The Changeling and the Crimson Lace

8

Days passed, and Amra felt the weight of her newfound identity pressing down on her. She and Callus spent hours poring over old texts and legends, piecing together the puzzle of her lineage and the prophecy that now felt like an imminent reality. With each new revelation, her connection to Valyndis grew stronger, and so did her bond with Callus.

One afternoon, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow across her room, Amra sat cross-legged on her bed, the crimson lace spread before her like a map of her destiny. The symbols etched into its fabric shimmered softly in the twilight, each one pulsating with a power she was beginning to understand.

"Are you ready for this?" Callus asked, his voice low as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and expression serious.

Amra glanced up, meeting his gaze. "I think so. But I'm still scared."

"Fear is part of the journey," he replied, stepping into the room and kneeling beside her. "You're not just a changeling anymore. You're meant to be a queen, Amra. We'll face this together."

With a deep breath, she nodded, a flicker of determination igniting within her. They had learned that to fulfill the prophecy, she needed to return to the Fae world—Valyndis—and confront the creature that had haunted her thoughts since her first visit. The one with the deep, raspy voice that had demanded the lace.

"Do you remember the stories about the monster?" Callus asked, his voice steady but tinged with concern.

"Vaguely," Amra admitted, her mind racing back to the chilling encounter. "But I know it's powerful. It was the one who spoke to me and seemed to know about the lace."

"Exactly," Callus said, a grim look settling over his features. "It's tied to your destiny, and it won't back down easily."

"Then we have to be ready," Amra said, her heart racing at the thought of facing the creature.

They gathered their things—Amra packing the crimson lace and Callus bringing his own supplies—and before long, they stood at the edge of the woods that separated the human world from Valyndis. The air shimmered with magic, and Amra could feel the energy crackling around her.

"Are you ready?" Callus asked, his expression a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, her voice steady. Together, they stepped into the shimmering portal, and as the world around them blurred, Amra felt a rush of energy wash over her.

They emerged in Valyndis, the landscape more vibrant and alive than she remembered. The colors were richer, the air infused with a sweet, floral scent that made her feel like she could breathe deeply for the first time. But that beauty belied the danger they were about to face.

"Stay close," Callus warned, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "We need to find the monster."

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the atmosphere grew tense. Shadows flickered between the trees, and an eerie silence enveloped them. Amra's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the weight of the lace against her side, reminding her of the power it held.

"Do you feel that?" she whispered to Callus, sensing a disturbance in the air.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's close."

Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them, and a deep, raspy voice echoed through the trees. "You dare return, changeling?" The voice resonated like a low thunder, causing the leaves to tremble and Amra's heart to race.

"I've come to confront you!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the fear that clawed at her insides. "You've been tormenting my family and the Fae world for too long!"