Fated : Worlds apart

1. A STORM INSIDE The lighting hit the tree and it fell very fast burning as it did, flames licking at everything around it. Ia couldn’t stop to catch her breath—she ran screaming, her legs pumping as pistons, she ran as fast as her feet could go, but the world around her was already in chaos. Thunder crashed, ripping the sky apart. The wind screamed secrets she couldn’t understand. Rain lashed at her drenching the tiny green fabric clinging to her pale skin, she should be feeling the icy cold biting but no she didn’t- she couldn’t, she was burning from inside out, hot, flushed and frantic consumed by the heat of the flames racing through the trees and grass, turning the skies above and around her a furious red. Flames reflecting in the torrents that poured around her. How it could rain so heavily and burn at the same time was something she couldn’t comprehend . Perhaps she couldn’t comprehend anything at all. How did she get here ? Where was here ? Why is she barefoot ? And why is she wearing this worthless nightdress her Nan had gifted her on her 16th? Not to be mean, but she hated: light, see-through and in the most ugly looking green she’d ever seen, she’d never worn it..so why now? Her senses screamed. Her heart hammered. She ran. She fell. And ran even more. Then she saw it: a tall dark figure, too tall to be human, standing, waiting, watching..a sense of dread and foreboding crept up her spine and then the realization hit..No place was safe. Behind her, it rained fire and brimstone…ahead, something dark and dangerous waited, ready to tear her to pieces. She had nowhere to run, her feet gave out, she fell and screamed as the flames surged towards her. Then—suddenly—it ended. Ia’s eyes fluttered open. The red sky vanished. The fire, the rain, the chaos, the looming figure — they were all gone. She was in bed, drenched in sweat, knuckles white from clutching her sheets, but she was home, her parent’s home—warm and quiet. Her heart raced: it had only been a dream but it felt so dangerously real. And yet.. in the corner of her room, a faint shadow lingered, stretching just beyond the edge of the lamplight. For a heartbeat she felt she saw two dark eyes staring. Then they were gone. 2. MARKED : Fia’s visit Ia blinked against the morning light,trying to shake off the memory of the dream.Her room was quiet, the sun streaming softly through the curtains, but the shadow in the corner lingered in her mind.she could still feel its eyes on her, heavy and dark, and the warmth of her bed did nothing to chase it away. There was a soft knock on her door. “Ia,” her mum’s voice floated gently towards her. “Fia is here ” Fia- her best friend since forever, more like sisters- she had grown to love and respect the raven-haired girl who, years ago at the moon festival sat and offered her some fruit snacks. It was a tradition carried out by their community to bring oneness, and though they were only four at that time, Ia always felt that she’d know Fia far longer than that. The door creaked open Fia walked in, long wavy hair swinging down to her waist, dark eyes, Cupid-red lips curved slightly. She was beautiful—but not softly so. Hers was a darker beauty. Bold. Intense. Like there was a secret or message hidden behind her eyes. “Ia Alder” Fia said, studying her. “you look like you’ve just seen a ghost” “If it were a ghost, I’d be less terrified” Fia’s expression shifted “More nightmares?” “I’m not sure I’d call it a nightmare, it felt too real. I could see it. Feel it. Like something was in here with me..or someone. I don’t even know ” Something gleamed in Fia’s eyes —quick, sharp. And just as swiftly it vanished. “Tell me”, she said taking Ia’s hand and tracing the markings on her palm. Ia had always felt different, like she didn’t quite belong. Her hip-length red curls, Her freckled face. Her tall, slim delicate frame, deeply contrasting with her families strawberry blonde hair and solid muscular build. yeah even her mum- descendant from the line of gatekeepers was strong, precise. A skilled markswoman. A herb doctor. Calm and grounded. Her dad a were-bear was a great fighter. Solid. Unshakeable. She had four brothers. The three eldest—Ronan, Torin, and Malric— were Wardens. Huge. Powerful. Shifters. Grounded and devastatingly handsome although she’d never say that to their faces . And there there was Leif, her favorite… five years younger. Ia however had done neither. No shifting . No gatekeepers powers. Nothing And when she tabled her concerns at the dinner table, “you are young, give it time little bird” her dad had said, why her brothers snickered. Her mum had only smiled and said “some gifts do not awaken.. they remember” She will be seventeen soon. Shifting happens at thirteen.. how much longer was she to wait?. She hears the hushed whispers whenever she is out. Fingers subtly pointed in her direction. Eyes lingering a second too long. Scrutinizing. Measuring. “She’s fifteen now..” “Still nothing” “Strange” They don’t say it too loudly. They never do. But she feels it.. ** “ did you get close enough to the figure, did you see” Fia’s voice echoed cutting through her thoughts. Ia frowned “ no I didn’t, I fell before I could..wait, I didn’t get to that part yet” Fia stilled “ you mentioned it the moment I walked in” “I don’t think I did” Ia said pulling away from Fia’s touch. “Did i? I don’t remember saying that” “Well, you must have been too zoned out to realize” Fia said shrugging, lightly rising to her feet and sitting at the edge of Ia’s bed. But something in her tone didn’t quite match the words. Ia felt it. That flicker behind fia’s gaze, the knowing. Something unspoken, unlearned, and yet .. sensed. 3.THE ALDERS TABLE: Morning at home The morning came gently, like it was afraid to disturb the house. Downstairs, the house erupted into familiar chaos— Laughter. A plate clinking. Someone arguing about the last piece of bread “If you touch that, I swear—” “You swore yesterday” “That was different!” Ia lingered in the doorway. “ Ia if you don’t get in here I’m eating your piece” Malric shouted “ you say that every morning. it’s getting old” Leif shot back Malric turned, shooting him a menacing glance, a low growl rumbling from his chest. “Boys” Nyvara scolded sternly. Ia steeped into the kitchen. The scent of toasted grains and sweet fruits filled the air as chairs scraped against the wooden floor. Fia followed quietly, eyes wide — and unmistakably drawn towards Ronan. Ia noticed. She curled inward slightly, disgust flickering across her face. She didn’t understand what those two saw in each other. Then the doorway darkened. Rhegar Alder stepped in, his large frame swallowing the morning light. For a heartbeat, the kitchen fell silent. Nyvara moved towards him without hesitation, lifting the carcass of rabbits and hares from his shoulders. She pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek — a quiet ritual of gratitude, of balance. Of return. “Boys” he boomed “Father” they chorused with respectful nods in his direction. The silence that followed wasn’t fear. It was reverence. Rhegar’s gaze swept the room slowly, deliberately — as though sensing currents unseen. Then he found her Head lowered. Eyes distant. Somewhere far beyond the walls of the house. “Little bird” he said softly “Father” Ia called, lifting her head with a small smile. Ronan entered behind him, nearly as tall as their father. He kissed Nyvara’s head in greeting, ruffling his brother’s hairs and gently pulling on Ia’s braids. “Ouch, Ronan !” “Don’t hurt your sister” Nyvara warned “I wouldn’t” he said with a sly smile,tossing a subtle nod towards Fia at the far end of the table. Ia rolled her eyes Breakfast began.