Elena woke up drenched in sweat, her heart pounding violently in her chest. The nightmare still clung to her mind like a thick fog, vivid and relentless. The words those men had told her father were tormenting her, looping over and over like a haunting melody. Her mother's cries echoed in her ears, sharp and agonizing, as if they were happening all over again. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the memories away, but they refused to fade. It felt like her mind was a battlefield, torn apart by ghosts she couldn't escape.
She tossed and turned, trying to force herself back to sleep, but it was futile. Her body was trembling, her breath shallow. It was 11:19 PM when she finally sat up, her hands shaking as she wiped her damp forehead. "I can't do this anymore," she whispered to herself, her voice cracking. The weight of her past was suffocating her, and she knew she couldn't stay in the forest any longer.
With a sense of urgency, she grabbed her bags and began packing. Clothes, essential supplies, and her weapons—all the tools she needed for survival. As she reached for her father's old diary, she paused. It was bound in worn leather, the pages filled with symbols and writing she had never understood. It had always been a mystery to her, a puzzle she never had the courage or resources to solve. Now, it felt like a key—a crucial piece of her past that might hold answers.
Before leaving, she took one last look around her small, isolated home. It had been her sanctuary, a place where she trained and tried to forget. But now, it felt like a prison, a reminder of everything she had lost. She locked the door and whispered a silent farewell.
Emerging from the forest, the cool night air hit her skin. The stars above seemed indifferent to her turmoil, twinkling peacefully as if the world was not full of betrayal and pain. She walked toward the nearest town, her footsteps muffled by the dense underbrush. By dawn, she arrived at a small car dealership. Despite the weariness pulling at her, she negotiated quickly, using the money her parents had left her to purchase a sleek, fast sports car. The engine roared to life, and for the first time in years, she felt a flicker of exhilaration as she sped away, the forest disappearing in her rearview mirror.
Her destination was Avaris, a bustling city known for its scholars and linguists. If anyone could translate the strange language in her father's diary, it would be someone there. The drive was long, the hours stretching endlessly as memories of her nightmare replayed in her mind. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white. "Focus," she told herself. "This is just the beginning. I can't afford to fall apart now."
When she arrived in Avaris, the city was alive with activity. People bustled through the streets, vendors shouted out deals, and the aroma of street food wafted through the air. But Elena had no time to admire the sights. She found a renowned expert in ancient languages, a stern old man named Professor Hartwick. His office was cramped, books piled high on every surface.
Professor Hartwick eyed the diary skeptically. "This is... unusual," he murmured, flipping through the pages. "These symbols aren't from any known language. They're ancient, predating most recorded histories. It will take me some time to decipher it."
Elena frowned. "How long?"
"At least a week," he replied.
"I don't have a week," she snapped, her frustration boiling over. "I need answers now."
Hartwick raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I'll work through the night. Return in the morning."
Satisfied, Elena left, though the weight in her chest remained. She found a small inn to rest for the night, though sleep eluded her. By morning, the professor had deciphered part of the diary. "It speaks of a betrayal within the family," he said, his voice low. "And a secret power tied to your bloodline. I need more time to unlock the rest."
Elena took the partially translated diary and left Avaris, her mind racing. The next stop was Bellavik, the city where her parents had been murdered. Her heart clenched at the thought, but she knew she had to return. There was no other way to uncover the truth.
Bellavik was colder than she remembered, the air heavy with an eerie silence. She bought a villa next to the one where her extended family now lived—those who had betrayed her parents. The villa was dilapidated, but she saw its potential. She hired a team of workers to renovate it, turning it into a base of operations.
While the renovations began, Elena set her sights on Caidale, a city infamous for its warriors. If she was to confront her family and the truth, she needed allies—or at the very least, training to ensure her survival.
Caidale was heavily guarded, its borders patrolled by elite soldiers. Entry was restricted, and any unauthorized attempts were met with brutal consequences. Elena tried to negotiate her way in, but the guards were unyielding. Impatient and desperate, she decided to sneak in under the cover of darkness.
The city's defenses were formidable, with watchtowers and patrols at every turn. Elena's heart pounded as she slipped past the guards, her footsteps silent on the cobblestone streets. But her luck ran out when a sharp voice called out, "Halt!"
She froze, her mind racing. A guard stepped out of the shadows, his sword glinting in the moonlight. "State your purpose," he demanded.
Thinking quickly, Elena feigned innocence. "I'm just a traveler," she said, her voice trembling.
The guard narrowed his eyes. "Travelers don't sneak into Caidale. You're a spy."
Before he could sound the alarm, Elena lunged forward, disarming him with a swift move. She knocked him unconscious and dragged him into an alley. Her hands were shaking, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn't afford to fail now.
Inside Caidale, she sought out a legendary trainer known only as "The Blade." This was her last hope to gain the skills she needed to face the dangers ahead.