Chapter 6: The Prophecy Of The Future

The huge, scary forest was still alive with shadows when Cora arrived, stepping lightly through the underbrush as if the earth itself whispered her name. Her steps were measured and deliberate, a silent grace that had always been a part of her. Though Cora was known for her quiet demeanor, there was a sharpness to her eyes, an unspoken understanding that made her presence impossible to ignore. She had always been the quiet one, the sister with the power to see what others could not,a gift, or perhaps a curse, depending on how one looked at it. Her ability to peer into the unseen, to glimpse futures and truths others couldn’t, made her both revered and feared. It was a gift she carried heavily, but one she’d never shared lightly.

As she neared the cabin, she caught sight of her sister standing by the door, her body stiff with tension. Seraphina had always been strong,too strong for her own good at times—but Cora could see the cracks in her exterior, the battle raging inside her. It was the weight of the unknown that burdened her sister. It was clear that Seraphina had no idea how deep this storm was or how high the stakes would rise.

“Seraphina?” Cora called softly, her voice cutting through the air like a thread of warmth in the cold night. Her sister turned, her face softening as she caught sight of her.

“Cora,” Seraphina said, her voice a mixture of relief and worry. “What are you doing here? How did you even know that I am here”

Cora’s gaze lingered on her sister for a moment longer, her eyes narrowing in thought. She could feel the heaviness in the air around her, could sense that Seraphina was carrying a weight she hadn’t been prepared for. The question had already formed in her mind, but she didn’t voice it immediately. Instead, she stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Seraphina’s arm.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Cora said, her tone soft but firm. “I came because I sensed something. Something’s happening, isn’t it?”

Seraphina opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She looked past Cora, her gaze distant as she gathered her thoughts. The night seemed to press in around them, the sounds of the forest quiet, as if even the wind was holding its breath. Finally, Seraphina exhaled slowly, her eyes meeting Cora’s.

“The rogues… they attacked me,” Seraphina began, her voice tinged with confusion. “But it wasn’t just that. There was someone else, a woman. Rhea. She—she helped me, but I don’t understand why. I don’t know what’s happening anymore, Cora. The wolves... they’re after me. And I don’t know why.”

Cora listened intently, her eyes never leaving Seraphina’s face as her sister spoke. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her mind working quickly, sifting through the pieces of Seraphina’s words like a puzzle. She had never been one to shy away from the weight of the unknown, but this was different. This wasn’t just another vision, another fragment of a future she could see. This was personal. Her sister was in danger, and it was clear that Cora needed to be there for her.

“What happened with Rhea?” Cora asked gently, sensing the turmoil that still lingered in Seraphina’s voice.

“She... she’s powerful,” Seraphina said, her voice thick with a mixture of awe and fear. “There was something in her eyes, Cora. Something cold. But she didn’t hesitate. She killed that rogue in seconds. It was like watching a predator. I don’t even know if I’m strong enough to stand against her if it comes to that.”

Cora’s eyes flickered with understanding. She had never met Rhea, but she could feel the weight of the woman’s power through her sister’s words. It was the kind of power that demanded respect—or fear. And Rhea’s motives were unclear, clouded by darkness. Still, Cora wasn’t one to dwell in uncertainty.

“You don’t have to face her alone,” Cora said, her voice steady and soothing. “But you will have to face whatever is coming. And you can’t keep running from it, Sera. Not anymore.”

Seraphina let out a breath, shaking her head slowly. “I don’t even know what’s happening. I keep having these moments... like I’m missing something. I’ve always felt like there’s something inside me, something I’m not controlling. But every time I try to focus, it slips away. My powers... they’re not awakened, Cora. Not yet. And I can’t control them. I need someone—someone strong—to help me.”

The vulnerability in Seraphina’s voice was almost more than Cora could bear. She could see the weight of her sister’s fear, the unspoken longing for guidance, for someone to tell her what to do. It was a feeling Cora knew all too well. She had always been the one to guide, the one to see the future, but there were times when even she couldn’t foresee what was ahead.

Cora took a deep breath, her mind flickering to the future she had seen only moments ago. She hadn’t told Seraphina this yet, but she could see the storm that was about to break. The future was full of danger, and it wasn’t just the wolves that Seraphina had to worry about. There were far darker forces at play.

“I know it’s hard,” Cora said softly, her fingers gently brushing Seraphina’s arm. “I know you feel lost right now. But you’re not alone, Sera. You have me. And you have your strength, even if you don’t see it yet. You don’t need someone else to awaken your powers—you have to do it yourself. I know it’s not easy. But you can do this.”

Seraphina’s gaze softened as she looked at her sister, her eyes filled with a mix of longing and doubt. “But what if I can’t, Cora? What if I’m not strong enough?”

Cora’s heart ached at the uncertainty in Seraphina’s voice. She had always known her sister to be strong, to face everything head-on with the tenacity of a warrior. And yet, here she was, doubting herself. Cora understood that doubt. She had been there too, many times before. But this time was different. The future was calling, and Seraphina had a role to play in it—whether she was ready or not.

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Cora repeated, her voice unwavering. “I’ll help you. But you have to try. You have to let yourself awaken. You can’t keep running from your powers, from your destiny.”

Seraphina shook her head, frustration flashing in her eyes. “I’ve tried. But it’s not that simple. I can’t control it. It’s like... it’s like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands.”

Cora’s eyes softened with understanding. She had seen the struggle in Seraphina’s heart, the battle to accept the power that lay dormant within her. And she knew that her sister wasn’t alone in feeling that way. Everyone who possessed power struggled with its weight at first. But the more they resisted it, the harder it became to control. It was time for Seraphina to face what she was truly capable of.

“You don’t have to catch smoke,” Cora said with a small smile, her voice laced with quiet reassurance. “But you have to let go of the fear. Fear is what keeps your powers locked away. You can’t be afraid of what you are. You are more than this, Sera. You’re more than what you see in yourself.”

Seraphina stood in silence for a long moment, her gaze distant as she mulled over her sister’s words. The silence stretched between them, a fragile thread of connection that neither of them wanted to break. Cora’s words had settled into her chest, planting a seed of hope. But the fear was still there, gnawing at the edges of her mind.

“What if I fail?” Seraphina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You won’t fail,” Cora replied simply. “Because I’ll be right here with you. And even when you’re scared, even when you think you can’t do it, we’ll find a way.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The night seemed to hold its breath around them, the weight of their conversation settling into the air like a storm waiting to break.

Finally, Seraphina nodded, a small, uncertain smile pulling at the corner of her lips. “I’ll try. For you.”

Cora’s smile widened, though her heart still carried the weight of the future she had seen. The path ahead was treacherous, and the stakes were high. But she knew one thing for certain: Seraphina had the strength to overcome whatever lay in her path. The future was hers to shape.

And as Cora turned to leave, her gaze lingering on her sister, she knew that this was just the beginning.