Amanda stood in the dimly lit corridor, the flickering torches casting long shadows along the stone walls. Her heart still raced from the encounter earlier, and the warmth of Elias' hand lingered on hers. She let out a deep breath, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "Focus, Amanda. You have a world to save."
Elias, as if reading her mind, leaned against the wall beside her, his signature smirk in place. "Thinking about me?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Elias, my every waking thought is consumed by your breathtaking arrogance."
He chuckled, pushing off the wall. "Good to know. But on a more serious note, we need a plan. The war is looming, and we have little time to prepare."
Amanda frowned. "The rebels still haven’t responded to our message, right?"
Elias shook his head. "No. But I have a feeling they’re waiting for the right moment. They don’t trust the royal family easily."
"Can you blame them?" Amanda muttered. "Half of them have been hunted down for years. We need to prove that we’re different. That we’re not just using them."
Elias tilted his head. "And how do you propose we do that, my brilliant strategist?"
Amanda pursed her lips. "A show of good faith. We help them before they agree to help us."
A new voice interrupted. "That’s risky, but it might just work."
Both Amanda and Elias turned to see Lillian, her golden hair tied back, her expression serious.
"Lillian," Amanda greeted. "Any news?"
Lillian nodded. "Scouts report that the rebel stronghold is under attack by King Reynard’s forces. If we intervene, they might just see us as allies instead of enemies."
Elias rubbed his chin. "Interesting. It’s dangerous, but it aligns with our goals. Amanda, are you ready for this?"
Amanda exhaled sharply. "Ready as I'll ever be."
---
The Battle for Trust
By the time they reached the outskirts of the rebel stronghold, the battle was already in full swing. Flames licked the edges of wooden barricades, and the sounds of clashing swords and desperate cries echoed through the valley.
Amanda gripped her sword tightly. "Alright, no turning back now."
Elias grinned. "Wasn’t planning on it."
With that, they charged forward.
Amanda ducked under a sweeping sword, bringing her own weapon up just in time to block a second strike. She spun, kicking her attacker backward before using the flat of her blade to knock another unconscious. She had never been a trained warrior, but her instincts and sheer willpower carried her through the chaos.
Elias fought beside her, his movements fluid and deadly, cutting through enemies with practiced ease. Lillian, ever graceful, weaved through the battlefield like a shadow, taking down enemies with swift precision.
"Amanda! Watch out!" Elias shouted.
She barely had time to react before an arrow whizzed past her, grazing her arm. "Ow! That’s just rude!" she snapped, grabbing a fallen shield and using it to deflect incoming projectiles.
Despite the odds, they slowly pushed the royal soldiers back. The rebels, seeing their unexpected assistance, hesitated before rallying behind them. The tide of the battle shifted, and soon the remaining soldiers retreated.
As the dust settled, a tall man with dark eyes and a skeptical expression approached them. "Why did you help us?" he demanded.
Elias stepped forward. "Because we’re not your enemies. We want the same thing—freedom from King Reynard’s tyranny."
The man studied him for a long moment before turning to Amanda. "And you? What’s your part in this?"
Amanda wiped sweat from her forehead. "I’m just a girl from another world trying to do the right thing."
A pause, then the man let out a dry chuckle. "You’re an interesting one. Very well, we’ll hear you out. But trust is earned, not given."
Amanda nodded. "That’s all we ask."
---
A Moment of Peace
Later that night, after the rebels had accepted them into their camp, Amanda sat by the fire, wrapping her arm where the arrow had grazed her.
Elias plopped down beside her, handing her a plate of food. "You did well today."
She took the plate, smiling slightly. "I didn’t die. That’s always a plus."
Elias smirked. "That’s the spirit."
A comfortable silence settled between them. The fire crackled, and the cool night air wrapped around them. Amanda found herself stealing glances at Elias, her heart doing weird little flips whenever their eyes met.
He caught her staring. "See something you like?"
She scoffed. "Yeah, this food. It’s delicious."
Elias chuckled. "You’re impossible."
Amanda shrugged. "And yet, here you are, still sitting next to me."
He leaned closer, his voice softer. "Maybe I just like your company."
Amanda’s breath hitched. The way he looked at her—like she was something precious—made her heart pound in a way she wasn’t sure she was ready for. She quickly turned her attention back to her food, pretending not to notice how close he was.
"You should get some rest," Elias murmured. "Tomorrow is another battle."
Amanda nodded. "Yeah. Goodnight, Elias."
He hesitated for a moment before standing. "Goodnight, Amanda."
As he walked away, Amanda let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. This world, this war, this impossible mission—they were all overwhelming. But somehow, knowing Elias was by her side made it all a little less terrifying.
With that thought, she closed her eyes, letting sleep take her, unaware that the hardest battles were yet to come.