The cold night air clung to Kaelen's skin as he followed Seraphina and Elysia through the forest. His breath came out in short, uneven bursts, but it wasn't just from the physical exhaustion of the day—it was from the weight of everything that had happened. The forest was thick, the trees towering over them like silent watchers, their branches weaving together to block out the moonlight. Shadows stretched across the ground, flickering as the wind moved the leaves above.
Seraphina led the way with confidence, her fiery red hair catching the dim light now and then. She seemed unaffected by the darkness, her hand never straying far from the hilt of her sword. Elysia walked beside Kaelen, her face calm, but her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. There was an unease in the air, a sense that something, or someone, was watching them.
Kaelen's thoughts drifted to the strange encounter earlier that day. He hadn't meant to use his powers—he hadn't even known he had them. It just… happened. One of Lord Thorne's men had cornered them in the clearing. The man's sword had glinted in the afternoon sun as he lunged toward Kaelen, ready to strike. In that split second, Kaelen had felt something deep inside him stir, something powerful. His hand had shot out instinctively, and before he knew it, a burst of energy exploded from his palm, sending the man flying backward.
He could still hear the crack of the soldier's body hitting the tree, and the groan of pain that followed. Kaelen had stood there, frozen, staring at his own hands, unsure of what had just happened. Seraphina had glanced back at him, her eyes widening for just a moment before she returned her attention to the fallen soldier.
Now, hours later, the memory clung to him like a weight he couldn't shake. He wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or terrified. What was this power? And why did he have it?
Elysia must have sensed his tension because she spoke softly, breaking the silence between them. "You did what you had to do, Kaelen," she said, her voice calm but reassuring. "We would've been in serious trouble if you hadn't."
"I didn't know I could do that," Kaelen replied, his voice a whisper. "It just… happened."
Elysia looked at him, her violet eyes soft but unreadable. "That's often how it works. Powers like yours—they awaken in moments of need. You'll learn to control it in time."
Kaelen wasn't so sure. The energy had felt wild, uncontrollable, like something that didn't belong to him. And yet, it was there, waiting just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed again.
Seraphina, who had been walking ahead, stopped suddenly, her hand gripping the handle of her sword. "Quiet," she hissed, her voice low but firm. Both Kaelen and Elysia halted in their tracks, their senses immediately on high alert.
"What is it?" Kaelen whispered, his heart pounding in his chest.
Seraphina didn't respond immediately. Her eyes scanned the darkness around them, her body tense, like a coiled spring ready to strike. After a long moment, she relaxed slightly, though her hand never left her sword. "We're being followed," she murmured. "Stay close."
Kaelen's pulse quickened as they began moving again, more cautiously this time. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and the shadows seemed to move and twist with every step they took. His hand itched to summon that strange energy again, but he fought the urge. He didn't want to hurt anyone—at least, not unless he had to.
The minutes dragged on as they moved deeper into the forest, the tension growing with each passing second. Kaelen could feel Elysia's presence beside him, calm but focused. Seraphina led them with steady confidence, her instincts sharp as ever.
Suddenly, there was a rustle in the bushes nearby, followed by the sound of footsteps. Kaelen's heart leaped into his throat as a dark figure emerged from the trees, dressed in the black armor of Lord Thorne's men.
Seraphina was on him in an instant, her sword flashing as she blocked the man's first attack. The clash of metal rang through the air, the fight swift and brutal. But there were more of them—three more soldiers appeared from the shadows, closing in on them.
Elysia raised her hands, her magic swirling as she prepared to defend herself. Kaelen's mind raced, the fear and adrenaline surging through him. He couldn't let them be captured. He couldn't let them die.
Without thinking, Kaelen stepped forward, his hands glowing with that strange, wild energy.
Kaelen's hands tingled as the energy within him flared up once again. This time, he didn't try to suppress it. His body moved on instinct, drawing from a power he didn't fully understand but couldn't ignore. His fingers crackled with light as he thrust his hand forward, aiming at one of Lord Thorne's men who was rushing toward Seraphina from the side.
A wave of shimmering force exploded from Kaelen's outstretched hand, slamming into the soldier with a force that sent him sprawling into the underbrush. The man didn't rise. Kaelen stood frozen, staring at his hands, still faintly glowing. He hadn't meant to do that—it just happened. Again.
Seraphina, locked in fierce combat with the remaining two soldiers, spared him a glance. "Keep doing whatever that is, Kaelen!" she shouted between strikes, her voice sharp with urgency. She moved with practiced ease, her fiery hair swirling around her as her sword clashed against their opponents' blades. But even a skilled dragon rider had her limits, and the soldiers were relentless.
Elysia, beside him, had already cast a shimmering barrier around them. Her violet eyes flashed with determination as she manipulated the air around her, a deadly wind lashing out at one of the soldiers, knocking him off balance. She turned her gaze toward Kaelen, her voice calm despite the chaos. "You're doing great. Just focus."
Kaelen nodded, though doubt still gnawed at him. His heart pounded in his chest, his pulse loud in his ears. He wasn't a warrior. He wasn't even supposed to be here. And yet, here he was, fighting soldiers with powers he barely understood.
One of the soldiers broke through Elysia's wind barrier, rushing at Kaelen with his sword raised. Without thinking, Kaelen threw his hands up again, and another burst of energy shot forward. This one was stronger and more controlled. The soldier stopped mid-stride, the force hitting him square in the chest, sending him flying back as if struck by an invisible hammer.
Kaelen's breath caught in his throat. He'd done it again. This power—it was part of him now, whether he wanted it or not.
"Behind you!" Elysia's voice cut through his thoughts. Kaelen whirled around just in time to see another soldier lunging at him, his sword gleaming in the faint moonlight. Kaelen's reaction was slow, panic clouding his mind, and the soldier's blade came dangerously close.
But before the blow could land, Seraphina intervened. With graceful, deadly precision, she knocked the sword out of the soldier's hand and, in one swift movement, brought him to his knees. Her blade hovered over his neck, her fiery red hair framing her fierce expression.
"That's enough," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. The soldier's eyes widened in fear, but he didn't move. Seraphina didn't hesitate—her sword flashed, and the man crumpled to the ground.
Breathing hard, she turned to Kaelen, her sharp gaze softening just a fraction. "You alright?"
Kaelen nodded, his heart still racing. "I… I think so."
Seraphina sheathed her sword and offered him a small, approving nod. "You handled yourself well. That power of yours might just keep us alive."
Elysia stepped forward, her barrier dissolving as she released the last of her magic. "We need to move," she said, her voice steady but urgent. "More will come soon, and we can't afford to be here when they do."
Kaelen wiped the sweat from his brow, his body trembling from the rush of energy and fear. He glanced at the fallen soldiers, a strange mix of relief and guilt washing over him. He hadn't meant to kill anyone—he had only wanted to survive. But this world, this life, was far more dangerous than anything he had known before. There was no room for hesitation.
Seraphina led the way again, her fiery hair flickering like a beacon in the night. As they hurried through the forest, Kaelen fell in step beside Elysia.
"What just happened back there?" he asked, his voice low, still not fully understanding the power that surged through him. "That… power. How am I doing this?"
Elysia glanced at him, her violet eyes filled with a quiet wisdom. "You're special, Kaelen," she said softly. "You were chosen, whether you know it or not. That power inside you—it's ancient. And it's dangerous. But it's also your greatest weapon."
Kaelen swallowed hard, his mind spinning with questions. Chosen? Ancient power? He didn't know if he was ready for any of this. But one thing was certain: there was no turning back now.
As they disappeared deeper into the forest, Kaelen couldn't help but wonder what awaited them—and how long they could outrun the shadows that seemed to haunt their every step.