The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the castle chamber, painting the walls in gold. The mystery child awoke to the soft chirping of birds outside and the distant murmur of servants beginning their day. Yet sleep had not washed away the unease that clung to their chest. The visions from last night—of shadows, battles, and strange glowing symbols—still lingered.
Clutching the amulet, the child remembered Arlen's words: "The amulet… it's protecting you." But what did that mean? How could a small piece of silver possess such power?
A gentle knock interrupted their thoughts. "Child?" Liora's voice came from the doorway, calm but insistent. "It is time."
The child followed her down the winding corridors to the castle's library—a vast room filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and artifacts from the kingdom's long history. Dust hung in the air, sparkling in the morning light, and the scent of old parchment was almost intoxicating.
"This," Liora said, motioning to a pedestal at the center, "is the Codex of the Tide Kingdom. It holds knowledge of prophecies, magic, and the lineage of those chosen to protect the realm."
The child approached, hands trembling. On the pedestal lay an open book, pages filled with writing in an elegant script they didn't recognize. Yet the amulet began to glow, pulsing softly as though urging them closer.
"Touch it," Liora instructed. Hesitant, the child extended a hand, letting their fingers brush the pages. The moment their skin made contact, warmth surged through their body, and images flooded their mind.
They saw the kingdom centuries ago, a land of light and magic. They saw a child, identical to themselves, holding the same amulet, standing against a shadow that threatened to engulf the kingdom. And then a surge of energy—like lightning—shot from the amulet, and the vision ended.
The child gasped. "I… I saw… me. But it wasn't me. Or… it was me?"
Liora nodded. "The amulet chooses its bearer, linking you to the line of protectors. It carries the essence of those who came before. You are not just a child—you are the guardian the prophecy spoke of."
Before the child could fully process the revelation, the library doors slammed open. A cold wind swept through the room, extinguishing candles and scattering papers. The cloaked figure from the forest stood there, hood shadowing their face.
"Run!" Liora shouted.
The child froze for only a moment. The amulet flared brightly, casting a protective barrier around them. Sparks of energy danced in the air as the figure lunged forward. Arlen appeared at the doorway, sword in hand, ready to defend.
The cloaked figure hissed and drew a curved dagger. "The child is mine," they spat. "You cannot protect them forever!"
But the amulet pulsed again, and the child felt power surging through their veins. A wave of energy shot forward, striking the figure and forcing them back. The cloak was ripped slightly, revealing eyes filled with shock.
"How…?" the figure whispered. "No one… should have that power yet."
The child stared at the amulet, heart racing. "I… I don't know," they admitted. "I didn't do anything… I think it… protected me."
Arlen stepped closer, lowering his sword but keeping his guard. "It's more than protection. That amulet is powerful. And so are you."
The cloaked figure hissed one last time and retreated into the shadows, disappearing through a hidden passage in the library walls. The wind died down, and sunlight returned, painting the room with warmth.
Liora approached, placing a reassuring hand on the child's shoulder. "You have awakened your first power. But this is only the beginning. The amulet responds to danger, yes, but it also reacts to your emotions, your courage, and your resolve. You will need to learn control—quickly—because the shadow will return, stronger and more determined than ever."
The child sank into a chair, heart pounding. "I… I don't know if I'm ready. I've never done anything like this before."
"None of the guardians were ready when they first began," Liora said. "But they learned. And so will you. The key is trust—trust in yourself, and in those who stand beside you."
Arlen smiled. "And you're not alone. I'll help you. We'll face this together."
The child looked at him, then at Liora, then down at the glowing amulet. Somehow, in the midst of fear and confusion, a spark of determination ignited within them. They had no memory of their past, no knowledge of who they truly were—but they knew one thing: they could not run. They would fight.
And as the first lesson began—learning to harness the amulet's magic, understanding its connection to their emotions, and discovering the strength hidden within them—the child felt a strange sense of destiny settling over their shoulders.
Somewhere in the shadows, however, the cloaked figure regrouped, plotting the next move. This time, they would not underestimate the child. And the game of fate, magic, and shadows had only just begun.