Chapter Five: The Return
On another part of the forest, a loud rumble echoed. The earth shook, and suddenly the ground split in two, creating a deep opening.
Bursts of smoke rose from the fissure as ferocious beasts emerged from the darkness.
"Ariella… what's that over there?" Elara asked, pointing to the sky where a thick, unfamiliar smoke curled into the air. The two girls stared, stunned by the strange sight—this smoke was unlike anything they had seen before.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Elara crumbled. She gasped, scrambling to grab onto anything to steady herself. As if sensing the danger, the mark on her palm—shaped like a stone—began to glow red.
"Elara!" Ariella cried, her voice trembling. She lunged forward, stretching her hand to reach her friend. In that moment, the mark on her own palm lit up in red.
With effort, she managed to pull Elara to safety. As they collapsed together, the red glow on their palms faded, replaced by a soft green light—perhaps a sign that the danger had passed.
Meanwhile, where the earth had torn open, the beasts gathered. Seated atop one of them was a strange figure—his head covered, revealing only a pair of eyes, glowing red with fury.
"Hahaha… I can't believe it. After more than a hundred years, the day has finally come," the man snarled. "A day to reclaim my throne. Hahaha…"