I am Athena -ironic I know - and I live in a magical place up in the mountains of gahai , I’m a beloved princess born to be the new ruler of the emerald sky kingdom. Me and the people of emerald sky kingdom are the last of what we’re the greatest warrior clan’s alive , for generations us and the other nations have avoided war and any sort of conflict but every one knows what is coming. When I was a kid I would watch the soldiers train and beg my father to become a knight but they were too overprotective and forbid me from ever going near a weapon. It’s like they were scared of me and what I was capable of and I don’t know why.

The birds were chirping the,sun just barely shining through my curtains that have not yet been opened . I love getting up early to watch the sunset while training ,I gues I have no choice because the guards would see me sneaking out otherwise since I am not supposed to be doing this . and no one knows of my desire to become a knight , because ever since my mother and father shut the idea down long ago as I am soon to be held responsible for the kingdom . All my father ever wanted was a mail heir to the thrown so he could protect and rule the kingdom,but everyone still believe women shouldn’t fight . Well I’m going to prove to them we can fight and just a well as the men maybe even better.I picked out my training outfit for practice before I confront my parents about becoming a knight. My nerves were all over the place so the only way to calm myself was to do what I know best,and that was to fight . I put on my black cropped sleeveless top with my black leggings before tying my long golden ,silky hair up in a high ponytail. I strapped my sword that I made in the forge In secret when I was 15 years old around my waist , the sword was made from the strongest metals and sheathed in a high quality leather, I grabbed my bow and arrows and swung them over my shoulder before jumping out the window - that had to be my favourite part of sneaking out - the wind blowing my hair up as I continue to fall . My feet finally hit the ground and I landed perfectly before continuing to run along the castle roofs looking over at the sunrise coming up from behind the city as I make my way haistily to the secluded part if the forest where the waterfall lies ,and where I have practice my skills . When I arrive my archery target stands up against the cliff wall still filled with holes from the last time I shot one of my arrows at it , I pulled my bow off my shoulder and took out an arrow from behind me then fiercely drew my bow as I aimed at the target ,with my right hand still gripping onto the wire with my glove preventing it from slipping, and finally I released.

Back at the palace

“Your highness, I have returned from scouting the borders”the soldier continues as he strides towards the throne where the King and Queen are sat “it is worse than we thought they have prepared an entire army ready to attack within the year”

“This is an issue, … we shall prepare as many men as we can to defend our kingdom and protect the people. You do not have to worry about the agreement we had with the neighbouring nations as they acted first’

“Yes Sir”the tall captain said as he strut back down towards the door with his gorgeous blue eyes focused up in front of him and his raven black hair slightly waving in front of his eye. His name is Tyler ,captain Tyler and he is one of the finest swordsmen in the kingdom and from one of the most well respected families around,he was the captain of the elite squad in charge of the royal guard who are on the front lines whenever signs of a war may breakout . ‘What am I going to do’ he whispered under his breath as he entered the forest with his armour clanking the whole time.

With princess Athena

Release, the arrow shot away from the bow pearcing through the air aiming right for the center of the target.I was starting to draw another arrow when I hear footsteps , I run to hide behind a tree as a man wearing the elite squad armour appears out of the tree line

5 minuets earlier

I heard an arrow being shot so I followed the sound to an open area sheltered with the cliff side and waterfall it was beautiful ,then I saw a target with a arrow still sticking out of it ‘ the person here must have heard me coming’ ithought to myself as i pulled the arrow out of the target and examined it . The arrow had writing on it , I think it is in Latin ‘volare recta’ (fly straight) .’crunch’ “ who’s there” shouted Tyler as he held his hand above his sword .

1 minute before

I was hiding behind this great big oak tree waiting for this strange man to leave , he pulled my arrow out and reading . I I took a step back as he was turning around so he wouldn’t see me but I stood on a twig and it snapped causing him to shout ‘should I step forward or run’ I kept thinking ,eventually I worked up the courage to step out from behind the tree and I could see his eyes widen as he saw who I was . “Don’t tell anyone I was here ok” I said in a calm yet pleading voice as he stood there frozen In place as he responded

“Yes what ever you say princess”

“Don’t call me that my name is Athena so use it” I said walking up to him my back straight and my head held high taking the arrow out of his hands and put it in the bag on my back

“Did you really fire that arrow” Tyler said in a shocked voice as I just nodded my head yes ,as he also noticed the sword on my hip “can you actually use that” he said scepticaly looking at my hip where my sword hung

“yes ,yes I can why ? do you think I am too weak and shouldn’t be wielding a sword?” I said slowly walking back to him in a seductive way getting really close inches away from his face as his expression never changed and then said with anger and frustration as I was turning away “get over your self anyone can wield a sword if they have the power to” and that was the end of our firs ever conversation as it was about time for me to head back to the palace to prepare for the meeting I had set up with my father and mother “see you later captain”

“wait how do you-“ he was about to continue as I said

“I know everyone”

when I got back to the place I climbed through my window and got out my cloths I had prepared before I left and changed into them ,leaving my hair in a ponytail as I was only changingInto my knights uniform I had tailor made. I was wearing black high waisted skin tight black trousers with a black cropped top that goes just abouve my bellybutton with a black cloak I made from my mothers old silk dress with my sword around my waist and my bow and arrow on my shoulder . I opened my door and made my way to the throne room where my parents were waiting . The great big doors swung open making way for me to go through . The shock on my fathers face and the smile on my mother’s mad me happy as I new I could count on my mother to support me and my father couldn’t change how I feelt about it .I bowed and greeted them as I said with my head down “morning father , mother you know why I have asked you here” I said with confidence standing back up straight

“NO ATHENA” father shouted at me with all he had but my emotionless expression never changed ,

“Father you can’t stop me , I know your doing it to protect me and preserve the future of our kingdom but I want a different future for me , I want to be the first female knight.I can’t stand people looking down on me anymore telling me it will never happen, I am better than you all think I -“ you started when the doors swung open once again with Tyler bursting trough with the elite squad announcing “ your highnesses we are under attack they have striked earlier than we could have ever predicted “

“Father let me help fight them I know everything one of my assistant’s caught me up on everything when I got up , I can help just please let me prove to yo-“

“Fine go with Tyler , captain I am relying on you to protect her.”

“wait really”I said with shock and excitement in my voice

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to her your highness”

“I know you won’t ,now go and save our kingdom ,and Athena prove to me I can trust you with this responsibility” I nodded as I ran out with Tyler and his team following behind.

My hair was floating behind me as I ran out of the throne room doors following behind the captain , my heart was pounding in my chest as I could hear the cries of fellow soldiers being cut cut down where they stood . I ran as fast as my legs would allow leaving captain Tyler in my dust , the shocked expression on his face as I overtook him racing to the the battle field was priceless. I took the fastest route possible looking over the chaos , I grew impatient as I saw more of my people dropping down to there knees , I couldn’t take this anymore , before I could think my feet were off the ground as I was leaping into the air off the cliff side while the elite squad carried on down the road . I drew my sword in mid air , my feet eventually collideing with the ruff train landing with ease . In the corner of my eye I could see an enimie coming up behind me ready to strike , before I could block Tyler stepped in , sweat dripping from the tips of his soft silky ,hair and blood splattered on his face , His body inches away from mine . With a smirk plastered on his face he pushed the enimies sword away from me , I could feel butterflies swarming in my stomach and I couldn’t explain why . But this was no time to be thinking about such nonsense ,I jumped up and charged towards the man while Tyler held him back and impaled him with my sword . As the man fell to the ground I felt nothing not even a shred of guilt my face was emotionless , and obviously Tyler had some snarky comment about what had just happened “so princess, oh sorry Athena\~ I saw you froze for a second what was that about”

”shut up , I didn’t freeze I was just ….. thinking”

”yea yea, come in this is no place to be thinking we need to help the people”

”I know just give me a second “

I tore off my cloak and threw it to the side , I could feel Tyler’s eyes scanning my body but I didn’t say anything and ran away jumping in between a man and a amathesian soldier ( amathesian are from one of the nations called amethyst kingdom) I hit my sword against him throwing him back I shouted at the man “ get up and run to the palace this is no place to die” I struck the soldier to the ground and battled my way through to the center of the chaos seeing a group of emereldians ( my people from emerald sky kingdom) , I could feel my blood boil as I saw my people being hurt . All of a sudden I could feel my anger and sadness riseing up inside me , my hands let off a small yellow glow of flames , it felt as though I blacked out and was not in control of my body , the colour of my eyes wend from green to gold within seconds , my feet slowly lifting from the ground . This power it was like nothing else I have ever felt before , the sensation it gave me was incredible. Eventually I was in mid air , engulfed in golden flames -it was like I was possessed - ‘what is going on ‘ I thought to myself.

”not now Athena , why did it have to be now” my father said under his breath standing from the balcony of his castle watching over the people evacuating into the ballroom , the captain had his gaze on me as my flames got larger ,and larger . I couldn’t let this go on anymore , dropping to the ground my eyes returned to normal and reduced my flames to my hands, landing with one knee on the ground with a hand to keep me balanced . While I was walking to the commander of the amethyst kingdom -who had planned this invasion- men came charging at me and I took them all down one by one with my flames with ease , the fear in the commanders eyes was delightful as he could see how strong I was . Standing my ground with the body’s of people I didn’t know surrounding me ,and the forces left from my kingdom along with Tyler retreating to the castle with the last of the people caught in the crossfire . Tyler turned to see me drawing my bow and aiming at the commander with hesitation in my eyes . “My whole life people have always told me I could never become strong , become something more that the heir to the thrown” I said as I could feel blood dripping down my face “ my whole life people have looked down on me and never gave me a chance to prove myself……we’ll look at me now , I have single-handedly taken down half of you army , and now you are going to pay for trying to destroy what I hold dear to me” I could feel my grip loosen on the string as the arrow flew towards my target shooting him in the right arm “ I do not want to kill you , that would be to good for a man who tried to take the lives of innocent people you can suffer as much as they have rotting in the dungeon “ I said as I could feel my legs giving in , I could feel strong arms snaking around my waist catching me before I hit the ground ,the last thing I saw was the commander on his knees holding the arrow I left in his shoulder . My eyes slowly closed and I lost feeling in my body. “ what am I going to do with you princess ?“ Tyler said as he picked me up bridal style carrying me back to the palace. The king and queen came running to me in the captains arms as he mad his way to the royal herbalist.

(Tyler point of view)

I place her on the bed as the herbalist took care of her wounds, for some reason I felt this urge to stay and protect her and be by her side, ‘what the hell am I thinking ‘ I said to myself as I snapped out of it and sat down on a chair grabbing a bandage to wrap the large would on my abdomen where I got slashed with a sword. As I took off my armour and shirts I could see Athena’s eyes open , she tried sitting up but I ran to her side and put my hand on her back to steady her .”where am I ?” she said

” your in the infirmary princess “ I said in a soft tone , then she notice I had my shirts off and started to blush, it was adorable.

Athena’s point of view

I slowly opened my eyes ,my head was throbbing and I could feel bandages all over my body, I tried sitting up and felt a large hand placed on my back.it was Tyler. “Where am I “ I said holding my head in my hands “ your in the infirmary princess “ he said in a soft tone, as I looked up at him I noticed he had his armour and shirts off , I couldn’t take my eyes away.I could feel my cheeks heating up and looked away “ like what you see princess “ I can’t believe those words came out his mouth , I looked back at him with an annoyed expression on my face and said “ of course not you just caught me off guard” I tied standing up but my legs wouldn’t obey me and gave in . Tyler grabbed my waist and held me up, his face inches away from mine “what are you doing Tyler “

“stopping you from falling aging Athena” I pushed him off of me as I got my balance and made my way to the door “now where are you going”

”to see my father , you can either stay here or come with me “ I said coldly to him as I closed the door behind me . My head was still killing me -it hurt so much -but I ignored it and carried on to the ballroom seeing turning around to see that Tyler had decided to come after all , I still don’t know hat happened between us on the battlefield and I just had to go and make it more complicated by doing that in the infirmary. I was just glad to see his shirt was back on , the guard opened the ballroom doors for me and the captain and made our way to my father and mother who were sat at the front while people were whispering about me . My father owes me an explanation and I wanted it now so I strided to the thrones that they were sat on with confidence even though I was in pain every step . I think Tyler noticed this and came and walked next to me , and there it was again that annoying smile of his ugh how it made me feel was so confusing. I bowed in front of the king and queen and so did Tyler “Father what happened to me out there you owe me an explanation” he let out a long sigh

“ we wanted to tell you we did “

”cut the crap and tell me what happened “ I said with frustration in my voice

“darling we only wanted what was best for you” my mother said as Tyler stood back and listened to the conversation

“ she is right Athena we hid your power to protect you, this was all to protect you, that power you have is dangerous and only the most skilled in the family have been able to control it “

” and what is it , what am I “ tears started to fill my eyes

“this power has been passed down through the generations and the first born would receive the power , and when we had you it was not right a woman has never inherited the power, so we hid it from you because we thought-“

you thought what I couldn’t handle it , that I wasn’t stron enough, you ow what I have heard enough “ I said while storming past Tyler and out the doors . The room was quit for a while then Tyler excused himself and came running after me , I was sat under a tree with my head in my hands leaning on my knees . ‘What is wrong with me why can’t anyone just see me as a normal human’ tears started to escape my eyes , then Tyler came and sat down net to me also leaning on the tree . “Why are you out here , it’s no place for a princess “ I wiped my face and rubbed my face dry “ I told you not to call me that , I hate it, and I can handle myself thanks. Why are you here is what I want to know”

”what I’m supposed to just let you cry alone after what I just heard , not a chance I know you don’t know me very well but I can still care can’t I ?”

I turned to face him ,he had a soft expression on his face that made me feel safe without thinking I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered in his ear “thank you”

he then wrapped his arms around my waist “your welcome princess “ you then slapped him on the back of the head and pulled away

“call me princess one more time I dare you”I said while giggling a bit

”what ever you say “ he said with a smile on his face . I rested my head on his shoulder as we started to get to know each other more . My eyes started to feel heavy and all of a sudden I fell asleep, Tyler notice and took me back to the palace and place me in my bed before kissing my forehead.