Chapter 2

 The forest was silent.

 Too silent.

 The gentle chirping of birds had vanished. Even the stream beside her seemed to flow more quietly, as though nature itself was holding its breath.

 She swallowed hard.

 "I'm imagining things," she whispered to herself.

 Taking a cautious step forward, she peered between the ancient trees. Nothing moved except branches swaying in the breeze.

 A nervous laugh escaped her lips.

 "See? Just your imagination."

 She turned to leave.

 CRACK!

 A branch snapped behind her.

 Dalira spun around.

 "Who's there?"

 No answer.

 Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she searched the shadows.

 Another crack.

 This time it came from her left.

 Then another from her right.

 Whatever was out there... it was circling her.

 "Stop hiding!" she shouted, trying to sound braver than she felt.

 The only response was a deep, rumbling growl.

 The sound vibrated through the ground beneath her feet.

 Dalira backed away slowly until her heel struck the boulder.

 There was nowhere left to go.

 The bushes exploded outward.

 A massive wolf-like creature stepped into the clearing.

 It was nearly twice the size of a horse, its black fur streaked with glowing crimson lines that pulsed like molten lava beneath its skin. Jagged horns curved backward from its head, and smoke drifted from its nostrils with every breath.

 Its golden fangs glistened.

 Dalira had never seen anything like it.

 The beast lowered its head and stared directly at her.

 Its crimson eyes were the same ones she had seen moments before.

 "No..."

 Her voice trembled.

 The creature took one slow step.

 Then another.

 Dalira's instincts screamed at her to run.

 She turned and sprinted.

 Branches whipped against her face as she raced through the trees. Behind her came the deafening sound of pounding paws.

 The monster was gaining.

 She leaped over fallen logs and ducked beneath low branches, gasping for breath.

 "Help!" she cried.

 No one answered.

 Ashvale was still too far away.

 The beast lunged.

 Its claws slashed across the tree beside her, sending splinters flying.

 Dalira stumbled and fell onto the forest floor.

 Pain shot through her ankle.

 She scrambled backward just as the monster advanced.

 Its hot breath washed over her face.

 "I... I don't have magic," she whispered.

 The beast opened its jaws.

 For a brief instant, time seemed to stop.

 A strange warmth bloomed deep inside Dalira's chest.

 It felt like a heartbeat that wasn't hers.

 A whisper echoed through her mind.

 "Awaken."

 Her emerald eyes widened.

 The air around her shimmered.

 Tiny sparks of blue, red, green, and silver light appeared, circling her like drifting stars.

 The monster hesitated.

 The lights spun faster.

 Wind rushed through the clearing though the trees stood still.

 The ground trembled.

 Water rose from the nearby stream in twisting ribbons.

 Small flames danced across the fallen leaves without burning them.

 Pebbles floated into the air.

 Dalira stared in disbelief.

 "What... is happening?"

 The whispers grew louder.

 Not one voice.

 Many.

 Ancient.

 Powerful.

 "You are the heir..."

 "The elements remember..."

 "Rise."

 The beast roared and charged.

 Instinct took over.

 Dalira threw up her hand.

 A violent gust of wind exploded from her palm.

 The creature was hurled backward, crashing through three trees before skidding across the forest floor.

 Silence returned.

 Dalira stared at her trembling hand.

 "I did that?"

 Before she could gather her thoughts, the glowing lights vanished.

 The warmth inside her faded.

 Her knees buckled.

 She collapsed onto the damp earth, exhausted.

 Far away, atop a mountain overlooking Ashvale, an elderly man in silver robes opened his eyes from meditation.

 "The seal..." he murmured.

 "It has finally broken."

 Without another word, he rose to his feet.

 "Prepare the Skyship," he ordered the waiting mages.

 "The girl has awakened."