The night was restless. Nicole stirred beneath the covers, her body twisting as though caught between fire and ice. Her breaths came shallow, uneven, and though her eyes were closed, the visions poured through her like a river that refused to be dammed.
She saw flames first cities swallowed in smoke, cries of faceless people, shadows clawing at the sky. Then came silence, a silence so heavy it felt alive. In the void, two figures stepped forward.
Her father, gentle-eyed, his hand outstretched.
And her mother—tall, luminous, a strange radiance spilling from her like threads of silver and shadow woven together. Her brown skin kissed with small patches of gold glitter.
Nicole's heart lurched. "Mother?"
The woman's face softened with both pride and sorrow. "Remember who you are, child. You are not broken. You are not frail. You are the Daughter of Chaos and Light. That is your inheritance—your curse, and your grace."
