The village of Theralune was nestled in a quite valley, where wild flower fields danced with the wind and fireflies blinked like stars come to visit the earth. Every night, the sky above the village shimmered with constellation so vivid it was said the gods once walked those stars _and perhaps still watched from them.
Aelira Dawnmaere stood bearfoot at the edge of grassy hill her eyes tilted towards the heavens.
The night air was cold, and the scent of blooming starbells drifted up from the valley below. Her silver blonde hair rippled behind her like moonlight on water.
This was her favourite place- quite, open and away from the stares.
"Aelira,"called a voice from behind. It was Old Mava, the village healer who raised her." You'll catch chill up here".
"I like the cold", Aelira replied without turning." It's help me think."
Mava sighed, wrapping her shawl tighter as she climbed up beside her."you've been dreaming again, haven't you? The stars calling, the light in your hands.."
Aelira looked down at her palms." It's not just dreams anymore".
Mava was silent. The wind stirred between them.
"I touched a dying bird this morning," Aelira said, her voice hushed." It's wings were broken. I just... felt something inside me pull. There was light and it flew away."
Mava closed her eyes." It's starting then."
"What is?"
"You were never meant to stay hidden forever." Her voice trembled slightly." The blood in your veins is older than this village. And more dangerous."
Aelira turning to her" Who am l, really?"
Before Mava could answer,a strange sound echoed through the valley _ a low, haunting howl that didn't belong to any animal Aelira knew.
The wind stilled. Even the fireflies stopped blinking.
And in the distance, above the dark line of the forest, something moved. A shadow with eyes like burning coals. Watching