Rafael's Eclipse

Chapter 4 - Captured

X Y R A N I A V A L T A I R

present

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Arcadia was beautiful.

I had pictured it vividly—the sky a canvas of soft blues with white clouds drifting like whispers across an endless horizon. Rolling hills unfurled like waves of green velvet, sprinkled with wildflowers that spilled their colors into the sunlight. And the air that carried the scent of fresh earth and blooming petals.

But when I tumbled through the portal and hit the ground hard, my breath caught as I looked up.

Instead of Arcadia's serene beauty, I was surrounded by a dense forest.

Tall, gnarled trees loomed overhead, their shadows weaving a thick canopy that blocked out the quickly fading light. I turned to see that the portal had already vanished.

I frowned, my pulse quickening.

Had I done something wrong?

Brushing off the dirt, I stood and slung my backpack over a shoulder, scanning my surroundings. The sun was slipping below the horizon, leaving a dim glow that quickly gave way to a sky dotted with stars.

Maybe I'd landed on the outskirts of town.

Arcadia was probably nearby—likely over the next hill or beyond these trees.

Ignoring the unease gnawing at me, I started to walk. But by the time the light had faded and the darkness had fully set in, I was still lost.

I definitely wasn't in Arcadia.

The moon was the only thing guiding my way at this point.

Frustration churned in my chest as I rolled the map up and shoved it back into my bag. I was exhausted, dirty, and lost.

I couldn't just keep wandering around like this.

Something kept telling me that I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be. The cold crept in as the night deepened, biting at my skin and seeping through my hoodie.

Finding a spot that looked safe to rest in for the night, I gathered some kindling to make a fire before I sat down. Lighting a match, I threw it on top of the kindling and watched the fire slowly start to burn.

But despite its size, it didn't feel warm enough.
I was impatient and still too cold.

Lifting my hand, I drew at my powers from the part of me that had been locked away for so long, cold and untamed. Trying to call forth a spark, I closed my eyes as I focused my mind on growing the flames.

Nothing.

I tried again.

Nothing.

I groaned in annoyance. How would I be able to save my realm and the pack from my father when I couldn't even keep myself warm for the night?

Exhaling, I held my hand out over the little fire I had created and tried again.

I could do this.

I had this under control.

But when I peeked back at the ground, the tiny fire stared back at me.

Ah, goddess.

I threw myself onto my backpack in exhaustion, curling up into a ball, and eventually drifted into a deep slumber.

-

Scratch that.

I did not have this under control.