CHAPTER 3- THE OBSIDIAN COURT
295 Words
The black mist thickened, swallowing the silver glow of the forest.
From within it emerged figures dressed in dark armor, their eyes hollow and glowing faintly red. Their cloaks trailed behind them like smoke. At their center stood a woman crowned in jagged black crystal.
Her voice was smooth as poisoned honey.
“So… the lost heir finally awakens.”
Alora’s heart thundered, but she did not step back.
“Who are you?”
The crowned woman smiled.
“I am Queen Nyxara of the Obsidian Court. And you, child… are a threat.”
The forest trembled.
The white-haired guardian stepped beside Alora. “You will not take her.”
Nyxara laughed softly. “Oh, I do not need to take her. Her power will awaken fully soon enough. And when it does… she will either join us… or perish.”
The black-armored soldiers advanced.
Alora’s mark burned brighter.
Something ancient stirred inside her veins. The air crackled. The leaves rose from the ground in a swirling storm.
Without knowing how, she lifted her hand.
Light exploded outward.
The Obsidian soldiers were thrown back as if struck by invisible force. The mist recoiled. Even Queen Nyxara stepped back, eyes narrowing.
“Interesting,” Nyxara murmured. “Stronger than expected.”
The effort drained Alora instantly. She fell to her knees, breath shallow.
The guardian caught her before she hit the ground.
“You must come with me now,” he said urgently. “Your training begins tonight.”
Nyxara’s cold gaze lingered on Alora.
“This is not over,” she promised. “The Enchanted will fall again.”
As the forest swallowed the darkness, Alora looked down at her glowing hand.
Her life in Ember Hollow was over.
And her destiny had just begun.
- Writer
