Page 30 of Rebel's Fated Mate

I tried to cut through them, my sword a blur of steel, but for every soldier I felled, two more seemed to take their place. I caught glimpses of Elara through the battle, her face determined yet strained, the distance between us growing with each passing second.

"Hold on, Elara!" I roared, my voice barely audible over the clash of weapons and cries of battle. But the throng closed in, and soon, she was lost from sight.[MN65]

I fought frantically, trying to carve a path back to her. "Elara, hold on!"

Suddenly, a group of Corvus's elite guards surrounded her, their dark auras menacing. Despite her best efforts, they overpowered her, binding her hands with enchanted chains.

"No!" I roared, breaking free from my own skirmish and rushing towards her. But it was too late. They dragged her away, disappearing into the chaos.

I fought my way through the remaining soldiers, my desperation lending me strength. But by the time I reached the spot where I had last seen her, she was gone. My heart pounded with fear and rage.

"Find Corvus!" I commanded the nearby rebels, my voice hoarse. "We can't let them take her!"

We searched the battlefield, but the signs were clear. Elara had been captured. The realization hit me like a physical blow. The prophecy, our connection, everything we had fought for—it all seemed to hang in the balance.

"Kael," Lyra called, rushing to my side. "We need to regroup."

I nodded, barely able to contain my fury. "Corvus has taken her. We have to get her back."

"We will," she assured me, her eyes fierce. "But we need a plan."

As the battle wound down, we gathered our forces. The cost had been high, but we still had hope. Elara was the key to everything, and I couldn't let her be lost to us.

"Where would Corvus take her?" Lyra asked, her mind already working on a strategy.

"To the heart of the Aethel Empire," I replied, my voice hard. "He'll take her to Emperor Draven. We need to get there, fast."

The rebels and guardians prepared to move out, our mission clear. The battle for Aeloria had been brutal, but the fight for Elara and our future had just begun.

I vowed to do whatever it took to bring her back, to fulfill the prophecy and protect the world from the darkness threatening to consume it.

Out of nowhere, a figure emerged from the shadows, and my heart sank. It was Corvus, or rather, a projection of him from the way he floated effortlessly over us. His eyes glinted with malicious amusement.

"Disgraced Captain Kael, if you ever want to see the girl alive again, come to Aethel and give yourself up."

I stepped forward, fury burning in my veins. "Disgraced or not, I have more honor than you can ever dream of. You won’t win, Corvus."

He laughed, the sound cold and devoid of humor. "You’re still a traitor, Kael. Always a traitor."

"But not today I’m not," I growled, thrusting my spear at him. It passed through his form harmlessly, the projection shimmering for a moment before solidifying again.

"Come alone. No one follows you. If I see any sign of that bear, the girl dies," Corvus continued, his voice dripping with malice. "You have until sundown to appear at Aethel. Emperor Draven will be more than happy with this little gift."

He laughed nastily, the sound echoing around us, and then he was gone.

The reality of the situation hit me like a blow. Elara was in the clutches of Corvus, and I had to act quickly to save her. The weight of the prophecy pressed down on me, but so did the urgency of her safety.

"I have to move," I said, my voice firm. "I have to catch up with Elara before they hurt her. "

Lyra stepped forward; her face set with determination. "We're going with you, Kael. You can't do this alone."

"No," I snapped, my voice sharp. "Corvus does not make light threats, and I can’t risk Elara’s safety. I have to go alone."

Lyra’s eyes blazed with anger. "You can’t just rush in without a plan! You’re going to get yourself killed, and that won’t help Elara."

One of the guardians, the woman with piercing blue eyes, stepped forward. "Lyra’s right. We must think this through. There are ways to outsmart Corvus. [MN66]Let us help."

I growled, the frustration boiling over. "There is no time for stupid plans! Elara’s life is hanging in the balance!"

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