CHAPTER 1
KADIA.
Kaida's eyes fluttered open, as the sun rays streamed through her windows, but the familiar comfort of her bedroom was replaced by an unsettling feeling of being watched. As she sat up, a chill ran down her spine, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting for her just beyond the edge of town.
She threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed,her feet dangling in the air. The wooden floor creaked beneath her as she stood up. She felt a shiver run down her spine, it was as though the house itself was warning her of something.
Kadia approached the window and pushed aside the curtains, the village of Akakawa was bathed with the sunlight . Everything seemed peaceful, yet kadia's sense of unease persisted.
As she stood there, lost in thought, Kaida's mind began to wander back to her daily life. She was a half-kitsune, half-werewolf, raised in secret by her Aunt, Akane. They lived on the outskirts of the village, in a small, secluded cabin surrounded by tall trees.
Kaida's Aunt had taught her how to harness her kitsune magic, how to control her energy and wield her powers. But despite her kitsune heritage, Kaida had always felt... different. She had a strange, unsettling energy inside her, a power that she couldn't quite explain.
It was as if there was something dormant within her, something waiting to be unleashed. Kaida didn't know what it was, but she could feel it stirring, growing stronger with each passing day.
As Kadia stood at the window, lost in her own thoughts, she felt a sudden jolt of energy. Her senses went on high alert, and She felt a presence just lurking out of sight.
And then, just as she was starting to feel like she was being swallowed and consumed by the darkness, kadia saw a faint rustling outside her window. Kadia's features were masked with surprise as a small, winged creature fluttered into view.
The winged creature, a small messenger bird, fluttered around Kadia's head, chirping anxiously. Kadia had always heard about messenger birds, but she has never been on the receiving end of a message, so she was fascinated by the bird, but also skeptical because who could have sent a message to her. Her Aunt was the only parental figure she had, and she had never used a messenger bird.
Kadia raised her hands, and the bird settled onto her fingers, nuzzling her gently. Kadia examined the bird's leg, a small piece of parchment was tied to the bird's leg and Kadia carefully untied it.
As she unrolled the parchment, the sound of kadia's heartbeat thundered in her ears. The message was brief, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
" Meet me at the old oak tree in the heart of the forest at midnight. Come alone."
Kadia's mind was racing, and different thoughts invaded her mind like who could have sent the message and what do they want from her?. She felt a sense of unease, but also a thrill of excitement.
As she stood there, lost in thought, Kadia's aunt,Akane, appeared at her side.
" What's wrong, Kadia?" Akane asked, her eyes narrowing as she examined the parchment.
Kadia hesitated, not sure of how much to reveal. But something about the message felt important, felt like it was connected to the strange energy that had been building up inside her for years.
" I received this message," Kadia said finally, handing the parchment to her Aunt. " I don't know who sent it, but I feel like I have to go."
Akane's expression was firm as she examined the parchment, " I don't think that's a good idea, kadia," she said. " We don't know who sent this message, or what they want. It could be a trap"
Kadia felt a surge of frustration. She knew her Aunt was just trying to protect her, but she could shake the feeling that this message was important.
" Please," kadia said hoping she would Change her mind. " I have to go, I can feel it in my bones, it must be important."
Akane's expression didn't waver. "I'm sorry, Kaida. But the answer is no. You're not going anywhere near that meeting."
Kaida felt a pang of disappointment, but she knew she couldn't give up. She had to find a way to get to that meeting, no matter what.
Kadia waited until her Aunt was distracted, she was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. Kadia watched from her bedroom window as Akane's back was turned, her hands moving skillfully as she chopped the vegetables .
Kadia took a deep breath, she had never disobeyed her Aunt, but the message felt too important to ignore. She slipped out of her bedroom and into the hallway, her bare feet making barely a sound on the wooden floor. She moved quickly, her senses on high alert as she made her way to the front door.
Kadia's hand closed around the door handle, and she paused for a moment, listening. Akane was still busy in the kitchen, oblivious to kadia's escape.
With a gentle tug, kadia opened the door and slipped outside. The air was cool and crisp. She moved quickly, her feet carrying her across the clearing and into the forest. The trees loomed above her, their branches creaking in the wind. Kadia felt a shiver run down her spine as she disappeared into the darkness.
The forest was dark and quiet, the only sound the rustling of leaves beneath Kaida's feet. She moved quickly, her heart pounding with excitement and a touch of fear.
As she made her way deeper into the forest, Kaida couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced around, but saw nothing.
As Kaida approached the old oak tree, she felt a sense of anxiety wash over her. The strange energy emanating from the moon seemed to be growing stronger, and the ominous glow on the horizon seemed to be pulsing with an otherworldly power.
Kaida's heart was racing as she reached the tree, her senses on high alert. She looked around, but there was no one in sight. The only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the creaking of the tree's branches.
Suddenly, Kaida felt a presence behind her. She spun around, but there was no one there. The presence seemed to be lurking just out of sight, watching her.
Kaida's skin crawled as she felt the presence drawing closer. She tried to take a step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
And then, just as she was starting to feel like she was going to scream, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman, tall and imposing, with long, flowing hair and piercing green eyes.
The woman didn't say a word, but simply regarded Kaida with an unblinking stare. Kaida felt a shiver run down her spine as the woman's eyes seemed to bore into her very soul.
Kaida tried to speak, but her voice was caught in her throat. She tried to take a step back, but her feet seemed frozen in place.
The woman took a step closer, her eyes never leaving Kaida's face. Kaida felt a sense of fear wash over her, a fear that seemed to be growing by the second.
And then, just as the woman was about to reach out and touch her, Kaida felt a surge of adrenaline. She tried to step back, but it was too late. The woman's
hand reached out and touched her forehead, and everything went black.