The shadow moved again, closer this time. A figure. She froze, heart racing, her breath stilled, she gripped the knife harder.


    From the shadows emerged an old face, one marked by countless battles. A scar ran from his right cheek to his lip, the kind that told a story of pain and survival. He was dressed in a military uniform—tattered, worn, but still recognizable. He held his arms up in a non-threatening stance, hands outstretched to show he carried no weapon—his posture cautious yet confident.


    For a moment, they locked eyes. She tightened her grip on the knife but didn’t move. Her heart pounded in her chest, every instinct screaming to be ready. The fire between them flickered, casting shadows that seemed to stretch and twist as if it were alive.


    “Easy, I mean no trouble,” the old man said, his voice deep and gravelly.


    She didn’t speak, watching him closely. Was he a threat? She hadn’t seen anybody else since she had awoken. Slowly, she lowered her knife, but her grip remained firm.


    The silence ensued, the man’s eyes briefly flicked behind her towards the still cracking fire. His gaze lingered for a moment before he turned back to her, his expression unreadable.


    “Nice fire,” he muttered, his voice low but carrying a touch of dry humor.


    She didn’t answer right away, her gaze shifting from the flames to the man in front of her. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice laced with caution. “You’ve seen better?”


    He gave a slight grin, the scar on his cheek pulling with movement. “I’ve seen worse, too.” His eyes flicked to the beast’s remains, then back to her. “And that thing… what was it”


    She hesitated, “I don’t know what it was. Just… something that needed killing.”


    The man nodded slowly, his eyes filled with understanding. He glanced behind him, and gave a slight inviting gesture with his hand, the movement gentle but deliberate.


    “Come out,” he called, his voice softening. “It’s safe.”


    From behind the cluster of trees, a figure hesitantly stepped forward. A girl, no older than thirteen or fourteen, with wide cautious eyes and a cloak too large for her frame. She glanced at the mysterious woman before her gaze dropped to the ground, her feet moving hesitantly over the dirt.


    The man smiled softly, his weathered face showing a mixture of weariness and affection as he looked down at the girl. “It''s alright, Juno,” he said gently, his voice reassuring. “She’s not going to hurt you.”


    Juno didn’t answer. She stood slightly to the side of the old man, peeking out from beneath the oversized hood of her cloak. Her eyes flickered towards the half-eaten meat by the fire.


    “I’m Thalria,” She said, extending her hand out in greeting. Her voice was soft but firm. “Are you hungry?”


    Juno hesitated for a moment, glancing at the offered hand, then up at Thalria’s face. She looked like she wanted to say something, but the words didn’t come. Instead, she slowly stepped forward, her small hand reaching out to accept the offered hand, still cautious but less guarded.


    Taking that as a yes, Thalria uncoupled their hands and gently offered her the half-eaten meat. Juno’s fingers brushed against it, tentative at first, then more eagerly as the hunger finally overtook her caution.


    “I found her close to where I woke up.” the old man said, giving a slight nod in acknowledgment. “My name is Daln.”


    Thalria didn’t say anything to that, choosing instead to offer a nod in return. “Do you know anything about this place?”


    “Nothing more than you, I presume.” Daln replied, his voice heavy. “I woke up in a world that can only be described as a living nightmare.”


    He glanced around at the dark, silent forest. “I wandered around for a while, trying to make sense of it all,” he continued, his voice rough with memory. “Then I came across her. We found some semblance of safety together. Eventually, we saw a fire in the distance. And now… here we are”


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    “How long have you been here?” Thalria asked, a question she had wondered


    “It’s hard to keep track of time here, but if I had to guess, about two or three days.” Daln answered


    Thalria slowly nodded, processing the information. “I see. I’ve been here just as long. So, it seems we were brought here at the same time.”


    A scratchy cough broke her thoughts, pulling her attention from the conversation and to the side.


    Juno’s hand covered her mouth as she coughed again. Thalria noticed the girl’s eyes, wide and glassy, she was thirsty.


    Thalria walked up to the girl, her voice soft and careful. “Sorry, this might be a little weird, but could you open your mouth?”


    Juno blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze darting between Thalria’s face and Daln’s. Daln gave a slight nod, just as confused as her.


    That seemed to be enough, as Juno slightly opened her mouth, her eyes still uncertain but willing to trust. Thalria, taking a deep breath, focused her thoughts on the water.


    She closed her eyes, reaching deep within herself. With a quiet, deliberate concentration, she willed water itself to form. It wasn’t a simple creation. She first had to create the elements—oxygen and hydrogen—before manipulating the forces that would bind them into water.


    Thalria’s mind began to hum with energy, each atom of oxygen and hydrogen appearing in her thoughts like tiny particles floating in the void. She willed them into existence, calling forth the simplest building blocks of the universe. She willed the bonds between them, guiding the atoms closer together, pulling them into alignment. The bonds between oxygen and hydrogen atoms began to form, twisting and reshaping themselves into the familiar structure.


    The creation of fundamental elements took much more energy and time than manipulating something physical, like the stick and stone earlier. It was nothing compared to the delicate work of summoning the very building blocks of the world into existence.


    The water finally took shape, shimmering in the firelight, its surface quivering as if aware of its unnatural creation. It hovered in the air for a moment before dropping directly into Juno’s waiting mouth.


    Juno’s eyes widened, her body instinctively drawing back at first, but the cool, refreshing liquid slid down her throat, quenching the dry ache, replacing it with a rush of relief.


    Thalria stood there, her fingers still extended, the trembling of her hand a stark contrast to the calmness she tried to project. Thalria’s heart pounded, each beat reverberating through her chest as if the force of it could fracture her bones.


    Her fingers instinctively curled inwards, the movement sharp and decisive. A wave of dizziness hit her, and before she could stop herself, she dropped to one knee, her breath coming in shallow. She had overexerted herself. She had only summoned a cup of water—perhaps—but it had drained her more than she had expected.


    Juno’s eyes were wide with concern, watching her every move, Thalria, as if hearing she could hear the girl’s thoughts, put a hand up and managed a smile, “I’m alright, just need a quick second.”


    Taking a slow, deliberate breath, Thalria focused on grounding herself, feeling the cool air on her skin, the earth beneath her. Just a moment, she repeated in her mind. Just a moment to breathe. Breathe.


    The dizziness faded, but the weakness lingered. Thalria knew it would take at least a day before she could properly use Essentia again. She raised her head, meeting the eyes of Daln and Juno.


    Juno’s gaze was filled with a mix of shock and awe, her wide eyes reflecting a sense of wonder. It was probably the first time she ever saw anything like that.


    Daln, on the other hand, showed no surprise. No awe, just a deep, knowing look. It made sense, Thalria realized. His clothes are that of a soldier, he had probably seen hundreds, if not thousands, of people like her.


    “You''re chosen.” Daln said, his voice softer now, as if speaking to himself more than Thalria. “Quite an impressive one, at that. I’ve not seen many that can manipulate water.”


    Thalria hesitated, she considered revealing the full extent of her abilities. She could manipulate far more than water. She had the power to will anything into existence, as long as she understood it deeply enough and her will was strong enough, she could create, alter, and even erase. It was a special power, she had quickly realized.


    Essentia was something everyone had the potential to harness, given enough time and dedication. It was the latent energy coursing through every living being—a force waiting to be awakened. But while anyone could learn to use it, only a few manifested unique abilities.


    Some wielded fire or lightning, their power suited for war. Others had subtler gifts, like a farmer she once met, Banka, who could accelerate crop growth, turning barren fields fertile in a matter of days.


    But Thalria… she was different.


    Her power had no defined shape, no fixed limits. She could do what others could—summon flame, command water—but she could also do more. That was why she was warned never reveal her ability, not yet—not until she was ready. If the other Houses knew what she was capable of, she would become a target.


    So she buried the thought and met Daln’s gaze. “Water’s useful,” she said, keeping her voice light.


    She wouldn’t reveal everything. Not now. But if the time came and she had no other choice—then they would see the truth.