After she had felt the most brutal hunger she had ever felt in her life she downed two plates of warm beef stew and a half loaf of bread. Talon and Elden just watched her as she ate. She had been unconscious for a full day, she had to be hungry, and after her injury and battle. It was intriguing to watch. Her brown hair was tousled in her braid she made before her and Talons travels to Bramhall. She slowed down, and as she looked up she met Elden’s dark eyes. His black hair was pulled back in a knot at the nape of his neck, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face—dark, piercing eyes that seemed to miss nothing, a nose like a blade, and a jawline that could have been carved from stone. The tattoos that traced his neck and disappeared beneath his armor spoke of countless battles and a life lived on the edge of danger.

Aerin found herself captivated, unable to look away. There was something almost otherworldly about him, a blend of danger and allure that made her heart beat a little faster despite the pain in her ribs. He had introduced himself to her earlier as Eleara had looked over her wounds and declared them healed. Almost at least, the cut was deep. Her magic had worked well on the outer layer of her skin, but deep inside it was still healing.

He moved toward her with a grace that belied his muscular frame, each step deliberate and controlled. He knelt beside her, his presence overwhelming in its intensity. “How do you feel?”he said, his voice a deep, soothing rumble

“Better,” Aerin managed, her voice barely a whisper. She could feel the flush creeping up her neck, embarrassed by her own reaction to his nearness. “Thanks to the healer. And…”

Elden’s lips curved into a faint smile, a rare softness breaking through his stern exterior. “I’ve done nothing but ensure you were in capable hands. Your fight and resilience have done the rest.”

Aerin nodded, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that meeting Elden was a turning point. Here was a man of stories and secrets, of strength and sorrow, she had heard of him before and as she looked into his eyes, she felt an inexplicable pull, a desire to uncover the mysteries he carried with him like shadows.

He sat across from her, his eyes never leaving hers.

Aerin tried to focus on the bowl of stew in front of her, but she couldn’t stop her gaze from drifting back to him. Everything about him radiated strength, from the way his shirt clung to his muscular frame to the sharpness of his cheekbones. He was, without a doubt, beautiful—intimidatingly so.

Talon, who had been silent up until now, cleared his throat, clearly less than thrilled with the sudden connection. “We should focus on what’s next. Yaveria isn’t going to wait for us.”

Elden leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking to Talon, a hint of amusement in them. “I’m sure you’ll remind us of that every chance you get.”

Aerin watched the exchange, sensing the tension, though she couldn’t deny the pull Elden had on her. It was hard to look away.

Talon cleared his throat again as he watched them. The air in the room felt thick and pressed. The sudden awkwardness tensed as both Aerin and Elden looked back at him. “Well, Eleara said the storm should settle during the night so we will be able to travel back again tomorrow” Talon spoke as casually as he could during the circumstances in the room. He met Aerins eyes. “What about the assignment?” She asked. How could she think about the assignment after the brutal ambush, the battle that she for the first time in her life endured and got injured from?

Elden rose to his feet and walked towards the fireplace. “It’s postponed, I don't need any help this time, you've helped enough.”

Aerin cleared her throat. Elden was the one who had called for Talon.

The fire crackled softly as the three continued in contemplative silence, the weight of the day's events hanging heavily in the air. The flickering light cast long shadows across the room, accentuating the tired lines on their faces. Aerin winced as she shifted, the pain from her wounds reminding her of the recent battle's brutality.

Talon stood up, stretching his muscles. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow's journey will be long and arduous. Aerin, make sure you’re ready. We need you at full strength."

Elden nodded in agreement. "You both should rest. I'll keep watch tonight." His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed a storm of thoughts.

Aerin wanted to protest, to offer to take a shift, but she knew she was in no shape to argue. "Thank you," she said quietly, feeling an odd mixture of gratitude and unease.

As Talon helped Aerin to her feet, Elden's gaze followed them, lingering on Aerin for a moment longer. "Goodnight," he said softly, more to her than to Talon.

"Goodnight," Aerin replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

They retired to their makeshift sleeping areas, the promise of rest overshadowed by the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Aerin closed her eyes, trying to block out the pain and the confusion that Elden's presence stirred within her. Tomorrow, they would leave Bramhall behind, but tonight, the shadows of their past and the specter of their future haunted their dreams.

As dawn broke, a soft light filtered through the small window, casting gentle shadows across the room. Aerin slowly opened her eyes, the rough wooden floor beneath her offering a stark reminder of their harsh reality. She shifted slightly, feeling the stiffness in her muscles from the uneven surface, but noticed with relief that the sharp pain from her injuries had dulled significantly. Eleara’s treatment and a night of rest had worked wonders.

The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth from the trees outside. Aerin took a deep breath, letting the freshness fill her lungs, a welcome contrast to the stale, smoky air from the previous night's fire. The sound of a light wind singing softly in the distance signaled the beginning of a new day, bringing a sense of calm and renewal.

Talon, already up and moving quietly around the room, was packing their belongings with practiced efficiency. He glanced over and saw her stirring. "How do you feel?" he asked, his voice low and gentle, eyes reflecting a mix of concern and relief.

"Much better," Aerin replied with a faint smile, stretching carefully. "I feel ready to travel again."

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Aerin stared at him for a long moment, the weight of his words offering a small, fragile comfort. But before she could respond, the door creaked open. Elden stepped in, his eyes scanning the room before settling on her.

“Are we leaving or not?” Elden’s voice broke the silence, but his tone was gentle as his gaze lingered on Aerin.

Aerin wiped her face, forcing a small smile. “We’ll be ready soon.”

Talon straightened, crossing his arms as he turned to Elden. “Didn’t realize you were so eager to tag along.”

Elden’s eyes flicked to Talon, a hint of amusement in them. “Figured you could use the company. Or maybe you’re just not used to having someone watch your back.”

Talon narrowed his eyes. “I don’t need anyone watching my back, least of all someone I don’t trust.”

Elden smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “You don’t have to trust me. Just don’t get in my way.”

Aerin sighed, the tension between the two men heavy in the air. “I don’t need both of you at each other’s throats.”

Talon glanced at her, his expression softening slightly before he turned back to Elden. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up like this.”

“And you’ve got a lot of assumptions,” Elden shot back, his voice calm but sharp. “I’m not here for you, Talon. I’m here for her.”

Talon bristled, stepping forward. “Yeah? And what exactly do you want with her?”

Elden didn’t flinch, his eyes steady on Talon’s. “To make sure she doesn’t lose herself. Unlike some people, I’m not here to use her.”

Aerin stood up quickly, her voice cutting through the rising tension. “Enough. Both of you.” She shot Talon a look before turning to Elden. “If you’re coming with us, then you’ll follow our lead.”

Elden’s eyes softened as he looked at her, though a glimmer of something deeper flickered in his gaze. “As you wish.”

Talon muttered under his breath, clearly unconvinced, as they gathered their things to leave the cottage. “This is going to be a long trip.”

Outside, a soft breeze rustled the leaves, and the sky was clearer, cloudy but with pale blue spots stirring around behind, promising better weather for their journey back. Elden, who had kept watch through the night, entered the room with a determined look on his face. "We need to leave soon," he said, his voice steady and calm. "The Shadow Seekers won't be far behind."

Aerin nodded, appreciating the urgency in his voice. It sounded familiar, The Shadow Seekers. Her magic stirred deep in her body, like a reaction towards Elden’s words. She felt so unsure about what he meant but couldn’t comprehend any questions and answers right now.

Despite the lingering strain and the soreness in her body, she felt a strange sense of him being so sure that he was going with them.

Aerin and Talon prepared to leave Bramhall, the tension between Aerin and Elden was palpable. Elden, with his brooding presence and mysterious aura, had somehow woven himself into Aerin's thoughts. She couldn't deny the strange pull she felt towards him, even though she barely knew him. Talon, always pragmatic and cautious, eyed Elden warily.

"Are you sure about this?" Talon asked, adjusting the strap of his pack. His voice was a low growl, thick with mistrust. "We don't know him, Aerin. He could be trouble."

Aerin glanced over at Elden, who stood a few paces away, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The early morning light cast long shadows across his face, deepening the mystery that surrounded him. "I know," she replied softly, her voice almost a whisper. "But I can't shake the feeling that we need him."

As they were about to set off, a piercing scream echoed through the village, freezing them in their tracks. Aerin's heart pounded violently in her chest as she spun around to see a group of villagers running in their direction, their faces contorted with sheer terror.

"They're here!" one of the villagers shouted, his voice breaking with fear. "They've found us!"

Aerin's blood ran cold. The dark, hooded figures with their glowing eyes emerged from the forest, their malevolent presence unmistakable. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she was paralyzed, caught in a torrent of memories she had tried so hard to bury.

Years ago, when she was just a child, these same monsters had descended upon her home. She remembered the night vividly—the screams, the cracking of bones, the suffocating smell of smoke and blood. She had watched helplessly as the Shadow Seekers tore through her family, their relentless, merciless eyes glowing in the dark. Her parents’ final cries for her to run echoed in her mind, mingling with the present cries of terror from the villagers of Bramhall.

The air grew thick with dread as the Shadow Seekers advanced, their purpose clear. They were sent to hunt down anyone with knowledge of ancient magic or artifacts. Bramhall had been peaceful, but the rumors of a hidden artifact had drawn these omens of doom.

Aerin's heart pounded in her chest, a frantic drumbeat of fear and anger. She could feel the old wounds reopening, the raw pain of loss mingling with the urgency of the present threat. Her hands trembled as she gripped her weapon tighter, the weight of her past bearing down on her.

Elden stepped forward, his expression grim and resolute. "We can't fight them here," he said, his voice steady and commanding despite the chaos. "They'll destroy everything."

Talon drew his sword, the metallic hiss sounding almost futile against the overwhelming threat. "We have to protect the villagers," he insisted, though his eyes betrayed the hopelessness of their situation. Aerin knew it was pointless; the Seekers were too powerful. They needed a plan, and they needed it fast.

"We have to lead them away," Elden continued, his intense gaze locking onto Aerin's. "If we can draw them out into the open, we might have a chance to outrun them."

Aerin's mind raced, her thoughts a tumultuous whirl of fear and determination. It was risky, but it was their only option. She turned to Talon, her decision made. "He's right. We can't let them harm these people."

Talon hesitated, his jaw clenched, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright. But if you try anything, Elden, I'll cut you down myself."

Elden smirked, though there was no humor in his eyes. "Understood."

As they moved swiftly through the forest, the sounds of pursuit growing louder behind them, Aerin felt a strange sense of magic stirring in her body, the same from during the last battle. It could sense the danger. She tried to push it down, down as she ran but it was almost as if the magic overflowed and seeped out through her skin. The forest on this part of the mountain was dense and dark, the shadows deepening as the sun climbed higher, casting an eerie light on their desperate flight. Elden was more than he seemed, and she had a feeling that their fates were intertwined in ways she couldn't yet understand. He felt so familiar to her.

They reached a clearing, the sudden openness a stark contrast to the claustrophobic woods. Elden suddenly stopped, turning to face the approaching Seekers. His silhouette was a dark, resolute figure against the morning light. One of them had to stay back. They wouldn’t take it. "Go," he urged the others, his voice firm and unyielding. "I'll hold them off."

"No!" Aerin protested, her voice breaking with emotion. "We need you."

Elden's eyes softened for a brief moment, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability in his hardened gaze. "I'll find you," he promised, his words heavy with unspoken meaning. "Now go!"

With no time to argue, Aerin and Talon sprinted down, down and down the mountain, the shouts and clashes of battle echoing in their ears. The snowy grounds seemed to close in around them, the trees whispering ominously as they fled. Aerin couldn't help but look back, her heart aching with fear. Elden had bought them time, but at what cost?

“Keep running,” he shouted after them, his firm, “Get her to Yaveria. I’ll catch up.”

Talon didn’t hesitate, grabbing Aerin’s arm and pulling her forward. “Let’s go.”

The forest blurred around them as they ran, the leaves crunching beneath their boots. The sound of the Shadow Seekers closing in sent a chill down Aerin’s spine. She glanced back over her shoulder, just in time to see Elden, his sword drawn, stepping into the shadows. He faced the dark figures with a deadly calm, the moonlight catching the edge of his blade as he disappeared into the night.

“Elden!” Aerin called, but Talon yanked her forward, his grip unyielding.

“Don’t look back. He knows what he’s doing.”

The trees pressed in on them, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The forest floor was uneven, roots twisting beneath their feet, making it harder to move quickly. The wind howled through the treetops, carrying with it the faint whispers of the Shadow Seekers.

The reality of their peril sank deep into her bones. Only time would tell if they would see him again. But for now, they had to survive, and Elden had earned his place in their journey, whether Talon liked it or not.

Aerin’s breath came in short gasps as they sprinted through the forest, her legs burning with effort. She could hear the eerie wails of the creatures behind them, could feel the unnatural coldness that followed in their wake.

“We’re almost there,” Talon muttered, though Aerin wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.

Suddenly, a shriek pierced the night—a sound so chilling, it stopped Aerin in her tracks. She turned, her heart hammering in her chest, but Talon yanked her back.

“We don’t have time for this!” he snapped, his eyes fierce. “Keep running!”

Reluctantly, she obeyed, her mind still on Elden, left behind to face whatever horrors the forest held.