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Leon P.O.V

I drew in a sharp breath as I caught the red headed moving forward along with the plague of monsters. Some of the royal army's eyes were clouded with fear. And soon swords ringed against one another, announcing the beginning of the end.

The musty smell of death started to hang over the forest. Yet, I couldn't leave.

For a brief moment our eyes locked, and her eyes widened. The red headed froze for a moment as if she was surprised. But Another cry forced her to move forward, slaughtering what was before her.

A small party remained, but what happened next left me speechless. A rider started to approach the surrounded party.

The rider wore a long scarlet-red cloak, wrapped carefully around the body of this stranger. Even the red headed gazed in annoyance as the rider pulled the prince on the back of her Lipizzaner.

The hooded rider didn't wait long before she found her path back into the maze.

The instant they reached the maze, it started to close. And once again, my eyes were fixed on the old King as he was left there all alone to face his doom.

His eyes showed so many things, but one thing was clear. Betrayal, his own son turned his back on him. He left him here to die.

The old King closed his eyes, waiting for his death.

Only something happened because the red headed, lowered her daggers. It was the old woman that I saw in the forest earlier.

She was smiling as she stood before him, staring at him with joy.

Did you suppose we forgot what you did to us? Did you think the dead are so forgiven? Did you believe you won't be punished! She cried in fury. You took everything from us- from me.

This is our vengeance! My own vengeance. Finish him... Winter, and you shall be free once again. Cried the old lady.

A storm of arrows started to speed their way toward the king, but Winter blocked them with her sharp tail. "This is my kill!" She cried out in arrogance.

The army stopped right away, moving back. And soon her sharp tail was buried in the King's shoulder, trapping him down.

A yell of pain echoed within the forest. "You are going to experience all the pain they felt... Should I begin with your eyes?" She said poking his left eyes. The king cried loud once again, trying to escape her. But Winter was far from over, pushing him back.

"No, plea- please-" But all his begging was in vain.

"I'll keep the other eye, I want you to see what I'll do to you." She didn't wait long before another painful cry filled the forest, as she cut the king left hand followed by his left leg.

"Ple-please-"

"Please, what? Old pig?" She hissed.

"Finish it! Please, have mercy on me." Whispered the king in so much pain.

A look of disgust filled her eyes as she gazed at his bleeding body and poked eye. "Did you hear there pleading?" She cried out. "Did you stop when the Queen begged you not to rape her before you killed her?" She said as she cut his other leg. Another loud cry filled the forest. "You possess no right to have a clean death, filth!"

"eve- even if I tell you where is Ahavah." He said trying so hard to breath.

"She's dead." Hissed Winter.

"No, she's not." He whispered.

Winter looked at him with wide eyes. "Talk! Where is Ahavah?" she hissed.

"She's alive within these walls of the ancient city."

Her eyes became so cold, "that's all?"

"Yes- please finish it."

Winter turned around, awaiting the old woman orders. The old woman nodded and Winter killed him in cold blood.

Army of the dead today we can lie in peace. These forests are our home and eternal rest... In here we'll sleep. In here we stay until we are needed. Our children are still suffering.

Then the old woman pulled winter closer with her magic. You are free Winter... You helped us and I always keep my promises.

But what happened next left me speechless once again.

"Army of the dead grant me all your strength and I shall carry on with your revenge." She yelled, falling into the harsh burned grass around her.

A white bright light began to cover the forest, as the dead started to head toward it. And soon that light starting to glow brightly just before it proceeded so fast to surround Winter.

With my blessing, you may grant our powers, kind soul. Don't forget your promise, Winter... You are free to roam this world as you wish... Until you find your companion. The old lady said.

That very instant, the whole army disappeared just like that along with the old woman. However, Winter stayed in the same spot, gazing around like a lost little pet.

"What the hell happened?" Asked Cain. "Did you see what they did? Did you see what that lass did?" He whispered the last part in fear.

"Yes, I did." I said in amazement.

"Just look at that dear lass! She's all filled with joy." Said Art drawing in a deep breath, his eyes were glowing. "She's every lad's dream, is she not?" He said with dreamy eyes.

Cain started to cough so hard, while Cavan and Ardal were staring at their friend with amusement.

"She should consider herself blessed to have snared such an amazing lad." Mocked Cavan.

"Of course, she should... It's not an easy task for a lass to catch my eyes, but this beauty is something else." He added.

"Are you ill or something? Didn't you see what she did?" Protested Cain in disgust.

Their conversation died when the little lass, lowered her gaze around her. She was all alone now. The loneliness have been clear in her evergreen eyes. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and when she opened them, her eyes were focused on us.

Even though we were hiding well, this lass spotted us right away. She started to move closer to us. There was a playful smile covering her lips. Her tail swayed behind her, reminding me of my mother's scary cat. And in less than a moment she stood before us.

"I knew that there was something watching what occurred." She said in a low voice. "I was afraid that I will be totally alone in this forest." She added.

Art eyes widen as she moved closer to us. "She is a real beauty." He whispered.

"You already said that fool!" Hissed Cain. "Hopeless... You're one hopeless lad."

Art tried to move closer to her, but she forced him away with her tail. She kept moving until she touched me. She started to sniff me and her eyes widen... "You are a dragon?" She whispered.

I swallowed, but didn't reply. "You are not just a flying lizard..." She said, giving Art a dirty look. "You're the son of King Leonidas." She added.

"How did you know?" I said calmly.

"My people were always loyal to your father... Until he was cast away, during that time we were hunted like animals. Prince Leonidas- I mean King Leonidas always protected our kind."

"Why did our King protect you?" Asked Art. He was trying to catch her attention.

"We always fought with him, my people joined him whenever he needed." She added, not giving him a second glance.

"What happen to your people?" I asked her.

"We are the last ones..." She stated, staring back at the maze. "My sister and I... We may be the last of our kind!" She began to move away from us. "For years I thought that Ahavah was killed. But today I've learned that she's locked inside this city." She added with a shimmer of hope filling her eyes.

"What were you're people called?" I asked her.

She turned around slowly, facing me before she spoke. "We are humans, son of the dragon! We just got demonic powers." She sounded out with a smirk covering her lips. "My ancestors, loved to play with dark magic and this what happened. We are much stronger than humans and we have dark magic as well."

"Good luck, getting your sister back. I'm afraid that we need to go." I stated, but I was pulled back gently.

"Wait!" She stated. "Allow me to join your party, please. I can be a great help."

I planted a hand on a tree trunk thinking about what she offered me. "Why would I help you? No, the right question is should I trust you?"

She drew me closer to her and whispered. "You know why the army was able to rise? No, you really don't. Do you know why I'll be loyal to you? I'll answer that one for you. For the same reason the army has awaken, I will be loyal to you, dragon."

"What are you babbling about?" I hissed. "Quit talking in riddles."

"Your mother is not that heartless dragon! Do you think that she would send you to your death not prepared?" She asked. "Do you even know what your mother was?" She added.

I became speechless and amazed. "Who are you and how do you know all this?" This little demon knows way too much... I never knew what my mother's true strength, but I knew that she was my father's match in every way.

"It doesn't matter... Grace is still working for your father, am I right?" She asked with smile covering her face.

"Yes," I said in a low voice.

"It doesn't matter... Grace is still working for your father, am I right?" She asked with smile covering her face.

"Are you trying to say that Lady Grace is like you?" I asked her with wide eyes.

"Of course she is... She might look old, but don't underestimate her." She stated, making herself more comfortable. "King Leonidas protected her long ago. Actually, he saved her life... And ever since she never left his side, unless he ordered her to stay away."

"Leon," Said Art pulling away from her. "Let's keep her, please."

"She's not a pet to keep!" Hissed Cain. "She can struggle us in our sleep. That lass is dangerous!"

"Are you serious? You are a warrior and a dragon, yet you fear her?" Mocked him Art.

"We'll you shut up!" Shouted Cain.

"We might need her," said Cavan. "She got the dead army's power and that could help us enter the city."

"He is right, actually... I can be a great help." She said. "Tell me what you know about this kingdom? Who rule's it and who controls the maze?" She challenged.

"That the King and the crown prince rule's it and they control the maze?" I answered right away.

Winter started to laugh. She tried to calm down, but ended up laughing harder. "You are one clueless lad. Did you just open an old map and decided to conquer this kingdom?"

"Actually-"

"Not really, Winter. I know for a fact that the real crown princess controls the maze." Said Cavan with a smirk covering his lips. "She's the real Queen... And the new King is nothing but a spoiled lad."

Winter laughter died as she gazed at Cavan, with wide eyes.

"You have no idea what you're facing Leon... That maze is your last worries... You have no idea what you got yourself into." Said Cavan quietly.

Cavan was hiding all this from us? From me?

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