Chapter 2 Awakening Strength

When I woke up, the stillness was the first thing I noticed. No sarcastic laughs, Just a strange silence. My body felt... strange as I sat up. It was lighter yet charged, coiling under my skin like lightning. Faint shadow trails coiled and twirled around them when I flexed my fingers. My chest pounded with my heart. "What the devil is this?" "It's you," a recognizable voice said, forceful yet kind. Lysandra stood idly against a tree at the edge of the clearing. "The true you." I stood to my feet, experiencing a certain elegance in the motion. "How did you transform me?" With a gleam of pride in her eyes, she grinned. "What was already there, I roused." Elara, this power has always been yours. To locate it, you only needed a little encouragement. I looked at my hands once again and said, "This... this isn't normal." My heartbeat matched the pace of the shadows. "I feel... weird." Lysandra stepped forward and corrected, "You feel alive." "More powerful. quicker. You're at last evolving into the person you were destined to be. With the weight of her words bearing down on me, I shook my head. "This is not what I asked for. None of it was anything I wanted. "Perhaps not," she answered in a soft but firm voice. However, destiny doesn't give a damn about your desires. It is concerned about your destiny. I drew a nervous breath, my thoughts racing. "And for what precisely am I destined?" Lysandra's violet eyes shone brightly. "You have to find it out for yourself. But for now, believe your instincts. Have faith in your yourself. I didn't answer, instead letting my eyes wander to the shadows that seemed to move on their own. I was afraid of the power, but it was also exhilarating. Now, who was I? What had I become into? Every sound and aroma became more distinct as I strolled through the forest, which seemed to be alive all around me. It was thrilling and overpowering at the same time as my senses were heightened. As she kept up with me, Lysandra said, "You're overanalyzing it." "Give up your fear. Allow the power to lead you. I looked at her and mumbled, "Easy for you to say." "You are not the one who felt like a freak when you woke up." She laughed. "A freak? Do you believe this to be that? Elara, you’ve been given a gift. Give up battling it. I turned to her and stopped moving. "What if I'm not interested in it? What if all I want is for things to return to as they were? Lysandra's face became serious. "Back to being made fun of? Turned down?Are you aware that you are superior now? Her statements were painful because they were accurate. The shadows swirled more fiercely as I balled my fists. "All right. What should I do? Her lips curled in a cunning grin once again. "Come with me." She guided me to a little clearing where a silvery glimmer was produced by the moonlight filtering through the trees. She said, "Close your eyes." After some hesitation, I consented. She replied, "Smell the moonlight on your skin." "React to it with your inner strength." There was nothing at first. Only the rustling of leaves in the distance and the chilly night air. Then, however, I felt a warmth that was like liquid fire coursing through my veins. Around me, the shadows became darker and blended with the light in an odd, mesmerizing dance. "Good," Lysandra said. "Now pay attention. Make use of that energy. Form it. "What do i shape it into?" My voice was tight with focus as I asked. "Anything you like," she answered. I lifted my hand and opened my eyes. The shadows complied, creating a whirling sphere of light and gloom. I gazed at it, feeling a mixture of terror and amazement. "What the devil is this?" Lysandra answered simply, "Power." "Your strength." As my focus faltered, the ball flickered and then vanished. I shook my head and murmured, "This is crazy." "This is not what I'm ready for." With a strong tone, Lysandra said, "You'll never feel ready." "However, that does not imply that you are not." I was startled out of my reverie by the sound of heavy footsteps and shattering trees. Lysandra listened with her head inclined and her eyes squinted. "They have located you," she said coolly. My stomach turned over. "Who?" "Your old pack," she murmured. "They are here to complete the task that Aldric began." Panic raced through me. "I'm not prepared to deal with them. I'm not even sure how to control this power. Lysandra maintained a steady look. "Control is not necessary for you. You must have instinct. Elara, have faith in yourself. Have faith in the power. The first of them rushed into the clearing before I could reply. It was one of Aldric's enforcers, Garrick. With his claws already outstretched, he snarled and bared his fangs. "Traitor, there you are." "Traitor?" With a flare of rage in my chest, I repeated. It was me who was discarded. Or did Aldric overlook that detail? Garrick sprang at me, growling. I held out my hand without thinking, and the shadows reacted, creating a wall that sent him back. With a terrible thud, he struck a tree and sank to the ground, moaning. With a mixture of amazement and excitement, I gazed at my hand. "Have I just...?" "Yes," Lysandra said, her voice tinged with pride. "Don't stop now." Then came the others, three more members of the pack, their features contorted with anger. Even though they were all around me, I didn't experience the terror I had anticipated. Rather, a certain serenity descended over me. "Go," I urged in a firm voice. "This is the only warning you have." They paid no attention. Naturally, they didn't. Together, they launched a vicious and well-coordinated onslaught. However, I was quicker. more powerful. The shadows followed me about, deflecting their blows and thwarting their assaults. It was like a dance, and I was leading. They were on the ground in a matter of seconds, moaning in despair. My chest heaved as I stood over them, feeling the rush of excitement. I responded icily, "Tell Aldric that I'm not his to throw away." No more. Garrick gave me a scowl, hate shining in his eyes. "Elara, you'll regret this. The Bloodfang Pack has no tolerance. With the shadows whirling menacingly, I took a step closer. "I don't either." Then they staggered to their feet and backed away, vanishing into the woods. As I watched them go, the consequences of my actions began to weigh heavily. The hush was broken by Lysandra's comment, "Impressive." "You're a natural." My thoughts were racing as I turned to her. "This power... is it risky?." She said, "Only if you let it be." "It will be your best ally if you use it properly." With the shadows still around me like a comforting blanket, I turned to face the trees. I murmured, more to myself than to her, "I can't stay here." "No longer." "So don't," Lysandra advised. "Elara, the world is greater than the Bloodfang Pack. Go figure out where you fit in. I nodded as an uncanny resolve descended over me. I had no idea where I was heading, but I was convinced that I was no longer running. One idea kept coming to me as I left the area, the shadows trailing me like faithful friends. "This is just the start."