The forest lay silent and still under the black blanket of night. The moon hung like a silver medallion in the sky, its light cutting through the dense branches of the trees and casting shadows across the ground. The rich scent of earth and moss gave an overwhelming sense of both safety and danger. A cool breeze moved through the old oaks, whose branches creaked as if sharing secrets with the wind. The temperature was low, so low that you could see the white fog as you breathed.

Behind a fallen tree, whose bark was rough and covered with moss, Aerin Thalorin lay motionless. Her brown hair blended with the dark shadows, and her light green eyes followed every movement in the clearing before her. A thick cloak was wrapped around her body. She was so cold, her hand white as snow. She pressed herself against the cold ground, and the large eyes swept expectantly over the scene.

After traveling for weeks, she had finally reached Yaveria, the capital of Enderris, a realm known for its richness and secrets. She hadn't been here since she was a child, before her life turned into a constant escape twelve years ago. Twelve years on the run. She had been running from everything she had known.

Now, hidden in the woods on the outskirts of town, behind the fallen tree she had been stalking some men she suspected knew something about the murders of her family. She needed to know. She had been looking all this time. Looking for answers, answers to everything. Her mind was filled with images of that night—the flames, the screams, and the faces of those she loved gone forever. She closed her eyes as the memory flooded her mind.

She saw her family’s estate, a grand yet isolated mansion on the edge of the kingdom. The night had started peacefully, eating together as a family, her, her parents and siblings. All of them had gathered to have the evening meal together, as they always did. The moon was casting a gentle glow over the gardens. But then, the tranquility was shattered by the clanging of metal and the crackling of arcane energy outside of the estate. The attackers had come swiftly, cloaked figures moving with deadly precision. They wielded both swords and dark magic, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

Aerin's mother had fought bravely, her own magical abilities illuminating the room in bursts of blue and silver. She moved like never before but it was not enough. Aerin could still hear her mother's desperate cries, the incantations that had once been a source of comfort now turned into a final, futile stand. Her father, skilled with a blade, had been cut down despite his efforts to protect his family. Unlike her mother, he didn't possess any magic. His blood, dark and rich, had pooled on the marble floors, mixing with the strange, glowing runes the attackers carved into the walls.

Her siblings had not been spared. Aerin remembered the look of terror on her younger brother’s face, the way her older sister had tried to shield him with her own body. The air had been thick with the scent of blood and the metallic tang of magic, the walls echoing with screams and the sickening sounds of flesh meeting steel.

Aerin had been hidden, only thirteen years of age, shoved into a small alcove by her mother with whispered words of love and a desperate command to stay silent. From her hiding spot, she had watched the slaughter unfold, powerless and paralyzed by fear. She did nothing. She watched as her family got butchered before her eyes. She watched them die, a brutal death. Even as she tried to look away her eyes were fixated on the scene before her, she held her breath so they couldn’t find her. The attackers had spoken of their lineage, of purging the bloodline, but the words had meant nothing to her then. She had only known that her world was ending in fire and blood.

The vision faded, leaving Aerin gasping for breath, her body trembling with the raw intensity of the memory. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into the earth as she tried to anchor herself back in the present.

Two men stood only a few feet away, completely oblivious to her presence. They were covered in dark cloaks, heavy armor and weapons. She could hear the sound of their movements as they twisted in place, scraping their weapons against stone and occasionally stepping on branches that creaked loudly in the stillness. Her breathing started to shallow, quiet breaths. Their voices were muffled but audible in the silent night. Aerin stretched, trying to catch every word without moving an inch more than necessary. This moment could change everything—give her the answers she's been desperately seeking since that terrible night twelve years ago.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"She's still in hiding," muttered one man, his voice raspy as if worn by years of smoke and grime. He pulled his cloak tighter around him, protecting himself from the cold of the night. "The Master said we shall leave no trace," she heard one of them say, causing her blood to freeze. It was clear that these men were not just simple thieves or vandals – they were slaves to an evil master, the same one who might have been responsible for her family's cruel fate. "We have to find her before she gets too close to the truth."

Aerin clenched her jaw, trying to keep her heart from beating too hard. “What truth?” she thought. Every word they uttered was like a piece of a puzzle, a puzzle that could lead her to her family's killer. She gently moved her hand to the dagger at her side, a familiar grip that gave her a sense of security. But she wasn't going to kill these men. Not tonight.

"Our master will not be pleased if we fail," the other man replied, his voice lower and sharper. "She's more dangerous than we thought. there's something.. she might be.. our master said…”

Her nose wrinkled slightly as she tried to hear better, and her rosy cheeks paled in the moonlight. She was strong, but at this moment she was only a shadow, an invisible audience in the darkness of the night. She didn't even notice that she was holding her breath as she listened.

The men continued to speak, oblivious to the danger lurking behind the fallen tree. Aerin knew she was close now, close to discovering the truth. She just has to keep listening, keep staying out of sight – and be ready to act when the moment calls for it.

"He wants everything done before dawn," said another man, his voice rough and menacing. "And if we fail, you know what happens."

Aerin noted every detail, every clue that could bring her closer to the truth. It was a balancing act on a knife's edge – she knew that if she moved wrongly, if she revealed herself, she would be the next victim. But at the same time, her vengeful heart drove her forward, they wouldn’t find her tonight. It was something she couldn’t allow.

Her breathing became shallow and soundless as she watched the men stand up and begin to move away. She followed their shadows with her eyes, noted the direction they took.

Aerin flinched and opened her eyes, breathing quickly and heart pounding. She was still lying on the ground behind the fallen tree, but the forest around her began to disappear. The scene faded, leaving only darkness. Blinking in confusion, she realized she was staring up at a ceiling, the worn wood above her reminding her where she actually was.

It was just a dream. She sighed heavily and sat up on the narrow mattress. The dream had been so real, so tangible, that she could almost feel the moisture from the forest soil on her hands. The room was small and the morning light seeped in through the dirty window panes, casting pale streaks across the worn wooden floor and the few pieces of furniture there: a simple bed, a table with two chairs, and a small chest for her few possessions. The smell of smoke and beer from the bar below had wafted up through the cracks in the floor, and she could hear the muffled sound of voices from the earliest regulars.

She had been sleeping in this room, above a bar on the outskirts of Yaveria, for three months now. Despite her efforts, she hadn't received any new leads about her family's killer in a long time. Every night she hoped the dreams would bring her something useful, but it was like groping in the dark.

Aerin ran a hand through her tousled brown hair and slowly stood up. She walked over to the dirty window and looked out over the chaotic streets of the city. Yaveria was beautiful and treacherous, a place filled with secrets and lies. She had come here hoping to find answers, but all she had found so far were more questions. Outside her window, she could hear the city's morning life coming to life. Children called out to each other, street vendors raised their voices to attract customers, and the constant murmur of the townspeople created a background melody that was both lively and comforting. Yaveria was a place filled with contrasts – a city where poverty and wealth stood side by side, where the streets could be both friendly and dangerous.

Today she was going to meet a close friend, one of the few people she really trusted. Mara Valerius, the young mage who had helped her master her powers, had promised to introduce her to someone who could help. Aerin needed someone to train with, someone who could prepare her for the upcoming battle. She knew she couldn't do this alone.

She dressed quickly and went to the mirror. There, in the cloudy glass, the green-brown eyes stared back at her, determined but with a fragility she hated to admit. She looked strong with a body that had been shaped by years of trials. But there was an inner insecurity that gnawed at her, a sense of inadequacy that never seemed to go away.

Aerin took a deep breath and placed a hand on the frame of the mirror. She remembered how her parents used to talk about her potential, about her unique bloodline. But what could it mean? But all she felt now was doubt. Was she really strong enough to face her enemy? Could she live up to the expectations resting on her shoulders?

She ran her hand through her hair again and straightened her robe. Her gaze wandered over the rosy cheeks, the clear black rings around the iris. Despite her outward strength, she often felt alone, tormented by the fear of failure. She had been the only one to survive. She pushed that feeling deep down, deep, deep until it all washed away like a small mist.

When she was done, she took one of her daggers and attached it to her belt. With one last look at the small room, a look towards the mirror and at herself, she left it and descended the stairs. The bartender, a robust man with a friendly face, nodded at her as she passed. She nodded back but didn't say anything. As she stepped out onto the street, she was greeted by a light breeze that carried with it the scent of salt from the nearby harbor. The city's main square was only a few blocks away. She took a deep breath, taking in the brisk morning air and started walking.