*
In the dimly lit chamber of the gothic castle, the man sat on his throne, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest as the hooded figures cowered before him. Shadows played across his chiseled face, accentuating the fury in his dark, piercing eyes. The air in the room grew heavy, the atmosphere charged with palpable tension.
"You idiots!" his voice thundered, echoing off the cold stone walls. "How did you lose her? You've wasted a perfect opportunity to bring her to me!"
One of the hooded men stepped forward, his voice trembling as he spoke. "My lord, she... she regained her powers. We weren't prepared for—"
"Shut up!" The man rose abruptly, his tall frame towering over the trembling figure. His voice dropped to a menacing growl. "What powers? She regained nothing—it's too early! You fools couldn't even handle a child!"
The room fell silent, save for the crackling of the torches. The man's gaze turned cold, his lips curling into a sneer as he raised his hand. Without warning, a bolt of dark energy shot forth, striking one of the hooded men. The figure crumpled to the ground lifelessly, the flickering flames casting an eerie light on the scene.
The others shrank back, their fear evident in the way they avoided his gaze. The man's anger seemed to dissipate slightly as he watched the lifeless body at his feet, his breathing steadying. "Useless," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "I can't believe I have to do this myself."
He turned away, his long cloak billowing behind him as he strode to the edge of the chamber. The tension in the room hung heavy, but none dared to speak.
"Get out of my sight," he barked, his tone icy. "All of you."
The hooded figures scrambled to leave, their footsteps fading as the doors slammed shut. Alone now, the man leaned against the dark stone wall, his fingers trailing across a map etched into its surface. His eyes narrowed as he traced the outline of Eldoria, his expression a mix of frustration and grim determination.
"Elara," he murmured, his voice soft but laced with a sinister edge. "It's time to meet again. Will you remember me? Will you remember what you are?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "No matter," he whispered to himself. "Whether you remember or not, you will be mine once more."
*
Elara ran, the forest blurring into a tangle of green and shadow around her. Branches clawed at her arms, and roots threatened to trip her, but she didn't stop. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her chest tight with grief and fear. How long she had been running, she couldn't tell. The dense canopy above dimmed the light, making it impossible to tell whether day or night held sway.
Eventually, her legs gave out beneath her, and she stumbled upon a hollow tree, its wide trunk offering just enough space to hide. Desperate for refuge, she crawled inside, curling up against the rough bark. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, and her body trembled, adrenaline giving way to exhaustion. She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle her sobs, afraid the sound might draw attention.
As the silence of the forest settled around her, her mind drifted to Grams' stories. Could this be the same tree? The one where Grams had hidden all those years ago when her parents—no, the gods—found her? The thought brought a bittersweet pang to her heart. She could almost feel Grams' presence, hear her voice as she recounted the ancient tale of Luna and Veridian, of sacrifice and love. But now, Grams was gone, her last words an aching reminder of the responsibility Elara hadn't asked for.
A fresh wave of grief overtook her, and she hugged her knees tightly to her chest. "Why did you leave me, Grams?" she whispered into the dark, her voice trembling. "I'm not ready for this. I don't know what to do."
Tears streamed down her face, soaking into the fabric of her tunic. She cried for Grams, for the safety of her village, for the life she had lost in an instant. The weight of her destiny pressed down on her, too much for her young heart to bear. Eventually, her sobs slowed, her exhaustion taking over. She drifted into a fitful sleep, her dreams pulling her away from the forest and into a brighter, gentler place.
She was in the fields again, golden light bathing the landscape in warmth. The air smelled of wildflowers, and a soft breeze caressed her skin. She laughed as she ran through the tall grass, her bare feet sinking into the earth. Ahead, she spotted a large tree, its wide branches spreading like welcoming arms. She darted toward it, giggling as she crouched behind the trunk.
"Where are you, Elara?" a voice called, teasing and familiar.
Her heart skipped. "Caelan?" she whispered, peeking out from her hiding spot.
There he was, standing a few feet away, his hair catching the sunlight like a halo. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he pretended to search, his hand shielding his brow. "I know you're here somewhere," he said, his voice lilting. "You can't hide from me forever."
Elara couldn't resist. She stepped out, laughing, and he turned, his smile bright and full of affection. "There you are!" he said, opening his arms.
She ran to him without hesitation, and he caught her, spinning her around. Their laughter filled the air, blending with the gentle rustling of the grass. When he set her down, he cupped her face, his touch warm and tender. "I've missed you," he said, his voice softer now.
"I've missed you too," she whispered, her heart swelling with a joy she hadn't felt in what seemed like an eternity.
Caelan leaned down, brushing his lips against her forehead. "Don't be afraid, Elara," he murmured. "You're stronger than you know. And no matter what happens, I'll always find you."
His words lingered, a promise etched into her soul. She looked up at him, her hands clutching his tunic, as if afraid he might vanish. "Stay with me," she pleaded.
He smiled sadly, his thumb tracing a line down her cheek. "I'll always be with you, even when you don't see me. Trust yourself, Elara."
When she woke, the forest was still, the quiet broken only by the distant hoot of an owl. Her face was wet with tears, her heart heavy with the ache of longing. But Caelan's words stayed with her, a faint ember of hope in the darkness. "Trust yourself," she whispered, her fingers brushing the bark of the tree. "I'll try."
Elara woke to the soft sounds of the forest waking around her—the rustling of leaves in the morning breeze, the chirping of birds, and the occasional snap of a twig in the distance. The events of the previous day hit her like a wave, and she clenched her fists against the grief and uncertainty threatening to overwhelm her. Grams was gone. The village was no longer safe. But she had survived, and her journey had begun.
Pulling herself out of the hollow tree, she dusted off her tunic and adjusted the makeshift satchel she had hastily assembled before fleeing. The forest stretched endlessly before her, its dense canopy casting long shadows across the ground. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she couldn't stay in one place for long.
After days of wandering, Elara found herself on the outskirts of a bustling town, the noise and energy a stark contrast to the silence of the forest she had left behind. Her stomach growled as the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery. But with no money and little experience navigating such a place, she hesitated at the edge of the cobblestone road, unsure of her next move.
"Looking a little lost there," a voice said from behind her.
Elara spun around, her eyes narrowing as they landed on a young woman leaning casually against a tree. She was a little older than Elara, with sharp, mischievous eyes that glimmered beneath her hood. Her dark hair was pulled into a loose braid, and a collection of small knives was strapped to her belt. The stranger's posture was relaxed, but her gaze was keen, as if she missed nothing.
"I... I'm just passing through," Elara said cautiously, taking a step back.
"Passing through, huh?" The woman smirked, pushing off the tree and walking toward her. "Well, passing through can be tricky when you look like a deer in a den of wolves. Name's Taryn," she said, extending a hand. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Elara hesitated but eventually took the offered hand. "No," she admitted. "I'm... looking for something."
"Aren't we all," Taryn said with a wry grin. She let go of Elara's hand and tilted her head. "You look like you could use some help. Lucky for you, I happen to be excellent at finding things—and people."
"I don't have any money," Elara blurted, her cheeks flushing.
Taryn waved the comment away. "Relax. I'm not a merchant. Let's just say I have a knack for spotting trouble, and you, my new friend, look like trouble."
Elara frowned. "I'm not trouble."
"Sure, you're not." Taryn gave her a pointed look. "But you're definitely running from it."
Elara stiffened, but before she could respond, Taryn gestured toward the town. "Come on. Let's grab something to eat, and you can tell me your story."
"I told you, I don't have—"
"Don't worry about it," Taryn said, already walking toward the town. "I've got it covered."
Elara hesitated, torn between suspicion and the gnawing hunger in her stomach. Something about Taryn's confidence was disarming, and despite her better judgment, she found herself following.
Over a meal of bread, cheese, and roasted meat (procured, Elara suspected, through less-than-honest means), Taryn listened intently as Elara recounted a carefully edited version of her story. She avoided mentioning the gods, the hooded men, or her powers, instead framing herself as an orphan fleeing danger.
When Elara finished, Taryn leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Well, you're in luck. I'm headed in the same direction you seem to be going."
"Which direction is that?" Elara asked, skeptical.
"Anywhere but here," Taryn said with a grin. "Trust me, small towns like this don't stay peaceful for long. Stick with me, and I'll make sure you don't get yourself killed."
Elara studied her for a long moment. Taryn was brash and unpredictable, but there was something genuine in her offer. With no other options and the weight of her mission pressing down on her, Elara nodded. "Alright. But why are you helping me?"
Taryn's grin softened, and for the first time, Elara saw a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. "Let's just say I've got a soft spot for people who look like they've lost everything."
Elara didn't press further. For now, she had an ally, and for the first time since leaving the village, she felt a small glimmer of hope.
As they left the town behind, Taryn proved to be more than just a skilled rogue. She knew the forest paths and back roads, keeping them hidden from prying eyes. Her sharp wit and lighthearted jokes brought a sense of normalcy to their journey, even as Elara struggled to process everything that had happened.
But Elara couldn't shake the feeling that Taryn's kindness came with its own burdens. One day, she promised herself, she would find out what they were—and repay the debt. For now, though, she focused on the path ahead, knowing that the journey was only just beginning.