The Chosen One •

31

✨ Isabel ✨

The dream was vivid, as if I were standing in a room bathed in golden light. My father, Marcus Black, stood before me, tall and imposing, yet his eyes held warmth as he gestured for me to come closer.

"Isabel," he said, his voice resonating like the gentle roll of thunder, "I have another history lesson for you."

I smiled faintly, already used to these strange meetings. "Another one? Should I grab a notebook?"

He laughed, a rich sound that made my chest ache with longing. "No, this one is for your soul to remember, not your pen."

We sat together on a bench that appeared out of nowhere, the surroundings shifting to resemble an ancient forest. "Did you ever wonder why wolves, witches, and other creatures exist across different races and ethnicities?"

I tilted my head, intrigued. "I assumed it was just... natural diversity. Isn't that how humans are?"

Marcus nodded. "True, but our origins are tied deeply to Pangea, the supercontinent. Before the continents split, all the tribes—wolves, witches, vampires, and others—lived together, unified in one massive land. When the land fractured and drifted apart, so did we, scattering across the globe. Each group adapted to their environments, creating the beautiful diversity you see today."

"Wow," I murmured, picturing it. "So we were all one tribe, once?"

"In a sense, yes," he replied. "But even then, differences arose. Alliances and rivalries. Unity is rare, Isabel, but not impossible. You embody that potential."

I felt his words settle heavily in my chest, but a question bubbled up that I couldn't ignore. "Dad... why haven't I ever met my mom?"

Marcus's expression shifted, his warmth dimming as he looked away. My stomach twisted. "What's wrong? Is she... gone?"

He sighed, his shoulders heavy. "Your mother was... a powerful woman, Isabel. She loved you more than anything. When the time came to protect you, she sacrificed everything—even her soul—to save you and me."

Tears pricked my eyes. "Her soul? What do you mean?"

He hesitated, then spoke softly. "Your mother cast a spell so powerful it bound the three of us together. She ensured that neither of us would fully cross over until you did. It was her hope that you'd survive and find a way to save us both. But..."

"But what?" I pressed, my voice cracking.

"Because of the spell, your mother is unreachable—deep within the spiritual void. I can visit you because I linger closer to the veil, but your mother... she's too far gone."

The ache in my chest expanded into a hollow cavern. "So, I'll never speak to her? Never see her?"

"Not easily," he admitted, sadness flickering across his face. "But you hold the power to bring us back to the living world, Isabel. The spell binds our fates. If you die, we all cross over together. If you live and grow strong enough, you could bring us back."

I stared at him, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "So... you're dead, but not completely? Like limbo?"

He nodded, his eyes searching mine. "You understand now."

I did, but it made me feel more confused than ever. Before I could ask more, the light shifted, growing darker. Marcus smiled faintly. "I love you, my star. Stay strong."

Then he was gone, and the golden forest dissolved into shadow.

The dream changed, becoming sharper and colder. I found myself in a sterile lab filled with unfamiliar machinery. A deep voice echoed, chilling me to the bone.