The streets of Valora glisten under the dim glow of gas lamps, as a steady rain falls. The city, a place of grandeur with its towering spires and cobbled alleys, is steeped in an unsettling quiet. Whispers have begun to circulate about strange disappearances and shadows moving where no light touches.

Alena, a young woman with auburn hair and piercing green eyes, pulls her coat tighter around her shoulders as she hurries through the marketplace. She works at a small bookstore tucked away in an alley, her life simple yet comforting. But tonight, something feels off.

As she locks up the store, a strange sensation creeps over her—the feeling of being watched. She turns sharply, but the street is empty. Her heart races as the faint echo of a whisper reaches her ears:

"Alena..."

She freezes. The voice is soft, familiar, and unsettling. She brushes it off as her imagination and quickens her pace home.

A Mysterious Stranger :

Inside her small apartment, Alena sits by the window, watching the rain. A book lies open on her lap, but her mind is elsewhere. She can't shake the feeling of unease. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door.

Opening it cautiously, she finds a man standing there, drenched from the rain. He’s tall, with dark hair that clings to his face and intense golden eyes that seem to pierce through her.

"My name is Kael," he says, his voice deep and steady. "I don’t have much time. I need to speak with you."

Alena hesitates. "Who are you? What do you want?"

Kael steps closer, lowering his voice. "You’re in danger, Alena. They know who you are."

"Who knows? What are you talking about?" she asks, alarmed.

Before he can answer, the lights flicker, and the room grows cold. A shadow moves across the wall, though nothing should be casting it. Kael’s hand moves to the hilt of a sword at his side, hidden beneath his cloak.

"They’re here," he whispers.

A Glimpse of Darkness :

A shadowy figure materializes in the room, its form twisting unnaturally. Its eyes glow a sickly green, and its voice is like nails scraping on stone.

"Kael," it hisses. "You cannot protect her forever."

Alena stumbles back, her breath hitching. "What is that thing?"

Kael doesn’t answer. He steps between her and the creature, drawing his blade. The sword emits a faint, golden glow, contrasting with the suffocating darkness in the room.

The creature lunges at Kael, its movements erratic but swift. The clash is violent, the sound of metal against shadow reverberating through the apartment. Alena watches, frozen, as Kael fights to keep the creature at bay.

"Alena," Kael shouts. "Run!"

But she can’t. She’s rooted to the spot, her mind racing with questions. Who is this man? What is this creature? And why does it seem to know her name? 

Kael’s Revelation :

Kael manages to drive the creature back, his blade slicing through its shadowy form. The creature lets out a piercing screech before vanishing into the darkness. The room falls silent, but the air remains heavy.

Kael turns to Alena, his expression grim. "That was just the beginning," he says.

"What... what was that thing? And why did it know my name?" she asks, her voice trembling.

Kael hesitates before answering. "You’re more important than you realize, Alena. There’s a prophecy—a force of darkness that’s been lying dormant for centuries. And you... you’re the key to stopping it."

Alena shakes her head. "You’ve got the wrong person. I’m just a bookseller. I don’t even know you!"

"You will," Kael says, his eyes softening. "But right now, you need to trust me. The shadows are coming for you, and they won’t stop until they have what they want." 

The Prophecy Unfolds :

As Alena processes his words, the faint whisper returns, louder this time.

"Alena... choose."

She looks around, but there’s no one there. Kael steps closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We need to leave. They’ll come back, and next time, they won’t stop."

Alena nods reluctantly, grabbing a coat and following him into the stormy night. As they disappear into the rain-soaked streets, the camera pans back to her apartment. The shadowy figure reappears, watching them leave.

"She doesn’t know yet," it murmurs, its glowing eyes narrowing. "But she will."