The dawn broke reluctantly over Eldralis, casting long shadows across the valley. A thick fog clung to the ground, muffling the city's usual morning bustle. Eira Windthorn had barely slept, her dreams fractured by images of crimson skies and burning fields. The eerie horn from the previous night still echoed in her mind.
Standing by the window, she watched the horizon with a gnawing sense of dread. The city seemed unnervingly quiet—no chatter of merchants setting up their stalls, no laughter of children playing in the streets. Even the birds had fallen silent.
Finn's sleepy voice broke the stillness. "You're up early."
Eira turned to see her younger brother rubbing his eyes, his hair sticking up in wild tufts. "Couldn't sleep," she admitted.
He frowned. "Is it because of the horn?"
Eira hesitated. She didn't want to frighten him, but there was no denying the unease gripping the city. "Maybe. Probably just a signal for the guards. Nothing to worry about."
Finn nodded, though doubt lingered in his eyes.
A sudden, distant boom rattled the windowpanes. Both siblings froze.
"What was that?" Finn whispered.
Eira's blood turned cold. "Stay here."
Grabbing her dagger, she bolted out the door and onto the cobblestone street. Smoke curled into the sky from the eastern fields beyond the city walls. A dull roar echoed through the valley, punctuated by the clash of steel.
Guards sprinted toward the gates, their armor gleaming in the pale light. Citizens emerged from their homes, their faces pale with confusion and fear.
Eira's heart raced. This was no drill. Eldralis was under attack.
"Eira!" Finn's voice called from behind her.
She whirled around to see him running toward her, defiance etched on his young face.
"I told you to stay inside!" she snapped.
"I'm not leaving you alone," he shot back, determination flashing in his eyes.
There was no time to argue. Another explosion rocked the ground, sending tremors through the city. Eira grabbed Finn's hand. "We have to get to the city square. The guards will protect us there."
They sprinted through the narrow streets, dodging panicked townsfolk. Arrows whistled through the air, embedding themselves in walls and rooftops. Eira's breath came in ragged gasps as they rounded a corner and skidded into the square.
What she saw made her blood run cold.
The eastern gates had been breached. Dark figures poured into the city—twisted creatures with obsidian armor and eyes that glowed like embers. Their weapons hummed with dark energy, slicing through the city guards with brutal efficiency.
One of the creatures roared and charged toward a group of fleeing civilians. A guard leaped in its path, but the creature's blade shattered his shield and cut him down.
Finn clung to Eira's arm, his face pale. "What are those things?"
"I don't know," she whispered, fear tightening her chest.
Above the chaos, a blast of dark energy erupted from the gates. The sky twisted, turning a sickly shade of crimson. The wind howled, carrying with it a foul stench of decay. From the swirling storm, a hooded figure emerged, his cloak billowing like black smoke.
He raised a skeletal hand, and the creatures fell silent. The city square grew deathly still.
"Eira Windthorn," the figure called, his voice echoing through the square. "Step forward."
Finn's grip on her arm tightened. "How does he know your name?"
"I don't know," she whispered, though her dreams had already warned her of this moment.
The figure's eyes gleamed beneath his hood. "You cannot hide from fate, girl. The time has come."
Eira's pulse thundered in her ears. She knew she should run, but her feet were rooted to the ground. The weight of the figure's gaze pinned her in place.
Finn tugged at her sleeve. "Eira, we have to go!"
His voice snapped her out of her trance. Gritting her teeth, she turned and pulled Finn toward the old temple at the edge of the square. The ancient stone walls loomed ahead, a sanctuary that had stood for centuries.
They dashed through the temple gates, the heavy wooden doors slamming shut behind them. Eira pressed her back against the cool stone, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Finn's eyes were wide with terror. "What was that thing?"
"I don't know," she said, her voice shaking. "But we're safe for now."
A sudden chill swept through the temple, extinguishing the torches along the walls. The air grew thick with an oppressive energy.
Eira's heart raced. "Or maybe not."
The hooded figure's voice echoed through the temple, dark and cold. "You cannot escape me, Eira Windthorn. The Shattered Realm is awakening."
Finn clung to her side. "What do we do?"
Eira's jaw clenched. "We fight."
Drawing her dagger, she stepped forward, ready to face the darkness head-on.
---