Chapter 3: Strange Powers
The morning sun filtered through the trees, painting Lykenshore in warm gold and misty silver. Elara woke to the smell of herbs and freshly baked bread, but something in her chest felt… different. Her pulse throbbed in rhythm with the silver pendant she always wore. Ever since last night, it had been alive with energy, and she could feel it even without touching it.
She dressed quickly and rushed downstairs. Her grandmother, Liora, was in the kitchen, humming as she chopped herbs with precise, practised movements.
"Good morning, child," Liora said, eyes twinkling. "Did you sleep well?"
Elara hesitated. "Sort of… I mean, it's hard to sleep when you've seen a golden-eyed wolf-boy in the forest."
Liora chuckled softly. "Kael is a part of the forest now, just as you are. And soon, you will understand why the moon has chosen you."
Elara swallowed. The words sounded serious, but this morning felt oddly comforting. Maybe she was meant to be here after all.
"Breakfast is almost ready," Liora said. "Eat well. Today, Kael and Fen will help you… learn."
"Elara!" a familiar voice called from outside. She peeked out the window to see Kael standing by the tree line, his dark hair catching the sunlight, eyes shaded gold in the early light. Fen was there too, leaning lazily against a tree, juggling two sticks and muttering something about "hero points" again.
Elara grabbed her bag and rushed outside. Kael's expression was calm, yet she could feel the taut energy radiating from him. Fen, of course, waved dramatically.
"Good morning, new girl!" Fen called. "Ready to learn how to survive in a forest full of wolves, magic, and awkwardly handsome people?"
Elara laughed despite herself. "I suppose I don't have a choice, do I?"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You always have a choice. You just make it harder for yourself."
Fen, overhearing, gasped. "Oooooh, burn!" He threw a stick into the air and caught it like it was a magic trick. "First lesson: always have a dramatic commentator. Second lesson: trust Kael… maybe. Third lesson: watch your pendant, or you might accidentally blow up the forest."
Elara frowned. "Blow up the forest?"
"Hypothetically," Fen said, shrugging with exaggerated innocence. "Mostly I just like to scare you a little before things get serious. Keeps the tension fun."
Kael pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fen, please."
Elara giggled, her nerves easing. Somehow, this strange, mischievous boy made the danger of last night feel slightly less… deadly.
Kael's golden eyes softened. "Let's start simple. Your pendant is attuned to your bloodline. Moonbound powers are rare. It reacts to your emotions, your instincts, and the phases of the moon. Last night, under the full moon, it called you. That's why you felt drawn to the forest."
Elara swallowed. "So… I'm… special?"
"More than special," Kael said. "You are the next in line. But special comes with responsibilities… and danger."
Fen clapped his hands. "Yay! Danger! My favourite kind!"
Elara rolled her eyes, smiling. Kael, too, couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at his lips. She noticed, despite the tension, that he wasn't entirely intimidating—at least not all the time.
Kael led them to a clearing deeper in the forest. The trees were taller here, older, the mist curling between gnarled roots like silent spirits. He stopped in the centre. "Focus," he instructed. "The first step is connecting with the pendant. Feel it, don't fight it."
Elara closed her eyes, clutching the silver chain. The warmth pulsed through her fingers, and suddenly, her heartbeat seemed to echo in her ears. The world felt… sharper, alive in a way it had never been before.
"Good," Kael said quietly. "Now, try to sense the energy around you."
Elara took a shaky breath. She opened her eyes, and the forest seemed to shift. She could see the faint outlines of creatures moving in the shadows. Wolves, foxes, even birds—but not quite. They shimmered, almost transparent, like afterimages of spirits.
Fen, who had been leaning lazily against a tree, let out a high-pitched whistle. "Whoa! New girl's got skills! Look at those ghosty… things!"
Elara blinked. "Ghost… things?"
Kael glanced at Fen, his expression half-annoyed, half-amused. "Fen, behave."
"Behave?" Fen gasped. "I'm being the picture of decorum! Observe, new girl, and maybe you'll survive the next full moon!"
Elara couldn't help laughing. Even in the midst of discovering her powers, Fen somehow made everything feel lighter.
Kael's eyes softened as he watched her. "You're stronger than you realise," he murmured.
Elara's cheeks warmed. "I hope so. I really hope so."
"Now," Kael said, "try to move the energy. Channel it through your pendant." He gestured to a small stone in the centre of the clearing. "Just focus, and… push."
Elara clenched her teeth, concentrating. The warmth spread from her chest, through her arm, and into the pendant. She extended her hand toward the stone. For a moment, nothing happened. Then—a shimmer of silver light shot from the pendant, lifting the stone a few inches off the ground before it clattered down.
Fen jumped up and clapped. "Yesss! Levitation! Beginner level, but points for style!"
Kael pinched his lips, resisting a smile. "You did it," he said simply.
Elara beamed. "I did?!"
"Yes, but there's more," Kael said. "The pendant doesn't just respond to your intent. It responds to your heart. Your emotions influence your strength, your control… and, eventually, your transformation."
Elara shivered, excitement mingling with fear. "Transformation?"
Kael's golden eyes held hers. "Soon enough. But you won't face it alone."
Fen, not missing a beat, tripped over his own feet and landed face-first in a patch of moss. "And I will be here to make you laugh when everything goes horribly wrong!"
Elara laughed so hard she doubled over. Even Kael, who rarely showed humor, gave a faint chuckle.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of concentration, laughter, and small victories. Elara learned to channel the energy, levitate small objects, and sense the creatures hiding in the shadows. Fen never stopped providing commentary—mostly absurd, often annoying—but somehow, she realized she needed it. The forest was terrifying. Fen made it bearable.
By midday, Kael called for a break. "You've done well today. But the real test comes at night. The moon will be higher, the pull stronger, and your powers… less predictable."
Elara shivered, both thrilled and nervous. "I'll be ready."
Fen nudged her shoulder. "And I'll be here to make sure you don't accidentally melt anything—or anyone—into a puddle of magic goo. Consider me your emotional support chaos."
Elara giggled, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"You love it," Fen replied with a wink.
As the sun set, painting the forest in gold and silver hues, Kael led her back toward the house. Elara's chest still thrummed with energy, her pendant glowing faintly under the moonlight that crept over the horizon.
Kael glanced at her, voice soft. "Tonight will be different. Pay attention. Listen to the moon… and to yourself."
Elara met his golden gaze, a flutter of warmth in her chest. Somehow, despite the danger and the unknown, she felt… safe.
And Fen, bounding ahead, called over his shoulder, "If things get too scary, scream! I'll bring popcorn!"
Elara laughed again, a sound of pure joy, echoing into the forest. For the first time, she realised that the world she had stepped into—wild, dangerous, magical—was also full of laughter, friendship, and maybe… something more.
The moon rose high, silver and commanding. Elara's heart thrummed with the promise of power, adventure, and secrets yet to be discovered. And deep down, she knew her life would never be the same again.
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