𓇢𓆸

The darkness seemed to press in on them, amplifying the weight of their worries as they lay awake, their minds racing with the possibility that Vela might be in grave danger.

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Aurora and Zira set out towards the Queen of Shadows' castle, their hearts heavy and their senses on high alert. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant hint of smoke from the castle's fires.

With every step, the weight of their mission settled more firmly on their shoulders, as they steeled themselves for the unknown dangers that lay ahead. The silence between them was broken only by the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet, as they approached the foreboding castle walls, their determination to rescue Vela driving them forward.

As they crept through the castle's corridors, the flickering torches casting shadows on the walls, Aurora and Zira's eyes locked onto the cold, damp stone floor of the dungeon. And then, they saw him - Vela, lying unconscious and battered, his once radiant skin now marred by deep cuts and bruises.

The air seemed to vibrate with their collective gasp as they took in the sight of their friend, his usually fiery spirit crushed by the cruel hand of the Queen of Shadows. The sound of their own ragged breathing was the only sound that broke the silence as they rushed to Vela's side.

As they made their escape from the dungeon, Aurora's senses remained on high alert, her eyes scanning the dark corridors for any sign of pursuit. With Vela slumbering on Zira's back, Aurora led the way, her footfalls light and silent on the stone floor.

But just as they turned a corner, a faint twang echoed through the air, and an arrow whizzed towards Aurora, its deadly tip aimed straight for her chest. With a swift blink, she closed her eyes, expecting the worst, but instead of the expected impact, she felt nothing.

Aurora's eyes snapped open to find Zira standing motionless, her gaze fixed on some distant point ahead. But as Aurora's eyes followed her gaze, she saw that Zira's body was rigid, her shoulder stained with a dark, crimson arrow lodged deep within. The air seemed to freeze in Aurora's lungs as she took in the horrific sight, her mind racing with the weight of their situation.

They had been so close to freedom, but now, with Zira wounded and Vela still unconscious, their escape seemed to be slipping further and further away. With a surge of adrenaline, Aurora rushed to Zira's side, gently grasping her hand as she tried to assess the extent of the injury and think of a plan to get them both to safety

As Aurora carefully removed Vela from Zira's back, she was met with a faint gasp of pain from Zira . Aurora's heart skipped a beat as she quickly examined the wound on Zira's shoulder, trying to assess the damage. The arrow was lodged deep in her skin, and Aurora could see the dark red blood seeping out around the edges. She knew they had to act fast to stop the bleeding and get Zira medical attention as soon as possible.

Aurora carefully tied Vela to her back, securing him with a makeshift harness made from her cloak. She then gently lifted Zira's limp form, placing an arm around her waist to support her as she moved forward. The weight of Zira's unconscious body was a burden, but Aurora pressed on.

Aurora's voice was laced with emotion as she urged Zira forward, her words a mixture of encouragement and desperation. As she spoke, she could feel the weight of Vela's unconscious body on her own back, but she didn't let it slow her down. She gritted her teeth and pressed on, supporting Zira's weakened body as they moved towards the safety of their camp. "Just a little farther, Zira," she whispered, her eyes locked on her wounded face, her heart aching with every step.

As the silence fell over the forest, Aurora quickened her pace, her legs aching from the exertion. She finally reached a clearing, where she collapsed onto the soft grass, gently laying Zira down beside her. Vela, still tied to her back, whimpered softly in her ear. Aurora removed the arrow from Zira's shoulder, wincing as she saw the extent of the damage. She rummaged through her pack, producing a small pouch of healing herbs and setting to work on cleaning and treating the wound.

As Zira's eyes opened , she gazed up at Aurora with a mixture of fear and despair, her hand reaching out as if to grasp for something tangible. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling with tears. Aurora's eyes welled up with tears as she stared at Zira, her heart heavy with the weight of their situation.

The bleeding wouldn't stop, and the pain etched on Zira's face was unbearable. Aurora's vision began to blur as she felt the tears fall, hot and uncontrollable, down her cheeks. She reached out to Zira, her hand trembling as she grasped for Zira's . "No, no, no... please don't say sorry," she sobbed, her voice cracking with desperation. As the words spilled out of her mouth, Aurora's gaze fell upon the arrow still lodged in Zira's shoulder.

A wave of horror washed over her as she realized the true extent of their situation - the arrow was poisoned. The thought sent a chill down her spine, and she felt her world crumbling around her. "Oh no, Zira... no... please..." Aurora's pleads grew louder, echoing through the clearing as she cradled Zira's hand in hers. Aurora's cries grew louder, echoing through the clearing as she cradled Zira's hand in hers, her body wracked with sobs.

As the last of Zira's life force faded away, Aurora's body went limp, her head bowed in despair. She sat there, frozen in grief, her eyes fixed on the still form of her dear friend. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with the weight of their loss. And then, as if sensing the gravity of the moment, Vela's eyes flickered open, taking in the scene before him.

He saw Aurora, her face etched with anguish. He saw Zira, pale and lifeless, her eyes closed forever. Vela's gaze lingered on his sister . He whimpered softly, as if trying to make sense of the tragedy that had unfolded before him. Aurora's head jerked up, her eyes meeting Vela's for a fleeting moment.

As Aurora's eyes met Vela's, she whispered a single, despairing word: "Gone." Vela's gaze, already brimming with tears, overflowed as he realized the truth. He felt a wave of grief wash over him, a crushing sense of loss and helplessness. He had been so close to his sister, yet he had been unable to be there for her in her final moments.

The thought was almost too much to bear, and Vela's body began to shake with sobs. Aurora, still cradling Zira's lifeless form, reached out to envelop Vela in a tight embrace. She held him close, her own tears falling onto his shoulders as she tried to comfort him. Vela clung to her, his arms wrapping tightly around her as he let out great, racking sobs. The two of them sat there, surrounded by the silence of the forest, their grief and despair mingling together in a poignant expression of sorrow.

As they wept, the trees seemed to lean in, as if to share in their pain, and the wind whispered through the leaves, a mournful sigh that echoed through the clearing.

Vela buried his face in Zira's chest, his sobs growing louder and more intense. The sound was like a raw wound, a cry of anguish and despair that echoed through the clearing, a testament to the devastating loss that had been suffered..

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the forest, Aurora and Vela's grief was slowly replaced with a sense of solemnity. They knew that Zira's passing was not just a loss but also a celebration of her life. With gentle hands, they carefully laid Zira's body beneath the spreading branches of a tree adorned with vibrant red and pink flowers.

The very same flowers that Zira had loved so dearly. Vela, with a sense of reverence, began to recite ancient Elvish incantations, his voice low and mournful as he performed the traditional burial rituals. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft rustling of leaves seemed to harmonize with Vela's words.

Aurora stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the grave, her heart heavy with sorrow but also filled with gratitude for the time they had shared with Zira. As the last of the light faded, Vela gently placed a small stone at the head of the grave, adorned with a delicate carving of a leaf. The symbol of Elvish culture and connection to nature. The darkness descended, and the forest was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, casting an ethereal light over the grave of their beloved Zira.

As the night enveloped the forest, Aurora and Vela curled up together, their bodies wrapped in a gentle silence. Vela's words whispered into the darkness, sharing tales of Zira and him and the joy they had shared together. He spoke of the countless hours they spent exploring the woods, laughing and playing, and the quiet moments they shared by the fire, watching the stars twinkle above.

Aurora listened, her eyes closed, her heart heavy with sorrow but also filled with warmth as she relived the memories Vela shared. The weight of their grief was slowly lifted, replaced by a sense of gratitude for the time they had with Zira. As Vela's words trailed off, the two drifted off to sleep, their bodies entwined as they lay next to each other. The forest, though dark and still, seemed to hold its breath, as if it too was mourning the loss of Zira.

But even in death, her love and legacy lived on through the two friends who had shared her life, and their sorrow was tempered by the knowledge that they would carry her memory with them forever.

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