Olivia had thrown herself fully into her training. After the terrifying attack on the estate, she knew she had to become stronger, not just for herself, but for her family. Every day, she woke up before dawn, pushing her body to its limits. The physical training was grueling—hours spent honing her combat skills, endurance, and agility. But it was the mental discipline that proved to be the hardest. Edmund had brought in experts to help her understand the abilities she possessed, abilities that were still largely a mystery to her.
Edmund, always vigilant, had sent out the best agents to investigate the source of the dark creatures that had attacked the estate. He needed answers, and fast. In the meantime, he doubled Olivia's protection, assigning two secret guards to shadow her wherever she went, blending into the background, unseen but always present. She could feel their eyes on her, but she didn't mind. After the attack, she welcomed the extra protection.
One afternoon, as Olivia was recovering from a particularly intense training session, a visitor arrived at the estate—a woman who seemed to appear out of nowhere, demanding to see Edmund. The guards at the gate, skeptical of her ragged appearance and the fact that she was blind, hesitated to let her in, but the moment she spoke Edmund's name, they knew she was no ordinary visitor.
When the woman was escorted inside, Edmund met her at the entrance, his face reflecting a mixture of surprise and recognition. Olivia and her mother were called to join them, and as they entered the grand hall, Olivia felt a strange tension in the air. The woman, who appeared frail but carried an undeniable presence, stood in the center of the room, her eyes—though clouded—seemed to pierce straight through Olivia.
"This is an old friend," Edmund explained, his tone more respectful than Olivia had ever heard him use. "She's a seer, someone with visions of what's to come. She's helped me before, in darker times."
The seer nodded but said nothing, her sightless gaze still locked on Olivia. Her mother, sitting beside her, shifted uncomfortably, sensing the intensity as well. Olivia tried to meet the seer's gaze, but the woman's eyes unsettled her, as though they could see more than she ever intended to reveal.
Finally, the seer spoke, her voice raspy but filled with authority. "You, child," she said, pointing directly at Olivia, her blind eyes unwavering. "You are the key."
Olivia's heart skipped a beat. "The key to what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The seer took a slow step toward her, her presence filling the room. "The key to the world's destruction—and also its savior." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "But you cannot save the world alone. The forces gathering against you are too great. You will need help, alliances, people who will stand by your side when the darkness closes in."
Olivia swallowed hard, her mind racing. "How am I supposed to save the world?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly. "I don't even know what I'm capable of. I'm still struggling just to protect my family."
The seer's expression softened slightly, but her words remained direct. "Your power is beyond anything you can imagine, but it comes with a price. There will be sacrifices—choices that will weigh heavily on your soul." She paused, her milky eyes seeming to focus on something only she could see. "You will be faced with a decision. A moment will come when the line between destruction and salvation will blur, and it will be up to you to choose which path to walk."
Olivia's mind spun with the weight of the seer's prophecy. The world's destruction? Salvation? It was too much to comprehend. She had never wanted this. All she had ever wanted was to take care of her family, to live a normal life. But now, it seemed her destiny was far bigger—and far more dangerous—than she could have ever imagined.
Edmund, standing beside her, looked grave. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice low but firm. "We'll help you, Olivia. You're not alone in this."
The seer nodded, though her eyes never left Olivia. "There are many who will seek to use you for their own purposes. Be wary of false friends, and trust only those who have proven their loyalty."
Olivia nodded, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. The seer's words had left her with more questions than answers, but one thing was clear—there was no turning back now. Whatever path lay ahead, she would need to be prepared for the battles to come.
As the seer turned to leave, Olivia couldn't help but ask, "How do I know who I can trust?"
The seer paused at the door, her voice soft but clear. "You will feel it in your heart. But remember—sometimes, the greatest danger comes from within."
With that, the seer disappeared into the shadows of the mansion, leaving Olivia with a thousand unanswered questions. But one thing was certain—the world as she knew it was about to change forever.