Selene moved through the forest, her steps guided by a force she couldn't comprehend. The amulet seemed to vibrate with every heartbeat, as if sensing her fear and transforming it into a strange, irresistible pull. The words of the silver-cloaked man echoed in her mind, haunting her: "The choice is yours. Stand against her…or embrace the darkness."
But how could she embrace something she barely understood? The Phantom Queen was a tale meant to frighten children, a name spoken only in shadowed places. And yet, that woman's voice had sounded so real, so close, like a memory clawing its way to the surface.
After what felt like hours, Selene emerged into a clearing, breathless and exhausted. The moon hung high above, casting an eerie silver light over the trees. The forest seemed to watch her, the shadows twisting into strange shapes, shifting as though they held secrets just out of reach. Selene shivered, gripping the amulet tightly.
Then, she heard it—a faint rustling, followed by a low growl. She spun around, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at her waist. Two gleaming eyes emerged from the darkness, locked onto her. A massive wolf prowled forward, its fur as dark as midnight, its eyes filled with a strange intelligence. She took a step back, her heart pounding, but something held her in place. A strange sense of calm washed over her as she met the wolf's gaze.
And then, as if in a trance, she heard the woman's voice once more, clearer this time.
"Do not fear, child. This creature is bound to you now. My gifts are not to be feared."
The wolf circled her, never breaking eye contact. Selene felt its presence in her mind, like a shadowy tether connecting them. She reached out slowly, her fingers brushing its fur, and a jolt of warmth spread through her hand. The wolf dipped its head, acknowledging her, and then settled at her feet, a silent sentinel.
Confused and shaken, Selene sat down beside it. The amulet pulsed, sending waves of energy through her. Images flashed in her mind—visions of a vast, darkened realm, of rivers of shadow and ancient ruins shrouded in mist. And in each vision, the same figure appeared: the Phantom Queen, her face half-hidden by darkness, her hand reaching toward Selene.
Selene shuddered, pulling herself out of the trance. The wolf nudged her hand, as if sensing her distress. She looked down at it, the weight of her predicament settling over her like a heavy cloak.
"What am I supposed to do?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The wolf let out a low growl, turning its gaze toward the forest. A figure emerged from the trees, his steps silent and purposeful. It was the silver-cloaked man, watching her with the same piercing gaze as before.
"So, you didn't run," he said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Perhaps there's hope for you yet."
Selene narrowed her eyes, frustration flaring within her. "You… you did this to me. You gave me this cursed amulet, and now I'm bound to a legend I barely believe in!"
The man raised an eyebrow. "Did I?" He shrugged. "Perhaps you were always meant to find it. The Queen's power finds those worthy of it, those strong enough to bear its weight."
"Who are you?" Selene demanded, her voice trembling with anger. "And what do you want from me?"
The man's expression softened, and for a moment, she saw a trace of weariness in his gaze. "I am merely a guide, Selene. A guardian of secrets that must never be forgotten. I am here to help you understand what you've been chosen for."
She shook her head, frustration mingling with fear. "I never chose this!"
"No," he agreed quietly. "But the amulet chose you, and the Queen's power now flows in your blood. You are bound to her, just as she is bound to you."
Selene opened her mouth to protest, but the words died on her lips. The amulet's warmth seeped into her skin, and once again, the Queen's voice echoed in her mind.
"You cannot escape me, child. The shadows are in your blood now."
She closed her eyes, trying to block out the voice, the visions, the weight of it all. But deep down, a part of her recognized the truth. There was no escaping this. She was bound to the Phantom Queen, to the amulet, to a power she barely understood.
The silver-cloaked man watched her in silence, his expression unreadable. "The Queen was betrayed once, long ago, by those who feared her power. Her spirit lingers in the shadows, waiting for a vessel strong enough to restore her. You are that vessel, Selene."
A chill ran down her spine as she met his gaze. "Why me?"
"Because you carry her bloodline, whether you know it or not. You are the last descendant of her lineage, and the only one who can bring her back."
The weight of his words settled over her, cold and undeniable. She thought of her past—the endless days of struggle, the nights spent hiding in shadows, the feeling of being different, of being…other. She had always felt a darkness within her, a strength that frightened her.
"What if I don't want this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The man's gaze softened. "You may resist, but the Queen's power is already in motion. The eclipse approaches, and when it does, the realms will collide. You can either stand by her side, or be swept away by the shadows."
Selene clenched her fists, her heart pounding. The wolf at her feet growled softly, as if urging her to accept the inevitable. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her fate pressing down on her.
"Then what do I do?" she asked, her voice steadying.
The man smiled, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "You must learn to wield the Queen's power. But be warned—those who know of her return will not rest until they've destroyed you. They fear what you represent, and they will do anything to stop you."
Selene's eyes narrowed. She had always been a survivor, a fighter. If this power was her inheritance, then perhaps she could find a way to control it, to shape it to her will.
The man stepped back, his figure fading into the shadows. "When the time comes, the amulet will guide you. Trust it… and trust yourself."
With that, he vanished, leaving Selene alone in the clearing with the wolf. She stared at the spot where he'd stood, a strange mixture of fear and determination settling over her. The Queen's power flowed through her veins, the amulet pulsed with life, and for the first time, she felt the stirring of something she hadn't felt before