Before you read my story, I want you to remember a time when someone you held dear was dedicated to something, something you saw them shed blood, sweat and tears for. Could you recall seeing them sacrifice so much because to them it was their life.  

Did you ever wonder, could I do what they are doing? Could I give up the pleasures of life to be devoted to something beyond myself? Did you ever get excited, knowing that one day, you will be the one responsible for such a wonderful creation. If you cannot remember, for it has not happened to you, than I pray that you receive the chance to be tasked with such an honor. However, I do not wish that it be stripped from you the way it was for me. 

To have to watch in one moment, all the years of hard work your loved one put in, go to vain, knowing you will never enjoy a second of having that task, let alone reap the rewards of it. That is the pain I wish no one should experience. After all, to dream is a right and a freedom, but to have your dreams crushed is a punishment no one should have to endure.

It took me only one day to watch everything my parents gave to our kingdom, crumble like an old brick wall and revert to dust. One day, to witness the lives that perished when they committed no sin. All they did was be human. And yet, they had to suffer in the most inhumane way possible.

I can vividly remember what happened ten years ago when my life took a complete turn. Every swipe of the sword, shriek of pain and drop of blood embedded itself into my mind.

The horrific nightmare started when I was in the throne room with my parents. It was the day that I was to show the skills gained over my training to prove I was fit to be the next ruler of Hasiera. After performing countless spells that my mother taught me, it was time to show my sword fighting techniques. 

I tied my ravenous hair behind into a bun. Feelings of anxiety consumed my thoughts, as the heat of the sun cooked my tanned skin like it was dough. As I was performing, my uneasiness faded as I became more confident. 

There was a small bit of anger in my mind as my close childhood friend, Darius, could not attend. To my parents' dismay, they sent him off to catch a criminal who committed offences I shall not speak of.

Being the youngest son of one of our most trusted generals, Darius, at sixteen, became my protector in my earlier years while he trained to be a soldier. I was an only child, but I felt like I always had an older brother when he was around. Aside from my parents, Darius was the only person who I could talk to and share stories without feeling judged. 

I pictured his ocean blue eyes and neatly combed, golden blonde hair. Although he did not don any armor, his quick reflexes and strength was something that put him above the rest of the men his age, making him a valid sparring partner for me, to help ensure that I could defend myself without the use of magic or a sword. I used to tell him that when this day came, he would witness all my hard work and dedication pay off.

I flawlessly handled my long, sharp sword encrusted with a large round amethyst, and above it, a smaller emerald, both representing power and strength. It was my family's ancient heirloom, which I treasured for many years, especially since it is the last thing I have to remember the sacrifice my mother and father made for me that fatal day.

As I was about to finish my long, tiring, yet hopefully impressive performance, a near-deafening explosion erupted from the side of the throne room, hurling me against the opposing wall. Falling unconscious, it took the sudden pain of sharp teeth tearing the flesh around my leg to wake me. 

Looking toward the limb, the first thing I saw was a hideous demon with hollow eyes that hungered for its prey. The demon's skin was an pale greyish-blue, with black eyes and arms whose muscles had jutted outward to form into sharp points that were wide at the base. In pain, I could see its pointed claws sink into my leg, tearing the muscles as the creature made it appear as if it was just a collection of flesh. Alarmed by the sight, I took my hand to shoot a beam of plasma at the beast. When the energy hit the creature, it did not leave a single scratch, yet it pushed it far away from me to get off my feet. 

Using my mystical powers, I cast a spell to heal my leg, including any other body parts that I had unknowingly damaged. Once the healing energy fully coursed through my body, I grabbed my sword from the ground to attack the beast. The beast rushed toward me on all fours, yet when it stood on its hind legs, it was nearly twice my size.

Disregarding the creature's height, I stabbed it with my sword, directly in its chest, but driving the weapon into the monster's flesh felt like pushing a needle through metal. Unaffected by my sword, it clawed at my chest, followed by some other monsters who did everything in their power to weaken my defence. 

Unable to do anything involving physical combat, I mustered enough energy and blasted the creatures until I could get enough distance from them. I could feel my energy diminishing as I could feel drops of blood trickling from my temple down my face and my blood-soaked clothes sticking to my skin. Trying to make some sense of my surroundings, I could see my father drawing his mighty broadsword from his sheath to shield me from the demons that encompassed us. 

The demons instilled fear in my body, and the complete loss of my strength caused me to collapse on the ground. I lay there defenceless, watching my father continue to fight the monsters. The remaining guards who had not been initially slaughtered by the explosion also tried to fight back, but with only their swords to defend themselves, they weren't much of a match. Each time they landed a hit, which did create a single scratch, the creature mercilessly ripped off their limbs, or even blinded them. Blood gushed from their bodies, spewing everywhere with as much force as a fountain. The shouting and screeching was making my head pound. Everything got blurry, as figures of a multitude of colours darted across my line of view.

Suddenly, I could feel a set of tender hands, one on my back and the other wrapped around my legs. My mother had lifted me off the ground and gently carried me through the decorated halls, avoiding the action until we came to a dead end. I could hear the monsters' roaring getting louder and louder as more shadows formed on the wall. The dread that overcame me made it seem like it would be my last moment. 

I clutched my mother tight in my arms, praying that the savage creatures would go away. I told her I did not want to go, that I did not want to die today. As my mother assured me that everything would be fine, she quickly used her hand to push a small block. A portion of the wall moved aside, revealing a passage that I was unaware of until now.

Realizing that I was too weak to walk, let alone fight back, my mother cast a spell on me. Gently placing her index finger on my forehead, I felt a sudden burst of energy coursing through my veins that healed my wounded body. I was hesitant to leave her behind since I wanted to help her fight back, but my mother insisted I escape. Amidst the vicious growls, my mother's loud shriek of agony forced tears to pour from my eyes as I ran through the tunnel. I could not turn back, in fear of seeing my beloved mother destroyed by those despicable fiends.

I finally reached a portal, which transported me into a burrow. Instantly, the portal that was the only thing illuminating my surroundings, disappeared and my world went dark. Despite everything that happened, I could not grasp the fact that this was my new reality.

The events had happened too quickly that it was almost surreal. It felt like a nightmare from which I could not escape. To see those monsters shook me to my very core. The only explanation for what had happened was that someone with a grudge against my nation had summoned them. But why? We did nothing against anyone. We did not deserve this.

My hands clenched the earth, reminding me I had no power to change what had occurred. The thought of being far away from my parents, whom I hoped were not dead, was tearing my heart to shreds. 

Days passed, and I refused to allow myself eat or drink. There was no need to keep living, if there was nothing to live for. I should have died with my family and people. But no matter how much I pray, no matter how much I plead, nothing can change was has happened. 

Instead, I just sat in the darkness, with the cold soil under my feet, the frigid air to nip at my skin and the bitter stinging of my tears. My heart was lost. All the meaning I hoped my life would bear was wiped clean from my destiny. I went from a princess with loving parents and was adored by her people, to one of the most loneliest people on the planet.

"Look at me," I said to myself. "I really have learned nothing from mom and dad. They always told me that when tragedy strikes, there is a reason behind it."

I remembered how my mom called me her greatest jewel. She told me that although it may hurt at times, you will need to get cut a couple of times before you can shine like the stars. At first I did not understand what she meant by cut, until now. She wanted to tell me that I needed to suffer at times to become wiser, as well as, stronger. Recalling the insight my mother would try to impart on me, I remembered how my dad used to call me his strength. How he told me he fought with every ounce of him, hoping that when he returned home to see my wide brown eyes look at him with pride. To him, those were the moments that brought joy into his life.

My parents had told me so many things, hoping their words of wisdom would strengthen me. Yet, none of their words I had applied to my situation. Here I am, believing that I should have lost my life, when I should be using my gifts to give back to people who have nothing to gain. I may have been removed from my title as princess, but they haven't taken the warrior inside me, nor my powers as a spellcaster.

Picking myself up, I created some light using my magic as I made my way through the passage, wiping my tears from my eyes. Once I got to the other end, a light brightened the room, as if sensing my presence. The room, although fully furnished, it did not look much like the chambers in the castle. 

"In this place, I promise to become the person my parents want me to be, so I can honor their names in all my actions. I would need to live my life to the fullest. My heart my hurt, but I will not stop."