Ava and The Shadow

Chapter 1 Ava

In a world where magic was a real and powerful force, a young girl named Ava lived in a small village on the edge of a vast, mysterious forest. Ava was an orphan, raised by the village elder, who taught her the ways of magic and the importance of controlling her powers. One day, while wandering in the forest, Ava stumbled upon a hidden clearing and discovered a magnificent tree with glowing runes etched into its trunk. As she reached out to touch the runes, the tree began to speak to her in a voice that echoed in her mind... It said "I'M WAITING FOR YOU" and she woke up in her bed she was wondering about that dream and went to the same forest and found that dream tree , that trees branch fell infront of her, that branch was glowing she curiously took the branch in her hand As soon as Ava grasped the branch, she felt an surge of energy course through her body. The branch began to glow, and the runes etched into its surface started to rearrange themselves, revealing a hidden message. The message read: "Meet me at the ancient ruins at midnight. Come alone." Ava felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that the branch was more than just a simple tree limb. It was a key to unlocking a secret world, one that seemed to be calling to her. That night, Ava made her way to the ancient ruins, the branch in hand, wondering who or what awaited her.

She Reached to the ruins the branch led her to a blocked cave but the branch glew in her hand the rock infront of her presented a message, a spell if you will...  Ava said the spell and the rock got out of the way but what she saw inside the cave was surprising there was a bar in that cave, the cave was a portal to the bar that is located in another world, there she saw a mysterious man , She walked towards the man,, the man said "welcome AVA, I've been waiting for centuries for your to be born."

The mysterious man, dressed in attire unlike anything Ava had ever seen, gestured for her to take a seat next to him at the bar. As she sat, he introduced himself as Erebus, a being from a realm beyond her own. Erebus revealed that Ava is the chosen one to bring the peace between two opposing worlds. He explained that her powers were not just a result of her magic, but a manifestation of her true nature - a bridge between worlds. Erebus had been waiting for Ava's birth to fulfill an ancient prophecy: to restore balance into the two worlds. But, as they spoke, a figure emerged from the shadows, one who had been secretly manipulating events to prevent Ava's destiny from unfolding.
The shadow figure attacks Ava with her powers but wait she can't attack Ava , there's an invisible shield around her?"I knew you'd come, shadow " said Erebus, He stands up, his eyes glew blue as he pulled out his staff that turned into a sword and attacked shadow,
Ava is watching them fight while sitting there confused about what's happening around her.
As Erebus clashed with the shadow figure, Ava's confusion turned to astonishment. The shadow figure, revealed to be a dark sorceress named Lyra, wielded powers that seemed to rival Erebus's own. However, Erebus's sword sliced through Lyra's attacks with ease, as if he knew her every move. Ava realized that Erebus was not just defending her, but also toying with Lyra, testing her limits. Suddenly, Erebus landed a decisive blow, sending Lyra stumbling back. "You may have mastered darkness, Lyra," Erebus said, "but you'll never surpass the power of the Ancient Sorcerers." Lyra's eyes narrowed, "We'll see about that, Erebus... and Ava, you're next!" With a snarl, she vanished into the shadows. Erebus turned to Ava, his expression serious, "Let's get out of here, Ava. The Shadows aren't always so forgiving."

"but I have to go, I have school tomorrow" said Ava, Erebus is shocked,"Are you serious right now?" Said Erebus" haven't you heard anything I said ?, Lyra wants you dead and you're worrying for school???" Ava smiles a little,  Erebus facepalmed, "You're something else, Ava. Alright, let's get this over with. We have a mission to complete, and then I'll make sure you get back to your... school." He led Ava through a portal, and they emerged in a world unlike any Ava had ever seen. The sky was a deep purple, and the ground was covered in a thick, iridescent mist. Strange, glowing plants towered above them, casting an ethereal light. "Welcome to the Realm of Echoes," Erebus said, his eyes scanning the horizon. "We're here to retrieve a powerful artifact, one that will help us defeat Lyra and her master. Stay close, Ava. This place can be treacherous." As they ventured deeper into the realm, Ava heard whispers in her mind, echoes of ancient secrets and forgotten knowledge. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the mist.
"EREBUS.." the figure called Erebus in a distorted voice.. "Hey Misty, how's family?" Erebus asked.. Misty replied"Oh, erebus, have you forgotten being of Shadows don't have families cause we were never human, yeah but Lyra is an exception she was a human once then... Well that's another story? What are you here for and who is that girl?" "She's the one who will take down lyra's master."Erebus said, Misty said "the master?? Didn't the prophecy states that he or she will be born in 21st century on the earth" erebus:"yeah he or she must've been born he must be as the same age as her"
Ava:" wait .. my age?? Didn't you say you've been waiting for me for centuries that makes also Lyra centuries old, so how is she serving a master who's born just 17-18 years ago"
"She's been waiting for him to be born because the prophecy states that he will be the one who will rule the kingdom of Shadows" Ava's eyes widened as the truth dawned on her. "So, Lyra's master is destined to rule the Kingdom of Shadows?" Misty nodded, her distorted voice filled with a hint of sadness. "Yes, child. The prophecy foretold of a great imbalance, one that would bring about a new era of darkness. Lyra believes that by serving the master, she can gain power and control." Erebus's expression turned grim. "But we know the truth. The master's rule will bring about destruction, and Ava here is the key to stopping him." Misty's gaze fell upon Ava, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity. "You're the chosen one, Ava. The one who will bring balance to the shadows." Ava felt a surge of determination course through her veins. "I won't let Lyra or her master win. I'll do whatever it takes to stop them." Erebus nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I knew I could count on you, Ava. Now, let's get moving. We have a master to defeat."

Erebus and Ava get to a temple where the artifact is kept, Ava and Erebus get inside the temple they both look for the artifact, "what does the artifact looks like?" Asked Ava, Erebus replied "it's a necklace made of gold with a yin yang symbol" and what does it do? "Depends on the intentions of the person who's wearing it, a sorcerers energy interacts with necklace and gives them power, it's the power source of a ruler whether it's the kingdom of Shadows or kingdom of light. we have to get it before the Lyra or her master" Ava replies "Can we just give a nickname to the master, because we don't know their gender like what if she's a girl? That would make a her a mistress, no? Let's call them Shadow " Erebus smiles and says" okay we have to get it before Lyra or Shadow does". Ava finds the necklace and screams "Erebus I found it" as Ava held up the necklace, its golden yin-yang symbol glimmered in the dim temple light. Erebus rushed to her side, eyes shining with excitement. "Well done, Ava! Now, let's get out of here before Lyra or Shadow catch up." But, as they turned to leave, the temple began to shake. The air grew thick with dark energy, and Ava felt a presence closing in. "It's Lyra," Erebus growled, his staff at the ready. "She's not going to let us leave with the necklace without a fight." Suddenly, Lyra emerged from the shadows, her eyes blazing with fury. "You fools," she yelled. "You think you can defeat Shadow? I'll show you the true meaning of power!" With a wave of her hand, she summoned a dark vortex, pulling Ava and Erebus back into the temple.

Erebus turns his staff into a bow and shoots arrows on Lyra but Lyra stops them in mid air , the arrows fell as Lyra slowly walks towards the Erebus and Ava , She throws Ava far from Erebus. "Oh, Erebus, did you really thought that a child can help you defeat the shadow who's been chosen to rule the kingdom of Shadows" She breaks his staff and proceeds to kill him but wait , why is her nose bleeding? Oh no, Ava wore the necklace. she pulled Lyra out of the temple. Lyra was scared "What are you doing you witch" Ava slightly moves her fingers, Lyra's eyes and ears starts to bleed and it becomes hard for her to breath.. before she could kill Lyra Erebus arrives and stops Ava, Erebus grasped Ava's shoulder, his eyes locked on the necklace. "Ava, stop! You're losing control. The necklace's power is too much for you." Ava's eyes flashed with anger, but she slowly lowered her hand, releasing Lyra from her grip. Lyra doesn't miss the opportunity and runs away, The yin-yang symbol on the necklace began to balance itself once more. Erebus sighed, relieved. "We can't let Lyra get away, but we can't let you lose control either. We need to find a way to harness the necklace's power without succumbing to it." Ava nodded, still seething with anger. "I won't let her win. I won't let Shadow win." Erebus smiled grimly. "I know you won't, Ava. But first, we need to get out of here and regroup. Misty's waiting for us, and we have a plan to stop Shadow once and for all." As they exited the temple, Ava noticed Lyra's dropped dagger, engraved with a cryptic message: "Shadow's pawn becomes Shadow's queen." Ava's eye narrowed. Ava took the dagger with her without Erebus noticing.