Laura was always known for her unmatched speed.
They called her the fastest witch alive.
But not that night…
Her broken heart clouded her mind, just as the tears streaming down her face blurred her vision. As a result, she couldn't dodge the sharp branches as she darted through the woods, each one carving new wounds into her already battered body.
But she could barely notice.
The wounds were the least of her worries.
She cried as she clutched her belly, swollen with the weight of late pregnancy.
The recent events replayed in her mind over and over again.
Wandering in denial, she still couldn't believe that her husband had been killed right before her eyes.
She collapsed to the ground with a scream, clutching her belly as pain tore through her body.
An unnatural agony erupted from her womb.
It was as if the baby's powerful pulses were draining her magical energy.
At the same time, she sensed a strange force gathering inside her.
Struggling to move, she murmured, "I can't stop now…"
She could feel danger approaching.
Trembling, she scanned the woods with eyes full of fear and whispered,"Spirit of the forest, help me. They killed your son… please don't let them take your grandchild too."
Immediately, a massive bolt of lightning shattered the peaceful daylight of the forest.
Huge black clouds formed in an instant, turning the clear sunny sky into a stormy night of thunder and rain.
Within seconds, the storm grew ferocious.
Torrential rain pierced the leaves like spears.
Lightning split the sky again and again, illuminating the pitch-black clouds.
Raging winds roared louder than the thunder itself, snapping tree trunks and hurling them through the air.
Strange, bright flames defied the laws of nature, burning through the rain in unnatural colors.
As Laura's moans of pain faded into the fury of the storm, determination ignited in her eyes.
She hugged her belly tightly."I won't let anyone hurt you."
Reactivating her speed spell, she vanished in a flash.
But this time… something had changed.
The branches bent away just before touching her.
The heavy rain that shattered stone vanished above her head.
The flames cleared a path before her.
Yet the pain in her womb grew unbearable.
It felt as though the child inside her was drawing power not only from her body, but from the storm, the forest, and everything around them.
Then came the worst part.
The contractions.
The baby was coming—far too soon.
"No… not now." Her voice trembled in despair. "Please… hold on just a little longer."
Her white hair glowed with a faint blue halo as it whipped around her face, strands clinging to her rain-soaked skin.
Fear filled her bright blue eyes as she glanced at the burning shadows of the forest.
She heard them.
The distant howls of wolves.
They were close.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.
The howls grew louder, echoing like a death call.
She knew very well what was hunting her.
These were no ordinary wolves—faster, smarter, larger, and far more deadly. Their glowing red eyes were the last thing most victims ever saw.
She stumbled, nearly falling, but forced herself onward.
Another wave of pain tore through her, and she stifled a cry.
The forest seemed endless—an ever-shifting maze of fire and shadow.
Then she saw it.
A cave.
Carved into the side of a rocky hill, its dark entrance offered a fragile hope.
But doubt crept into her mind.
If the wolves found her inside, it would be the end.
Trapped… with no escape.
Another contraction hit her violently, ripping the air from her lungs. She screamed, her knees buckling beneath her.
There was no stopping it.
She gritted her teeth and raised a trembling hand, drawing a glowing symbol in the air.
Light pulsed outward, wrapping her legs in a shimmering aura.
"Sailor Jambus," she whispered.
The spell unfurled.
The world blurred as magic hurled her forward.
The fire-lit ground became a streak of color beneath her glowing feet.
The distance to the cave vanished in three powerful leaps.
She skidded to a halt at the entrance, nearly collapsing.
The glow faded, leaving her shivering and gasping.
The storm raged on.
Rain crashed down the rocky hillside, water flooding into the cave.
She hesitated, glancing back at the forest in terror.
The wolves were still close.
But the pain left her no choice.
Another contraction—stronger than before.
Her vision blurred.
She clutched the cave wall, staggering a few steps before her strength failed.
She fell.
The child was coming, its birth hastened by the wild magic flooding her blood—and his.
Time dissolved into pain.
She barely noticed the newborn's cry echo through the cave.
Trembling, she gathered the child into her arms and whispered,"Please… stop crying. They'll hear us…"
To her shock, the baby stopped.
Then he giggled.
A soft, joyful sound—pure and innocent.
The laughter rippled through the cave and into the forest.
And with it, the storm vanished.
The winds fell silent.
The rain froze in midair before fading away.
The flames dimmed and died, as if ordered to retreat.
The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.
Laura stared at her child in awe.
How could something so pure wield such power?
The baby giggled again, louder this time.
The ground trembled—then fell silent once more.
But the silence did not last.
A massive shadow crept toward the cave, accompanied by the sound of hooves.
A giant wolf stepped into view, its rain-soaked silver fur gleaming faintly. Its red eyes burned like embers as it stared at her.
It howled.
The pack answered.
They were coming.
Weak and barely conscious, Laura tried to rise.
Her body refused.
She collapsed back, clutching the baby tightly.
The wolf advanced.
With the last of her strength, she raised a trembling hand, orange light flickering at her fingertips.
"Stay… away…"
The wolf leapt.
A blazing orange beam shot from her finger, striking it midair.
The creature crashed lifelessly to the ground.
Silence.
Then the baby giggled again.
Her heart ached.
But the spell had drained her completely.
Darkness closed in.
The last thing she saw were more glowing red eyes entering the cave.
Six wolves surrounded the child.
They growled—then froze.
The baby giggled.
Their eyes softened from red to warm brown.
One by one, they turned and sat at the cave entrance, calm and watchful.
Guarding him.
Time passed.
Then came a roar.
A tall, gaunt man stepped into the cave, draped in a black bear-fur cloak, gripping a massive tree branch like a staff.
His red eyes burned with disbelief and fury.
"How?" he thundered. "No beast tamer has ever turned my wolves against me!"
With a crack of power, a colossal golden lion emerged, shaking the cave with its roar.
The wolves whimpered and bowed.
The lion loomed over the child.
But the baby only laughed and reached out, tiny fingers curling into its mane.
The man sneered at the unconscious woman.
"Princess Laura," he said coldly."How far you've fallen."
With a flick of his hand, he ordered the lion to strike.
The beast roared—
And turned.
In a blur of motion, its massive jaws closed around its master.
No scream.
Only disbelief.
The lion released the lifeless body, its eyes fading to calm brown.
It turned back to the child.
No rage.
Only reverence.
The lion lay down at the cave entrance, regal and silent.
Standing guard.