Into the North

The cold night air bit at Cancer’s skin as she hurried through the darkened forest path. Every step took her further from the only home she had ever known—and closer to an uncertain fate. The moonstone necklace rested heavy against her chest, its gentle glow a faint comfort in the engulfing shadows.

Her breath came in quick bursts, clouds of mist drifting from her lips as she moved faster. The village, now reduced to smoldering ash, haunted her thoughts. Flames still flickered in her mind’s eye—the destruction, the terror. But she had no choice. Maria’s warning echoed relentlessly in her ears: They’re coming.

Cancer clutched the satchel Maria had given her. Inside was the package Maria spoke of—an assortment of tools and scrolls, wrapped carefully in faded cloth. She had yet to open it, unsure if she was ready to face what lay within.

As the trees thickened, she slowed, listening intently to the night. The forest was alive with sounds—the rustle of leaves, the distant howl of a lone wolf, the soft snapping of twigs underfoot. But beneath these natural noises was something else, something darker. A faint whisper riding the wind, a sensation crawling along her spine.

She paused, closing her eyes. The power within the moonstone pulsed in response, as if warning her. Stay alert.

Cancer knew this journey was only beginning. The prophecy was unfolding, and the twelve chosen—her and eleven others scattered across the world—were meant to unite against the darkness. But for now, it was just her.

She finally allowed herself to open the package. Inside lay a small leather-bound book, its cover worn and weathered but emanating a subtle, almost tangible aura of ancient energy. The pages crackled softly as she flipped through them, the parchment fragile yet alive with whispered secrets. Cancer had heard stories about this book before—the real history, not the versions twisted or diluted through generations of storytellers. This was the book that recorded the true past, the hidden truths no one dared speak aloud. It revealed the dark, forgotten events that had shaped the world, the origins of magic, and the battles long buried beneath myths and legends. More astonishingly, the book was said to write itself continuously, chronicling the unfolding future as the world moved forward—an ever-living testament to the fate of all things.

Cancer’s fingers trembled as she traced the faded symbols on the cover. How had Maria come to possess such a precious, forbidden artifact? The question weighed heavily on her mind, stirring both awe and suspicion. Maria had always seemed mysterious, but this—this was beyond anything Cancer had imagined. It was a reminder that the path ahead was not just dangerous, but entwined with secrets far older and deeper than she understood.

Beside the book lay a vial filled with a silvery liquid that shimmered like liquid moonlight, catching the faintest glimmers of light. And a small carved wooden charm in the shape of a crescent moon, its edges smooth and worn from years of handling. These two items are the one that Cancer had no clue about, she had never heard or saw anything like this.

Cancer ran her fingers over the items, feeling a strange warmth spread through her. These were tools, yes—but also a promise. A guide through the chaos that was to come.

Determined, she tucked the package into her satchel and pushed forward, deeper into the night.

The path ahead was uncertain. But Cancer knew one thing for sure—she would not stop until she found the others. Until the twelve chosen stood together to face the darkness threatening to consume their world.

And no matter what awaited her in the North, she was ready to fight.

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