The winds howled through the rugged hills of Alhadeer, a place once filled with laughter and prosperity. Now, the small village nestled in the valley beneath the towering mountains lay silent, save for the whispers that traveled on the evening breeze. These whispers were not ordinary—they carried the voices of the past, voices that only a few could hear. Among them was Elysia, a young woman who had lived in Alhadeer her entire life.
Elysia had always known that something lingered in the village. Since she was a child, she could sense the presence of unseen forces watching over her, following her steps. Her grandmother often spoke of the ancient spirits of Alhadeer, the guardians who once protected the village from evil, but Elysia had always thought it was nothing more than folklore. That was until the night she first heard the whisper.
It came to her in a dream—a soft, breathy voice calling her name. “Elysia... come... find us...” The words echoed in her mind long after she woke, leaving her with an uneasy feeling that clung to her skin like cold dew. She couldn’t shake the sensation, and the more she thought about it, the more she began to believe that the voice was real.
The village elders had long warned the people to stay away from the Forgotten Woods at the edge of the valley. It was said that those who ventured too far never returned. Yet, as the days passed, Elysia felt an undeniable pull toward those dark, shadowy trees. Something—or someone—was calling her.
Determined to uncover the truth behind the whispers, Elysia set out alone one evening, just as the sun dipped below the horizon. She followed the path that led to the Forgotten Woods, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. The deeper she ventured, the more the world around her seemed to change. The air grew colder, and the shadows stretched unnaturally long, as if alive.
Then, she heard it again. “Elysia... come closer...”
With trembling hands, Elysia pushed aside a thick branch, revealing a small clearing bathed in moonlight. At the center of the clearing stood a stone monument, ancient and crumbling. Strange symbols were carved into its surface, glowing faintly in the dim light. And there, beneath the monument, was a figure cloaked in darkness, its form barely visible.
“Who are you?” Elysia whispered, her voice shaky.
The figure raised its head, and though its face was hidden, she could feel its eyes piercing through her.
“I am what remains,” the figure said, its voice low and ethereal. “The last of the guardians.”
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