The Touch of Shadows

INT. TARA’S ROOM – NIGHT

The moonlight spilled faintly through the window.

Tara lay asleep, her breathing soft.

On her bedside table: the wand and the green spellbook.

Suddenly—

A strange ripple in the air.

From nothingness… he appeared.

MMX. Cloaked in shadow. Floating just inches off the ground.

His boots never touched the floor.

He stepped closer to her bed, eyes fixed on the glowing wand.

> “So… this is the Keeper’s child,” he hissed.

He reached out slowly — fingers like dark claws — to touch the wand.

CRACK!

A powerful blue barrier burst out from around Tara — like a shield.

MMX recoiled violently, his hand sparking.

He tried again. Reached toward Tara this time.

WHAM!

Another magical blast — stronger. It sent him crashing into the bookshelf.

The room lit up with protective symbols glowing mid-air.

And from the walls… a soft voice whispered in an ancient tongue.

It was her grandmother’s spell.

Still alive. Still guarding.

MMX stood up slowly, snarling.

> “Even in death… she protects.”

“But for how long…?”

He vanished into black mist.

---

INT. TARA’S ROOM – MORNING

The next morning, Tara stretched and yawned, unaware of what happened.

Then—

> AI Voice (calm):

“Alert: Security breach detected. Unidentified lifeform entered residence at 2:14 AM.”

“Playback?”

Tara froze. “Yes… playback.”

The screen lit up.

She saw MMX — shadowy, terrifying — standing over her as she slept.

Her eyes widened.

Her hands began to shake.

> “No… this can’t be real…”

She grabbed the wand.

> “Senora.”

---

INT. WITCHWORLD – LEADER’S CHAMBER – LATER

The portal opened — and Tara stormed in.

The Head Witch stood waiting, as if she had sensed it.

Tara dropped her bag, pulled out her tablet, and showed the video.

> “He came to my room. I didn’t even know. But… look.”

“Something stopped him.”

The Head Witch watched silently.

> “The protective spell… it’s still active,” she whispered.

“Your grandmother was stronger than even we believed.”

Tara was breathing fast, panicking slightly.

> “Why is he after me?”

“What is the Key?”

The Head Witch looked up at her — serious, calm.

> “Because you carry more than a wand, Tara.”

“You carry a door.”

INT. WITCHWORLD – LEADER’S HALL – DAY

Tara stood with her arms crossed, facing the Head Witch.

The magical video had ended.

The room was silent.

> “You’re saying… MMX was locked away by my grandmother?”

“That she sealed him in a prison… 84 years ago?”

The Head Witch nodded slowly.

> “And now, you carry the Key — the blood-bound link between worlds.”

Tara scoffed.

> “No. I don’t believe any of this.”

“She was just… my paati. She made sweets. Watched dramas. Not some spell warrior.”

The Head Witch smiled gently.

> “She was both. A loving grandmother… and the last Guardian.”

Tara backed away.

> “I want out. No more portals. No more weirdos visiting me at night.”

“Don’t let anyone cross to my world again. Please. Just leave me alone.”

INT. WITCHWORLD – TRAINING GROUNDS – MOMENTS LATER

> “You say magic won’t work for you,” the Head said.

“Maybe that’s because you’ve never been desperate enough.”

Before Tara could respond—

The Head Witch grabbed her wrist and led her toward a glowing cliffside spring.

It sparkled like liquid moonlight.

> “Wait, what are you doing—”

SPLASH!

She shoved Tara straight into the lake.

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