The village of Eldralith stood as a quiet refuge on the edge of the forest, its cobblestone streets and wooden houses illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns. Amanda, Eryndor, and Fenris entered under the cover of dusk, their cloaks pulled tight against the chill. Despite their battered appearance from the recent fight, Amanda carried herself with the calm confidence of someone who knew she belonged anywhere she chose to be.
The streets were busy, villagers bustling about with goods in hand, oblivious to the danger Amanda and her group had narrowly escaped. Merchants bartered loudly, while children darted between wagons, laughing. The normalcy of it all felt foreign to Amanda after the chaos of the corrupted beast.
"We'll need supplies and information," Amanda said, scanning the village square. "This place might be small, but someone here must know more about what's happening in the forest."
Eryndor nodded, his eyes already darting to potential threats among the crowd. "And gold. We're running low."
Amanda's lips curled into a sly smile. "Gold can be earned. Let's start by splitting up. Eryndor, see what you can find out about the village's leadership and if anyone's encountered anything unusual lately. I'll handle the magic shop."
"And me?" Fenris growled softly, his sharp ears twitching.
"You're with me," Amanda replied. "Let's move."
Eryndor gave a curt nod and disappeared into the crowd, his hunter instincts making him vanish with ease. Amanda adjusted her cloak, pulling her hood further down, and strode toward the marketplace.
The magic shop was tucked away on a quiet corner of the square, its sign depicting a swirling arcane glyph. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old parchment and the faint hum of stored mana. Shelves lined the walls, packed with books, scrolls, and trinkets glowing faintly with enchantments.
The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with spectacles perched on her nose, looked up as Amanda entered. "Ah, a traveler. You have the look of someone seeking knowledge."
Amanda stepped forward, her crimson eyes scanning the room. "I need books. Advanced magic theory, rune crafting, elemental manipulation—anything of substance."
The woman adjusted her glasses, her gaze flickering to Amanda's aura. "You have a strong presence, young one. Rarely do I see someone with such… untamed potential."
Amanda's expression remained calm, though inwardly she noted the shopkeeper's perceptiveness. "The books. How much?"
The woman smiled faintly, moving to a shelf and pulling out several thick tomes. "For these? Fifty gold."
Amanda frowned. Their funds wouldn't last at that rate. "How about a trade? I've acquired something rare." She produced a small vial of mana essence she had taken from the corrupted beast's remains, the liquid glowing faintly with chaotic energy.
The shopkeeper's eyes widened. "Interesting… Very well. These books for that vial. And perhaps, if you're willing, I could offer work in exchange for more supplies. There's been talk of strange disturbances in the nearby ruins. You seem… capable."
Amanda filed the information away for later. "I'll consider it. For now, this will do."
She accepted the books, tucking them securely into her satchel, and left the shop with Fenris at her heels.
Back in the square, Amanda met Eryndor near a food stall. He handed her a roasted skewer, which she accepted without question.
"Found out some things," he said between bites of his own food. "The villagers have been losing livestock to strange creatures lately. They think it's wild animals, but after what we saw in the forest, I'd bet it's something else."
Amanda nodded. "The shopkeeper mentioned nearby ruins. Might be connected. We'll investigate once we've rested."
Eryndor frowned. "You're pushing hard. We've barely recovered from the last fight."
"We don't have time to waste," Amanda replied, her voice steely. "The more we uncover, the closer we get to understanding the power behind these attacks—and using it for ourselves."
Eryndor didn't argue, though his expression remained uneasy.
That night, Amanda sat alone in their rented room at the village inn, the newly acquired books spread before her. Candlelight flickered as her eyes devoured the texts, her mind racing with possibilities.
The Seed's power burned within her, a constant presence that she had begun to feel more acutely since the fight with the corrupted beast. The warnings of the spectral figure from the forest echoed in her mind: Seek the truth of its origin, or be lost to the shadows it commands.
She closed her eyes, her breathing steady as she reached inward. The Seed pulsed, responding to her focus.
Then, the world seemed to shift.
Amanda opened her eyes to find herself standing in a void, a vast expanse of crimson light stretching endlessly in all directions. Before her stood a towering figure—a humanoid shape wreathed in fire, its presence both majestic and terrifying.
"Bearer of the Seed," the figure intoned, its voice reverberating through the void. "You have awakened its power, but you have yet to prove your worth."
Amanda straightened, her chin raised defiantly. "And who are you to judge my worth?"
The figure's flames burned brighter. "I am but a fragment of the will of Pandora. The Seed you carry is no ordinary relic—it is a fragment of the world's essence, and it chooses only those destined to reshape its fate. But to wield its full power, you must endure its trial."
Amanda's fists clenched. "What trial?"
The void around her erupted into flames, and she was suddenly surrounded by countless figures—beasts, humanoid warriors, and shadowy entities, all radiating lethal intent.
"Survive," the figure said simply.
The horde charged, and Amanda's crimson aura flared as she summoned her power. Her hands burned with raw mana as she unleashed devastating spells, cutting through the attackers with precision and fury.
But they kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Amanda gritted her teeth, refusing to falter.
As the battle raged on, she felt the Seed's power growing within her, urging her to push beyond her limits. She embraced it, channeling its energy into her attacks. The void trembled with the force of her magic, the crimson light intensifying.
Finally, the last of the attackers fell, and Amanda stood alone, her breath ragged but her resolve unbroken.
The towering figure stepped forward, its flames now gentle. "You have passed the first trial. The world acknowledges your determination. But remember this: the Seed's power is both a gift and a curse. Use it wisely, or it will consume you."
Before Amanda could respond, the void faded, and she was back in her room, the candle still flickering beside her.
She exhaled slowly, her heart steady despite the intensity of what she had just experienced. She could feel it—the Seed's power had grown, its connection to her deepening.
Amanda's lips curled into a determined smile. "Consume me? No. I'll be the one to consume it."
The night outside was still, but within Amanda, the fire of ambition burned brighter than ever.