Hello my faithful readers! I have a new story that I want to put out! I will keep updating the other two stories as well but I am really excited to get this one out there!

Disclaimer: I don't own DND but this story, the characters in it, and the plot are completely mine.

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

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Prologue

It's nights like this that make me feel so alone. The calm tranquility seems to breathe life into this forest, the kind of life that doesn't get to show itself when humans are around. This little cottage, the one from my childhood, up in the mountains seems to be drawing me in. Its captivating beauty, rivaled only by that which surrounds us, keeps me entranced enough to not want to leave this little slice of peace. Though this may not be bound to me by blood right, the neglected nature of this place calls to me in a way that nothing ever has. The previous caretaker, that faceless man from my dreams that I can't seem to recall, has long since left, the aura of sadness as tangible as smoke. I take in a deep breath, my hand stitched luggage bag hanging off my right arm like a purse as the hand-me-down beaded bag hangs off my left. I take a quiet step forward but still as a presence washes over me, the feeling of eyes on me has goosebumps trailing up my arms. The eyes of a lost soul, enticed to come closer but weary of the consequences. I shake off the odd feeling and force my legs to take another step closer to the cottage, my conscience not letting me forget the soul behind me as I reach the few broken stairs that lead up to the front door.

I stop at the bottom, the feeling of peace is once again washing over me, the image of that same faceless person taking the steps carefully as if cherishing their purpose. I can see them lovingly stroking the railing, their hand gently caressing the wood as they take each step with care until they reach the porch. I can see them sitting down in the creaky white wood swing that seems to withstand time itself as they carefully rock back and forth with contentment. The images fade away as I take the first step up, the wood groaning as if in greeting as it seems to lift me up to the next one in its eagerness. I lay my hand upon the wood gently, relishing in the beautiful stained pattern that reminds me of times long passed. As I take another step up, the step below seems to reshape and straighten as I lift my foot off of it, the railing growing with color as my hand trails up the wood slowly. I take the final step up and turn to look down at the now pristine set of stairs, a small smile slowly forming on my face as color washes up the stairs and across the porch.

This is the part that I have always loved about what I am and where I came from. The perks of living this way outweigh any problems that I might have had with parents that never quite understand why things happened the way they did. Part of me wishes that I would have been able to know the real parents, the ones that gave me this gift and my life but unexpected twists in life have a way of keeping that knowledge to itself.

I look up slightly and catch sight of big, baleful yellow eyes staring at me in confusion, hidden in the quiet darkness just on the edges of the property. The silent shift of the air tells me that the property is protected and yet the stare doesn't foster fear in the face of the unknown. I turn back around, satisfied with the new face of the cottage and walk across the maple wood to the stained glass door. I reach my hand into my pocket, the cottage keys jingling with excitement as I pull them out and insert the proper key into the lock, turning it with love as the door clicks open.

This is the moment that has been occupying my dreams, my shadow taking the same path up the steps only to disappear right after the door opens. I remember every detail of this place vividly, the whispers of memories long past caress my senses as the foyer of the cottage is finally revealed. Shadows of times before play out in front of me as I scan my emerald eyes around the spacious mahogany room. My body drifts forward almost as in a trance as I take in all the good and bad memories that took place at this cottage.

My adoptive family wasn't perfect, the simple peace that came with living a decent life was never lost on me as I never wanted for anything, even after I realized what I am and knew what I was capable of. They never loved me any less, even when I accidentally took down that giant tree in my frustration.

I shake off the memories and step further into the cabin, walking through the open floor plan to the kitchen. I silently flick on the light, blinking for a moment as my eyes adjust to the sudden intrusion. My eyes scan the black and gray theme as my hands absent-mindedly stroke the smooth counter and wood. With a simple flick wrist, all the cabinet doors are open and the items within are floating in the air before me.

The beautiful hand painted China that my mother kept for special occasions that never came are the first to be set aside as a box materializes next to me. I sort the items in the kitchen for a while, carefully placing the china in a separate box so they don't get broken. Time passes peacefully as I move through the kitchen and as I tape up the last box, a quiet knock comes from the front door and it snaps me out of my revere. I turn my head in the direction of the front door and I can feel an intense power pressing down on me from outside. I glide through the door to the kitchen and out into the foyer, stopping just in front of the door and slowly raise my hand to grib the door knob. Taking a steady breath, I swing the door open and the person standing in front of me draws a sharp breath from my lungs as tears gather in the corners of my eyes. He stands on the porch, his ripped jeans showing hints of skin and his bare chest showcasing the scars that he bears, ones that I am all too familiar with.

I raise my hand to cover my mouth as my tears slowly start trickling down my cheeks as I trail my eyes up to finally look at his face. The dirt and blood that covers his face leaves me unfazed as I take in his tussled hair and those deep brown eyes that have always drawn me in. My heart start beating rapidly as I reach out the hand previously covering my mouth and gently touch his face, the feeling of his skin almost as unreal as it should be for him to be standing in front of me.

A single, strangled word comes out of my mouth as I place my hand fully on his face. "J-Jacob?"

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Hey guys! I have this story already partly written and I wanted to get it out there and see what you guys think? Please let me know! Until next time!

HL