Amira of Ironclad Empire

The nightmare had seized me, unyielding and cruel, before I had a chance to fight back.

I was transported back to Jeongdo Island, where the air was crisp with the coolness of the ocean breeze mingling seamlessly with the comforting warmth from our small fire. Alexios sat by my side, his presence both calming and steadfast. His voice, gentle yet firm, broke the rhythmic sound of the distant waves.

"We'll find a way," he assured me, his eyes never leaving the canvas of stars above us. "No matter what it takes, Amira, I promise to keep you safe."

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, anchoring me in that fleeting moment of peace. However, as if on cue, that warmth was abruptly torn away. The stars above us dimmed, their light gradually swallowed by an encroaching darkness that seemed to thicken with foreboding.

Suddenly, the tranquil night was shattered.

The serene atmosphere morphed into chaos. Shadows coalesced into sinister, faceless figures whose movements were swift and predatory. The gleam of a dagger caught the moonlight just before it found its mark on my side, the pain explosive and all-encompassing. I stumbled backward, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth, as my surroundings began to spin wildly.

Amid the ensuing turmoil, she appeared—Theia, her figure radiant and commanding, cutting through the chaos like a beacon. Her voice, calm yet carrying an undeniable urgency, resonated throughout the space.

"The power within her… it's divine, yet suppressed. Only Adira could have sealed it so thoroughly."

Following her voice, Alexios's desperate tone anchored me once more. "Do it! Please—save her. I'll bring her back, no matter the cost."

A portal erupted into existence, its swirling vortex of light blinding, engulfing everything in its path. Theia's final words echoed ominously in my mind as I felt myself being pulled toward the abyss: "Her soul must travel to another world, but be warned, the journey will distort her memories."

I was falling—endlessly, helplessly into the abyss, the boundary between realms blurring and fading.

__________

Gasping for breath, I awakened from the nightmare, my hand instinctively reaching out and finding Kazmir's. His fingers were wrapped gently around mine, providing silent reassurance even in sleep. Carefully, I squeezed his hand, the subtle movement enough to stir him from his slumber.

His eyes fluttered open, initially clouded with the remnants of his own dreams, then sharpened as he focused on me.

"Amira?" His voice was thick with sleep but tinged with concern.

"I'm here," I whispered, giving his hand another gentle squeeze. His face, marked with sleep lines from the awkward way he had dozed off, smoothed as he fully awoke.

Kazmir sat up abruptly, the chair wobbling under his sudden movement.

"You're awake… How do you feel? Are you hungry? I'll go ask Helena for your meal. Do you want water? How about me? Do you want me?" He said with concern but still was able to insert his punchlines. I giggled as I always told him that my feelings were starting to bloom. With that thought in mind, I felt warmth and relief knowing that I have him, not just as a partner, but someone I can rely on for everything.

"It's been days since you've been fully awake like this. I asked Sebastian, he said this is normal for someone who suffered due to divine power poisoning."

His words hung in the air, heavy with concern. I attempted a reassuring smile, though the lingering shadows of the dream tugged at the edges of my mind. "I'm okay, Kazmir. Just a bad dream."

He studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching my face. "You don't look okay. You're pale, and there are dark circles under your eyes." His hand brushed a strand of hair from my face tenderly. "Were you crying?"

Trying to shift the mood, I mentioned, "It was nothing, just shadows of the past. Oh, and speaking of lively things, did I ever tell you about the K-pop concert at my old job? So much energy and the dances were something else!"

Kazmir, puzzled, tried to grasp the concept. "K-pop? Sounds explosive. Was it a kind of drill? Or is it something like a troop formation?"

Laughing, I explained, "No, it's a music genre—very vibrant and synchronized. The artists are really handsome too!"

Curious and wanting to lighten my spirits, Kazmir stood up, saying, "Let me try some moves then. How hard can it be? Well, I had something in mind since I'm not familiar with that Kpop thing."

He started with exaggerated steps and arm waves, soon inventing the 'shark dance' and worst a 'dolphin dance' complete with squeaking sounds that he thought might resemble the lively music I had described.

So engrossed was Kazmir in his performance that he didn't notice Helena and Yulia enter the room quietly. They watched, bemused and utterly entertained, until Helena clapped loudly, startling Kazmir into a sudden stop.

The unexpected applause made Kazmir spin around, his face flushing a deep crimson as he caught sight of them at the doorway.

"You're quite the performer, Your Grace," Helena remarked with a grin, her tone teasing. "Perhaps a dolphin should be our new emblem?"

Kazmir, mortified yet trying to recover his composure, pouted dramatically. He shot me a mock glare, seeing me stifling laughter.

"I suppose I got carried away. It's not every day one tries to channel a dolphin." He said playfully making sure that his embarrassment was covered.

As the laughter from Helena and Yulia subsided, a fit of coughing seized me. I clutched at my chest, trying to catch my breath. The room quieted, the earlier mirth fading as Kazmir's expression turned from embarrassed to deeply concerned.

"Amira, are you alright? Here drink this," he asked, rushing to my side as he gave me the glass of water, his earlier embarrassment forgotten in his worry.

"I'm okay," I managed to say between coughs, trying to reassure him with a weak smile.

As Helena and Yulia excused themselves, leaving the room to give us some privacy, Kazmir stayed close, his hands gently supporting me. "Just take it easy," he murmured, his voice laced with concern.

Still chuckling from his performance, I waved him closer. "Come here," I said, my voice still hoarse from coughing.

He leaned in, his face etched with worry, fearing the cough might bring up blood as it had once before. But as he came closer, for the first time, I reached up, cupped his face in my hands, and pulled him down for a quick kiss on the lips.

Kazmir recoiled in shock, his eyes wide as he stepped back. His face registered a mixture of surprise and something else—an embarrassed delight. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression, which looked as though someone had stolen something precious from him.

He posed dramatically, arms crossed over his chest, trying to appear stern. "Amira," he began, his voice a mix of reproach and affection, "I've been holding back, waiting eagerly for our wedding. I'll let this one slide," he sighed, his stern facade softening, "but next time, I can't guarantee what I'll do."

His words, half warning, half promise, sent a thrill through me, and I laughed again, delighted by his playful yet earnest declaration. Kazmir's expression softened, and he chuckled, the tension easing as he sat beside me on the bed.

"Alright, my impulsive duchess," he said with a tender smile, "for now, just rest. We have all the time in the world for everything else."

In that quiet room, with the soft light filtering through the curtains, I felt a profound sense of security. No matter the shadows that haunted me, with Kazmir, there was always a promise of light—and love.