The forest loomed around them like an ancient sentinel, its towering trees whispering in the wind, as Ava and Alexander pressed forward. The deeper they ventured into the woods, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. It wasn't just the sense of danger that hung in the air; it was as though the very earth beneath their feet carried centuries of secrets—secrets that had been waiting for the right time to be uncovered.
Ava's mind buzzed with questions, each one sharper than the last. She couldn't shake the words Mordana had spoken, the chilling certainty in the sorceress's voice. You and your sister have no idea what you're truly capable of...
"What did she mean by that?" Ava asked, her voice barely a whisper as she walked beside Alexander. "About me and Aurora? And... the prophecy?"
Alexander glanced at her, his expression troubled. "Mordana was right about one thing," he said grimly. "The Ashford bloodline has always been bound to magic, and not just any magic—dark, ancient magic. The curse that runs through our family is tied to the power of the realms, a power that has been sought after for centuries."
Ava felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "A curse?"
Alexander nodded, his eyes hardening. "Yes. The curse is said to bind two sisters—twins, born to bring balance to the magical world. But balance can be both light and dark. That's why Mordana wants you both. If she can corrupt one of you, she can tip the scales in her favor."
The truth of his words settled heavily on her chest. She had always felt... different. Now, it was clear why. The Ashford legacy was one of power, but also one of inevitable destruction.
"Is that why Aurora was hidden?" Ava asked, her voice tight. "Because of the curse?"
"Yes," Alexander confirmed. "And not just because of the curse. If Mordana knew you both were alive, she would have come for you sooner. But she could only find you once you were connected—once the magic between you and Aurora awakened. You see, your sister is the key to breaking the curse, but she is also the key to the darkness."
Ava's mind reeled as she processed his words. Everything she had learned so far was leading to one unavoidable conclusion: the Ashford bloodline, her family, was cursed from the very beginning. But what did it mean for her? Was she fated to be a part of the light, or was she doomed to fall into the same darkness that had claimed so many before her?
"The curse of the Ashford line," Ava murmured, the weight of it settling over her like a shroud. "How do we break it?"
"There's a way," Alexander said softly. "But it won't be easy. To break the curse, you'll need to find the Heartstone, a powerful relic hidden deep within the ruins of the Old Temple. It's said to hold the power to either free you from the curse or amplify it. Only the two of you, together, can unlock its true potential."
Ava stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding. The Old Temple—the one Alexander had spoken of, the place that held the key to unlocking her powers. Was it possible that the answers she sought, the answers about her sister and herself, were hidden there? And what would happen if they couldn't unlock the Heartstone in time?
"Where is it?" she asked, her voice urgent.
"Not far," Alexander replied. "But the path is dangerous. The closer we get to the temple, the more Mordana's influence will be felt. She has eyes everywhere."
Ava's gaze hardened with determination. She knew what she had to do. The prophecy was clear—she and Aurora had a role to play, and it wasn't one they could run from. But there was one thing she still didn't understand: if the curse could break them apart, how could she trust herself? How could she trust that she wouldn't become another pawn in Mordana's game?
The wind picked up suddenly, rustling through the trees, and Ava's thoughts were interrupted by a soft sound—a whisper, faint but unmistakable. At first, she thought it was just the wind, but then it came again, clearer this time, like a distant voice calling her name.
"Ava…"
She spun around, her heart leaping in her chest, but there was no one behind her. Just the dense forest stretching out, dark and silent. Had she imagined it?
"Ava, listen…"
The voice was closer now, more urgent, like a cry for help. Ava's breath caught in her throat as she realized the voice was coming from the very forest around them. She could feel the pull, like a magnetic force drawing her in.
"Did you hear that?" Ava asked, her voice strained.
Alexander's expression darkened, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. "Stay close," he warned, his voice low. "That voice isn't real. It's an illusion, a trick of the forest."
But Ava's feet were already moving toward the sound, her heart pounding louder than her footsteps. She couldn't shake the feeling that the voice was real—that it was calling to her for a reason. She had to know what it was.
"Don't go any further," Alexander said urgently, his voice strained with concern. "It's a trap. You must trust me."
But Ava didn't listen. The pull was too strong.
As she pushed through the underbrush, the voice grew louder, clearer. It was as if the forest itself had come alive, its voice weaving through the trees, wrapping around her like a shroud.
"Ava…"
The voice was unmistakable now, and she realized with a shock that it wasn't just anyone. It was Aurora. Her twin sister.
She was calling for help.
Ava's heart seized. She had to find her, and fast.