Lyra's hands still shook from the surge of power that had erupted earlier. The mark on her wrist glowed faintly, like it had a life of its own. Her small village, once quiet and peaceful, was now scorched and silent, the smoke curling toward the morning sun.
Footsteps echoed behind her, sharp and deliberate. She spun around and froze. Figures emerged from the forest: tall, armored, moving as one. Their eyes glowed faintly beneath their hoods.
"You must come with us," one stepped forward, voice low and steady, almost hypnotic. Lyra tried to step back, but her legs felt like lead. Her heart pounded violently.
"Wait! I didn't do anything wrong!" she cried.
"You awakened it," the man said. His eyes flicked to her glowing mark. "The forbidden bloodline. Your life… and the lives of others… are at stake."
Lyra's mind reeled. Bloodline? Forbidden? Her small life had never included magic, only chores and school, but now… everything was different.
Suddenly, the man gestured, and others drew shimmering chains of light. They weren't ordinary chains — they seemed alive, glowing and twisting in midair. Lyra barely dodged as the first chain shot past her shoulder.
Fear twisted her chest. She had no choice. With a trembling hand, she released a shadow blade she didn't know she could summon. It sliced through the first chain, sparks flying, then the air around her distorted slightly, an invisible force pushing back the armored men.
The leader froze. "Impossible…" he whispered.
Her stomach churned. What am I?
Before she could think, they grabbed her and lifted her into the air, the chains now glowing around her arms like restraints. Villagers peeked from their burned houses, eyes wide.
"Your destiny begins now," the leader said, voice colder than the wind.