Chapter 2: Echoes of the Past 

Colorful patterns were left on the woodland floor by the morning sunshine that broke through the thick canopy. All night, Aria and Kael walked quickly and avoided well-traveled routes. Each lost in their own thoughts, they hardly exchanged words. Aria feels very much burdened by their predicament; the revelation from last night is still fresh in her memory. As they approached the clearing, Kael motioned for Aria to stop. He pointed to a large, weathered stone slab half buried in the ground, its surface covered in intricate runes. The slab was placed in the center of a circular ancient tree, whose twisted branches intertwined overhead, forming a natural arch. 

The air here was cooler, filled with a faint electronic hum. "This is the place." Kael spoke quietly, his voice filled with awe. "Sanctuary of the Ancients" Aria looked around her in awe. The clearing seemed alive, as if the earth itself was pulsing with deep ancient energy. She walked over the stone slab, sliding her fingers over an old sculpture. "what is this?" she asked.

Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. Kael joined her, his eyes fixed on the symbols. "These are relics from a long-gone past when our race controlled and prospered. It tells the tales of our forefathers' successes and setbacks. It also serves as a gateway to knowledge if you know how to open it." Aria turned to him, her curiosity annoyed. "Then what should I do?" Kael met her gaze with a serious expression.

"The Sanctuary responds to those of ancient blood, those with the potential to wield great power. The fact that it reacted so strongly to you means you are one of those rare people." Aria felt a mixture of fear and excitement. She had always felt different, but this was more than she could have imagined. "So you're saying I have… ancient bloodline?" Kael nodded her head. "Perhaps so, but pedigree alone is not enough. You have to prove that you are worthy." Before Aria could ask how, Kael reached into her cloak and pulled out a small ancient-looking dagger. He handed it to her, its blade glinting in the sunlight. "You have to make sacrifices," he explained. "A drop of blood on a stone will open the door." Aria hesitated because the dagger in her hand was strangely heavy.

Although her thoughts about her blood ritual frightened her, there was a strange sense of fate in her at this moment. She inhaled deeply before poking her finger, causing a drop of blood to fall upon the stone. The stone glowed a gentle blue light as soon as the blood made contact with the runes. The air hummed with energy, and the ground rocked slightly. One by one, the runes radiated, creating a throbbing rhythmic pattern of light. A low, melodic hum filled the space as Aria stepped back her and her heart racing.

Abruptly, the brightness increased and the surrounding atmosphere appeared to glitter. Aria felt a strange pull as if something inside her was reaching out for her. She looked at Kael, who nodded his head in encouragement. "Please come into the circle." he ordered. As he said, Aria felt a tickling sensation as she crossed the threshold. The world around her blurs, colors swirl and mingle. After a moment of disorientation, she felt everything come back into focus. She was no longer in the clearing. A soft, ethereal glow filled the air around her, and the earth beneath her feet felt smooth and cool as she stood in what seemed like an unending expanse of open space. She could make out the forms of ghostly creatures moving in the distance. 

As she took a step forward, her form became clearer, revealing that it was a wolf, a large, majestic creature with glowing eyes. One wolf, larger than the rest, stepped forward and became tall and imposing. He had a commanding bearing, sharp features, and piercing blue eyes. He wore a cloak sparkling with an inner light, and on his forehead was a crown of silver leaves.

"Welcome, descendant." The person said. His voice was resonant and warm. "You are standing in the hall of memory where past and present come together. "I am the first Ekronis of our species." Aria watched in awe, trying to understand what she was seeing. "The first werewolf?" - she whispered, almost in disbelief. Ekronis nodded his head. "Yes. And you, Aria, come from our family. You have the potential for great power but with that comes great responsibility. The Sanctuary chose you because it sensed your untapped potential. Aria felt a surge of emotions: fear, excitement, and a deep sense of connection. "But why me? Why now?" Ekronis' expression darkened. "A great darkness is coming. It is a curse that threatens to rob our race of its strength and essence.

The Council fears this but does not understand it. You have the potential to stop it." Aria's thoughts were overwhelming, the weight of his words weighing heavily on her shoulders. "How? "I don't even fully understand my own abilities." As Ekronis reached out, a small, glowing pendant appeared in his palm. It was the same pendant she had seen in her vision with intricate patterns and a faint blue glow. "This is the Eye of Ekronis, a relic of great power. It can enhance your abilities, but it also carries great risk.

The image you see is a suggestion of what might happen in the future, but it is not guaranteed. He fixed Aria with his stare and gave her the pendant. "Our species' future depends on you learning to control and use your power wisely." Aria's eyesight blurred before her reaction could be made. She found herself back in the peaceful, dark clearing of the slabs as the Hall of Memories around her crumbled. With a plethora of questions in her head, she glanced at Kael. Faintly smiling, Kael seemed to know what she was seeing. We have a lot of work ahead of us, she continued. "The past holds many answers, but the future is up to you."

A familiar aroma carried by a sudden gust of wind wafted through the area as they were about to leave. With her senses acutely aware, Aria froze. The scent was familiar to her; it was the Alpha of her old pack, and he was near. Far too near. She experienced a sudden and intense realization. Their time was limited, and they were being monitored.