther..."

"Arian..come here..." dad called out to me

"Mommy and Daddy..may not always be with you...you must take care of yourslef...you must be a good girl..ok?"

"But dad........y-yes...I-ill be a good girl..." I said while tears started to roll down my cheeks

"I love you Arian.." they said while they hugged me with tearful eyes

"I love you too...."

*BANG BANG BANG BANG!!!"

"Go now! GO!!!"

I ran through the backdoor and went to the dark alley where I was safe from the chaos..I stopped for a moment and looked back to a distance where my house was..

/ they said they would catch up.../

I went back to my house still unseen. Until I heard a shrill from the inside..I saw a crack in the wall and I peeked through it. Tears started to roll from my eyes and a chill coursed through my spine and throught my body.

"Mom....Dad......."

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d-d-d-dead!!!!

*sobs*

Through my tears I managed to take a look at the murderer..It was a tall man wearing a black robe that reached the floor and he was wearing a mask, holding a dagger dripping with blood..and on his finger..a dragon ring made of a shiny yellow metal-gold.

He was about to remove his mask....when a man shouted from the outside, I couldn't understand what they were saying but I started to get worried..

/ What if I get caught? What would happen? What would they do to me? Will I end up like my parents? Maybe...it's a good thing that I die...then I could be with my parents.......No! I mustive! I must avenge their deaths! /

"Hey you! Kid!!!"

/ Oh no!!! I'm spotted/

I ran as fast as I could but then...

/ A dead end!!! /

"Hahahaha! nowhere to run to now kid!!"

/ God!! Mom....Dad.....anyone!!! Please........save..me....... /

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I closed my eyes and still trembling with fear..

/ This is it... /

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*SCHUUAANNGGG*

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/ Huh...I'm....not dead?!!! /

I opened my eyes and saw blood at my feet. I saw where the blood came from...It was from the manwho chased me...he's dead.....and standing beside the dead corpse was a man....half of his face was covered by a white cloth..it was dark but I could see his features clearly.. he had sharp, dark blue ayes...and his jet black hair flowed with the wind.

He walked towards me and stretched out his hand...then he spoke

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"ARIAAANNNN!!!!"

"Ahhh!!" I sat up on my bed.

/ that dream again... /

I had been haunted by this dream for years.....There are times that I lay awake at night..but hey..it's just a dream...and kind of gotten used to it. The real nightmare...is downstairs.

[ A/N: Character

Name: Nayla Arian Montefalco

Aged: 18

Location: Kingdom of Aldrania,Eccentia

Family:

Mother: Deceased

Father: Deceased

Relatives:

Delysia Carol Monroe (Aunt)

Bella Lancy Monroe (Cousin) ]

I lived with my Aunt ever since my parents died. Her husband loved my mother more than he loved her which may explain why she's always so cruel to me. She has a daughter a few months younger than me, my cousin. Who has nothing else better to do than to work with her mother in making my life miserable.

"ARIAANNN!!! GET UP AND GET DOWN HERE!!!" shouted my aunt from downstairs.

I changed my clothes and fixed my hair, nut for a moment my eyes fixed on the heart pendant lying on the table at the side of my bed. It was from my mother, the last thing that I have that reminds me of them. Finally I went down the stairs. I stopped at the foot of the stairs when I saw an unfamiliar man infront of me. He was tall, he had blonde hair and red playful eyes. He wore somewhat formal clothes, signifying he has a high social status in Eccentia.

"Arian, This is Howard Axins Denyrion. I'm sure you've heard of him.." said my aunt introducing me to the man standing infront of me

"No. I haven't" I sad blankly.

The smile on his face immediately faded away.

"Ehem..well you should get to know him bettter..." she paused while keeeping that composed look on her face.

"Because....you two are now...engaged"

END OF CHAPTER

Arian's POV

"What?!!! I don't wanna marry someone I've just met!!"

Plus it's pretty obvious he's a playboy. There's no way I'm gonna associate myself with a lascivious dog who only thinks with his d***

"This opportunity is not given to anyone, and it would be a great honor to marry into the Denyrion family..so will you please reconsider" said my aunt with that fake smile she always makes when I upset her.

"Then why don't you let her marry him." I said while pointing to my cousin.

After all a slut and a dog. A match made in hell..i mean heaven.

"It is tradition for the eldest to be married off first."

Lies. What are their true intentions?

I glanced at my cousin who have me a sharp look.

Maybe I'd be dead with her as-sharp-as-a-sword-glare.

"You should be grateful.." she said with another award winning fake smile.

Who'd be grateful for marrying him?!!

"Well..come Howard! I'll tour you around our home. Feel free to stay here for the night!" She said while taking his arm amd she made one last glare before she left. A sign not to disgrace her again.

"You don't even deserve him." Bella said.

I just stared blankly at her

I have also gotten used to her harsh words. It's like wind for me now.

"Hah. Useless." She said and finally left.

After a few hours my Aunt came back. Bella was with Howards, chatting with him in the garden. I know what's coming next.

slap

"You ungrateful bi***!!! How dare you humiliate me infront of Howard!!!" She said fuming with anger.

"You weren't even supposed to be the bride!! It was supposed to be Bella!! You're just the daughter of my stupid brother who traded in his life of prestige and honor for a lowly woman whom he loved. Tsk. There's really no point in telling you all these, you're just like your mother, a lowlife with no proper etiquette and manners. Don't think you can get out of this. You know the consequences. There will be a party tonight, to celebrate you and Howard's engagement. Make yourself presentable." With that she left.

I fought back the tears in my eyes. Because I swore never to cry because of those monsters!

Don't worry..after all....Karma....is a Bi***

That Night...

I went out to the garden to soak in the moonlight. Little did I know that Howard was also there.

Already feeling comfortable in my home. Hum. Don't get too used to it..

I didn't want to put up with him now, I was about to turn away when he suddenly spoke.

"Hah. What are the chances of me being married to a simple girl like you, You're not even as pretty as your sister."

Don't compare me with that slut.

I turned around to walk away but he suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Let go of me!!" Still struggling from his grip.

"Shh..I wanna play. Be grateful that I chose you, nkt your sister."

He grabbed my waist, pulled me closer and kissed my lips

slap

"You bi***!! You dare slap me!! I'll teach you a lesson!"

He pushed me and I fell to the ground. He kicked my side and after a few more kicks he spoke.

"I have a thousand ways to punish you. Don't you ever forget that."

He walked into the house and locked the door.

I want to run away from here! I don't  wanna stay here anymore!!

sobs

I looked up to see lighy coming from behind the bushes. I got closer and saw a hole in the wall, it was big enough for me to fit.

I crawled out of the hole and saw that I was on the other side of the wall. I took one last look of my home and ran. I didn't care where I was headed to, as long as I wasn't in the same house with them.

The scene shifted from the bustling capital of Aldrania to a vast forest where moonlight was coming through the ttees' leaves. It's so peaceful......I stopped running and started walking, taking in the beautiful scenery.

I came across a creek where I can perfectly see the night sky. I stared at the water and saw my reflection. Thoughts filled my mind of how my life would be now that I ran away.

I started to regret this decision. I knew I couldn't survive on my own. I stood up and was about to leave when I heard a sound coming from the creek.

"H-Hello.....is..anyone there?"

I waited for a response but there was only silence

I must be hearing things..

"Help..."

I froze and chills went down my spine upon hearing that. My mind was telling me to run away but I couldn't move. I went towards the darkened part of the creek, I barely saw anything and was having triuble walking.

"Aghhh!!"

I tripped on something.

I looked to where I stumbled and it was a log, but when I looked closer...it was an arm?!!!

"AHHHHHHH!!!" I couldn't help but scream.

I stopped and saw that it was still connected to a body. He was soaked in the water and it looked like he has been left there to die. I put my hand infront of his nose.

Thank God he's still breathing...

The darkness was replaced by light coming from the moon,it shone upon his face.

He's very handsome...

At the sight of him a picture flashed in my mind..It was the man from my dream...the one who saved me..

No...it can't be him!

gasp

My eyes went to the stab on his side. I studied it closer.

It looks like it has happened not long ago....

"ARIAANNN!!! I KNOW YOU'RE HERE! COME OUT!!"

It's Howard!! How did he find me?!!

"ARIAN COME OUT!! YOU'LL HAVE A LIGHTER PUNISHMENT IF YOU COME WITH ME NOW!!"

At this rate I'm gonna get caught!! I need to move now!!!

END OF CHAPTER

Howard's POV

Hum. It was a good thing that she slapped me, I got to teach her a lesson. She'll be more obedient in the future.

She's a wolf in sheep's clothing. At first glance you'll think she's all innocent but in truth she's so bold and clearly isn't afraid of me at all. In order to conquer this wolf I need to cut off her claws and bind her muzzle.

I went back to the party inside. It was still bustling with people.

So noisy.

"Howard here!!!" Bella called out to me from across the room.

I went towards Bella who was with my parents.

"Good evening father, mother" I greeted my parents and sat down to talk.

"It's so lively here. Since our two families will be uniting we will frequently visit here in the future" said my mother.

"If we have the time, I mean." Said my father.

"Of course. We will be happy to have you Auntie, Uncle" said Bella.

"By the way, where is your fiancé? I haven't seen her yet.."

I immediately froze

Damn. What if she tells on me to my parents.

"Ehem..the last time I saw her she was outside in the garden." I said clamly.

"Oh..is that so...well she doesn't want to spend the whole night outside." My mother gestured to one of the maidens.

"Go get the bride-to-be, tell her her mother-in-law wants to see her.."

"Yes madame.."

Mrs. Valencia (Bella's Mother) went up to us and sat down for a chat.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Denyrion"

"No need for the formalities Delysia! We're about to be famiky now"

"Ah..yes, would you like to have a drink?"

"Oh certainly, I'm famished"

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"Madame!! Young Miss...she's gone!!!" Shouted the maid from across the room.

Shit! She was there when I left her.

"What do you mean she's gone?!!" Shouted my mother, somewhat confused.

"Madame...she isn't there..I checked..it3like she...vanished"

"There's no way she could get out from the back. She could only get out by going through here, but I haven't seen her yet." Said Mrs. Valencia

The guests started to murmur.

"What if she was kidnapped?!"

"How could they let this happen?"

"Howard was the last one with her"

"How can he leave his fiancé alone at night?!!"

"Maybe he doesn't care about her at all."

At this rate my reputation's gonna drop.

"Now! There's no use gossiping about it now. What we must do is to find Arian" Said Mrs. Valencia

"You must go with them. You'll be held responsible if anything happens to your fiance." Said my father.

Like hell I care. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be in this situation now.

"Guards! Search the whole are. We must find Arian."

"Yes Sir!!!"

She couldn't have gotten far.

I went back to the garden. Something caught my eye, there was light coming from behind the bushes. When I got closer I saw there was a hole in the wall.

Hum. So this is what you used to escape.

I climbed up and jumped to the other side of the wall.

There are footprints here. Looks like she went into the forest.

"I'll catch you little wolf.."

Arian's POV

Is this the life I really want...

Yes! As long as I'm not in the same house as those monsters. I'll survive..I have to....I have to avenge my parent's deaths...but...the question still lies....can I?

sigh

Why am I hesitating...this opportunity is just handed to me but I'm still conflicted.......I can't do it....

"ARIAANNN!!! COME OUT!!! I KNOW YOU'RE HERE!!!"

I snapped back into reality.

I have to decide...if I leave him here he would surely die....if I was found with him I would be accused of murder...and if I run away my conscience will never let me be....unless...

I stood up.

"ARIAANNNN!!! COME OUT!!!"

"Hey..can you walk.." I whispered to him

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There was no reply.

Shit! I gotta move..now!

i carried him on my shoulders.

Damn. He's heavy...

I picked up the pace. Covering more ground as I went deeper into the forest. Pnly the moon is my guide, I just followed it until Howard's voice faded until it was completely gone

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Silence filled the while forest. The only light I see was from the moon coming through the trees' leaves. I'm starting to get a bit tired..

I hope I can find some shelter tonight...

I glanced at the man on my back.

He's still unconscious...even if I try to treat him there's no chance that he can still survive...whatever! Let's just find a place to stay first...

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After walking for what seemed like forever. I came across an old house. It was deep in the darkened part of the forest where only a bit of moonlight came through.

There's a light coming from the inside...is someone living here?

I knocked on the door to make sure.

"E-Excuse me...is...anyone home..?"

There was no reply.

knock knock knock

"Hello...is anyone there...?"

I heard footsteps coming towards the door.

"Whi are you. What do you want?!" The voice of an old woman was coming from the other side of the door.

"P-Please help us...w-we need a place to stay..a-and my f-friend is badly hurt..."

There was silence.

The door slowly opened

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END OF CHAPTER