Althea’s hands still tingled faintly from the shimmering barrier she had conjured. The silver-haired Omegas, now all the same height as her, stood close behind, their eyes wide and anxious.
“That roar… it’s coming back,” whispered one of the older Omegas, her voice barely audible.
Althea nodded. “We don’t have time to argue. Grab each other’s hands and stay close.”
The Omegas obeyed. Fingers linked tightly with hers, the same height making it easier for them to move together through the dense forest. Their silver hair glimmered faintly in the dappled light, giving them an almost ethereal glow.
Althea glanced back. The gragofire, a massive shadowy beast with glowing orange veins, was moving through the mist with terrifying speed. Its eyes locked on them, and it let out a low, rumbling growl that shook the ground beneath their feet.
“Keep running!” Althea shouted. She pushed forward, dodging twisted roots and low branches, her arms flailing to guide the others safely along the uneven path.
They stumbled, caught on rocks and roots, but Althea steadied them each time, muttering encouragement. “Almost there. Don’t stop now. You can do this!”
Ahead, a faint break in the forest appeared. A narrow path lined with jagged rocks led to a small clearing. Althea’s pulse quickened. “There! That’s our way forward!”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The gragofire was gaining on them, its snarls growing louder, echoing through the trees. Its movements were coordinated, intelligent, almost as if it knew they were trying to escape.
Althea raised her hands instinctively. Warmth spread through her arms, pooling in her palms. She focused on the sensation.
A shimmering dome of golden-blue light sprang into existence around them, humming softly. The gragofire slammed against it, snarling in frustration, but the barrier held.
“It’s learning!” Althea whispered. “It’s learning too fast!”
One of the silver-haired Omegas, a young woman with determined eyes, tugged at Althea’s sleeve. “Can we… hide?”
Althea’s gaze scanned the forest. Behind a curtain of vines, a small cave yawned open. “There! Into the cave, quick!”
The group moved together, the barrier protecting them just long enough to reach the shadowed safety. Outside, the gragofire prowled, testing the dome, but it couldn’t reach them.
Althea sank to the ground, catching her breath. Her hands still tingled, though the barrier had dissolved. She looked at the Omegas, their faces pale but resolute. “You’re safe… for now,” she said softly.
One of the taller Omegas, a silver-haired man with sharp eyes, spoke quietly. “We’ve never seen anyone who could stop a gragofire.”
Althea blinked. “Apparently, I can,” she muttered. Then louder, she said to them: “And I will protect you. No matter what.”
A distant snap of twigs echoed. The gragofire had not given up.
Althea’s chest tightened. Her mind raced, thinking of the console, the barrier, and the prophecy the Omegas had whispered. I’m not just a normal girl anymore.
“First things first,” she muttered, determination hardening in her chest. “We need to find a safe place and understand my powers… and maybe why this world pulled me in.”
The silver-haired Omegas looked at her with hope in their eyes.
Althea clenched her fists. I can do this. I have to.
Outside the cave, hidden among the trees, a pair of glowing eyes watched silently. Something—or someone—had been observing them since Althea’s arrival.
The game is just beginning.
---
If you want, I can continue with Chapter 4, where:
Althea explores Roland deeper, meeting other kinds (Demi-lons, Semi-lons, Moultons) all the same height,
encounters minor patrols and threats,
begins to practice and refine her powers, and
uncovers her first clue about the prophecy and the Resilience.
