Chapter 2
The forest was full of whispers. The wind carried feint voices through the trees, the rustling of leaves covering something far more sinister. Kael ran, his breath ragged, his legs tired from the effort. His mind raced just as quickly.
Who were those people? Why were they after him? And what had he done ?
His heart still ached from the flowing of power that had erupted from him. He had never experienced anything like it . The Eclipse Sigil on his shoulder had always been an odd birthmark—nothing more. But tonight, it had come to life, and now his village in ruins.
The thought sent a stab of guilt through him. Orin…
He forced the pain down. Orin had given him an order. Find Lyra Valen. Go to the Tower of the Lost. He didn't know who she was or where the tower was, but he had no other choice.
A sudden snap of a twig made him flinch.
Someone was tailing him.
Kael pressed himself against the trunk of an oak, torturing his ears. The night was filled with the strange sounds—crickets, distant owls—but beneath it was something else. Footsteps. Slow ones.
He hardened his fists. He couldn't outrun them. If he had any hope of staying alive, he had to face what was coming.
Taking deep breaths, he turned. "Who's there?"
Silence.
Then, a voice. "You run like a hunted deer."
Kael's heart pounded. From the shadows stepped a figure—a young female, perhaps a few years older. Her dark armor blended seamlessly with the night, and a curved blade rested against her hip. Her emerald eyes studied him with curiosity.
"Not bad, though," she continued. "Most people don't make it this far."
Kael frowned. "Who are you?"
The female tilted her head. "That depends. Who are you?"
Kael hesitated. "I don't have time for this."
She sighed heavily. "No fun. Fine. Name's Jorin Greaves. I was tailing those raiders back there—until I saw you blast one halfway across the village."
Kael tensed. "You saw that?"
"Hard not to," she smirked. "That kind of power? Strange. Dangerous. Which means I've got two questions for you. One, how did you do it?"
"I don't know."
Jorin narrowed her eyes, searching his face. "Huh. I trust you."
Kael exhaled in relief.
"Which brings me to the second question."
Before Kael could react, she moved. In an instant, her blade was at his throat.
"What are you?"
Kael's breath caught. He had no idea how to answer. The sigil, the power, the visions—none of it made sense. But the look in Jorin's eyes told him that hesitation could cost him.
"I'm just a—" He stopped. He couldn't say "villager" anymore. That village was now gone.
"I don't know," he claimed. "But I need to find someone. Lyra Valen."
Jorin's eyes flickered with recognition. "Lyra?"
"You know her?"
Jorin put down her weapon, stepping back. "Yeah, I know her. She's not easy to find."
"Why?"
"cause she doesn't want to be found."
That wasn't the answer he had wanted for.
Jorin sighed. "Look, you seem clueless, but I've got a rule: I don't help people unless there's a reason."
"And what if I can give you one?"
Jorin raised her eyebrow.
"I don't know what I am," Kael claimed. "But those raiders—they know. They called me a 'sigil bearer.' If you're tailing them, then you need me as much as I need you."
Jorin studied him for a long moment. Then, to his surprise, she smiled.
"You're clever than you look." She sheathed her weapon. "Alright, kid. You've got yourself a guide."
"Thank you."
Jorin shrugged. "Don't thank me yet. You still have to live."
They moved through the forest quickly, Jorin leading the way. She was light on her feet, quiet despite the thick underbrush. Kael tried to match her speed, but his fatigue was catching up to him.
"How do you know Lyra?" he asked after a while.
Jorin didn't look back. "We used to work together."
" work?"
She smiled. "The kind that gets you killed."
Kael decided not to press further.
After what felt like hours, the trees thinned, showing a narrow dirt road. Jorin stopped, scouting the area.
"This road leads east," she murmured. "Closest town is Silverbrook. We can get supplies there."
"Is it safe?"
Jorin look at him. "Nowhere is safe for you."
She wasn't incorrect.
They continued, staying just off the main road, moving under the cover of trees. The sky had begun to brighten,dawn peeking over the horizon.
Kael's stomach growled. He hadn't eaten since the previous afternoon.
Sighed "Here."
She threw him a small packet wrapped in cloth. He caught it, unwrapping it to reveal dried meat and bread.
"Where did you—?"
Jorin winked. "I'm good at getting things."
Kael didn't ask. He ate quickly, rummaging like a creature .
Jorin watched him. "So, what's your plan once we find Lyra?"
Kael swallowed. "I don't know. Orin said she had answers."
Jorin's expression darkened at the mention of Orin. "That old man… he was a good one."
Kael gazed up. "You knew him?"
Jorin nodded. "Everyone in the underground did."
Kael's stomach tightened. Just how much had Orin been hiding?
Before he could ask more, Jorin tensed. Her hand shot up. "Get down."
Kael dropped to the ground as Jorin pulled him into the bushes.
Moments later, figures appeared down the road.
Black cloaks. Crimson armor.
The raiders.
Kael's pulse pounded in his ears.
"They're looking for you."
Kael's fingers curled into the dirt. He wanted to run, but he knew better.
Jorin's eyes flicked between the trees. "There's too many to fight. We need to move—quietly."
Kael nodded. They began crawling backward through the underbrush, but then—
Snap.
Kael's foot landed on a twig.
One of the raiders turned. "Over there!"
Jorin cursed. "Run!"
They sprinted through the trees, the raiders close behind. Kael's heart pounded. He could hear them gaining.
Then, a flash of silver.
A figure dropped from the trees, landing between them and their pursuers.
A woman with auburn hair and cold amber eyes.
She raised her hand. Magic crackled.
"Keep running," she said.
Kael recognized the name before she even said it.
"I am Lyra Valen."
Then, with a flick of her wrist, fire exploded through the forest.