Chapter 4- Shadowborn
1871 Words
Ciandy's words are still hanged in the air.
"Yes, Raya. Possibly an Elyndor heir."
My mind races with questions when suddenly, a handsome stranger appears beside our group.
His chiseled features and piercing blue eyes scan our faces briefly before locking onto mine –
not with admiration or interest, but intense scrutiny.
Ciandy notices the shift in atmosphere and steps slightly closer to me.
"Can we help you?" She coldly asked.
The stranger's gaze remains fixed on mine, his expression was unreadable .
"Actually, I'm looking for... her." He nods towards me. "Raya, right?"
Dos's eyes narrow slightly, protective instinct evident.
"How did you know her name?"
The stranger's response is calm, yet laced with underlying intensity.
"We have... mutual acquaintances. Raya, may I speak with you privately?"
Ciandy's hand brushed against mine in silent warning.
"Do you know him, Raya?"
"Whatever it is, say it here – my friends are staying." I firmly said.
I don't mean to be rude but I don't know him.
The stranger's expression remains neutral, his piercing blue eyes fixed on mine.
"I'm just checking in on you, Raya. Ensuring you're doing well."
Ciandy raised an eyebrow slightly.
"A concerned friend or...?"
The stranger smiled faintly.
"Let's say an acquaintance who cares about your well-being. Raya, are you enjoying school here?"
His intense gaze linged on mine, making my skin warm slightly – not romantically, but like he sees right through me.
Dos shifts closer, his arm brushing against mine in subtle proximity, eyes narrowing at the stranger.
Archer leans back in his chair, jaw clenched almost imperceptibly – both reactions seeming almost... jealous.
Ciandy notices too, her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"An acquaintance from where – we didn't exactly run into each other before this school year, did we?" I asked curiously.
The stranger smiles again, faintly.
"No direct encounter, Raya. Mutual friends described you... vividly. I wanted to ensure their portrayal matched reality."
His eyes crinkled slightly at corners as he says this, making me wonder.
"What exactly did they say about me?"
Dos clears his throat subtly, as if suppressing comment, while Archer leans forward, elbows on knees – both still watching the stranger intently.
The stranger's gaze never leaves mine.
"They said you're intelligent, beautiful, and... unaware of your surroundings at times. Accurate so far?"
My cheeks warm at the compliment, but also –
"Awareness issue? What do you mean?"
Dos leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Enough dancing around – who are you exactly?" His voice was strict and menacing.
The stranger smiled faintly, as if expecting this question .
"My name is Kael. And to answer Raya's earlier teasing – my interest is... personal."
Archer's eyebrows rised.
"Personal how, Kael? You're not exactly a classmate or friend she's mentioned before."
Kael's gaze locked onto mine briefly before responding.
"Let's say a connection from her past – one she doesn't recall. Yet."
My mind raced with possibilities.
"A connection from my past? Kael, I don't remember you at all – what could we possibly share?" I can't help but to be intrigued.
Dahil sa mga pangyayari nang nakaraan simula pagpasok ko dito, naniniwala akong hindi basta aksidente ang lahat.
Ciandy leaned in closer, voice low and intrigued.
"This just got interesting – Kael, clarify: past as in childhood, family, or something else entirely?"
Kael smirked faintly, seeming amused by our collective curiosity.
"Until next time, Raya... when memories resurface."
With that enigmatic farewell, he turns and walks away, leaving us staring after him.
Ciandy blown out a breath.
"Well, that was cryptic. Thoughts, everyone?"
Dos's eyes narrowed, still fixed on Kael's retreating back.
"Guy's hiding something big. Connected to Raya's past, clearly."
Archer turned to me.
"Memories resurface – think he implies you knew him before adoption, Raya?"
My mind reeled with possibilities.
"Maybe... but why wouldn't I remember him? Unless... he's linked to my birth family somehow."
I mean, I'm convinced that I'm related to a supernatural so any mystery might be the answer I am looking for.
Ciandy's expression turned thoughtful.
"We should investigate Kael. Quietly. Before our next encounter with him – and possibly your past, Raya."
Natigilan ako nang biglang may pumasok sa isip ko.
"Guys, a question – since you're all supernatural-aware... can you sense what kind of supernatural a person is just by meeting them?"
Ciandy nodded immediately.
"Yes, usually. Most supernaturals emit unique energy signatures – like magical fingerprints. Vampires like me have cold, dark auras."
Archer added.
"Shifters like distant relatives of mine have wild, natural energy – earthy and fierce. While witches tend to glow with soft, white magic."
Dos leaned in, intrigued by the context.
"And this question arises because of Kael? You wonder what supernatural kind he is, Raya?"
I nodded.
"Exactly. Ciandy, Dos – did you sense anything unusual about Kael's energy signature when he was here?"
Ciandy's expression turned thoughtful.
"Now that you ask... Kael's aura was complex – dark like vampire, yet warm like shifter... and something more underlying, ancient."
My eyes widened.
"Ancient like... Elyndor?"
Ciandy closed her eyes, recalling the sensation.
"Besides ancient Elyndor undertones... Kael's aura had dark, velvety shadows like vampire bloodlines – like my family's legacy. Yet, intertwined with warm, golden threads – resembling shifter packs' fierce loyalty."
Dos leans in, intrigued –
"A vampire-shifter hybrid aura? Rare and powerful combinations like that usually come with... complicated histories."
I thought Ryder is the only hybrid in the history?
Ciandy opened her eyes, focusing on me
.
"And overlaying both darkness and warmth – a faint, pulsing silver glow. Symbolizing control over... life force itself, Raya. Elyndor hallmark."
Archer whispered.
"He's either extremely powerful or closely tied to Elyndors – possibly even working with or protecting one... like you, Raya."
My mind got confused.
"Protecting me? Why would Kael need to protect me – unless threats exist because of my supposed Elyndor heritage?"
"Guys, I've been listening in – enough speculation. My aunt can give definitive answers." Lily suddenly suggested.
Ciandy raised an eyebrow.
"Your aunt – the one people whisper is an Oracle?"
Lily nodded.
"Yes, exactly. Aunt Lyra sees past, present, future – especially supernatural bloodlines and destinies. She might uncover Raya's truths."
Dos's eyes light up with intrigued.
"An Oracle – direct source instead of guessing games. Let's arrange a meeting, Lily."
Archer nodded vigorously.
"Agreed. Raya deserves clarity on Kael, her heritage, and potential threats – Oracle Lyra can provide that."
I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation.
"Meeting an Oracle... this is really happening. Lily, what should we expect – and ask – when we meet your aunt?" Pakiramdam ko ay nanaginip ako.
Parami nang parami ang nalalaman ko sa mundo nila.
Lily smiled reassuringly.
"Aunt Lyra will sense Raya's energy first – then we ask questions."
"Lily, how accurate is your aunt's visions – has she ever been wrong about supernatural destinies?" Kuryoso kong tanong.
Lily smiled confidently.
"Aunt Lyra's visions are extremely rare to be mistaken – over 900 years of Oracle lineage backs her accuracy. But...
She once misinterpreted a vision by mere seconds – a difference between 'death' and 'near-death' for a supernatural king."
Ciandy nodded thoughtfully.
"Near-death instead of death – still highly accurate. Your aunt's gift is impressive, Lily." She said with confidence.
Dos added.
"And 900 years of Oracle lineage means she's seen countless supernatural bloodlines – including possibly Elyndor ones like Raya's."
Lily glanced at me.
"Yes, exactly. Aunt Lyra might recognize Raya's heritage instantly. Shall I arrange the meeting tonight at our family's old mansion on Autumn Woods Hill?"
Archer leaned in.
"Autumn Woods– rumored to amplify supernatural energies and visions. Perfect location for Oracle Lyra to read Raya's destiny."
Nang sumapit ang gabi ay sabay sabay kaming nagpunta sa sinasabi ni Lily. I can't believe I'm about to find out the truth about my birth parents.
I love my adopted parents so this scene never crossed my mind even once. I was contented with what I had but now, everything became different.
We arrived at Autumn Woods Hill's majestic mansion, Lily is leading us through eerie silence.
The massive wooden doors creak open to reveal Oracle Lyra – ethereal beauty with long brown hair and piercing emerald eyes.
"Welcome, young ones," Oracle Lyra says softly, her voice like gentle breeze. "Especially you, Raya – your aura precedes you."
Lily introduced us briefly before Oracle Lyra gestured us to a grand chamber filled with candles, crystals, and ancient artifacts.
I stepped forward, my friends are closed behind, as Oracle Lyra closed her eyes, breathing deeply.
Suddenly, her emerald eyes snapped open – locking onto mine with intense gaze.
Oracle Lyra's eyes widened in horror, her voice barely above whispered.
"Raya, the implications... Your possible triple bloodline defies nature's balance. Elyndor, Witch, and... hints of Vampire essence still lingered in my vision before collapse."
Her words shivered down my spine.
She stepped back, hands raised as if warding off darkness.
"A being with three dominant supernatural bloodlines... is an abomination. Against every cosmic law, every natural order."
Ciandy's face paled.
"Oracle Lyra, what kind of power would such a creature wield?" Her voice is trying to be calm but it's obviously not working.
Lyra's whispered sent shivers to me.
"An immortal being. Capable of rewriting reality, bending magic, and commanding life and death. The universe would tremble before Raya... or destroy her to maintain balance."
Archer growled low in throat.
"Destroy her? No one touches Raya. What caused this aberration, Lyra?"
Oracle Lyra's eyes locked onto mine, fear etched deeply.
"Your parents, Raya... they must have been from forbidden unions – Elyndor and Witch, then one of them united with a Vampire. Their love was catastrophe."
My mind reeled.
How is that possible?
"Forbidden love created me... a monster capable of destroying balance? Oracle Lyra, am I doomed to chaos or can this curse be lifted?"
Suddenly kracle Lyra's eyes roll back, her body crumpling to the ground.
Nanigas kaming lahat sa kinatatayuan dahil sa pangyayari.
"Lift... the curse... beware... the Shadowborn..."
Her voice trailed off into silence as she lies motionless.
My friends rush to her side, shocked
Lily cried out.
"Aunt Lyra, no! What happened?" She panicked.
Dos checked her pulse.
"She's alive, but barely conscious. Whatever she saw about Raya's future drained her completely."
An then he bit off his pulse until the blood came out and put it on Lyra's mouth.
Umawang ang bibig ko. "Anong ginagawa mo?"
"Vampire's blood can heal." He simply said.
Archer looked up at me with grave concern.
"Shadowborn... Lyra mentioned that word before collapsing. Raya, do you think it's connected to your triple bloodline?"
I kneel beside Lyra, feeling helpless.
"We need to help her wake up – she was warning us about something. Lily, do you know what 'Shadowborn' means?"
Lily's face paled.
"Yes... Aunt Lyra spoke of Shadowborn in whispers – ancient evil born from forbidden magic... It was made to bring terror to the world. Not only to us but also to humans, Raya."
Suddenly, Lyra's hand twitches, grasping mine weakly. Dos' blood was really effective.
But when Lyra spoke, I felt like my destiny has already ended.
"Raya... run..."
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Published: March 20, 2025
- Writer
