Lara woke up to another glorious dawn, a luxury she had not experienced in her old life, when her early mornings would be greeted with smog and the high-rise buildings surrounding the suburb where her father’s mansion was.
As dawn broke, a serene calm enveloped the peak, and everyone basked in the embrace of the cold mist. Even Bener, who often battled the restless demons of insomnia, found solace in his dreams. He drifted through the night wrapped in warmth, cradled by the gentle lull of tranquility. Upon waking, he felt a wave of freshness wash over him, invigorating his spirit and lighting a spark of energy that he hadn’t felt in ages. The morning greeted him like an old friend, promising a day filled with promise.
They descended the peak, and while it was faster, the boys found out that it was more taxing. On steep inclines, they had to be very careful as one wrong move could lead to a fall, which might not be fatal but could cause serious injuries.
As they plunged deeper into the jungle, shadows flitted between the trees, revealing the presence of wild animals.
The creatures, with keen eyes that glistened like polished stones, watched the humans intently from their hiding places. Silence hung in the air, heavy with tension; the beasts, sensing the powerful aura that radiated from the four Norse siblings, chose discretion over aggression. Deep-rooted instincts whispered to them—survival depended on letting these formidable enemies pass unchallenged.
Even as predators, they recognized the law of nature. The strong were to be feared. They understood that within this wild tapestry of life, the powerful stood as figures to be both admired and dreaded.
It was lunchtime, and they needed two more hours to reach the plateau. They decided to camp on a clearing under an ancient tree whose trunk was so large that even the six of them, holding hands, would not be able to encircle it.
While they were preparing to cook their lunch, Percival challenged Lara to a friendly duel to pass the time. They used the blunt side of the sword to avoid an accidental wounding of either one of them.
On the first two moves, Percival was disarmed. He cursed as he picked up his sword. He has not even straightened his back when a kick landed at his butt.
"Lara!’ He glared at his sister, surprised that he had been kicked while picking up his weapon.
"Never expose your back to your enemies, or it will be the end of you." Lara reminded him, her voice serious and calm. She was mimicking how Jethru would teach and chastise her.
They continued their spar, and Percival could tell that Lara was holding back. But even if she did, Percival still found it so difficult to get an opening.
Lara parried with him, and he realized that she was training him. The longer they sparred, the more techniques he learned and applied.
But then, out of nowhere, a roar like thunder was heard, and a blur of orange leaped in the air and pounced on Percival.
Percival screamed as he hit the ground, flat on his back. A massive tiger loomed over him, its heavy paws pinning his chest. Hot breath washed over his face as saliva dripped from its snarling jaws, the gleam of razor-sharp fangs flashing inches from his throat.
It let out a guttural growl and lowered its mouth.
Sneak Peek: Character Design
Lara Starr: A twenty-year-old daughter of a major general. She was a Kromwel, kidnapped at birth and raised with one purpose: to destroy the Kromwel family, a powerful military dynasty responsible for her Starr family’s downfall. Trained from a young age in the arts of assassination and strategy, she embarked on her mission of revenge, only to suffer a tragic accident that derailed her plans. When she woke up, she transmigrated into the body of Lara Norse, a young woman living long before the recorded history of Azurverda.
Lara Norse: The youngest child and only daughter of General Odin Norse of the Kingdom of Northem. Lara Norse’s life was cut short when her treacherous cousin sold her to human traffickers. After Lara Starr took over her body, she used her modern skills and sharp intellect to escape captivity alongside her loyal maid and a five-year-old son of a duke. For two years, she trained under a reclusive master, perfecting her martial arts and survival skills. At sixteen, she began her journey to reclaim her identity and rightful place within her family while facing the challenges of a world rife with betrayal and intrigue.
Alaric Kromwel Nickname: Ari - Age 22 when Lara was 16.
The rebellious first prince of Northem. Alaric grew up overshadowed by his two brothers. His mother, the first queen, died protecting him. His father promoted his second wife, the queen (mother of Reuben, who was just a month younger than Alaric)—a woman despised by his father because she had caused his wife’s death. Without a mother, he endured a lifetime of scorn and injustice, fueling his determination to excel. By age twelve, he had joined the battlefield, and by sixteen, he became the youngest general in Northem’s history. Alaric first encountered Lara during his pursuit of the infamous Alta-Sierra bandits. Gravely injured, he would have died if not for her timely intervention. Though initially unaware of her true identity, their fates became intertwined in the struggles for survival and power.
Mira Norse: Lara’s scheming cousin and the story’s antagonist, Mira Norse is a master manipulator who orchestrated Lara’s abduction to eliminate her from the family. With Lara presumed dead, Mira exploited her aunt’s grief to position herself as the beloved adopted daughter of the general’s household. Her ambition knows no bounds, as she allied herself with powerful figures to secure her place and thwart Lara’s eventual return.
Reuben Kromwel: The second prince of Northem and Alaric’s younger brother. Reuben Kromwel, is the epitome of royal charisma and cunning. Captivated by Lara at first sight, he became determined to make her his Princess Consort. Unwilling to take "no" for an answer, Reuben conspired with Mira to ensure Lara’s submission, even if it meant resorting to betrayal and deceit.
Author’s Note: I shared a preview of the two main antagonists. They will appear in the story very soon.