Arcane Bonds

The Emberheart sisters stood in the secret chamber of their family’s sanctuary, momentarily at ease. After gathering supplies and discussing their next move, a brief lull had settled over the group. Eve, Eden, and Joy exchanged casual conversations, though the oppressive weight of the situation still hung over them.

As their voices echoed softly in the vast room, it wasn’t long before curiosity started to pull at them again. Eden’s eyes lingered on the heavy door at the far end of the chamber, where the ancient artifact—the Emberheart family's ultimate failsafe—lay hidden.

Joy, her fingers lightly brushing the golden necklace she wore, glanced up at her eldest sister. “What’s behind that door?” she asked, her voice tinged with excitement and a hint of unease.

Eden’s expression hardened slightly, but she couldn’t deny her own curiosity. “An artifact,” she said, her tone quiet. “It’s something our family has kept hidden for generations. Father always warned me about using it—it’s ancient and powerful, but no one really knows its full capabilities.”

Her words piqued Eve’s interest, and she stepped closer to the door, studying the intricate runes engraved into its surface. “I’ve heard whispers about it,” she muttered. “Father always said it was tied to our family’s origins, that we came from a distant land… but all the records are lost.”

Joy, intrigued by the mystery, tilted her head. “A distant land? What do you mean?”

Eden glanced at her younger sister, her expression softening slightly as she answered. “That’s what our great-grandfather used to tell me when I was your age, Joy. He said the Emberhearts weren’t originally from Drakhelm. We came here fleeing some great war or catastrophe from another region, but all the details are lost. All we know is that our family once mastered light, fire, and ice magic.”

Eve listened intently, her analytical mind turning over this new information, while Joy’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Eden took a deep breath, stepping toward the door. “I don’t know if any of that is true, but this artifact… it might be the only clue left.” She placed her hand on the runes at the door, and after a moment of hesitation, began chanting the incantation her father had taught her.

The runes glowed faintly, and with a low rumble, the door slowly swung open, revealing a spacious hall beyond. The air inside was cool, almost unnaturally so, and the artifact stood at the center of the room—an ancient-looking mechanism. It pulsed faintly with a dim, bluish light, as if dormant.

Eden stood in the doorway, hesitant to approach, but her eyes never left the artifact. “This is it,” she whispered. “The artifact our family has guarded for centuries.” Then she gestured toward it. “This is the artifact. It’s said to be one of the most ancient relics of our family, a relic from that distant land our ancestors fled. I think it was meant to be a final safeguard for our family.”

Joy gazed up at the massive device in awe, but before she could ask any more questions,a voice echoed from the shadows. “That’s right, my dear. So you girls are finally here.”

The sisters froze, their eyes darting toward the source of the voice. From the darkened corner of the room, a figure emerged, her silhouette graceful yet menacing. As she stepped into the faint light, her beauty was undeniable—tall and slender, with long black hair that cascaded down her back like silk. She wore a black robe adorned with intricate red decorations, a stark contrast to the noble attire common in Drakhelm.

Lady Seraphina Ravencroft, the matriarch of the infamous Ravencroft family, strode forward, her movements slow and deliberate. Her smile was beautiful but venomous, a smile that sent chills down the sisters’ spines.

“Don’t be afraid,” she purred, her voice smooth like honey. “I’m just a friend, here to protect you. Especially you, Eve.”

Seraphina extended her hand toward Eve, her beautiful red eyes gleaming with a strange, almost hypnotic light. Eve, mesmerized by the beauty and grace of the woman before her, found herself stepping forward, her mind clouded as if under a spell. Eden, too, seemed briefly stunned by the allure of Seraphina's eyes.

But Joy, standing behind her sisters, felt something different. Unlike her elder siblings, who were entranced, Joy sensed the malicious aura that radiated from Seraphina. Her heart raced, and in an instant, her demeanor shifted from that of a curious little girl to the sharp, calculating mind of a mature woman.

“No!” Joy screamed, darting between Eve and Seraphina. She glared up at the woman, her small body trembling with tension. “You reek of evil! You remind me of… him and the stories and methods he used to tell me!”

Seraphina's smile faltered for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she regarded the child with intrigue. Joy’s voice, though young, carried the weight of experience far beyond her years. It was clear to Seraphina that this girl was no ordinary child.

“Well now, this is interesting,” Seraphina said, her tone shifting from honeyed warmth to something darker. “So you can sense it, can’t you, little one? I wonder just how much you know…”

Joy’s eyes flicked to Seraphina’s robe, the red decorations drawing her attention. “That robe… it’s not from Drakhelm. It’s not from anywhere in this region. Who are you?” Joy demanded, her small voice filled with defiance.

Seraphina's smile returned, but this time, it was colder, more sinister. “Oh, you recognize the style of my attire? How fascinating. There’s no record of these robes in any history books of this land and kingdoms, but you seem to know. Very well.”

With a flick of her wrist, Seraphina pulled out a small token, marked with an ominous symbol. The moment Joy laid eyes on it, a shiver ran down her spine. She recognized that symbol from her past life—a symbol of chaos, and forbidden power.

Joy’s fists clenched, her small body shaking. “Tell me your real name, have you met that guy before don’t you?” she demanded, her voice filled with both fear and anger.

Seraphina’s eyes gleamed as she watched Joy’s reaction. “Now then, little one, tell me… who are you referring to? Actually I found this token in a cave along with a dead body so actually I’m just following the teachings engraved in this token.”

Seraphina’s smile widened as she activated the artifact, her eyes glinting with malice. “Oh, this is far more exciting than I expected.” The room began to shake violently as the artifact roared to life, an enormous pillar of light erupting from its center and shooting toward the ceiling.

Seraphina moved swiftly, appearing behind the sisters with unnatural speed. “I don’t need all of you,” she said in a low, dangerous voice. “Just Eve.”

Before Eden or Joy could react, Seraphina grabbed Eden and pulled her toward the portal. Eden cried out as she was thrown into the light, disappearing from sight. Seraphina reached for Eve next, but before her fingers could close around her, Joy sprang into action.

With a fierce shout, Joy grabbed Seraphina’s hand, her tiny fingers gripping with surprising strength. “Stay away from my sister!” she screamed, her voice filled with raw emotion. Without hesitation, Joy raised her other hand, pointing two fingers at Seraphina’s forehead. A powerful lightning blast erupted from her fingers, crackling with intense energy.

The force of the blast sent Seraphina stumbling back, the air around her sizzling with electricity. But when the smoke cleared, Seraphina stood unharmed, her expression one of mild annoyance.

Joy’s heart raced. She hadn’t expected her attack to do much, but seeing Seraphina completely unscathed filled her with dread.

“Impressive,” Seraphina said, her tone mocking. “But futile.”

She raised her wand, pointing it directly at Joy. A malicious red beam of energy shot toward the young girl, but before it could strike, Eve leaped forward, wrapping her arms around Joy and shielding her with her body. Together, they tumbled into the portal, disappearing into the blinding light.

Seraphina stood there, momentarily stunned by the turn of events. Her expression twisted into one of cold fury. As she moved to follow them into the portal, she noticed something on the ground—small, glowing artifacts, left behind by Eve in her haste. Explosive runes.

The chamber shook violently as the explosives detonated, causing the portal to collapse in on itself. The artifact was destroyed in a fiery explosion, leaving nothing but debris in its wake.

Seraphina’s once-beautiful face contorted with rage, her eyes burning with hatred. “I will find you three” she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Especially that little vermin who dared to touch me… also you recognize this token, and that complicates everything."

As she turned to leave the ruined chamber, Mira Emberheart and her master, the Blood Paladin, burst into the room, their weapons drawn. Mira’s eyes scanned the scene, quickly piecing together what had happened.

“Where are my daughters?” Mira demanded, unsheathing her sword. Her eyes burned with fury as she stared down Seraphina.

The Blood Paladin stepped forward, summoning his spear and pointing it at Seraphina. “So you’re the infamous Seraphina Ravencroft,” he said, his voice steady and calm. “I’ve heard of you.”

Seraphina’s lips curled into a cold smile. “It seems I’ve lost this time,” she said, her voice dripping with contempt. “But this isn’t over.”

With a wave of her wand, Seraphina’s form shimmered and vanished like a mirage. Mira’s sword slashed through empty air as she appeared in the spot Seraphina had been standing.

“Seraphina!” Mira screamed, her voice filled with rage. “This won’t end like this!” Her eyes burned with the fury of a mother protecting her children, a promise of vengeance hanging in the air.