She was born with a mark no one could explain.A mark that burned whenever the shadows whispered her name.Lyra has spent her life

The night was cold. A type of chill that stings your skin. The trees stood high, dark and frightening. The moon was concealed by clouds. I couldn’t even spot my own shadow. The forest was silent. Eerily silent. Everyone in my village warned, "Avoid entering the forest after dark.” They mentioned that something wicked dwells there. However I chose not to pay attention. My brother went missing two nights back.. I wanted to locate him. There I found myself stepping into the forest that consumed him. I gripped my torch firmly. The flame flickered faintly. My pulse was racing. Each footfall caused the leaves to crackle beneath my feet. The noise echoed in the stillness. “Don’t fear, " I murmured quietly to myself. "You’re courageous. You’ve got this.” But I was scared. I'm very scared. I sensed movement from behind me. I spun quickly. Silence. After that a murmur arose. Soft. Gentle. Almost like someone saying my name. “Lyra…” I halted. My heart paused briefly. Who stated that? I glanced about raising my torch overhead. Nobody was there. “Who’s there?!" I yelled. My voice trembled. No answer. Just the sound of the wind. I stepped once then again. My foot caught on a root. I nearly tumbled. That’s when the sound reached me more. The identical voice, now nearer. “Lyra…” I spun around swiftly.. At that moment I noticed him. A man. Standing not far from me. He dressed entirely in black. His eyes gleamed like silver. The darkness appeared to trail him as if it was his own. He kept an eye on me. Not moving. Just standing there. My throat dried up. "Who might you be?" I inquired softly. He gave a smile. "A person who recalls you.” “I’m not familiar with you, " I replied, moving backward. He inclined his head. "No. You don’t recall.. You shall.” My flashlight wavered. The beam grew faint. He advanced gradually, taking a step forward. His boots were completely silent. I tried to run. My legs would not obey. “You’re not supposed to be a little hunter, " he whispered gently. I gulped nervously. "Why?” “Since the woodland is mine.” Just as I was about to speak my torch was extinguished. Obscurity engulfed all things. “Keep away!" I yelled. My voice bounced off the trees. I could sense him shifting, steady and quiet. Then his voice appeared more right next to my ear. As if he was positioned behind me. “I spent a time anticipating our reunion.” I spun around swiftly slashing with my knife. I struck nothing but empty space. No contact. “Quit hiding!" I shouted. "Show yourself!” He showed up directly before me. Near enough to catch his eyes. Gleaming yet sorrowful simultaneously. “Why are you doing this?" I murmured. He stared at me for quite a while before talking. "Because you gave me your word once. You told me you would return.” My throat tightened. My eyes burned. I couldn’t grasp what he was saying. Something inside me ached as I gazed at him. He extended his hand gently as if aiming to brush my cheek. “Stop, " I replied swiftly. He came to a halt. His hand lingered midair. “You truly have no recollection do you?" he murmured. “I have no idea what you're referring to!" I replied. He gave a smile. "Perhaps this time the curse will conclude in a way.” Before I had a chance to say anything a massive figure leapt from the shadows. I let out a scream. It resembled a creature. Glowing eyes, pointed claws and teeth sharp, as blades. The man dressed in black acted quicker than a flash. He grabbed me tightly wrapping one arm around me and immediately everything turned dark. I sensed the breeze sweep across my face. My body seemed weightless as though I were descending. The creature had vanished by the time I blinked my eyes open more. We stood by ourselves in the heart of the woods. He continued to hold me. His arm remained steady around my waist. His breath grazed my cheek. “Allow me to leave, " I murmured. He did not. He merely gazed down at me, his eyes gentle this time. "You’ll understand shortly Lyra. You will recall it all.” I asked "Who are you?” He grinned, slightly. "Your history. Your error. Your burden.” Then. He disappeared. Gone. Like smoke fading into the air. I collapsed onto the floor trembling. My palms were chilly, my pulse racing rapidly. I gazed at the trees. Silence had returned. Too silent. When I eventually rose to my feet I noticed something on my wrist. A black mark — shaped like a circle with small thorns around it. It wasn’t there before. I had no idea what it signified. However there was one thing I was certain of. It was connected to him. Starting from that evening his voice kept echoing in my dreams without pause. Soft. Sad. Calling my name. Kael.