Page 13 of Favored By the Stars

Pain as they tried to carve the mark from my back.

Terror when the mark reappeared over the area that it had been removed from, only this time without the glow.

The sense of brokenness that emanated from me as a child and fear of what they had done.

The images whirled faster, overwhelming me with their intensity as my past played out before my eyes, only in a way I'd never imagined before. I gasped, trying to pull away, but Eldric's hand clamped down on mine, holding me in place.

"You must see it all," he hissed. "Only then can you understand."

The last vision slammed into me with the force of a tidal wave.

A magnificent hall, its ceiling open to the night sky. Two thrones, one bathed in moonlight, the other glowing with the warmth of the sun. And seated upon them...

My legs buckled as the connection broke. I stumbled back, my mind reeling from what I'd seen. Eldric caught me before I could fall, his grip surprisingly gentle.

"Now you know," he said, an unexpected tenderness to his voice. "The truth of your lineage."

I shook my head, unable to process it all. "But that's impossible."

Eldric's mask gleamed in the ethereal light. "You, of all people, should understand the desire to give in to temptation."

He helped me to a fallen log, giving me a moment to catch my breath. In the span of a few heartbeats, everything in my world had changed drastically.

"If what I saw is true," I whispered, "then why was I hidden?"

Eldric sighed, a sound filled with ancient weariness. "Because your very existence threatens the balance of power in both realms. There are those who would see you destroyed rather than risk the change you represent."

I looked down at my hands, still faintly glowing with that strange silver-gold energy. "And Thorn? Does he know?"

Eldric was silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was grave. "Thorn knows only what he has been told, that he is the sun-kissed warrior destined to wield great power. But the truth of your connection runs far deeper than either of you realize."

My heart clenched. "What do you mean?"

The masked mage turned to face me fully. "Your bond with Thorn is no mere coincidence, Senara. It is the echo of an ancient prophecy, one that speaks of a child born of moon and sun who will either unite the realms or tear them asunder."

I shook my head, overwhelmed. "What does that have to do with him though, if I'm the one born of the moon and sun? This is too much. I'm just... I'm just Senara. I can't be responsible for the fate of entire realms!"

Eldric's hand came to rest on my shoulder, surprisingly gentle. "And yet, here you are. Wielding power that should not exist, standing at the crossroads of life with a decision only you can make."

I stared at my hands, watching the silver and gold energy dance across my skin. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Eldric seemed to sag and softly replied, "As I said, it is entirely up to you. But know this, the choice you make will ripple across all the realms. The Empress seeks to control you, to harness your power for her own ends, as does the Moon Goddess in her own way. Others will seek to destroy you out of fear. And some..." He paused, his mask tilting slightly. "Some will see you as the key to breaking ancient cycles of conflict."

I stood, my legs shaky but my resolve growing. "I need to get back to Thorn and Kaelyn. They're still trapped in the Grove."

Eldric nodded. "And now you have the power to reach them. But I warn you, there is no turning back once you step through that barrier. The truth of who and what you are will be impossible to hide."

I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. "Then I won't hide it. I'll face whatever comes, for better or worse."

As I turned to leave, Eldric's voice stopped me. "One last thing, Senara. The power you now wield? It is raw, untamed. Without proper training, it could consume you...or worse."

I looked back at him, a chill running down my spine. "Worse how?" My mind filled with the vision of me with blood and shadows dripping from my hands.

The dragon mask seemed to grin, though it didn't move. "Power always comes with a price, little one. Are you prepared to pay it?"

Before I could answer, a distant roar echoed through the forest. The corruption was growing restless, searching for us.

Eldric's posture tensed. "You must go. Now. Remember what I've told you, and trust in the strength that lies within."

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