The Brute in the Dark City

As the wind brushed against it, a massive tree shedding vibrant lavender-coloured flowers flapped its leaves. A little girl in a white frock settled on a round arc swing adorned with green pine leaves and flowers. Her silky light golden long hair dropped to her waist. The wind gently shook the swing. The little girl gazed at the cascade from a distance.

"Laura" Jessica walked toward the little girl. 

"Aunt… you are here… come let's play…" immediately little Laura dragged Jessica to the garden. 

"Laura… slow down… you should behave like a lady…" Jessica warned her. 

"Lady?" Laura arched her brows.

"Yes… you are the little princess of this kingdom. So you should be strong enough and a little bit serious about your life" Jessica started her usual lecture.

"Aunt… what's my age?" Asked Laura holding her hip cutely. 

"What!! Laura, You are 8 years old now" Jessica said without any delay.

"Aunt… I am just 8 years old and I have a lot of time to get my throne from my dad to rule this kingdom. Now I should focus on my schooling and then playing… so don't stop me… let me enjoy myself before I am caged with those never-ending responsibilities" little Laura mimicked her aunt in a lecture. Jessica widened her eyes hearing Laura. She was speechless in front of a little girl. Before Jessica can give another lecture Laura dragged her to the garden area.

As they reached the garden suddenly Jessica stopped her steps and tightened up her hold on Laura.

"Aunt… leave me… you are hurting me…" whined Laura as she felt a pain in her fist.

"Laura… let us go back to the palace… your mom is calling us…" Jessica rushed holding up Laura in her hand.

"Aunt… what's the rush?" Inquired Laura sensing a panic on her face.

"Something is wrong Laura…" Jessica muttered and dashed through the corridor. As they reached the end of the corridor Elizabeth stopped them by deterring them from entering the hall.

"Beth… What is it?" Enquired Jessica. Before Elizabeth could respond she fell into Jessica's arms.

"Mom"

"Beth"

Laura and Jessica cried out in fear seeing Elizabeth weak.

"Jes… save my child… go…" Elizabeth muttered weekly.

"Beth… what happened?" Asked Jessica holding her sister who was in a weak state. Elizabeth held Laura's hand who was crying in a mess.

"Come on Jes… go…" she again stressed her words.

"Calm down Beth… Brother-in-law, I will inform him…" Jessica panicked. Immediately Elizabeth widened her eyes and stopped her.

"No… Jes… we have to go now or else Laura will be in danger… I will tell you everything… please… understand me… please Jes…" Elizabeth begged.

"They are there… hurry up… catch them…" a loud voice echoed and Jes realised the voice was Ralph's. She felt fishy as she noticed Ralph approaching them with guards. Jes felt confused seeing the guards who needed to protect them were running to catch them. 

Quickly Elizabeth raised her finger and drew a circle in the air. Then she pulled Jes and Laura along with her inside it. Ralph halted his steps, noticing them vanishing away. 

"Bullshit… go and catch them… I need them at any cost…" Ralph yelled at the guards.

"Elizabeth… Do you think I will leave you that easily…"He smirked. 

Ralph knight had been vying for the throne for a long time. It took him a lot of effort to scratch the kingdom's roots. He just killed his Uncle Knight, and he swayed the guards in his favour. He claimed to be the heir to the throne, and besides his grandfather despised him as an illegal child of his father. But Knight, who was kind-hearted, treated him as his son and treated him with respect. But that wasn't enough for Ralph. Nonetheless, he felt he was an illegitimate heir to the kingdom. That was when he decided to seize the throne. And his lust for Elizabeth, his gorgeous Aunt thrived into a reason for Knight's demise.

As soon as he seized the throne, he had to assassinate Laura as she was the one who owned the throne after her father. But he was aware that it was not an easy task. Ralph was well aware of Elizabeth's power, and she would undoubtedly protect her child. As a result, he directed a maid to spike her drink. Because the drink was laced with a drug that cast a sorcerer's spell, it quickly took effect on Elizabeth, who was also a witch. Only a few people were aware that Elizabeth possessed witchcraft abilities.

Elizabeth used her limited powers to free her daughter from the evil hands of Ralph. After witnessing Knight being killed by Ralph Elizabeth learned of his plan to kill Laura. Jessica, her sister, who was also a werewolf with witches' power, happened to be nearby to help her.

Ralph became agitated when Elizabeth and Laura escaped from his shackles. But he calmed down and realised that they couldn't be able to do so easily because Elizabeth couldn't withstand her power for long. So he assumed he'd be able to easily catch them. But Ralph undetected Jessica's presence near them. Jessica had not been seen in the palace for a long time. That's another reason he went ahead with his plan sooner. But, to his dismay, she returned just in time.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth fell to the ground weakly. And Jessica held Laura from falling. Securing Laura in her rear, Jessica approached Elizabeth. Noticing Elizabeth was senseless Jessica murmured a spell on her but it didn't give her any moment. Jessica made another spell and cast it on Elizabeth. Suddenly Elizabeth opened her eyes. 

" Beth… Are you fine?" Jessica patted her cheeks.

"I am fine for now… Jes… don't use your powers on me… you should secure your powers to save our Laura. She needs you… " muttered Elizabeth weakly.

"Beth… could you please tell me what all this was?" Jessica asked, calming herself. Immediately Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears.

"Jes… Ralph … he killed my Knight. He spiked my drink and he planned to kill Laura. Please save my child…" Elizabeth cried hard.

"What nonsense are you saying, Beth? He killed Knight!!!" Jessica doubted her words. Elizabeth nodded her head in return.

"Daddy" suddenly they heard a low voice near them. Elizabeth and Jessica turned to see Laura who was standing in shock.

Elizabeth felt even weaker seeing her child who was crying silently. She held Laura's hand. 

"Laura… listen to mom… Ralph needs this kingdom. Don't let that happen. This kingdom belongs to you so secure it in your hands. Don't let it go to his hand" Elizabeth mumbled, taking deep breaths.

"Baby… go with your Aunt to a safe place for now. Be there till the right time arrives. Come back to get what yours… promise me…" she held up her hands which were shaking.

Laura blinked innocently hearing her mother's words. Yet she promised her. Elizabeth courted a locket hung on a chain and gave it to Laura. 

"Keep this safe with you… " Elizabeth secured the locket in Laura's hand.

"Beth… what the hell? We are not going anywhere leaving you here. Whatever happens, I won't leave your side" Jessica yelled.

"Jes… you please calm… let me talk to Laura first" Elizabeth cautioned her sternly. Jessica felt irritated.

"Laura… It's your responsibility to keep your parents proud. So you should do this. When the right time comes mom will notify you. You should come back. Don't you listen to me?" Elizabeth creased her daughter's hair.

"Mom… I will do whatever you tell me. But mom… I can't leave you…" Laura cried and hugged Elizabeth. Elizabeth smiled and creased her back.

"It's a very short separation, baby… mom will join you soon…" Elizabeth soothes her back.

Elizabeth felt even weak. Suddenly, they heard a loud noise around them as the guards were near them. Elizabeth pushed Laura to Jessica.

"Jes… hurry up… " saying she cast a spell raising her invisible wand.

"You are kidding me!!" Jessica exclaimed, realising the spell.

"No… I am serious… now… tight your hold on the wand Jessica…" yelled Elizabeth. Unknowingly in fear, Jessica began to casted spells along with Elizabeth.

Soon the surroundings turned pitch black. A blue and white light appeared from their wand. As an arc-shaped ray appeared Elizabeth pushed Jessica and Laura into it.

"Beth… can't you come with us?" Jessica asked for the last time even though she knew the answer. Elizabeth smiled.

"Take care of my child Jes… I love you both…" Elizabeth said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Don't worry… I won't die soon… I need to witness that monster's doom… we will meet soon…" Elizabeth added, noticing their hurtful eyes. Jessica gazed at the guards approaching Elizabeth. As Elizabeth dropped her wand a little soon the light vanished along with Laura and Jessica.

"Knight… I swear… I won't disappoint you… I will kill him…" Elizabeth wiped her tears as she remembered Ralph killing her husband. 

Soon the footsteps neared her. She felt weak and before she could hide herself Elizabeth went unconscious.