Shadows and Secrets

The forest stretched endlessly before them, bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun. The silver leaves overhead shimmered like liquid moonlight, casting eerie patterns along the dirt path. Emma's heart still pounded from the chase, but she forced herself to focus.

She had barely escaped with her life. And now, she was following a stranger.

A stranger named Rahi.

He walked ahead of her, his steps calm and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world. His black cloak barely made a sound as it brushed against the undergrowth. His silver eyes flickered toward her, unreadable.

Emma clutched the pouch containing the five stones, pressing them close to her chest. She knew nothing about this man—why was she trusting him?

She had no choice.

Still, she needed answers.

"Who are you, really?" Emma finally asked, keeping her voice steady.

Rahi didn't look at her. "I already told you. My name is Rahi."

Emma narrowed her eyes. "That doesn't tell me anything. You knew about the Eclipse King's men. You told me to run. You told me to use the stones. How do you know so much?"

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, Rahi let out a soft chuckle. "You ask a lot of questions, Princess."

"Stop calling me that," she snapped. "I'm not a princess."

Rahi smirked. "Not yet, maybe."

Emma gritted her teeth. "If you're not going to answer, then why should I trust you?"

Rahi finally stopped walking. He turned to face her, his gaze sharp. "Because if I wanted the stones, I would've taken them already."

Emma tensed. The way he said it—calm, matter-of-fact—made her uneasy. He wasn't lying. That much, she could tell.

He took a step closer. "Look, I don't care if you trust me or not. But those soldiers are still searching for you, and you're clearly not ready to fight them. You need a place to hide, a way to control your power. I can give you both."

Emma hesitated. Everything inside her screamed to be cautious, but… she couldn't deny that he was right.

She looked down at her hand, remembering the flames that had erupted when she held the Ruby Stone. She hadn't even known what she was doing—it had just happened.

If she didn't learn how to control them, she wouldn't survive the next attack.

Emma took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll go with you. But if you betray me—"

Rahi raised an eyebrow. "You'll what? Burn me alive?"

Emma tightened her grip on the stones. "If I have to."

Rahi chuckled again, as if the thought amused him. "I'd like to see you try."

He turned and started walking again. Emma hesitated for only a moment before following.

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A Hidden Place

They traveled in silence for what felt like hours. The deeper they went into the forest, the thicker the mist became, curling around Emma's ankles like ghostly fingers. She kept glancing at Rahi, watching how he moved effortlessly through the terrain, as if he had walked these paths a thousand times before.

Finally, they reached a clearing. Nestled between ancient, moss-covered trees was a small wooden cabin, barely visible beneath the thick vines curling along its walls.

Emma frowned. "This is where you live?"

Rahi shrugged. "Something like that."

He pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit interior. A fireplace crackled softly, casting long shadows across the stone floor. Shelves lined the walls, filled with old books, glass bottles of strange liquids, and maps covered in scribbled notes. A single cot sat in the corner, looking barely used.

Emma stepped inside cautiously. Everything about this place felt… off.

She turned to Rahi. "Why are you helping me?"

For the first time, Rahi's smirk faded. He leaned against the wooden table, crossing his arms. "Because you're not the only one who wants to stop the Eclipse King."

Emma's breath caught. "You're… fighting against him?"

Rahi nodded. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting him dead." His gaze flickered toward the stones. "And you? What's your reason, Princess?"

Emma tightened her grip on the pouch. Her mother's dying words echoed in her mind.

"Never let them fall into the wrong hands."

She swallowed hard. "I don't know yet. But I do know I won't let him take what my mother died protecting."

Rahi studied her for a moment before nodding. "Good. Then we start tomorrow."

Emma frowned. "Start what?"

His silver eyes gleamed. "Your training."