Sofia woke up suddenly, her breath caught. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. The ceiling of the room swayed gently in the cold morning light, and the sign of the Light and the little heart on her chest pulsed.
It was warm. Too warm
. "Was it Bianca… or was it just a dream?"
She placed her hand over the medallion. It burned slightly—as if it was asking her to listen to something she wasn't ready to hear yet.
Thoughts hit her all at once:
"Should I tell Dragoş…?" "Should I tell him about Bianca…?" "If Nico is Bianca's child, then… is he still my brother?"
Her head was pounding.
"No. Not now. What if I'm wrong? What if I hurt him? What if… I lose him?"
She took a deep breath and stood up. The cool air touched her cheeks as she opened the door.
In the doorway, Vlad stood.
Vlad brings news
— You're awake, he said shortly. — Yes… what are you doing here?
— Miral is better. I thought you wanted to see him.
There was something… restless in his voice.
— Yes, Sofia answered. I want to talk to him.
— You can go. But… the forest has a strange echo today. Be careful.
Sofia nodded without answering, feeling a cold stab in her stomach.
Miral stood with a hot cup in his hands. His hair fell on his forehead, and his eyes had the light of a man who had lived… longer than he should have.
— You came, Sofia, he said with a warm smile. I'm glad.
— Have you seen my mother? she asked directly.
— No… not yet, he answered. But we can go, if you want. We can talk all three of us… if you feel ready.
Sofia looked at him for a few seconds.
— Miral… when you were Paul… where did you get the power from?
Miral sighed softly.
— When I was Paul… no one gave me the power of Light. It came on its own, out of a desire to save someone very important to me…
— Miral… if you meet the pesana again… would you recognize her? He remained still.
— Not yet. The memories of Paul's life are like luminous shadows. I see them… but I can't touch them. Why do you ask?
But Sofia didn't have time to answer. The door slammed against the wall.
— Sofia! Come quickly! Alexandra shouted. The village is being attacked by shadows! Dragoș is already fighting them!
Without another word, Sofia ran.
When she arrived, the air was thick with smoke and black magic. Black shadows were climbing the roofs, trying to pull people out.
In the middle of the chaos — Dragoș.
His armor was torn in places, but the blue light of the Moon still protected him. His sword… wasn't the same as before. It vibrated, as if alive
. — DRAGOŞ! Sofia shouted.
He turned for a second.
— Stay back! Too many!
— I won't leave you alone!
Alexandra and Vlad were behind, protecting a few people.
A shadow almost hit Alexandra, but Vlad pushed it away and instinctively raised a shadow barrier. Both of them were shocked.
— Vlad… you used the power of the shadows? Alexandra asked in amazement.
— I don't know… I think it's the first time… he murmured.
— You can do that too, Alexandra,, Vlad said. It's in us. We just didn't know until now.
Alexandra looked at Vlad in surprise, but she didn't have time to say anything else.
A shadow rushed towards Sofia, but Dragoş cut it off before it could reach it. At that moment, the Moon sign on his arm lit up, and the sword turned black, with a moon and stars engraved on it. Sofia's medallion also lit up, along with the Sun sign on her chest.
Sofia felt her sign and the medallion react.
Without thinking, she extended her hand.
A warm light shot from her to Dragoş—and their power united.
Moon and Light.
Dragoş felt himself becoming stronger. Faster. More precise
. — Sofia… what have you done to me?
— I strengthened you.
And together they threw themselves into battle.
The shadows fell one by one. But a few — the fastest — caught children and ran with them into the forest.
— I'm going after them! Dragoş shouted.
— NO! Sofia stopped him, grabbing his arm.
— There are children! — I know! But if you run now, they will catch you. The shadows want to separate you! First... we finish what's left here. and then we make THE PLAN. Together
Dragoş took a deep breath. And listened to her.
They finished the rest of the shadows. The village was silent.
Vlad and Alexandra approached.
— We need a plan, Vlad said.
— We're going after the children, Alexandra said.
— Yes. We'll save them, Sofia completed.
But a maid ran towards them.
— Princess Sofia! The King and Queen demand that you come to the castle immediately! It's urgent! Only you!
Dragoş clenched his jaw.
— I'm coming with you.
— No, Dragoş. Stay. You have a plan to make. The children... depend on you.
Sofia turned to the castle.
The morning light seemed to fade behind her.