The morning after their encounter in the forest, Aria woke up feeling excited. Her dreams had been filled with bright images—grand halls with fancy decorations, magical beings, and a strange, old symbol. The pendant around her neck had felt warm as she slept, making her eager to find out more about it.

She got up early, her mind already busy thinking about the glowing flowers and the dreams they had brought. As she went downstairs to the bakery, she saw her adoptive parents getting ready for the day. The kitchen smelled of freshly baked bread, but Aria's thoughts were elsewhere.

"Good morning, dear," her mother greeted her with a warm smile. "How did you sleep?"

Aria forced a smile, trying to hide her inner worries. "Good morning. I slept well, thank you. I'm just going to head into the village for a bit. There's something I need to do."

Her parents exchanged a knowing glance but didn't ask her more questions. Aria had always been a curious and thoughtful girl, and they had learned to give her space when she seemed deep in thought.

As she walked through the village, Aria couldn't stop thinking about the symbol she had seen. She felt like it was the key to understanding her powers and the mysterious pendant. Her thoughts were interrupted by Mira waiting for her near the edge of the village, her face glowing with excitement.

"Aria, there you are!" Mira called, waving happily. "I've been looking for you. We need to talk."

Aria joined her friend, and together they walked towards the edge of the village, heading towards the forest. "What's up, Mira? Did something happen?"

"I think I found something that could help us," Mira said, her eyes sparkling. "I was exploring the old library in the village archives yesterday. I came across some old books that might be related to your pendant."

Aria's heart skipped a beat. "Really? That's amazing! Let's go see them."

The old library was a small building between the village hall and the general store. Inside, it was dimly lit, with shelves full of dusty books and papers. Mira led Aria to a quiet corner where some ancient books lay on a wooden table.

"This is what I found," Mira said, pulling out an old, leather-bound book. The cover had a symbol that caught Aria's attention. It was the same symbol she had seen in her dreams—an intricate design that seemed to glow faintly.

Aria's fingers shook as she reached for the book. "This symbol... it's the same as the one on my pendant."

Mira nodded, looking serious. "I thought it might be. The book mentions an ancient prophecy and a powerful artifact connected to the symbol. It talks about a guardian chosen by fate, someone who can unlock great power and restore balance to a world in trouble."

Aria's breath caught in her throat. "A guardian? That sounds... like something out of a fairy tale."

"Maybe," Mira said, flipping through the pages. "But there's more. The book says the artifact can connect with other realms. It mentions visions and dreams guiding the guardian towards their destiny."

Aria's mind raced. The glowing flowers, the pendant, the dreams—they all seemed to match what the book described. "Could it be that my powers and the pendant are connected to this prophecy?"

"Possibly," Mira replied. "But we need to know more. The book has some clues about where to find more information. It talks about old ruins, somewhere deep in the forest. It could be important."

Aria felt a surge of determination. "Then we need to go there. It might help us understand everything."

The two friends spent the rest of the morning getting ready for their trip. They packed supplies and told Aria's parents they'd be out for the day. By midday, they were on their way to the forest, excited despite not knowing what lay ahead.

As they walked deeper into the woods, Aria was on high alert. The forest was dense and full of sounds. The air smelled of pine and fallen leaves. Aria felt a pull, like something was guiding them.

After hours of hiking, they reached a clearing surrounded by tall trees. In the center stood the ruins of an old stone building, covered in moss and ivy. The place felt ancient, and Aria couldn't shake the feeling that she had been here before.

"This must be the place," Mira said, her voice filled with wonder.

Aria approached the ruins, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. She touched one of the stone walls, and a strange feeling washed over her. It was as if the stones were alive, buzzing with hidden energy.

Suddenly, the pendant around her neck began to glow brightly. Aria felt a rush of visions—scenes from her childhood, moments she had almost forgotten. She saw herself as a small child, her powers showing up in unexpected ways.

In one vision, young Aria was in the bakery, surrounded by flour and dough. She had accidentally made the dough rise uncontrollably, creating a mess that left her adoptive parents confused but amused. In another vision, she was playing in the garden, making flowers bloom with a touch and making plants grow quickly.

These memories came with a sense of wonder and fear, as if the powers she had once struggled to understand were starting to show their true nature. The visions grew stronger, showing glimpses of her birth parents—faces she had never seen but somehow knew.

Mira watched in amazement as Aria's pendant shone brightly, lighting up the area around them. "Aria, what's happening?"

Aria's eyes filled with tears as the visions ended. She turned to Mira, her voice shaking. "I think... I think I'm starting to remember. These powers, they're not just random—they're part of something bigger. My birth parents, they were connected to this prophecy."

Mira put a comforting hand on Aria's shoulder. "We're on the right path, then. This place, the pendant, the visions—it's all leading us somewhere. We just need to keep going."

With new determination, Aria and Mira began to explore the ruins, looking for clues about the ancient prophecy and Aria's true heritage. As they went deeper, they couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was just beginning—a journey that would uncover the mysteries of Aria's past and lead to an extraordinary future.

A/N: I'd like to conduct a small experiment. If you could kindly share in the comments the time that works best for you to read my book, along with where you're from, it would really help me determine the best time to publish. Thank you so much!