In the faraway kingdom of Swenledia, where crystal rivers sang and the mountains whispered secrets to the wind, there lived a girl named Lucia. Though the land sparkled
with life, her own heart carried a shadow. She often felt like a wanderer in her own home—friendless, shy, and trembling in the presence of strangers. Her father worried for her, but he never knew the truth that darkened her days.
For hidden behind closed doors was her mother, Racheal, whose cruelty toward Lucia seemed less like anger and more like a twisted pastime. Every harsh word and unkind act became a secret Lucia buried deep within, shielding her father out of love—and out of fear of what might happen if the truth ever surfaced.
As the years passed, the weight of loneliness made her feel as though the world itself had turned against her. But fate, like the stars above Swenledia, had been watching all along. And destiny, silent and patient, was preparing to unravel a story far greater than the sorrow she had known.
Lucia, on an errand for her mother, walks through a lonely street when her eyes catch an old, rusty shop she had never noticed before. The sign above the crooked door read: "Fortune Teller." Her curiosity grows heavy on her heart, and for reasons she cannot explain, her feet draw her closer.
Inside, the air is thick with incense, and the dim room glows with the light of a single candle. An old woman, cloaked in deep purple, lifts her head slowly, her eyes sharp yet kind.
FORTUNE TELLER: Welcome, dear child. I have been waiting for you. Come, have a seat.
LUCIA: {shocked, hesitates before sitting down} W-wait… how can you say you've been waiting for me when I don't even know who you are?
FORTUNE TELLER: Because, Lucia, I knew your parents, long before they died. And I was placed on this path to reveal to you what is yet to come.
LUCIA: {startled} My parents are not dead! They are alive and well. Surely, you have mistaken me for someone else. And what path are you talking about?
FORTUNE TELLER: {leans closer, voice low and heavy} My child, you are strong…far stronger than you realize. Yet you know so little of who you truly are. The Moon Goddess has already marked you. Your destiny is woven into powers that still sleep within you powers that will awaken when the time comes.
LUCIA: {voice trembling, shifting nervously in her seat} Powers? Destiny? I don't understand. I'm just seventeen. The only future I care about is getting into a good university and making my parents proud. That is all.
FORTUNE TELLER: {smiles faintly} Fear not, daughter. You will gain that admission you hope for. But know this, it is not just school that awaits you. It is there that you will meet your mate, the one tied to your fate.
LUCIA: {scared, pushes the chair back and rises to leave} I—I'm sorry. This is too strange. I have to go. My mother will be waiting for me.
FORTUNE TELLER: {suddenly raises her voice} Wait! This is only the beginning. Dangers will soon surround you. Take heed—never push away those closest to you, for they are the key to your survival.
{Lucia freezes as the fortune teller's eyes glow faintly under the candlelight. The woman speaks with a thunder in her voice that chills the room.}
FORTUNE TELLER: Hear me, child! "THUNDEROUS IS COMING FOR YOU, LUCIA."
{Lucia gasps, terrified, and bolts from the shop, running as fast as her legs can carry her. The words echo in her head as though the air itself repeats them. By the time she reaches home, she bursts inside, heart racing as if someone is chasing her.}
MOTHER: {frowns deeply} Lucia! What is this madness? Who is after you?
LUCIA: {panting, struggling to catch her breath} N-no one, mother… I'm fine...Really...I'm fine
MOTHER: Then why run into this house as though demons chased you?
LUCIA: {forces a shaky smile} It's nothing, mother. Please, don't worry.
MOTHER: Hm. If you say so. {glances at her hands} But tell me—where are the things I sent you to buy? I see nothing with you.
LUCIA: {realizes, eyes widen in fear, drops to her knees, stammering} Mo…ther… I—I'm very sorry, I for… forgot—
MOTHER: {angrily cuts her off} Forgot? After two hours? {claps her hands mockingly} Ah! I see. So you were out with a boyfriend, eh? A man in this kingdom?
{shouts toward the back} Michelle!
MICHELLE: {from his room} Yes, ma!
LUCIA: {tears welling up, pleading} No, mother, please! I can still go back and get the things you asked for—
MOTHER: {slaps her hard across the face} Foolish girl! I should send you out again so you can run back to your boyfriend, eh? {turns sharply as Michelle enters} Lock her in the dark room. Take her phone, and go buy what I need yourself.
MICHELLE: Yes, ma. {grabs Lucia by the arm}
LUCIA: {screaming, tears streaming} No! Mother, please! Not the dark room! Please, I beg you—Michelle, you know I hate that place, please!
MICHELLE: {coldly drags her, unlocking the door to the dreaded room} Then maybe next time you'll learn. {snatches her phone from her trembling hands} Give it here.
LUCIA: {sobbing} Please, Michelle… please…
MICHELLE: {shoves her inside and slams the door} Shut up! {locks it tight}
{Lucia screams and bangs on the door, but no one listens. Darkness surrounds her, thick and suffocating. With no food, no light, and fear clawing at her chest, she curls into a ball and cries bitterly through the long, merciless night. And in the silence, the words of the fortune teller return to haunt her: "THUNDEROUS IS COMING FOR YOU, LUCIA...")