The air changed.
Not loud- not dramatic. Just loud.
Orivelle felt it before she saw anything.
She turned sharply.
He was already there, emerging from the shadows. clenched her fist as the figure stepped closer〰️eyes like molten coals, studying her every move.
Orivelle's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the raw fear and adrenaline coursing throughout her body. She could feel the dark energy pulsing from him, the forest felt unnaturally still.
"Control your fear!" her father's voice echoed through her mind. Orivelle grounded herself - she struck again, fist flying but he swirled around her sending leaves and dusts into the air like miniature storms - flipping her off her feet, her attack passing through nothing.
She thought he was gone, Orivelle barely had time to breathe before the air shifted again.
Then he stepped forward, this time - not out of the shadows - He burst from it.
Pain exploded from her back as he slammed into her, driving her into the dirt.
She gasped, clawing at the ground as the impact knocked the air out of her lungs, her momentum betrayed her. The ground vanished beneath her feet as his weight crushed her down with terrifying ease.
"Too slow," he murmured - voice low and cold, not cruel, not mockingly, close to her ears - almost instructional.
This time he did not circle.
He moved smoothly like smoke and steel, dodging her every strike. Her powers responded violently, surging through her in panic as her strength flared uncontrollably tearing through the wind.
A satisfactory grin spread across his face. He wanted that.
He effortlessly grabbed her by her wrist, cold and burning at same time - as ancient searing symbols flared under his fingers. Orivelle screamed, fear and pain twisted together in a way that made her body tremble uncontrollably as the mark burned into her skin, sinking deeper than flesh.
"What….What did you do to me?" She gasped in pain and fear, tears forming at the edge of her eyes.
"Quiet," he whispered, his words sharp as a knife. "This is mercy, ensure you survive what's coming".
Her family rushed out instinctively, sensing the surge of energy the instant the seal took hold. But they did not shout.
Her father's jaw tightened, her mother went rigid - eyes darkened with recognition as power pressed on them like an invisible wall.
No one moved. Restrained not because they wouldn't - but because they couldn't.
This was not an attack, it was a declaration.
Orivelle's knees gave way, she tried to move but her body didn't answer.
Her vision blurred as the pain crushed over like a fierce wave.
"So eager," he smirked, voice very low and almost amused. "You learn quickly, but not fast enough."
Her father's eyes followed, as he began dissolving into the shadows as if he was never there, leaving no trace of existence.
"Do not wake her", his voice echoed faintly.
"Not until she's ready".
Then he was gone.
Silence followed.
Her mother was the first to reach her - not panicking. She gathered Orivelle into her hands with shaking restraints, one hand pressed over the glowing mark on her wrist.
She looked up to the others, "it's a binding seal," she said quietly.
"Ancient"
Her father stared into the darkness from where the figure had vanished, with fury coiled so tightly.
"She's been claimed", bent on one knee - her uncle said.
Orivelle's breathing slowed, tears rolled down her face as her powers went quiet ....too quiet.
She slipped into an unnatural sleep, one no one there could break.
Days turned into weeks - No magic could wake her, no force dared to.
And when she would….
The world will be waiting…