Lyra woke to an eerie silence.
The storm had passed, leaving the village blanketed in a heavy, unnatural mist. She shivered as she slipped out of bed, her bare feet brushing against the cold wooden floor. Outside, the faint golden light of dawn barely pierced the thick gray fog.
Her grandmother's voice called out from the kitchen. "Lyra, come eat."
Lyra pulled on her cloak and stepped into the small room. The fire had been rekindled, and a modest breakfast of bread and berries waited on the table. Her grandmother glanced at her, her expression unreadable.
"Is he gone?" Lyra asked hesitantly.
Her grandmother shook her head. "Still here. He's outside, pacing like a restless wolf."
Lyra frowned, her curiosity outweighing her wariness. She quickly finished her meal and stepped outside.
Kael stood at the edge of the village square, his dark cloak billowing in the faint morning breeze. His gray eyes scanned the fog, his stance tense, as though he expected an attack at any moment.
"You didn't leave," Lyra said, crossing her arms.
Kael turned to her, his expression grim. "Look."
He pointed to the fields beyond the village. Lyra followed his gaze and gasped.
The grass was blackened, the once-vibrant green now withered and lifeless. Patches of shadow lingered on the ground, twisting and writhing as though alive. The sight sent a chill down her spine.
"What is this?" she whispered.
"Corruption," Kael said. "It spreads where the shadows linger. If left unchecked, it will consume everything."
Lyra stepped closer to the edge of the village, her hands trembling. The air near the corruption felt heavier, colder. She reached out with her light magic, but the moment her energy touched the shadows, it fizzled out.
"It's no use," Kael said. "Your magic isn't strong enough to counter it."
Lyra turned to him, her frustration boiling over. "Then what do you expect me to do? You show up, warn us about danger, and now this? Why me?"
Kael's gaze softened slightly. "Because you have potential, Lyra. More than you realize."
"Potential?" Lyra laughed bitterly. "I can barely light a lantern."
"That's because no one's taught you how to use your magic," Kael said, stepping closer. "The light you wield isn't ordinary. It's connected to something ancient, something powerful."
Lyra shook her head, disbelief warring with the flicker of hope his words ignited. "And how would you know that?"
Kael hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Because I've seen it before. In someone else."
Before Lyra could press him further, a loud cry shattered the stillness. They both turned toward the village square, where a group of villagers had gathered.
"It's the well!" one of them shouted. "The water's turned black!"
Lyra and Kael rushed to the well, pushing through the murmuring crowd. Sure enough, the bucket that had been drawn was filled with inky, tar-like liquid. A foul stench wafted from it, making Lyra gag.
"This is just the beginning," Kael muttered under his breath.
"What do we do?" Lyra asked, her voice shaking.
"You come with me," Kael said firmly.
Lyra stared at him. "What?"
"This village is already on borrowed time," he said. "The corruption will spread, and unless we find a way to stop it, there's nothing anyone here can do."
"I can't just leave!" Lyra protested. "This is my home. These are my people."
"If you stay, you'll die," Kael said bluntly. "And so will they."
Her grandmother stepped forward, her expression stern. "And where would you take her?"
Kael met her gaze. "To someone who can train her. Someone who understands the light magic she carries."
The old woman frowned, her grip tightening on her cane. "You expect me to trust you, a stranger, with my granddaughter's life?"
"No," Kael said, his voice quiet but resolute. "But trust me when I say that staying here will only put her in more danger."
Lyra looked between Kael and her grandmother, her heart pounding. She didn't want to leave, but the sight of the blackened fields and the corrupted water filled her with dread.
"What if he's right?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her grandmother's expression softened, and she placed a hand on Lyra's cheek. "If you go, promise me you'll be careful. Don't trust anyone too easily, especially him."
Kael rolled his eyes but said nothing.
Lyra swallowed hard and nodded. "I promise."
---
An hour later, Lyra stood at the edge of the village with a small satchel slung over her shoulder. The villagers watched from a distance, their expressions a mix of fear and sadness. Kael waited silently, his shadowy aura making the villagers uneasy.
As they set off down the winding path leading away from the village, Lyra glanced back one last time. Her chest tightened, but she forced herself to keep walking.
Kael led the way, his movements swift and purposeful. Lyra struggled to keep up, her mind racing with questions.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To a place where you can learn," Kael replied without looking back.
"Learn what?"
"How to survive."
Lyra frowned but didn't press him further. The path ahead was shrouded in mist, and the shadows seemed to stretch longer than they should. She gripped the strap of her satchel tightly, trying to steady her nerves.
Whatever lay ahead, she had no choice but to face it.
---
Sneak Peek for Chapter 3:
As Lyra and Kael travel deeper into the magical forest, they encounter their first true test—a shadow beast corrupted by chaos magic. Lyra's light magic will be put to the test in a life-or-death situation.