The Glimmers of Twilight

Chapter 1: The Whispers of the Forest

Night had fallen over the small town of Valnoir, wrapping the old houses in an unsettling darkness. In the flickering streetlights, Ethan Valmont walked quickly, his face hidden beneath a hood. He rarely took this path at this hour, but tonight, a mysterious pull seemed to draw him toward the heart of the forest that bordered the town.

The ancient trees seemed to come alive in the shadows, their twisted branches forming a natural tunnel. A faint whisper filled the air, barely audible, stirring something deep within him—a feeling both familiar and frightening.

Ethan stopped, caught by a sudden hesitation. He was alone. The silence was almost complete, broken only by the rustling of leaves, yet he could swear he heard a distinct whisper among the trees, as if calling directly to him.

— Come, Ethan...

His heart pounded. He tried to push the voice out of his head, but it returned, more insistent, like an echo resonating in the night. He couldn't understand where it came from or how it knew his name, but he knew he had to follow it.

He ventured deeper into the forest. The darkness thickened, and the path became harder to discern. Yet a strange light soon pierced through the trees, a glowing blue orb hovering in the middle of nowhere.

Cautiously, Ethan approached the light. It was a sphere, floating, radiating an intense energy that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. He reached out, unable to resist the pull he felt, but as his fingers brushed the orb's surface, a shockwave ran through him.

Images burst into his mind: unfamiliar faces, scenes of ancient battles, shining runes carved into stones, and a flame-shaped symbol wrapped in shadows. Then, as suddenly as they had come, the visions vanished, leaving only a strange burn in the center of his right hand.

Ethan stepped back, breathless, staring at his palm. A dark mark had appeared, a rune he didn't recognize but knew was linked to an ancient power.

The forest silence returned, but this time, it felt heavier, filled with secrets and unseen threats.

— What... what does this mean? he whispered, stunned.

But no answer came. Only the persistent murmur of the trees surrounded him, like an ancient chant now binding him to a fate he did not yet understand.