The forest grew darker as evening slowly turned into night. Snow continued to fall quietly from the sky, covering the ground in a soft white layer that reflected the faint light of the torches approaching from the distance.
Lira's heart was beating so loudly that she could almost hear it.
The voices of the soldiers echoed through the trees.
"Spread out!"
"They can't have gone far!"
"Find them!"
Asha's expression became serious as she listened carefully to the sounds around them. The soldiers were moving quickly, and there were far too many of them.
Running would not be easy.
She grabbed Lira's hand firmly.
"We have to move now."
They began running deeper into the forest. The snow made the ground slippery, and every step felt heavy, but neither of them slowed down.
Behind them the voices grew louder.
"I see footprints!"
"They went this way!"
Torches flickered between the trees like angry stars chasing them through the darkness.
Lira's breath became uneven as they ran.
"Asha… they're getting closer…"
"I know," Asha replied while pulling her forward.
Branches scratched against their clothes as they pushed through the forest. The cold wind cut against their faces, but fear pushed them to keep moving.
For a moment it seemed like they might escape.
But suddenly several soldiers appeared in front of them, stepping out from behind the trees.
Their armor reflected the torchlight, and their faces were filled with anger.
"Stop right there!"
Asha quickly moved in front of Lira, raising her dagger.
More soldiers appeared behind them.
They were surrounded.
Lira felt her body trembling.
There were at least fifteen soldiers, all armed with swords and spears.
Asha whispered quietly without turning around.
"When I say run… don't look back."
Lira grabbed her arm.
"No! I'm not leaving you!"
"You have to."
"I won't."
Asha's voice became softer.
"Lira… please."
But before they could say anything more, one of the soldiers stepped forward.
His voice was filled with disgust.
"So the rumors were true."
His eyes moved between them with clear hatred.
"Two women committing such a disgusting sin."
Lira felt a sharp pain in her chest hearing those words.
To them, their love was something shameful.
Something dirty.
Something that needed to be erased.
The soldier pointed his sword toward them.
"Come quietly and maybe the elders will give you a quick death."
Asha's grip tightened around the dagger.
"We're not going anywhere with you."
Another soldier laughed.
"You think you can fight us?"
Asha didn't answer.
Instead, she slowly stepped forward.
The cold wind moved through the trees as silence filled the forest.
Then suddenly one soldier rushed forward with his sword raised.
Everything happened in an instant.
Asha moved quickly, dodging the strike and slashing her dagger across his arm. The soldier cried out in pain as blood stained the white snow.
But the others immediately attacked.
Swords flashed in the torchlight.
Asha fought fiercely, moving quickly between the soldiers. She managed to block several strikes and even knock one man to the ground.
But there were too many.
A blade cut across her shoulder.
Another soldier kicked her hard, forcing her to stumble backward.
Lira screamed.
"Stop! Please stop!"
But the soldiers ignored her.
One of them grabbed Lira's arm and pulled her away.
"Let go of me!" she cried desperately.
Asha saw it and immediately rushed toward them, knocking the soldier aside and pulling Lira back behind her.
Her breathing had become heavy, and blood slowly dripped from the wound on her shoulder.
The soldiers surrounded them again.
Their leader finally stepped forward.
He was an older man wearing dark robes, his expression cold and emotionless.
"The elders were correct," he said calmly. "This sin must be erased before it spreads."
Lira felt tears forming in her eyes.
"We didn't hurt anyone," she whispered. "Why do you hate us so much?"
The man looked at her like she was something filthy.
"You have corrupted the natural order."
Asha's voice became sharp.
"Love is corruption?"
"Love between women is."
Asha laughed bitterly.
"You people talk about faith and purity… but all I see is cruelty."
The man's eyes hardened.
"Enough."
He raised his hand.
"Kill them."
The soldiers began moving forward again.
Lira grabbed Asha's hand tightly.
Fear filled her heart, but at the same time something strange appeared as well.
Peace.
Because she was not alone.
She looked at Asha with trembling eyes.
"Asha…"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For bringing you into this."
Asha gently touched her face.
"Don't apologize."
Snowflakes landed softly on their hair and shoulders as the soldiers slowly approached.
Asha held Lira's hand firmly.
"No matter what happens next," she said quietly, "I want you to remember something."
Lira looked at her.
"What?"
"I loved you."
Tears rolled down Lira's cheeks.
"I loved you too."
The soldiers raised their swords.
The torches flickered in the cold night wind.
And beneath the falling snow, two hearts held onto each other while the world prepared to tear them apart.
Their story of love had only just begun.
But tragedy was already waiting at the next moment.