The world was full of horrors—Mavki, Rusalki, Leshii, Koschei. Restless spirits and monsters roamed freely, preying on the living. Only the "marked ones" of Mara and Moroka stood between humanity and the dark.

Maras were girls marked by Morana, goddess of Death, at age ten. They saw the threads of life and could pacify spirits or strike bargains. Taken by older Maras for training, they were both revered and feared, walking under Morana’s shadow.

Moroki—boys gifted with the power to control shadows—could sever souls so completely they would never reincarnate. Their abilities were rare and feared, but they came at a great personal cost.

The Maras, once protectors of balance, fell victim to politics and fear. Accusations grew, rumors spread, and hatred consumed them. Slowly, they vanished. No more girls were marked, and with their absence came chaos. Humanity soon realized its mistake when no one was left to guard against the darkness.

Two centuries later. Ghost had grown used to his new identity. Moroki appeared sporadically now, their powers unpredictable. Ghost had mastered his shadows, but he never intended to fight monsters. Humans, he believed, were the real danger.

Wandering through his favorite forest, he sensed it—a creature lurking nearby. His hand moved instinctively to summon his shadows, ready to strike. But then he heard a voice.

A woman sat nearby, speaking calmly to the creature. She wasn’t pleading but bargaining, her tone commanding yet soothing.

A Mara? Ghost’s mind reeled.

"Miss, step back. It’s not safe," he warned, his voice firm. The woman turned, startled.

"I know," she said. "But it listens to me."

She had no idea who she was or the power she carried. Ghost couldn’t tell if her presence was a blessing or a curse.