Whispers of the Shadow Wraith

Taylor stood on the small balcony of Lunaria Tower, trying to shake off the chill that crept along her skin. The night wind carried the scent of damp earth mixed with elderflower, usually soothing, but tonight it felt different. Somewhere in the distance, deep within the ink-black forest, an eerie sound like a low growl echoed. The sound made the hairs on Taylor's neck stand on end.

She frowned, staring at the forest that looked like a bottomless abyss. Tree branches swayed, their shadows stretching and twisting as if alive. Taylor swallowed hard. "What is that?" she muttered under her breath.

Heavy footsteps behind her made Taylor turn around. Ethan approached, carrying a thick black cloak. "Wear this," he said, draping it gently over her shoulders.

Taylor accepted the cloak, but her eyes stayed locked on the forest. "That sound..."

Ethan watched her for a moment before turning his gaze to the forest, his sharp eyes narrowing. He remained silent for so long that Taylor became uncomfortably aware of her own breathing. Finally, he spoke. "A bad omen. They know you're here."

Taylor furrowed her brow. "They? Who are they?"

Before Ethan could answer, the wooden door behind them burst open, shattering the silence. Alex appeared, his face adorned with his signature sardonic grin. "Or perhaps they've come to welcome our special guest," he said, his gaze landing directly on Taylor.

"Don't joke, Alex," Ethan warned, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.

Taylor felt her chest tighten. "Why are they... who are they?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Alex shrugged, stepping closer to the balcony railing. "Shadow Wraiths," he answered nonchalantly, which only unsettled Taylor further. "Creatures of darkness. They smell something unusual... like fresh blood in a barren desert."

Before Taylor could respond, another growl echoed, closer this time. The sound was sharper, shaking the ground beneath them. Taylor gripped the balcony railing tighter. A strange scent swept through the village—sharp, like burning sulfur.

The door creaked open again, this time revealing Nyssa. Her expression was stern, her usual smile absent. Her green cloak billowed as she strode onto the balcony. "We need to prepare," she said curtly. "Shadow Wraiths won't stop until they get what they want."

Ethan nodded, but before he could reply, another voice cut through. "No point in preparing if the problem is already here," Selene said, standing in the doorway. Her tone was sharp, laced with disbelief.

Taylor turned, her eyes meeting Selene's cold glare. "You brought them here," Selene said without hesitation.

"Selene, this isn't the time—" Nyssa began, but Selene interrupted her sharply.

"No! I won't stay silent any longer. We all know why they're here. You!" Selene's finger pointed directly at Taylor. "You're a threat to this village. All of this is because of your powers that you can't even control!"

The words cut deeper than anything else. Taylor stepped back, her hands trembling. She wanted to defend herself, to scream, but her voice was caught in her throat.

"Selene, enough!" Ethan's voice was low but carried a dangerous edge.

But Selene didn't back down. "How long before you destroy this village? Before your powers spiral out of control and kill us all? You can't even stop the children in the village from being afraid of you!"

"Selene!" Nyssa snapped, her voice louder this time. "If you keep talking like this, you'll face the consequences."

Taylor tried to speak, but before she could, the third growl came. Louder. Closer. The forest in front of them seemed to shift, a massive shadow crawling between the trees.

Ethan drew his sword, stepping in front of Taylor. "There's no time for arguments," he said firmly.

Alex sighed dramatically, though his grin remained. "Looks like the party's starting."

Nyssa moved closer to Taylor, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Taylor," she said softly, her eyes kind yet serious. "I know you're scared. But you have to trust yourself. You can control it."

Taylor looked at Nyssa, then back at the forest that resembled a sea of darkness. Her heart pounded as she replied, her voice trembling, "I'll try."

Selene scoffed quietly but said nothing more. She stood there, staring at Taylor with an icy expression.

The final growl tore through the air, so loud the tower's windows rattled. Taylor could feel the ground trembling beneath her. From the forest, the creatures finally emerged. Their red eyes glowed like embers, their forms made of thick black mist, shaped into claws and jagged teeth.

Ethan stepped forward, raising his sword. "Don't let them near the tower."

Nyssa stepped back, clutching her wooden staff tightly. Alex remained casually poised, though his right hand began to glow with golden light.

Taylor closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. She could feel the power inside her rising, wild and uncontrollable. She had always been afraid of it, afraid she couldn't control it. But tonight, she had no other choice.

When she opened her eyes, the world around her seemed different. The moonlight was brighter, shadows darker, and time seemed to slow. The power within her boiled, ready to burst.

The creatures drew closer, their claws digging into the ground, leaving smoldering marks. Taylor raised her hands, and for the first time, she didn't fight the power. She let herself release a fraction of it—and the world around her began to tremble.

Nyssa smiled faintly. "There it is," she murmured, her voice filled with hope.

But behind her, Selene shook her head, disbelief filling her eyes. "She won't be able to do it," she muttered.

The Shadow Wraiths roared again, drawing closer.

"Roooooar!"

They all prepared to descend from the tower when the final roar shook the air so violently that the ground beneath them trembled, the sound reverberating through the entire village.

The Shadow Wraiths emerged fully from the shadows, their bodies like black mist forming claws and jagged teeth. Taylor closed her eyes, feeling her power surge, wild and untamed. For the first time, she allowed herself to release a fraction of it— and the world around her began to quake.