Forgotten Realm

Lyra stood frozen, her breath shallow, her mind racing. The vision of Malgorath's burning eyes was still vivid in her mind as the distant howls of the Duskwraiths grew louder, chilling her to the bone.

"We have to go, now," Kieran said, his voice urgent but calm. He grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the Heartstone. "The power you felt is just the beginning. You must be ready."

Lyra nodded, but her heart weighed heavy. She had touched the stone, felt the surge of magic, but she still didn't fully understand what it all meant. She glanced back at the altar one last time before Kieran pulled her deeper into the misty forest. The trees closed in around them like the walls of an ancient fortress, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal hands.

"Tell me more about this Malgorath," she whispered, trying to push back the fear gnawing at her.Kieran's face tightened. "He was once a ruler of the dark forces, a sorcerer so powerful that even the gods feared him. He nearly destroyed Eryndale centuries ago, but he was sealed away by the Keepers. Now, with the Heartstone awakened, his prison begins to weaken."

"And I'm supposed to stop him?" Lyra's voice trembled. "How?""You are the Keeper," Kieran repeated. "You hold the power that can destroy him, but you need to learn how to wield it first. It won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight. That's why we have to stay ahead of him."

They moved swiftly through the dense forest, every rustle of the leaves and crack of branches sounding like an enemy approaching. Lyra's heart pounded in her chest, her every instinct screaming that they weren't alone.

"Over there," Kieran whispered suddenly, pulling her behind a thick tree trunk. His hand went to the hilt of his sword. "They're close."

Lyra followed his gaze, spotting shadows flitting between the trees. The Duskwraiths were upon them, their hollow eyes glowing in the darkness. Their forms were cloaked in mist, barely visible, like ghosts of nightmares brought to life.

Kieran drew his sword, his movements swift and graceful, the blade flashing in the moonlight. Lyra's hand instinctively reached for the dagger at her side, but she hesitated. She had no idea how to fight, let alone face creatures born from darkness.

Kieran turned to her. "Trust your instincts, Lyra. The Heartstone has given you the power to fight back. You just need to believe in it."

Before Lyra could respond, the first Duskwraith lunged at them, its hollow eyes locked onto her. In that moment, something stirred inside her—something powerful, something ancient. Her hand shot out, and before she even knew what she was doing, a blast of light surged from her fingertips, sending the creature flying backward.

She gasped, stunned by the sudden burst of energy. The Duskwraiths recoiled, hissing and howling as the light continued to pulse from her. The power felt alive, thrumming beneath her skin, but it was wild, untamed, like a storm barely held in check.

Kieran grinned, a flash of pride in his eyes. "That's it. You're learning faster than I thought."Lyra's heart raced, the magic within her still thrumming. But there was no time to process it. The Duskwraiths regrouped, their forms shifting like smoke. They weren't done yet.

"Stay focused, Lyra," Kieran warned, stepping into the fray. "The battle's just begun."

As Lyra steadied herself, ready to face the creatures head-on, she realized one thing: she wasn't just the Keeper of a forgotten power—she was the last hope for her world. And this was only the beginning.

To be continued...