A restless night surrounded Ventania like a shroud. After the near-fatal encounter with the wolf, she had finally found refuge in a mossy hollow beside a small stream, too exhausted to wander further. Sleep came in fitful bursts, haunted by flashes of memory—the brutal sight of her parents’ capture and the searing light of her own unleashed magic. Each time she stirred, her heart pounded with the lingering echoes of that storm she had summoned.

  When morning’s first light filtered through the canopy, Ventania rose from her makeshift shelter, every muscle complaining. Despite her fatigue, a cautious hope thrummed within her. Her memories of last night’s ordeal were frightening, but they also revealed something incredible: a power she had barely begun to understand. She could still sense the tingling warmth in her horn, a reminder of how she had defended herself from the wolf.

  Lingering Shadows, Growing Curiosity

  She emerged into a forest hushed by early dawn, the leaves still glistening with dew. Hunger gnawed at her belly, yet she knew she had no one to rely on for food or guidance. Pangs of loneliness flared when she thought of her parents, but she forced herself to refocus on the promise of that flickering magic deep within.

  Ventania recalled how, in a single burst of panic and determination, she’d repelled a predator. The memory fueled her curiosity rather than her fear. If I could do it once, she reasoned, I can do it again. Even as sorrow lingered, a childlike eagerness to explore her abilities fluttered in her chest, crowding out some of the pain.

  The morning felt charged with possibility. Brocéliande’s tall trees arched overhead like watchful sentinels. The breeze came soft and fresh, as though offering comfort. She breathed in the scent of damp earth and plant life, letting the forest’s energy soothe her. Though she still felt vulnerable, she no longer felt helpless.

  Early Attempts to Control the Breeze

  Wandering deeper into a sun-speckled grove, Ventania paused to drink from a trickle of crystal-clear water flowing between mossy stones. Refreshed, she turned her attention to the swirl of air around her. What if I try to call the wind again? The question sparked an instant wave of excitement—she remembered that fleeting sensation of command last night.

  Closing her eyes, she inhaled slowly and pictured a gentle gust circling her hooves. To her quiet delight, a faint breeze rustled the leaves overhead. She opened her eyes at once, only to lose her fragile hold on the air current. Instead of disappointment, a giggle of wonder escaped her. She tried again—this time, summoning a tiny swirl that danced near her forelegs. The moment she lifted her head, it faded, as if shy.

  She laughed, stamping her hoof. “I did it!” No terror of losing control crossed her mind; she wanted to practice, to learn. If this breeze was possible, so might be that elemental storm she’d unleashed against the wolf.

  A Sudden Danger

  Oblivious to the quiet threat stalking her, Ventania basked in the thrill of her newfound skill. But unbeknownst to her, three wolves—sleek, strong, and hungry—lurked in the underbrush. Their keen senses had tracked the foal since dawn, and now they crept forward with expert stealth. Each step brought them closer to the unsuspecting unicorn.

  A stray twig snapped under one wolf’s paw, and Ventania’s ears twitched. Spinning around, she spotted three pairs of glowing eyes emerging from the shadows. Her heartbeat spiked, but instead of freezing in fear, she braced herself. Last night had taught her she wasn’t entirely defenseless.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  The biggest wolf snarled, baring sharp teeth. The other two flanked Ventania in a semicircle, their low growls conveying hunger and a ruthless intelligence. Though her pulse thundered in her ears, excitement at the chance to call on her power again pulsed beneath her alarm. I can do this… I want to do this, she reminded herself, remembering that unstoppable surge of wind that had shielded her before.

  Awakening the Storm

  Without hesitation, the largest wolf lunged, jaws snapping for her throat. Ventania backed up, hooves skidding on damp leaves. Adrenaline and curiosity combined in a heady rush, pushing her to tap into the swirling force she’d summoned last night. She willed the wind to form a barrier.

  A burst of energy flared from her horn, raw yet exhilarating. Leaves, twigs, and dirt whipped into a maelstrom around her. The wolves recoiled, ears flattened against the sudden gale. Ventania felt as if she stood at the center of a spinning dance—terrifying and beautiful at once. I’m doing this, she thought, a grin tugging at her lips.

  The storm intensified, crackling with threads of lightning-like magic that sparkled in the corners of her vision. The wolves’ snarls turned into panicked howls, their forms buffeted by razor-sharp gusts. A final surge of wind cracked through the grove with violent force. Ventania glimpsed the predators thrown aside, their bodies battered by the unleashed tempest. The roar of the wind drowned out everything else until, as quickly as it had risen, the storm dissipated.

  In the aftermath, the clearing lay in disarray: uprooted ferns, shredded leaves, and the bloodied remains of the wolves. Winded but triumphant, Ventania stood amid the debris, her horn still humming with residual sparks. She blinked at the carnage, but any horror was overshadowed by a child’s awe. I made that happen.

  Exhaustion and Revelation

  The rush of magic ebbed, leaving Ventania’s legs shaky. Stumbling a step or two, she shook her head as if to clear it. Her breathing came fast, and her heart pounded—partly from the exertion, partly from a new sense of wonder. She marveled at how deliberate her summoning had been, how the wind had answered her call more readily this time.

  Dropping to her knees on the torn grass, she allowed a brief moment of rest. There was no shame or guilt in her gaze, just surprise at the power she had learned to channel. This forest is dangerous—I’m dangerous now too,* she mused. A hint of pride flickered behind her eyes. The savage scene around her confirmed she would need to refine her skills, but the sheer potential she possessed outweighed any lingering shock.

  Glancing up at the shifting canopy, she breathed a quiet vow: “I’ll get stronger.” She thought of her parents, imagining their amazed smiles if they could see her moment of triumph. Though her chest ached from missing them, she also felt a flicker of conviction: if she continued to tap into her powers, perhaps she could rescue them after all.

  A New Dawn of Possibility

  Carefully rising, Ventania steadied herself against a fallen trunk. Every muscle protested, and her horn still tingled with leftover magic. She knew she was far from a master, but that mattered little right now. She had proven to herself—and to the wolves—that she was no easy prey.

  Scanning the grove, she sensed Brocéliande’s silent observation. Sunlight spilled through the upper branches, illuminating floating motes of dust and magic. In that radiant hush, she felt for the first time a true kinship with the forest. We share the same winds, she thought, a soft grin tugging at her lips.

  Though part of her wanted to keep practicing immediately, hunger gnawed at her belly. She licked her lips, recalling that she was still just a foal who needed to eat and drink. There’s so much more to discover, she reminded herself as she moved on, physically drained but emotionally buoyant.

  Before leaving the grove, she cast one last glance over the broken branches and the scattered remains of the wolves. Instead of despair, she felt gratitude—both for her survival and for the spark of wonder that fueled her magic. The day was young, and so was her journey, but already she sensed that each sunrise in Brocéliande would offer new chances to learn, to grow, and to bring herself closer to saving the two unicorns she loved most.

  With that thought warming her heart, Ventania trotted onward, step by careful step, deeper into the ancient forest. Somewhere ahead lay the path that would lead her to the full mastery of her powers—and, she hoped, to the safe return of her parents. For now, though, she welcomed the forest’s mysteries with open curiosity, ready to face whatever challenge came next.