The sun rose quietly over the camp, casting golden light on a world that had almost lost hope.
Alina sat near the edge of the lake, cradling Aurora against her chest. The baby girl slept peacefully, her small chest rising and falling. Alina hadn't stopped staring at her since the rescue. She was safe. She was home. But something had changed.
"She didn't cry," Alina whispered to herself. "Not once… not even in there."
Elena approached slowly, her voice softer than usual. "How are you holding up?"
"I don't know," Alina admitted, brushing a strand of hair from Aurora's forehead. "She feels... different. When I touched her in that place, I felt something. Like power. Like she lit up from the inside."
Elena looked out at the lake, quiet for a moment. "You were always different, too. Maybe she gets that from you."
Suddenly, Aurora stirred. Her small fingers twitched—and the grass around them shimmered with a soft, radiant glow. The wind changed direction. The water of the lake rippled unnaturally.
Ethan and Kai rushed over.
"Did you feel that?" Kai asked.
"Yeah," Ethan said. "Something's not right."
Aurora opened her eyes—glowing for just a second with the same blue-gold light from the Reclaimer's fortress.
Alina pulled her daughter closer, fear creeping into her voice. "What's happening to her?"
"She's awakening," Kai said, stunned. "That energy… it's not normal. It's... ancient."
Elena put a hand on Alina's shoulder. "Whatever it is, she's your daughter. You'll guide her."
Ethan stepped forward. "We need to start training her. Protecting her. If the Reclaimers come back—"
"They will," Elena interrupted, firm. "And when they do… we'll be ready."
Aurora cooed softly and smiled. A flower bloomed in the grass where her hand rested.
Alina watched in awe. Her baby girl was powerful. Special.
But power always attracted darkness.
And they knew now—this was only the beginning.