I am Lena

*(Point of view of Lena)*

The darkness was oppressive. Even as my mind tried to resist, the reality of the cult and their intentions surrounded me like a dense fog. I was trapped, vulnerable, and the idea of being a pawn in a much larger game terrified me.

I woke up in a damp, dark space, my head heavy and my vision blurred. The smell of wet earth and something more acrid filled the air around me. I tried to move, but my hands were tied.

I fought against the feeling of panic. What happened? Where was Kael? My mind raced, recalling the last moment I saw his face. He was trying to protect me, and now I had no idea if he was safe.

Forcing myself to think clearly, I looked around. The walls were made of raw stone, and there was a faint flickering light in the distance. My heart raced when I realized I wasn’t alone. Cultists.

“She’s awake,” said a female voice, filled with disdain. “The chosen one finally realizes her situation.”

“You don’t know who I am,” I retorted, trying to inject confidence into my words. “You can’t keep me here.”

The woman laughed, a sound that echoed off the cold walls. “Oh, but you’re already trapped. And you belong to us, Lena. The Guardian desires your power, and we will unleash it.”

“Your mistake,” I responded, fear beginning to transform into anger. “I’m not a tool for your plans.”

She stepped closer, her eyes shining with a frightening fanaticism. “You don’t understand. What you are is a gift for our God. And with you, we will achieve true strength.”

The cultists began to murmur, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. I knew I had to escape, but how? My wrists ached from the pressure of the ropes, and the darkness around me seemed to close in.

“Get me out of here!” I shouted, trying to break free. “Kael will come to save me. He will end you.”

Laughter echoed again, and the woman turned to the others. “What you don’t realize, Lena, is that he is not in a position to help you. Thorne has turned everyone against you.”

Her words hit me like an arrow. Thorne. He had orchestrated all of this. Every step I took toward freedom, every moment I believed I was making the right choice, was manipulated by him. The betrayal hurt more than any physical wound.

“He can’t be trusted,” the woman continued, noting the change in my face. “Thorne used you for his own interests, and now he’s out of the way.”

The revelation left me stunned. Thorne had always seemed protective, someone who promised to be by my side, but deep down, he had a plan. He didn’t want to save me; he wanted to use me.

“You’re lying,” I tried to protest, but my voice faltered. What else could he have done in the shadows?

The woman stepped even closer, and her expression became sinister. “The cult needs you. And when the Guardian has your power, you will no longer be needed. You will become just another sacrifice.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach. The idea of being sacrificed, reduced to nothing amid these insane ambitions, was unbearable. I needed to find a way out, a way to escape before it was too late.

“You can’t keep me here forever,” I asserted, trying to find a mental escape. “I am more powerful than you imagine.”

She smiled, but it was an empty expression. “And that is your greatest weakness, Lena. You don’t know what true power is. But soon you will learn.”

The ropes began to burn against my skin, and the reality of my situation became clearer. If I didn’t manage to break free, what would happen to me and everyone I loved?

“Kael,” I whispered, desperate. He had always been my anchor, and the idea of being away from him made me feel even more lost. If Thorne was behind all this, where would he be now? He was the only person I truly trusted.

As darkness surrounded me, the murmurs of the cultists became a symphony of despair. I knew I needed a plan. Even bound, even surrounded, there was a spark within me that refused to fade.

I tried to relax, feeling the ropes around me. If I could use the magic that had awakened inside me, perhaps I could free myself. It was a chance, but I needed focus.

I closed my eyes and let the energy flow through me, feeling every cell vibrate. The power of the Guardian pulsed, and I recalled Kael’s words: *You are strong, Lena. Never forget that.*

The inner light began to glow, and I concentrated on how the energy shaped around me. A warmth spread, and I could feel the ropes loosening slowly.

“She’s doing something,” the woman screamed, panic rising in her voice. “Don’t let her escape!”

Time was running out, but I couldn’t give up. I struggled against what bound me, and suddenly, the ropes broke. Adrenaline surged through my body, and I rose, ready to face the cultists.

“Now you will regret it,” I said, determination burning in my heart.

The woman charged, but I had already invoked a magical barrier around me. The energy exploded, knocking some cultists back, while others recoiled, surprised by my strength.

“I am more than a chosen one,” I declared, confidence taking hold of me. “I am Lena, and I will not let you dominate me.”

With an agile movement, I dodged an attack and launched a spell toward the group, causing them to retreat even further. The light emanating from me was intense, and hope began to blossom in my heart.

But deep down, I knew this was just the beginning. Thorne was still out there, and I needed to understand his true role in this deadly game.

For now, though, I was free. And with the energy of the forest around me, I decided I would find Kael and confront Thorne. The battle was not won, but I had the strength to fight.

And I was not alone.