Matilda Lyra woke up to the sound of birds singing. It was a peaceful morning in her small village, surrounded by tall trees and the smell of fresh flowers. She stretched her arms and smiled. It was just another normal day.

She stood up from her bed and walked to the window. The sun was rising, painting the sky with beautiful colors. She could hear the soft sounds of the village waking up too. People were starting their work, the farmers walking to the fields, and the bakers already filling the air with the scent of fresh bread.

Matilda lived a quiet life. Every day, she helped the people in the village by making medicine from herbs. She was good at it. She learned from her mother, who was also known for her skill in healing. But Matilda never thought she was special. She liked helping, but she wanted nothing more than to live peacefully and quietly, far from trouble.

As Matilda made her way to the kitchen to prepare some tea, something strange happened. Her wrist itched. She looked down and saw a small mark on her skin. It had always been there, but today, it was glowing.

Matilda blinked. She rubbed her wrist, but the mark wouldn't go away. It was not like any mark she had seen before. It was a bright, shining symbol, almost like a star.

"Why is it glowing?" she whispered to herself.

Before she could think more about it, there was a loud knock at the door.

A Stranger Comes

Matilda opened the door to find a tall man standing on her doorstep. His hair was dark, and his eyes were a strange shade of green, like the forest. His clothes were simple but strong, made for traveling. There was something in his eyes that made her feel uneasy.

"Are you Matilda Lyra?" the man asked, his voice deep and calm.

"Yes," Matilda said, surprised. "Who are you?"

"My name is Kaelar. I have come for you."

Matilda looked at him carefully. "Why?"

Kaelar stepped closer. "You are marked. The mark on your wrist means you are the chosen one. You have a destiny to stop the Void King."

Matilda stared at him. "What are you talking about? I don't even know who the Void King is."

Kaelar looked at her with serious eyes. "The Void King is an evil creature who wants to take over the world. He has returned, and only you can stop him."

Matilda shook her head. "I don't know anything about this. I'm just a healer. I can't fight anyone."

"You don't have to fight yet," Kaelar said softly. "But you will need to. You are the only one with the power to stop him."

Matilda felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Her heart raced. She looked at the glowing mark on her wrist again. "How do you know this?"

Kaelar didn't answer at first. Instead, he took a step back. "The mark is a symbol of a prophecy. It was given to your family many years ago. Only someone with the mark can stop the Void King. And that someone is you."

A Heart Full of Doubt

Matilda closed the door and sat down on her bed. She put her head in her hands, trying to understand what was happening. Everything in her life had been simple, peaceful. And now, this man, Kaelar, was telling her she was the "chosen one," that she had a big, dangerous job to do.

Her wrist still glowed with the mark. It felt hot now, burning her skin. She rubbed it again, hoping it would stop. But it didn't.

"What am I supposed to do?" she whispered. "I don't know anything about saving the world."

Matilda stood up, feeling confused and scared. She couldn't stop thinking about what Kaelar had said. Was it true? Was she really the only one who could stop the Void King?

A Bond Begins

The next day, Matilda decided to go with Kaelar. She wasn't sure what would happen, but she knew she had no choice. She packed some food and medicines in a small bag and followed Kaelar as he led her out of the village.

The journey was long. The roads were not easy to walk on, and the weather was hot. But Kaelar was always there to help her, offering a hand when she was tired or when the path became too difficult.

As the days passed, Matilda started to feel something strange. It wasn't just the fear of the Void King. There was something else—a feeling she couldn't explain. She felt safe with Kaelar, even though she didn't know him well.

One evening, as they sat around a small campfire, Matilda looked at him. "Why are you helping me?" she asked.

Kaelar looked at her, his green eyes serious. "Because it's my duty. And because I believe in you."

Matilda felt a warmth in her chest. She didn't understand why, but she felt comforted by his words. "But you don't know me," she said softly.

"I know enough," Kaelar replied. "I can see the strength inside you. You don't know it yet, but you will."

Matilda smiled a little. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing: she wasn't alone.

A Choice to Make

As Matilda and Kaelar continued their journey, the days turned into weeks. They traveled through forests, across rivers, and over hills. Every night, Kaelar would sit close to her, keeping watch. Sometimes, he would talk about his past, though he never spoke too much.

Matilda learned that Kaelar had been fighting evil for a long time. He had seen many things, and though he was strong, she could see that he had a sadness in his eyes.

One evening, Matilda stood by the campfire, looking at the stars. "Do you ever get scared?" she asked him.

Kaelar was silent for a moment before answering. "Yes. But fear doesn't stop us. We fight because it's the right thing to do."

Matilda nodded. "I don't know if I can fight," she said quietly. "I've never fought before."

"You will," Kaelar said softly. "You have a light inside you. And when the time comes, that light will shine brighter than anything else.