Caelia stepped cautiously out of the wardrobe, her heart pounding against her ribs. The silence was unsettling-an unnatural stillness that seemed to press against her ears. She glanced around, expecting to see her parents famiiar house, but the room felt.. off. The wallpaper was peeling in places, and the once-polished wooden floors were worn and dull. a strange chill hung in the air, carrying with it a faint, metallic scent.
"What.. happened here?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The house's interior bore an mysterious resemblance to her parents home, yet subtle differences made her stomach twist. The ceiling seemed higher, the windows arched instead of rectangular, and the air carried a faint luminescent glow, as though the sunlight itself was laced with magic.
Caelia hesitated by the wardrobe, glancing back at its dark, shadowy expanse. It looked unchanged from the outside, but she felt certain she hadn't returned to the same place she'd left. Summoning her courage, she stepped out into the hallway, her footsteps echoing louder than they should have. The scent of pine and damp earth replaced the familiar scent of lavender her mother favored.
She reached the front door and opened it cautiously. Her breath caught in her throat. Instead of the quiet sub-urban street she'd grown up on, she was greeted by a sprawling landscape of dense, emerald-green forest. Towering trees with silver black and shimmering leaves stretched endlessly before her, their roots twisting and curling like ancient serpents. In the distance, sharp-edged mountains pierced the sky, their peaks dusted with golden snow that gleamed like fire under the sun.
She staggered back, gripping the doorframe for support. "This... this isn't possible."
A soft hum drew her attention to a narrow, overgrown path leading away from the house. It seemed to call her, its wildflowers swaying gently despite the absence breeze. curious and lacking any better options, she stepped cautiously onto the path.
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The further she walked, the more the world seemed to shift. The air grew warmer, carrying the faint scent of jasmine and an undercurrent of something darker, like burnt wood. The trees whispered to one another in a language she couldn't understand, their leaves rustling softly despite the stillness.
After what felt like an eternity, the path opened up to reveal a clearing. At its center stood an ancient monument, its surface cracked and faded with age. The stone structure was ornamented with embroidered carvings of winged figures, horned beasts, and streams of light and shadow locked in eternal conflict. Strange runes glowed faintly along its base, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Caelia approached cautiously, drawn by an indescribable pull. She traced her fingers over the carvings, feeling the grooves beneath her touch. Despite their age, the images told a clear story: a great war between humans and devils, a golden angel descending from heavens, and the sealing of a great evil within a towering gate.
Her eyes fell on a final carving-a lone figure standing before the sealed gate, their hand outstretched. The figure's features were indistinct, but something about the image sent a shiver down her spine.
"What is this place?" she murmured, stepping back. As if in response, a low, mournful wind swept through the clearing, carrying with its faintest whisper of words she couldn't quite make out. She turned sharply, searching for the source, but the forest was empty.
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The wind grew stronger, rustling the leaves and stirring her hair. Shadows danced across the monument's surface,twisting and curling like living things. A sudden, sharp crack echoed through the clearing as a branch snapped somewhere nearby. Panic surged through her veins.
She turned to leave, but her eyes caught a faint glimmer on the monument. A small crest near the top began to glow, its light growing steadily brighter. It was shaped like a pair of outstretched wings encircling a single star. Warmth radiated from the light, wrapping around her like a protective embrace. For a moment, the fear subsided, replaced by an overwhelming sense of calm.
"This has to mean something", she thought, her fingers brushing the glowing crest. As she touched it, a wave of energy coursed through her, and a soft voice echoed in her mind:
"The heir must rise."
Before she could process the worlds, the light faded, leaving the crest dark and lifeless once more. The clearing fell silent, the intolerance stillness returning.
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Far away, in the depths of a shadowy stronghold, a surge of energy rippled through the air, crackling like distant thunder. In a darkened chamber, a robed figure raised their head, their golden eyes narrowing as they felt the shift.
"The seal..." the figure hissed, their voice echoing ominously.
Another presence emerged from the shadows, their form barely visible under a heavy cloak. "The heir has made contact," they said, their voice a low growl.
The first figure clenched their fists, their sharp nails digging into their palms. "Fools. We should have destroyed the remnants of the gate years ago. Now the prophecy stirs, and the Blackthorn bloodline will awaken."
"Not if we act swiftly," the second figure said, stepping forward. "She is untrained and unaware of her heritage. We still have the advantage."
The robed figure turned toward a darkened corner of the chamber, where a monstrous figure shifted restlessly. Its glowing red eyes pierced the gloom, and its deep growl reverberated through the room.
"Send the hounds," the robed figure commanded. "If she dares to tread further, she will meet her end before she can even begin."
A sinister smile spread across the face of the second figure. "As you wish."
The chamber fell silent once more, save for the faint, menacing growl that echoed as the monstrous figure slunk into the shadows, vanishing into the night.
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As Caelia turned to retrace her steps, a distant sound reached her ears—the rhythmic thud of clopping. Her heart jumped. Someone was coming. But was it friend or foe?
She stepped back into the shadows of the trees, her breath shallow and her pulse racing. The clopping sound grew louder, accompanied by a low, low growl that set her teeth on edge. She gripped the nearest tree for support, her mind racing.
Whatever was coming, she had a feeling her journey was only beginning.