Kakima crouched inside the hollow of a massive tree. The light barely reached her—thin silver threads weaving through cracks in the bark. A small squirrel sat before her, chewing on peanuts. It looked up, chirped once, and offered her one with its tiny paws.
Her stomach growled. She smiled softly at the creature. Then, without a blink, she ate squirrel and devoured it whole—bones, fur, and all.
A faint shiver ran through her body. "No… no, no…" she whispered, trembling. Purple flames… Vitara. The word itself made her throat tighten. "Ancient inner energy… the dormant fire of gods dances from eyes. It breaks every magic." Her eyes widened in horror. "And the one who carries it… is the descendant of the divine."
Her nails dug into the bark. "He's Ash Phantom. The purple flame already stirs within him."
Outside, through the misty woods, Auren ran cheerfully, calling out into the shadows."Where are you, you ugly, black, beautiful lady? I'm waiting for you!"
