Marked by Destiny

Elara stood on the outskirts of the village, feeling her heart beat fast as she watched the chaos happening in front of her. Flames danced in the sky, illuminating the once-peaceful cottages now in smouldering ruins with an eerie glow. The smell of smoke and spilled blood filled the thick air. Soldiers of the kingdom, wearing armour decorated with the emblem of the ruling council, marched through the streets with brutal precision, their swords shining in the light of the fire. Grasping the relic firmly, Elara found comfort in its cool touch amidst the chaos. Earlier that day, a shard of obsidian with ancient symbols etched on it had summoned her from a long-forgotten temple. Now, it appeared to throb with a supernatural force, prompting her to reveal its mysteries, even in the midst of ruin. Alden appeared at her side, his presence a mixture of urgency and determination. His stormy grey eyes met hers, mirroring the turmoil in the sky above. "Elara, we need to go," he said urgently, his voice low but commanding. Elara paused, conflicted between the security of the shadows and the temptation of the artifact's potential. She had only recently met Alden, but there was an inexplicable allure about him that overcame her hesitations. Alden insisted that we must leave this place, extending his hand towards her. "There is no available time." A faraway blast rumbled the earth beneath them, serving as a clear indication that their time was quickly dwindling. Elara knew Alden was right. If they lingered, they risked capture or worse. With a final, longing glance at the burning village that had been her home, Elara made her decision. She relied on Alden, holding his hand as they ventured into the shadows of the towering trees in the old forest. While running, Elara's face was whipped by branches and her clothes were torn by thorns, but she paid little attention. Her mind raced with questions—about the artifact, about Alden, about the prophecy that seemed to bind their fates together. She had always been different, marked as cursed by the absence of soulmate symbols on her skin. Now, she wondered if this artifact held the key to her true purpose. "We must locate the Guardians," Alden stated, speaking quietly yet firmly while they moved through the thick vegetation. "They are the only people who have the ability to assist us at this moment." Elara gave a nod, feeling a mix of fear and excitement as her heart raced. Guardians were ancient beings rumoured to possess the power to manipulate the soulmate markings that governed the kingdom's destiny. If there was anyone who could solve the enigmas of her existence, it was them. As the trees started to become sparse, uncovering a moonlit opening up front, a familiar figure stepped out of the darkness—one that Elara recognized instantly. "Tristan," she whispered, feeling relieved as she saw her childhood friend, now wearing shining armour under the moonlight. Tristan's warm brown eyes softened as he approached. "Elara," he uttered with a voice filled with emotion. "Everywhere I looked, I couldn't find you." Prior to Elara being able to reply, a far-off roar disrupted the delicate serenity of the forest. The Earth quaked under their steps, and the atmosphere buzzed with a power that made Elara's spine tingle. "What was that?" Alden demanded, his grip on Elara tightening. Tristan's expression darkened. "The council's forces," he said grimly. "They are getting closer." Right on time, the forest descended into pandemonium. Shadows moved quickly through the trees, while the sounds of chase resounded in the darkness. Elara felt her heart pounding in her chest when she understood they were stuck between the council's soldiers and the mysterious threats in the forest. Having no time to spare, Elara was presented with a daunting decision - rely on Alden and search for the Guardians, or go back to the village with Tristan, where the council's authority cast a shadow over them. With the forest surrounding them and the council's troops advancing, Elara's crucial choice was undecided, a choice that would impact not just her own future, but also the future of the entire kingdom. In the distance, a wolf's eerie howl cut through the night, signalling hidden truths and reinforcing the idea that in a world governed by fate and sorcery, appearances were deceptive. Elara's thoughts raced while they hurried through the thick forest, with each step leading them further into the unknown. She stole glances at Alden and Tristan, the two men who now represented vastly different paths before her. Alden led with purpose, his jaw set and his eyes scanning their surroundings with the keen awareness of someone hunted. His belief in the Guardians and the artifact's significance was unwavering, a conviction that seemed to anchor him amidst the chaos. Elara had sensed from the moment they met that Alden carried his own burden, a weight of knowledge and purpose that resonated with her own unanswered questions. Tristan, on the other hand, exuded a mix of protective familiarity and the comfort of their shared history. His presence brought a flood of memories—their childhood adventures, whispered secrets under starlit skies, and the innocence of days untouched by the current turmoil. Yet, behind the warmth in his eyes lingered a shadow of doubt, a hesitation that spoke of concerns he dared not voice. The urgency of their flight through the forest was as a result of occasional distant clash of steel or the haunting echo of another explosion in the village they had fled. Each sound propelled them forward, reminding Elara of the peril they left behind and the uncertain future ahead. Alden suddenly stopped; his hand raised in a silent command. They crouched behind the cover of thick undergrowth, breathless as the forest seemed to hold its collective silence. Elara strained her ears, listening for any sign of pursuit. The minutes stretched tension like a bowstring until Alden finally relaxed, though his eyes remained vigilant. "We should rest," Tristan suggested quietly, his voice a soothing counterpoint to the tension that gripped them. "Just for a moment." Elara nodded gratefully, sinking to the ground beside Alden. She leaned back against the rough bark of a tree, acutely aware of the artifact still clutched in her hand. Its surface seemed to hum faintly, a sensation that both intrigued and unsettled her. Alden observed her carefully, worry evident in the creases of his face. "Are you alright?" he inquired gently, his voice a sharp difference from the previous urgency. Elara met his gaze, offering a small nod. "I... I think so," she replied honestly, her thoughts racing. "It's just... everything happened so fast. The artifact, the attack..." "I know," Alden murmured, his expression softening. "But we have to keep moving. The Guardians-" He suddenly stopped speaking when he heard a twig snap close by, automatically reaching for the handle of his dagger. Tristan quickly stood up, pulling out his sword and looking around the shadows nearby. Elara's heart pounded while time dragged on, each moment filled with endless doubt. Next, a person dressed in the humble attire of a forest inhabitant appeared, wearing a hooded cloak and worn-out boots which indicated a life led outside of towns and kingdoms. Elara felt a silent force in the stranger's movements, despite their face being hidden in shadows, showing a smooth agility developed from years of living in the wilderness. "The stranger's voice, deep and rough with undisclosed wisdom, whispered," you don't belong here." "Not now." Alden tensed, his hand still resting on his dagger. "Who are you?" he demanded; his voice sharp with caution. The stranger inclined his head slightly. "I am called Marek," he replied cryptically. "And I know why you seek the Guardians." Elara exchanged a wary glance with Alden and Tristan, uncertain whether to trust this unexpected encounter. Marek's presence held an air of mystery, an aura that seemed to both intrigue and unsettle her. "You know about the artifact?" Alden pressed; his tone urgent. Marek's gaze lingered on Elara, as if assessing her with a depth that sent a chill down her spine. Elara squeezed the shard of obsidian, her thoughts filled with questions. She inquired in a barely audible voice, "What is the significance of this?" Marek briefly looked at Alden before turning back to Elara. "It signifies, that your destiny is linked with powers beyond your comprehension." The answers you are looking for are held by the Guardians, but their path is dangerous, and not everyone who searches for them gets what they want. Alden exchanged a wary glance with Tristan, the weight of Marek's words settling heavily between them. "We don't have a choice," Alden said finally, his voice resolute. "Elara needs to understand." Tristan paused, looking back and forth between his childhood friend and the stranger who appeared to be hiding something. He inquired Marek, with a hint of doubt in his voice, "Are you trustworthy?" Marek chuckled softly, the sound reverberating in the quiet of the forest. "Trust is earned, young one," he replied cryptically. "But if you seek the Guardians, you must first navigate the challenges that lie ahead."