Dawn broke with screams. Varak's shadow wraiths—ethereal beasts with eyes like burning coals—descended on Thornbrook, drawn by the amulet's glow. They were tendrils of night, phasing through walls, draining life with icy touch. Villagers fled as homes ignited in unnatural purple flame.
Elara grabbed a fishing spear and her father's old dagger. Thorne, revived, pressed the amulet into her hand. "This holds the Heart Shard. You're the Shardbearer, girl. Run!"
She fled into the Whispering Woods, wraiths howling at her heels. Branches clawed like skeletal fingers, but the amulet warmed, revealing a hidden path of glowing runes. There, she met Finn, a roguish elf scout with silver hair and a bow carved from starwood. "Fool human," he grinned, loosing arrows that exploded into light. Together, they fought off the pack, Finn's precision matching Elara's raw fury.
Panting, Finn explained: "Sylvandar's rangers sensed the Crown's stir. Varak's rising from Voiddeep. We need allies."
Elara clutched the shard-embedded amulet. "Then we find the others."
Auxiliary Chapter: Character Profile - Elara Thornewood
Elara, 16, fisherman's daughter turned destiny's pawn. Strengths: Unyielding courage, intuitive magic affinity (unawakened). Weaknesses: Impulsive, distrustful of authority. Prophecy mark: A faint thorn tattoo on her palm, glowing under moonlight.Destiny: To wield the Crown or perish.