Mira walked beside the cloaked man, deeper into the forest.
She didn't know his name, or where they were going. But the wind no longer whispered warnings — it now moved gently, like it was guiding her steps.
She looked up at the night sky. The stars were bright, and the moon lit their path. Her shawl flew behind her, and her long hair swayed like silk in the breeze.
Even with the dirt on her feet and the cold on her skin, Mira looked like a princess from an old story — calm, brave, and full of mystery.
The man finally spoke.
"My name is Kael," he said. "I was your father's friend. We trained together when we were young."
Mira turned her eyes to him. "Did you know he was going to die?"
Kael was quiet for a moment.
"No," he said. "But he knew his time was short. He told me to watch over you when the signs appeared."
"What signs?"
Kael glanced at the mark on her palm. "The tree. The wind. The light. You heard the call, didn't you?"
Mira nodded. "It called my name."
Kael's voice was calm. "That means the power inside you has awakened. And now, Gorn will not stop until he takes it."
Mira's face hardened. "Then I'll stop him."
Kael smiled faintly. "You have your father's fire."
They reached a small river, and Kael stopped.
"We'll rest here," he said.
Mira sat on a rock, dipping her fingers into the cold water. The night was quiet, but her mind was full. So many questions. So much pain. But also, for the first time in her life, a small flame of hope.
Kael lit a small fire and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. He handed her some bread.
"You'll need your strength," he said. "Training starts tomorrow."
Mira looked at the firelight dancing in his eyes.
"What kind of training?" she asked.
"To control the wind," he replied. "To move with it. To fight with it. To heal, protect… and destroy if you must."
Mira looked at her hands. They were still rough from Gorn's work — full of cuts and scars.
But now, they were also full of something else.
Power. Purpose. Promise.
"I'm ready," she said softly.
Kael nodded.
"Good. Because the world is changing. And you, Mira… you were born for more than suffering."
Mira looked into the flames, her beautiful face calm, her heart strong.
Tomorrow, her real journey would begin.