A distant humming filled the silence, low and rhythmic, like a heartbeat echoing through the void. Emma felt weightless, floating in an endless abyss, her body numb yet strangely warm.
Then—pain.
A sharp, searing pain shot through her chest, forcing her eyes open. She gasped, sitting up abruptly, her breath ragged as she clutched her head. The world around her was a blur, swirling in shades of gold and silver.
Where… was she?
The last thing she remembered was the black-armored man, the wave of energy, and the blinding light from the stones. She had been running for her life—had she died?
No. She was alive, but something felt… different.
Blinking, Emma's vision gradually cleared, revealing her surroundings. She was in a vast forest, bathed in the eerie glow of dawn. Towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their silver leaves shimmering under the morning light. A faint mist clung to the ground, and the air smelled fresh, tinged with a hint of magic.
She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the faint thrum of energy beneath her skin. Her clothes were torn, covered in dust and dried blood, but otherwise, she was unharmed. Beside her, the five stones lay scattered, still glowing faintly.
Emma reached for them, hesitating as the warmth of their power seeped into her fingers. What had happened back there?
Before she could process everything, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You survived. That's unexpected."
Emma whirled around, her pulse racing. A man stood a few feet away, leaning against a tree with an unreadable expression. He was tall, his dark cloak billowing slightly in the breeze, his silver eyes cold yet intrigued.
Everything about him screamed danger.
"Who are you?" Emma demanded, forcing herself to stand despite the ache in her limbs. "Where am I?"
The man tilted his head. "You don't know? Interesting." His gaze flickered to the stones in her hands. "I saw the light last night. I thought you were dead, but it seems the stones saved you."
Emma clenched her fists. "Did you follow me?"
The man let out a quiet chuckle. "Not quite. But let's just say I was… curious."
Emma didn't trust him. Not after what had happened. Not after what she lost.
She took a step back. "I need to go."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Go where? The Eclipse King's men are still searching for you. If you run blindly, you'll just end up dead."
A chill ran down Emma's spine. The Eclipse King? That name… it sounded familiar.
She tightened her grip on the stones. "Why should I trust you?"
The man sighed, pushing off the tree. "You shouldn't. But let's get one thing straight—you don't have a choice."
Before Emma could react, a rustling sound came from the trees behind her. She turned sharply. Dark figures moved through the mist, their black armor glinting in the early morning light.
The Eclipse King's soldiers.
Panic surged through her veins. They had found her.
"Run," the man muttered, his voice low.
Emma didn't hesitate. She grabbed the stones and bolted into the trees.
The sound of footsteps followed, fast and relentless. Shadows darted between the trunks, arrows slicing through the air. Emma barely managed to duck as one whizzed past her ear, embedding itself into a tree with a dull thud.
Her heart pounded. She couldn't outrun them.
"Use the stones!" the man's voice echoed behind her.
Emma didn't know how. She barely understood their power. But there was no time to think.
She clutched the Ruby Stone, and heat exploded in her palm.
A sudden wave of fire erupted around her, forming a burning barrier between her and the soldiers. The air shimmered with heat, and the soldiers skidded to a halt, cursing as they tried to navigate around the flames.
Emma stared at her hand in shock. Did… did she just do that?
The mysterious man caught up to her, smirking slightly. "Looks like you're learning."
She shot him a glare. "Who are you?"
He gave a half-smile. "Rahi."
The name settled uneasily in her chest.
"Come on, Princess." He turned. "We need to move before they find another way through."
Emma hesitated. She didn't trust him. But right now, she had no other choice.
Taking a deep breath, she followed him into the unknown