Call of the Shadow Heart

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

As light and dark continue their eternal struggle in the twilight sky, Elara treads carefully through the brittle, brown leaves scattered beneath the trees. The orange hue of sunset blankets the small village behind her, casting a fleeting glow—traces of hope fading as nightfall creeps closer, ready to devour the remaining slivers of light. Soon, darkness will spread like wildfire, swallowing the landscape in its wake.

“Haaa…” Elara exhales deeply, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Her grandmother, Maerith, had been restless all day—pacing the room, her hands trembling as if haunted by unseen fears. It was Elara's eighteenth birthday, but instead of celebration, an uneasy weight hung in the air. Elara’s heart clenched as she watched her beloved grandmother, wondering what was weighing on her heart.

“Grandma, are you alright?” Elara asked, her eyes locked on her grandmother while sitting on a creaking wooden chair.

Maerith froze. Her gaze immediately shifted to Elara, her face pale, and her golden eyes clouded with worry. With trembling hands, Maerith moved toward her, her expression darkening with an undeniable fear—fear not for herself, but for Elara.

"Elara," Maerith spoke, almost a whisper. "Never ever go to the lake that I warned you about, do you understand?"

Elara's brows furrowed in confusion, "H-huh? The lake that's in the middle of the forest?"

Why would her grandma be so afraid of some lake in the forest? "Why?" Elara pressed, curiosity piqued.

"Just don't!" Maerith's voice echoed through the room, clearly agitated. "Just listen to me, it's for your own good, okay?"

Elara remained still, never leaving her grandmother out of her sight, waiting for further explanation. Minutes passed, but Maerith remained silent, as if she hadn’t even heard Elara’s question.

“Okay! If that’s what you want, then fine. I won’t go there,” Elara sighed, feigning defeat. “But we’ll have pumpkin soup tonight. I want to eat your specialty, Grandma.”

Despite her outward compliance, Elara had no intention of keeping her promise. She would venture into the forest, find the forbidden lake, and uncover the truth that her grandmother was so desperate to hide. A spark of determination ignited within her—she had to know.

Maerith smiled, her shoulders relaxing, content in the belief that Elara would stay away from the lake. Little did she know, her granddaughter’s curiosity was far stronger than her words.

Carefully hiding in the shadows, Elara moved as if walking on thin ice, her steps quiet and cautious. Above, the moon slowly emerged from behind the clouds, casting pale light over the forest.

“Where is that lake Grandma was talking about?” Elara muttered under her breath, her eyes darting back over her shoulder. She kept glancing into the darkness, half-expecting to see her grandmother’s shadow looming in the distance.

The forest seemed alive tonight. Although Elara had lived near it all her life, the familiar path she often walked felt transformed, as if a new trail had been laid out just for her on her eighteenth birthday.

"Where is it? Where is it?" slowly, frustration is creeping within her, why can't she seem to find the lake?

Elara unknowingly stepped onto damp ground and lost her footing, tumbling down the small hill. A shriek escaped her lips as she slid, branches and twigs scratching against her skin as she went.

After what felt like an eternity, Elara finally reached the bottom of the hill, her body aching from the tumble. Twigs and branches had torn her clothes, leaving behind scratches and small bruises on her skin.

"Oww, that hurts," Elara cursed under her breath, feeling the sting of her injuries. It seems like she's starting to regret the decision to find the forbidden lake. Thankfully, she didn't sprain her foot. I guess I could still walk and look for that damn lake. She thought, pushing herself to her feet.

Elara gasped as the lake came into view, shimmering under the moonlight. Well, well, well. If it isn’t the infamous lake Grandma warned me about. A smile crept across her face, relief washing over her as she finally found it. She walked slowly towards the water, her steps cautious, as if anticipating a monster to emerge at any moment.

As she neared the lake, Elara paused, her gaze fixed on the water. The moon hung high above, casting a powerful beam that made the surface glisten like a thousand scattered stars. The lake was expansive, its dark waters rippling gently in the night breeze, creating a soft symphony of whispers. Tall, shadowy trees framed the edges, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, while patches of luminous moss glowed faintly along the shoreline.

She squats in front of the lake, as if anticipating something might happen. Minutes had passed but to no avail. The lake remained eerily still, as if a painting from a distance.

That's it? Nothing's happening! Elara exclaimed to herself, disappointment creeping in. With a resigned sigh, she decided to head home and slept it off.

As Elara turned her back, a dark shadow began to loom from the depths of the water. It slithered upward, creeping in as if waiting for the young woman to let her guard down.

I should have listened to Grandma. There’s nothing here. Elara muttered to herself, blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked just behind her.

Hmm, but what was there to be scared about? There's literally nothing here but water! She glanced at the water, but it was too late to run. A dark shadow began to rise, ready to devour her.

Elara shrieked, her voice echoing through the swaying forest. The wind howled around her, leaves rustling ominously as she tried to flee. But the shadow clutched her ankle, determined to drag her into the depths of the lake.

Elara grasped at the grass, desperately kicking at the ominous shadow that gripped her ankle, but it was no use. The dark force pulling her toward the water was relentless. Clumps of grass tore free from her fingers, and with one final tug, she was yanked closer to the lake’s edge, unable to swim away as the shadow dragged her deeper into its chilling embrace.

As Elara struggled, the last remnants of oxygen fled her lungs, leaving her gasping for air. Bubbles floated around her, a cruel reminder of her desperate fight for survival. The cold water enveloped her as the shadow dragged her deeper, and as darkness crept in, she felt her eyelids grow heavy. With a final, fleeting thought, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the abyss as her consciousness began to fade.