The Awakening

The village of Aelwyn lay quiet under the glow of a pale moon, its cobblestone streets bathed in silvery light. The scent of woodsmoke drifted lazily through the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of herbs that Kael Draven was grinding in his small workshop.

His hands moved methodically over the mortar and pestle, his mind calm. “Still up, Kael?” came a familiar voice from the doorway.

He glanced up to see his older sister, Eira, leaning against the frame, her long auburn hair catching the dim light of the oil lamp. She had a teasing smile, one he had grown up with.

“You know me,” he replied with a shrug. “Can’t rest when there’s work to be done.”

“You’ll work yourself to death,” she said with mock severity, stepping inside to place a hand on his shoulder. “People don’t expect you to save the entire village.”

He chuckled softly but didn’t look up from his task. “Someone has to try.”

Their easy banter was shattered by a distant, guttural roar that froze them both in place. Kael’s hand slipped, spilling dried herbs across the table.

“What was that?” Eira whispered, her tone betraying the fear that Kael felt clawing at his chest.

Before he could respond, the village bell tolled, its frantic peals slicing through the night like a blade. Screams followed—the unmistakable sound of chaos.

Kael grabbed Eira’s arm, pulling her toward the door. “We have to go!”

Outside, the once-peaceful village was consumed by pandemonium. Villagers ran in every direction, their terrified cries mingling with the snarls of monstrous creatures. Kael caught glimpses of them in the flickering firelight—shadowy beasts with twisted limbs and glowing eyes.

He tightened his grip on Eira’s hand. “This way!”

They weaved through the chaos, narrowly avoiding falling debris as flames devoured homes. The acrid smell of burning wood and flesh filled the air. Kael’s heart pounded as they reached the edge of the village. Salvation seemed close until a deafening growl froze them in their tracks.

A massive creature emerged from the smoke, its body a grotesque fusion of shadow and sinew. It lunged toward them with terrifying speed.

Kael barely had time to shove Eira aside before the beast’s claws slammed into him, sending him sprawling onto the cobblestones. Pain shot through his side, but he forced himself to his knees, his vision swimming.

“Kael!” Eira’s scream brought him back to focus.

He turned just in time to see the beast strike her down. She crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath her.

“No!” Kael scrambled to her side, ignoring the agony in his body. He pressed his hands to her wound, his voice shaking. “Stay with me, Eira. Please, just stay with me!”

Her breaths came shallow and uneven. Her lips trembled as she whispered, “Kael… don’t let me go.”

The world seemed to blur around him as he felt the life slipping away from her. Then, the whispers began.

They slithered into his mind, soft and insidious, like smoke curling around his thoughts.

"You can save her."

Kael froze, his trembling hands still pressed to Eira’s chest. “Who… who’s there?” he murmured.

"Call to me. I will help."

Desperation overruled fear. He didn’t question the voice or its source. “What do I do?” he whispered, his voice cracking.

The answer came like instinct. Words he didn’t understand spilled from his lips, ancient and dark. The air grew cold, and the ground beneath them cracked as an unnatural energy surged through the earth. Green light pulsed from Kael’s hands, spreading over Eira’s body.

Her chest heaved, and her eyes snapped open. For a moment, relief flooded Kael’s heart. “Eira!” he gasped.

But the relief turned to horror as he noticed the faint, eerie glow in her eyes and the stiffness in her movements. She sat up slowly, her head tilting unnaturally. “Kael?” she asked, her voice hollow.

He stumbled back, staring at her. “What… what have I done?”

Behind him, the villagers’ screams grew louder. “Necromancer!” someone shouted, the word dripping with fear and hatred.

Kael’s heart sank as he realized the truth. He had saved his sister—but at a terrible cost.

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