**Caius**
I watch her closely, my heart aching with each labored breath Eloise takes. She's struggling to find her balance, swaying slightly as her legs shake beneath her. The strain from earlier, from the outburst of power and the chaos, is taking its toll on her. I can see it clearly now—the way her body fights to stay upright, the way her fingers twitch, as if trying to hold onto something that's slipping away.
Before I can take another step forward, she falls to one knee, and I can't stand it.
I'm there instantly, my arms reaching out to steady her, pulling her up with the gentleness I don't usually allow myself. She's so light in my arms, like a fragile thing that I must protect at all costs.
Her eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, I see the exhaustion, the vulnerability, the loneliness in them that I've never seen before. The cracks in her armor.
But she doesn't say anything. She doesn't ask for help.
Instead, she gathers her strength and speaks.
"*Zephyr*," she whispers, her voice barely audible.
The Dreadfang, who had been sitting in place, watching us with an odd, almost curious gaze, stirs. At the sound of Eloise's voice, it straightens, its massive body shifting. Her words—her command—carry an undeniable weight.
"Return to your place," she commands, her tone firm despite her exhaustion.
The creature acknowledges her with a deep, rumbling growl, but it doesn't protest. Slowly, it turns and begins to retreat into the dense forest, its massive form blending with the shadows. There's no hesitation in its movements, no fight. It simply obeys.
I'm still holding her tightly, watching as the Dreadfang fades into the forest until it's nothing more than a silhouette. Eloise's command has been carried out, but I can see that she's still weak. She's drained, but she doesn't show it—at least not in the way she wants me to see.
"Eloise," I murmur, my voice filled with concern. "You're pushing yourself too hard."
She doesn't answer right away, but I can feel her body trembling slightly against mine. I wish I could take away that pain for her. Whatever it is that's overwhelming her, whatever weight she carries, I want to bear it with her.
The knights stand frozen, their gazes flicking between Eloise and the spot where the beast had disappeared. I can feel the fear in the air, the uncertainty. They've seen something they cannot explain. They're seeing Eloise, the *creator* of this world, in a new light—and they're afraid of what that means.
I don't blame them.
But what they don't realize is that I'm afraid too.
I'm afraid of what's happening to her, afraid of what this power is doing to her, and most of all... I'm afraid of the people who will come for her.
She's the creator. The one who made this world, the one who controls everything in it. And there are always people—evil, power-hungry people—who will see that as something to exploit.
I can already feel the tension in the air. The knights are uncertain, but it won't be long before others start to notice the power she wields. Before those with darker intentions make their move.
I know what must be done.
I won't let anyone harm her.
As I hold Eloise, feeling her weight against me, I make a vow to myself—a vow that I've never made to anyone before.
I will protect her.
No matter the cost.
The knights seem to come back to themselves, whispering to each other, their fear still hanging in the air. I can see it in their eyes—the shift in how they look at her. It's the same way I feel, but not for the same reasons. They fear her power, the very thing that makes her dangerous, the thing that makes her *too important* to let go unchecked.
But I see something else.
In her eyes, I see the spark of humanity. The need for understanding. The need to not be alone.
I can feel her desperation to belong, to make this world, her creation, a place she can live in peace. But even in her desire for that peace, I know there are those who won't rest until they've taken it from her.
And I will be there. Every step of the way.
"We need to leave," I say, my voice steady. "We need to get you back to safety. There are others who will want to use you. Your power, your abilities—they will see it as a threat or an opportunity."
She looks up at me, her expression softening, but there's still a distance between us that I can't cross. Not yet.
"I don't want to run," she says quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "I don't want to hide."
"I'm not asking you to hide," I say, my voice hardening slightly. "But I will make sure no one harms you. Not while I'm here."
She doesn't respond at first, but I can see the conflict in her eyes. She's torn between the world she's created and the reality she's been thrown into—between her desire to stand tall and the burden of power she didn't ask for.
I pull her closer, offering her the reassurance she doesn't know she needs.
"We'll leave the town for now," I continue, "and find a place where you can rest. You need to regain control of your power, Eloise. And I won't let anyone come for you until you're ready."
I can feel the weight of those words. There's no turning back from here.
But I will protect her. That's all that matters.