The forest was thick with shadows, but Lyra didn't stop running. Every step was a struggle against the fear curling in her chest. The crystal in her hand pulsed softly, guiding her, almost as if it were alive.
Adrian moved ahead, silent and precise, like a predator in the wild. He glanced back only once, his eyes sharp beneath the hood.
"Stay close!" he ordered, his voice low but urgent. "The creature is fast, and it can sense fear."
Lyra swallowed hard. Fear? She was terrified, but anger rose beneath it. How dare they chase me, like I'm some helpless girl?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a low growl, echoing through the twisted trees. Shadows shifted unnaturally, forming shapes too dark to see clearly. The air grew heavy, and the smell of ozone made her nose sting.
Suddenly, the shadow lunged.
Adrian swung his sword with a flash of silver light. The creature hissed, recoiling from the blade, but it didn't disappear. Its eyes glowed like embers in the dark, and it moved with impossible speed.
"Lyra! Focus!" Adrian shouted. "Your crystal—it's your power! Channel it!"
Lyra froze. Channel it? She had no idea how. Her hands shook as she held the crystal. A warmth spread through her fingers, then through her whole arm. Without thinking, she pressed it toward the shadow.
A beam of pale blue light shot out, hitting the creature. It shrieked and vanished into mist, leaving only scorched leaves and a lingering chill.
Lyra gasped, nearly dropping the crystal. "I—I did that?"
Adrian nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yes… but barely. That power is dangerous, Lyra. You must learn to control it, or it will control you."
Her heart pounded. Control it? How? I barely even know what it is.
The forest fell silent again, but the tension remained. Lyra noticed Adrian's hand rest on the hilt of his sword. He scanned the trees like a hawk.
"Who… what are you?" she asked, finally slowing her steps.
Adrian sighed, as if carrying the weight of a secret too heavy for anyone to bear. "I am a knight of Eldoria, sworn to protect the heir of the kingdom. And you, Lyra, are that heir. The kingdom is in grave danger. Dark forces are already moving to eliminate you before you can claim your throne."
Lyra shook her head. "I… I don't understand. I'm just a girl from Ashvale. I'm not… royalty. I can't be."
"You can, whether you believe it or not," Adrian said firmly. "And if you refuse, they will hunt you relentlessly. You have no choice."
Lyra's mind spun. A kingdom? Dark forces? A lost throne? It was too much to process. Her village, her quiet life… it all felt like a dream.
She looked down at the crystal, still glowing softly. This… this is proof. Somehow, it knows me.
Adrian noticed her gaze. "That crystal belonged to your mother. It has chosen you, Lyra. You have magic in your blood—magic that has been lost for generations. But it is volatile. You will need guidance to master it."
The thought of guidance made her heart sink. Training, danger, enemies… She had been content living a simple life. And now, everything she knew had vanished.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Adrian stopped. In a small clearing, a hidden path led deeper into the forest, marked by carved stones glowing faintly with runes.
"This path will take us to a safe place," Adrian explained. "You will rest there and learn the basics of your power. But know this—every moment you delay, the darkness draws closer. There are others who have been watching you for years, waiting for this moment. Some wish to protect you. Others… will kill you without hesitation."
Lyra swallowed. Fear, uncertainty, and determination mingled inside her. I am afraid, yes… but I won't run forever. I will face this.
A rustle in the trees made her spin around, but there was nothing. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her. "We move at dawn. Until then, stay close, stay quiet, and trust me."
Lyra nodded, though her mind buzzed with questions. Who were these dark forces? What kind of power did she truly have? And why did it feel as if the forest itself was alive, guiding her steps?
That night, as she lay under a canopy of stars, Lyra clutched the crystal and whispered to herself:
I am Lyra Valen, last heir of Eldoria. I will not hide. I will not run. And I will learn to master the power that chose me… even if it kills me.
Outside the clearing, the wind carried a whisper, barely audible but unmistakable.
"The heir… we will find her."
Lyra shivered. Danger was closer than she imagined. And her journey into the magical world of Eldoria had only just begun.