Darcelle could not believe her eyes and ears. Did Helios really choose her and her half-eaten apple as a gift? The very notion seemed absurd, yet here she stood, clutching the remnants of her snack as if it were a precious gem.
"Alright," she answered, her voice barely above a whisper, and was about to follow Helios inside when a sudden sound broke through the air—a neighing horse, powerful and resonant.
She turned her head, her heart racing, and her breath caught in her throat as she beheld a magnificent sight: a flying horse, its wings glistening in the sunlight, soaring gracefully toward her. Seated atop this ethereal creature was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. The woman’s long, flowing hair shimmered like spun gold, and her eyes sparkled with an intensity that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe.
Darcelle stopped in her tracks, her feet rooted to the ground as she gazed at the woman, stunned by the beauty and the confidence that radiated from her. It was as if the very air around her crackled with energy, and Darcelle felt a strange mix of admiration and envy.
Without warning, the woman leaped off her horse, her movements fluid and graceful, even before the creature's hooves touched the ground. She strode purposefully toward Helios, her presence commanding attention.
"My name is Rebekah Simmons," she declared, her voice strong and clear as she looked directly at Helios. "I am the daughter of Simmons Lane, the alpha of the Lane Wolf Pack." Her words carried weight, and Darcelle could sense the authority behind them.
"I need to see the wizard king," Rebekah continued, her tone unwavering. "I heard that he appreciates gifts, and today I have brought with me several selected treasures from my pack's treasury." She gestured grandly toward a group of weak-looking men who struggled to carry a large casket, its ornate design hinting at the wealth contained within.
Darcelle couldn't help but marvel at the sight. "If that casket is full of treasures, then this girl must be very wealthy," she thought to herself, her mind racing with the possibilities of what lay inside.
"Please accept them on my behalf," Rebekah urged, her gaze fixed on Helios, who wore a mischievous smirk that suggested he was enjoying the unfolding drama.
"Unfortunately for you," Helios replied, his tone teasing, "the wizard king has a rather peculiar taste today. He only wants half-eaten apples for treasure, so I suggest you turn back and come again another day."
Rebekah, however, was not one to be easily deterred. "I have to see him, whether you like it or not," she retorted, her voice laced with defiance. "After all, you are nothing but a servant, and you are in no position to dictate what I should do." Her words hung in the air, shocking Helios into momentary silence.
With determination etched on her face, Rebekah began to walk toward the gates, where the well-built guards stood like stone sentinels, their expressions unreadable. But Helios raised his hand, and to Darcelle's astonishment, the guards stepped back, allowing Rebekah to pass unhindered.
She strode through the gates with a smug look on her face, as if she had just won a great victory. The confidence in her step was palpable, and Darcelle felt a mix of admiration and apprehension.
On the other hand, Darcelle remained rooted in place, her mind racing with questions. She couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief at Rebekah's audacity. How could someone so boldly waltz in as if she owned the place? Moreover, she was puzzled by Helios's reaction. Why did he allow Rebekah to enter without a fight?
As the gates closed behind Rebekah, Darcelle turned her gaze back to Helios, who was still smirking to himself, seemingly entertained by the encounter. His expression was enigmatic, and she wondered what thoughts were swirling in his mind.
Rebekah walked into the shrine, her confidence radiating as she took in the opulent surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the walls were adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.
But before she could take a step forward, something unexpected happened. Thick rose bushes erupted from the ground, their vibrant blooms contrasting sharply with the dark stone of the shrine. The bushes twisted and turned, forming a barrier that began to encircle her.
Startled, Rebekah staggered back, her heart racing as she instinctively raised her arms to shield herself from the sharp thorns that threatened to pierce her skin. The beauty of the roses was overshadowed by the danger they posed, and she quickly assessed her surroundings, trying to figure out how to escape this sudden entrapment.
Before she could formulate a plan, a figure emerged from the shadows—a masked man, his presence imposing and menacing. He stood beside her, his eyes hidden behind the mask, but the aura of authority he exuded was palpable.
"Wizard king, come out of this place and talk to me!" Rebekah demanded, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. She was not one to back down easily, and she expected her status as the alpha's daughter to command respect.
But the masked man had other intentions. Without a word, he lunged at her, delivering a punch so powerful that it sent her reeling backward. The force of the blow was staggering, and she felt the world spin around her as she lost her balance. She stumbled out of the shrine, her body crashing against the ground outside, the impact jarring her senses.
As she lay there, dazed and disoriented, the heavy gates of the shrine slammed shut with a resounding thud, sealing her fate and leaving her on the outside looking in.
Darcelle stood frozen in shock, her heart racing as she processed the scene that had just unfolded before her. How had this arrogant girl, so full of bravado just moments ago, been so easily thrown out? The suddenness of it all left her breathless, and she felt a mix of disbelief and concern for Rebekah.
"What the hell?" Rebekah exclaimed, pushing herself up from the ground, her face flushed with anger and humiliation. She shot a furious glance at Helios, who stood nearby, a bemused expression on his face, and then turned her attention to the locked gates that barred her entry.
Darcelle could see the fury in Rebekah's eyes, a fire that burned brightly despite her recent defeat. "You can't just do this to me!" Rebekah shouted, her voice echoing in the stillness of the courtyard. "I demand to speak to the wizard king! I am not just some commoner; I am the daughter of Simmon Lane!"
Helios, still leaning casually against the wall, raised an eyebrow at her outburst. "And yet, here you are, on the wrong side of the gates," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Perhaps you should have considered your approach before demanding an audience."
Darcelle watched, torn between sympathy for Rebekah and the realization that the masked man had acted on the wizard king's orders. The power dynamics at play were far more complex than she had initially understood.
"You just wait and see. I will ask my father to come and bring this shrine down to the ground," Rebekah threatened, her voice laced with defiance. With a scoff that echoed her disdain, she turned on her heel and strode away, her silhouette fading into the distance.
Helios stood unmoved, seemingly unfazed by Rebekah's bold declaration. His demeanor was calm, as if her words were nothing more than a fleeting breeze. Slowly, he shifted his gaze to Darcelle, who remained rooted in place, her eyes still fixated on Rebekah’s retreating figure.
"Young miss..." Helios began, his tone gentle yet authoritative, hoping to draw Darcelle’s attention back to him. She turned, her expression a mixture of concern and hesitation. "Go inside," he urged, gesturing toward the imposing gates that loomed behind them. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes as she contemplated his command, the earlier scene of Rebekah's expulsion still vivid in her mind.
"Mister... are you sure that the wizard king wants my half-eaten apple as a treasure today?" Darcelle asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. The weight of the situation pressed on her, and she couldn’t help but compare herself to the others who had brought lavish gifts—shimmering gems, intricately crafted artifacts, and ornate offerings.
Rebekah had presented something grand, and she was thrown out of the shrine.
Meanwhile, here Darcelle was, clutching her humble half-eaten apple, unsure of its worth.
Helios regarded her for a brief moment, his expression inscrutable. He felt a flicker of sympathy for the young girl, but his resolve remained firm. "There are rules in the shrine, and they must be followed," he replied, his voice steady. The unyielding nature of the shrine’s customs was something he had come to accept, no matter how peculiar they may appear to an outsider.
Darcelle hesitated, her heart racing as she weighed her options. "Are you going in or not?" he pressed gently, his patience wearing thin as the guards began to open the gates for her. The heavy creak of the gates echoed in the still air, inviting her into the unknown.