THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

As Cauis and Axel sparred relentlessly, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the training grounds. The clang of weapons echoed in the fading light, each strike filled with purpose and resolve. Sweat dripped from their brows, but neither showed any sign of stopping until they felt stronger until they were ready.

The next morning, the group gathered at the town's entrance. Their supplies were packed, and despite the lingering weight of recent events, a shared determination glimmered in their eyes.

"Time to move," Alisan said, her voice steady.

June glanced back at the town before tightening her cloak. "The Desert of Ashar awaits."

Without another word, they set off, the distant sands of Ashar shimmering on the horizon.

As they rode in their carriage, the sound of frantic hooves caught their attention. Ahead, another carriage was racing down the path, pursued by a group of bandits on horseback. Cauis leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Didn't we see this happen before… deja vu?"

Axel chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "Guess we know how this ends."

June narrowed her eyes. "Let's make it quick."

Without hesitation, the group sprang into action, ready to intervene once again.

As June sat back, her fingers flicked lazily, sending out a pulse of ice magic that froze several bandits in their tracks.

At the same time, Alisan twirled her staff, releasing a burst of stunning light that disoriented the remaining attackers. Staggering and unable to react, the bandits were sitting ducks.

"All yours!" Alisan called out.

Axel and Cauis leaped into the fray. Axel's fists struck like thunder, each punch sending a bandit crashing to the ground, while Cauis moved with precision, his sword sweeping through their defenses with ease.

The fight was over in moments, leaving the frozen and unconscious bandits scattered along the path.

As the last of the bandits were subdued, Cauis approached the carriage, his gaze flickering between the defeated foes. He gave a casual nod and called to the person inside, "It's safe now. You can come out."

The carriage door slowly creaked open, and out stepped a woman with striking pink hair, cascading in soft waves down her back. Her features were elegant, with a regal air about her that immediately caught the eye. Dressed in fine clothing befitting royalty, she stood tall with a confident grace.

"Thank you," she said with a voice that was both soft and commanding, her gaze lingering on the defeated bandits before turning to Cauis. "I wasn't sure if I'd make it out of that situation."

Her presence, coupled with the pink strands of her hair, gave her a striking beauty that hinted at something more than just the daughter of a noble family. Something about her seemed to radiate an inner strength.

The woman gave a small but graceful curtsy, her expression a mix of gratitude and pride. "I am Zahira Duneheart, Princess of the Kingdom of Ashar," she introduced herself, her voice carrying the weight of her noble status.

She straightened, meeting their eyes with a calm but piercing gaze. "It seems you've saved me just in time. I was not expecting to run into such trouble on this journey."

The wind gently stirred her pink hair, and there was a certain unspoken power about her. Despite the royal appearance, there was a sharpness in her eyes that spoke of someone who had lived through far more than most might expect from a princess.

"Your help is much appreciated," she continued, her gaze shifting to the fallen bandits.

Axel raised an eyebrow and asked, "Isn't it usual for a princess to have guards with her? Where are yours?"

Zahira's expression shifted slightly, a shadow passing over her features at Axel's question. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Normally, yes, I would have my guards with me," she said, her voice steady, but there was an edge to it now. "But… they were dispatched on a different matter, and I insisted on traveling alone for a short time. I wanted to see more of my kingdom for myself, without the constant eyes of the palace on me."

Her gaze hardened a little as she looked back at the path they had come from, as if recalling something unpleasant. "I didn't expect trouble... but it seems I was mistaken."

She took a deep breath, then turned to the group, her expression softening. "I can't travel alone anymore. Will you help me? I need protection until we reach the Kingdom of Ashar. I will compensate you for your troubles."

The group exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. "Sure, Princess," Axel said with a shrug. "We were headed there first anyway."

Cauis gave a slight grin. "Might as well have some company along the way."

"Looks like we're all heading in the same direction," June added, her voice a little lighter than before.

Alisan gave a nod of agreement, her gaze softening as she regarded the princess. "We'll protect you until we get there."

The princess gave a small, relieved smile. "Thank you," she said, bowing her head slightly. "I won't forget this."

As the princess requested, the group agreed to ride with her to the kingdom of Ashar. Cauis, who had been quiet for a moment, reached into his pouch and pulled out a few coins, paying for the carriage they had earlier ridden.

"Let's not waste time," Cauis said, as he handed the coins over. "We can travel more efficiently this way."

The carriage driver gave him a nod of acknowledgment, and with that, the group climbed into the carriage alongside the princess. The journey ahead was long, but they now had a sense of purpose helping the princess reach her kingdom and uncovering what lay ahead.

The princess settled in, glancing at the group with a grateful but guarded look. "I'll be relying on you all to get me there safely," she said, her tone resolute yet soft.

The group nodded, each of them preparing for whatever challenges lay on the road ahead.

The princess broke the silence after a while, her voice thoughtful. "Oh, by the way, have you all heard about the Kingdom of Drakmire summoning heroes?" she asked, her eyes scanning the horizon outside the carriage window as if waiting for their response.

Her words hung in the air, drawing the group's attention. The mention of Drakmire, a kingdom known for its mysterious ways, always carried weight.

Cauis raised an eyebrow, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity. "No, princess, isn't that supposed to be a secret?" He exchanged a quick glance with the group, each of them keeping their role as heroes under wraps for now. They couldn't risk the princess making a connection.

The princess shrugged nonchalantly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's fine, it's fine," she said, her voice light. "Soon enough, it'll be announced anyway. I can't wait to meet them." Her excitement was evident, though the group couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy at the thought of their identities potentially being revealed.

As they approached a small town, the carriage driver called out, his voice carrying over the sound of the wheels. "Princess, we'll be resting in this town for the night," he said, steering the horses toward a quiet inn at the edge of the settlement. The town appeared peaceful, its rustic charm offering a welcome reprieve after the long journey.

As the group entered the inn, the innkeeper's eyes widened in shock. Recognizing the princess, he rushed forward, falling to one knee. "Welcome, Princess of Ashar," he said, his voice trembling with reverence. "It's an honor to have you here. Please, make yourself comfortable. Everything you need will be provided."

The other patrons whispered among themselves, surprised and curious about the royal presence in such a modest town.

Zahira smiled warmly. "Please, rise. We're just travelers tonight. No need for any formalities."

The innkeeper stood, still visibly flustered, and quickly prepared the best room for her and the group. As they settled in for the evening, the air inside the inn felt far more comfortable compared to the long road they had traveled.

Cauis leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. "Looks like traveling with royalty has its perks."

June chuckled. "No kidding. This beats camping under the stars."

As they sat down to eat, Zahira turned to them. "Tomorrow, we'll continue toward the capital. But tonight, rest well. There's still a long journey ahead."

The early morning light filtered through the windows, casting soft rays on the group as they finished their meal. The sound of the carriage driver's voice broke the stillness. "We're leaving early today. Make sure you're ready to go."

Axel groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Early mornings aren't exactly my thing, but I guess we don't have much of a choice." He stretched and cracked his knuckles, readying himself for the day's travel.

Alisan stood up slowly, brushing crumbs off her robes. "A head start could be beneficial," she said quietly, her eyes lingering on her staff. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we get to our destination."

June, already dressed and prepared, looked to Zahira. "Are we ready, Princess?" she asked, her voice steady but carrying a hint of the uncertainty that always lingered when facing the unknown.

Zahira stood gracefully, her presence commanding as usual. "Yes, we're ready," she answered. "Let's head out before the sun gets too high."

With that, the group gathered their things and made their way to the carriage, the promise of a long journey ahead weighing on their shoulders but also stirring the excitement of what lay beyond. The road to the capital would be tough, but they were prepared to face whatever challenges awaited them.