Chapter Four

Rose has been taken prisoner by none other then the man claiming to be the new Dark Lord; her meeting with him was more then to be expected

Rose woke to find herself in a strange room lit dimly with the light of torches hanging along the walls. From the help of the wall behind her, she stumbled to her feet. Pain rang through her head as her vision blurred. Was this some kind of effect from the portal she had been sent through?

As she ran her fingers around the sides of the wall, she noticed the walls were made of some kind of stone; brick maybe? Whatever the case maybe, she doubt she would be able summon enough power to destroy the walls…not with the way she felt at the moment.

On further inspection she soon discovered a simple wooden door at the far end of room. She narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping a crossed her mind. Nonetheless, she stumbled forward taking short strides until she was able to walk her normal pace. Once close enough she placed a hand to the door. Feels like wood… She rapped lightly against it listening intently to the sound her knocking made. Sounds like wood too…

Placing an ear against the door she listened for any sound of movement or talking, but heard nothing. She waited a moment longer, just to make sure…and nothing.

"I guess this is a good time as any." She said aloud then tried the knob. Locked. "Oh man." She said frustrated at she rubbed her forehead. "Of course the door is locked…they wouldn't put a prisoner in a room with a way out." She backed away from the door studying it closely. It truly seemed like an ordinary wooden door with ordinary hinges. Perhaps she could summon enough strength to at least take care of the door?

After a few quick blinks, Rose's eyesight was fully regained and she then raised her right hand up towards the door. Here goes nothing… she summoned all the energy she could muster releasing the strongest squall she was capable of forming at this time. However, before the wind was able to reach the door, Rose noticed the walls beginning to glow a strange green in the form of symbols. Within mere seconds the wind was quickly depleted before her eyes until there was nothing left in its wake. With their job done, the symbols slowly vanished as if the room had never held such secrets within its walls.

"Now what?" She asked herself falling to her knees. "How am I going to get out of here?" She then heard a voice and after another quick looked around, she realized it had been coming from outside of the room.

Another voice seemed to answer the first and there was the sound of footsteps shortly after. The footsteps sounded to be coming towards the door. Rose immediately began pushing herself away from the door with her feet until she reached the other side of the room, her back hitting the wall. She felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest when the sound of the lock clicked open and the knob began to turn.  

Oh god.  She brought her knees up to her chest watching the door with fearful eyes.   This is it…I'm dead… 

Once the door fully opened, Rose found herself looking to a young man in black attire. His hair was a dark brown tied back loosely down the mid of his back.

"What a surprise." The man said with an intrigued tone; his chilling blue eyes pierced through hers. "I've heard we captured a woman…but I haven't expected that this woman would be one of the four Guardians."

Rose eyed him carefully. "W-what do you want?  Who are you?"

He watched her for a moment longer, studying her as she had him. "For being one of the Guardians and not knowing the name of your enemy," he grinned, "is quite an unwise move."

Rose swallowed fearfully. "You…are Alester…aren't you?"

Taking a step closer his grin turned into a smile. "It seems you do know of me after all."  He bowed slightly.  "I am honored."

"What do you plan to do with me?" Rose asked meekly unsure of what he would do or was capable of doing. With the room she was in and no weapon at her side she was finding herself to be in a dreadful predicament.

Alester straightened his posture looking to her coldly. "You mustn't worry. I haven't plans to kill you…as of yet." He sighed halfheartedly as he began to walk around the room. "I need your fellow Guardians for this as well. Killing you now will merely hinder my plans."

Rose couldn't help but feel some form of relief wash over her. That meant she was safe for the time being. That maybe she could somehow get free and warn the others before-

Her head soon snapped up and to the left as she heard a loud 'clap' at the side of her head. She jumped, quickly sliding to the right as she came face to face with Alester. How did he- I didn't even notice-

Alester placed a cold hand onto her throat, startling her, before squeezing his fingers around it. He slowly stood to his feet lifting her up as well until he was fully standing. Rose's feet kicked frantically above the floor as she gasped for the air Alester relentlessly stopped her from breathing in. "Now don't you be getting any ideas on trying to escape. If you haven't found already," he looked around the room studying the walls before meeting her gaze once more, "this room has a special barrier, halting all forms of magic from its wielder."

He then released his grip, causing Rose to fall painfully to the floor. She placed a hand to her throat rubbing it gently as she coughed and gasped for air. Is this b*****d just playing with me?

She flinched as he knelt beside her once again. "Don't worry; you won't be here for long." He reached out, pushing strands of her hair behind her right ear. She couldn't help but jerk away from him; his presence, let alone his touch, disgusted her.

Alester was clearly amused by her reaction as he let out a laugh. Standing to his feet he turned and walked back towards the door pulling it open. He made a swift motion with his right hand and moment's later a guard was at his side. "No one is allowed to go in or out of this room. You understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Good." He took one last glance at Rose before slamming the door shut.

Rose stood to her shaky legs watching the door fearing it may open once more. After some time had past, she let out a deep breath of relief. He wasn't going to be coming back anytime soon.

She then began to think of a way to escape this awful place she had been taken to. Her gaze fell upon the door once more.  There is no use going that way. She scanned the room again, looking for something, anything, she might have missed before.

A chill ran down her spine causing her to shiver slightly. She looked around again her eyes narrowed. I could have sworn I felt something. The chill ran down her spine once more. She turned around finding a wall behind her.

A sigh escaped her lips when she felt a light breeze touch her midsection. Her eyes widened as she placed her hands up to the wall, tracing the grooves of the stone. "Please…let there be something…" she whispered when her pointer finger made an abrupt inward motion. A smile formed over her lips as she pulled her hands away.

Taking in a deep breath, Rose held out both of her hands, placing them up against the wall. Hopefully at this range something will happen.

After summoning her energy she closed her eyes and with a silent prayer she released her fierce winds, blowing a vast amount of the wall from the room. She stepped back feeling lightheaded. Oh! Did I use too much of my energy?

The lock to the door clicked open the door itself swinging open shortly after. A man in armor came storming into the room; his eyes were wide in surprise before he shook his head. "What do you think you are doing?  Don't you know this edge of the castle hangs over a cliff?"  The man said with a brief laugh as he began to come towards her.

Rose looked over the edge of the room. Sure enough, there was nothing but a hundred foot drop outside of this room. She looked back to the man who was halfway towards her. I have no choice…With a few steps back she took a deep breath before running forward full force and jumped out the opening.

"You, idiot!" The guard yelled rushing towards the edge of the room and watched as Rose continued her fast descent down the cliff.

I hope this works.

She held her arms out to her sides closing her eyes tightly. She concentrated hard on the wind whistling passed her ears when it suddenly came to stop. At first she thought she was dead; that her powers had failed her. But as she opened her eyes she saw she was descending at a much slower pace.  Using her powers, Rose was able to create a cushion of air beneath her allowing her to gradually reach the land below her.

Once she had finally landed on the rocky road below, Rose looked up to the guard who now looked to be a black dot against the blue sky. She waved smiling blissfully at him before running off into the surrounding forest.