THE LEGACY OF STRONG WOMAN

The Burning of Eldermere The suffocating, thick smoke odor permeated the air. Screams echoed through the night as flames devoured the once-prosperous village of Eldermere. Her heart was beating like a war drum as Seraphina D'Argent held on to the hem of her cloak. The shadows of armed men moved through the inferno, cutting down those who resisted. "Seraphina!" Through the chaos, Lady Evelyne D'Argent's voice stood out. Seraphina turned to see her mother, whose silver hair was glowing from the fire. "You must run! Now!" "But—" Seraphina's protest died on her lips as the sound of approaching footsteps sent a chill down her spine. A squad of the king’s soldiers broke through the smoke, their swords dripping with the blood of the fallen. Lady Evelyne gripped Seraphina’s shoulders. "Find Ronan Blackwood. He will safeguard you. Do you hear me?" "But, Mother, what about you?" Despite the sadness in her eyes, Lady Evelyne smiled softly with her lips. "You are the last hope of our bloodline. I will hold them off. Go!" Before Seraphina could protest, her mother shoved her toward the forest’s edge. Fear clawed at her chest as she stumbled into the darkness, her vision blurred with unshed tears. The last thing she saw was her mother raising a blade against the oncoming soldiers. The cold night air bit at Seraphina’s skin as she ran deeper into the forest. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—grief, anger, and a rising fear she could not suppress. The prophecy. She remembered her mother's words. Was she truly meant to be something more? She froze due to a nearby rustling. She turned, heart hammering, as a figure stepped out from the shadows. A deep voice said, "You shouldn't be here." Seraphina tensed. "Who are you?" The man took a step closer, revealing sharp, calculating eyes. "Lord Ronan Blackwood. And you must be the girl your mother risked her life for." Seraphina's breath hitched. "You knew my mother? She told me to find you. She said you would help me." Ronan exhaled, eyes scanning the treeline before settling on her. Then there isn't much time. The king’s men will come for you. We need to move. Now." Seraphina paused. Trust was dangerous in times like these. But what choice did she have? She squared her shoulders in response to Ronan's gaze and gave the charred village behind her one last glance. "Then set the example." With that, the last heir of the Lunar Bloodline disappeared into the night, her fate forever changed.