Calen lived in the small village of Thalewood, a quiet place nestled at the edge of the Wyrmwood Forest. It was a peaceful spot, far from the turmoil of the world. Thalewood wasn't much to look at—just a collection of stone houses, small farms, and winding dirt roads. The villagers lived simple lives, working the land, tending animals, and helping each other out when needed. There was no great wealth or fame here, just hard work and the comfort of knowing that life moved slowly, in its own time.
Calen lived with his parents in a modest cottage near the edge of the village. His father, Orin, was a farmer who spent most of his days working the fields. His mother, Elena, was a healer, known for her knowledge of herbs and remedies. She helped the villagers when they fell ill or were injured. Calen often helped his father with the crops and cared for the animals. His life, like everyone else's in Thalewood, was simple and predictable.
But that morning, something felt different…
The air was thick with a strange tension, and Calen couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. He worked as usual, but every so often, his gaze drifted toward the edge of the forest, where the trees seemed to whisper in the wind.
As he finished his chores, Calen walked toward the forest's edge. That's when he saw her—a woman standing just beyond the tree line. She wore a dark cloak, and her eyes seemed to glow with an unnatural light. There was something strange about her, something that made Calen's heart race. He didn't know why, but he felt as though she had been waiting for him.
Before he could move, the woman raised her hand, and a burst of energy shot from her fingers, sending a shockwave through the ground. The earth trembled beneath Calen's feet, and for a moment, it felt as though the world itself had shifted. His breath caught in his chest as he stumbled back, heart pounding. But just as quickly as she had appeared, the woman was gone, vanishing into the trees.
Calen stood there, frozen in confusion. Had he imagined it? Was it real? He couldn't be sure, but the strange feeling in the air remained. The village, once so familiar, now seemed different—darker, as if something unseen was stirring in the shadows.
That night, as the villagers gathered around the fire, Calen couldn't focus. The laughter and conversation around him felt distant. All he could think about was the woman in the woods and the strange power she had shown. What did it mean? And why had she chosen him?
Calen didn't know the answers, but one thing was certain: his quiet life in Thalewood was about to change. Something was coming, and whether he was ready or not, he would be drawn into it.