Chapter 4 – The Girl Beneath the Moons
(Arc 1: The Awakening of Lumora)
Arin's knees sank into the damp earth as he stared at the place where the Shadow Beast had vanished. His chest heaved, each breath loud in the eerie silence of the forest.
"Okay… okay… I need to calm down," he muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead.His hand still tingled from the golden glow of the mark. He flexed his fingers slowly. Nothing. But deep inside, he knew something had awakened.
The twin moons above bathed the forest in red and blue light, casting long shadows across twisted trees. The air smelled of damp soil, moss, and something… magical.
A sudden rustle from above froze him. Leaves shook violently on a tree branch, and a soft voice echoed through the mist:
"Down here!"
Arin jumped, twisting around. A figure dropped from the shadows, landing gracefully on a mossy rock nearby. She was a girl, not older than sixteen or seventeen, with silver hair that shimmered under the twin moons. Her eyes were a piercing green, reflecting the faint forest light.
She crouched low, her hand resting on a slender bow slung across her back. "You're not from here, are you?" she asked, voice calm but firm.
"I… I'm not," Arin stammered. "I… I don't even know where 'here' is."
The girl studied him for a long moment. "Lumora," she said simply. "And you're in trouble if you wander around alone."
Arin swallowed hard. "Trouble? Like… that shadow thing?" He gestured toward where the beast had disappeared.
Her eyes narrowed. "Yes. Shadow Beasts. You've already attracted one." She stepped closer, cautious but confident. "And that mark on your hand… it's rare. Dangerous. But… necessary."
"What does it mean?" Arin asked, panic and curiosity mixing in his voice.
The girl tilted her head, studying his glowing mark. "It means… you were chosen. Not by accident. Someone—or something—brought you here for a purpose. But don't worry… for now, I'll help you survive."
"Wait… survive?" Arin's heart skipped a beat. "Are you saying there's more of those… things?"
She nodded. "Plenty. And they won't stop until they've tested you." She paused, then smiled faintly, almost teasing. "I'm Liora. And you're lucky I found you before the forest did."
"Arin Kaito," he introduced himself, still staring at her in disbelief. "I… I guess we're stuck together then."
Liora's smile softened. "For now," she said. "But listen carefully. Lumora is not just a forest or a world. It's alive. It watches. And it remembers everything. You need to learn quickly, or it will test you in ways you're not ready for."
Arin swallowed. "I just want to go home…"
Liora's gaze softened, but a shadow of seriousness remained. "We all want something… but home isn't an option for now. Not yet."
The two of them moved deeper into the forest. Liora pointed out small paths, glowing moss, and strange runes etched into trees. "These runes mark safe paths… places where the forest's creatures can't reach you too easily. Shadow Beasts sense power. That mark on your hand… you're more noticeable than you think."
Arin's stomach churned. "So, what… am I supposed to do? Fight them? Hide?"
"Both," Liora said, her tone firm. "And learn. You'll understand eventually… the Lost King, the prophecy, and your role in all of this. But for now…" She pulled an arrow from her quiver, letting it glow faintly with a golden light. "Stay close, follow my lead, and survive tonight."
As they walked, the twin moons illuminated the forest like spotlights. Somewhere in the distance, a faint growl echoed—a reminder that Shadow Beasts were never far.
Arin glanced at Liora. "I have so many questions…"
She smirked, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Good. You'll need them. Welcome to Lumora, Arin Kaito."
And with that, the forest seemed to shift around them—alive, watching, and whispering secrets meant only for those brave enough to hear.