The forest stretched endlessly before them, a seemingly unending path of twisted trees and gnarled roots. The air was thick with humidity, clinging to Aerin’s skin like a damp cloak. Each step felt heavier than the last, her body aching from the effort. The journey back to Yaveria was a blur of urgency and exhaustion. Every rustle in the underbrush, every snap of a twig set their nerves on edge, the memory of the Shadow Seekers’ malevolent eyes haunting their every step.
Talon walked a few paces ahead, his strides steady and purposeful despite the fatigue they both carried. Aerin, on the other hand, was struggling. Her wounds still throbbed beneath the layers of hastily wrapped bandages, and the healing she’d received in Bramhall had only done so much after all this running.
“Can’t you slow down for five minutes?” she snapped, her voice sharper than intended.
Talon didn’t stop. “If we slow down, we’ll lose daylight. We’re not far.”
Aerin rolled her eyes, though the movement made her head swim. “I don’t care about daylight. I care about not collapsing right here.”
Talon glanced back, an eyebrow raised. “If you collapse, I’ll just carry you.”
Aerin scoffed. “I don’t need you to carry me, Talon. I’m not a helpless child.”
“Could’ve fooled me with the way you’re dragging your feet,” Talon shot back, his tone dry but with a hint of concern that he tried to mask.
She glared at him, ignoring the heat rising in her chest. “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to have a little empathy. I’m not exactly at my best here.”
Talon finally stopped, turning to face her. “I know you’re not. But we don’t have time for breaks. The faster we get back to Yaveria, the sooner you can rest.”
Aerin huffed, leaning against a tree for support. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re stubborn,” Talon replied, though his expression softened slightly. “But that’s why we’re both still standing.”
Aerin shot him a tired look. “Barely.”
By the time they reached the outskirts of Yaveria, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows across the landscape. When they peered back all they could see was a dark mist filling the gaps between the mountains and the trees. The snow was far gone and the warm breeze touched their skin. The river and the bridge before them. The familiar sight of the village, normally a beacon of comfort, was now tinged with a sense of foreboding. Aerin felt her fatigue flow through her body. She struggled the last bit over the bridge before her legs gave out and she had to lean on one of the posts for the bridge.
Talon sat down beside her, his breath still scattered and uneven. Though his strong physique this travel down was more than even he could handle. “How are you?” he asked Aerin, She had to be exhausted, in pain and she had looked so scared up there. Did she see something in the Shadow Seekers? It looked like she knew, Talon thought to himself. The truth would eventually come forward in time.
“I’m fine” She answered with a short, low tone, and they started walking again, back to Yaveria.
Talon and Aerin made their way through the narrow, winding streets, their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming night flowers, but neither took any solace in it. Aerin walked with heavy feet, her shoes dragged over the small gravel on the ground. She had walked this path hundreds of times before, she could do it blindfolded. They needed to find safety and regroup. They needed to go to the main square of Yaveria. To Mara.
Mara’s apartment was their safest choice for now. The warm glow from her windows was a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped them. Talon knocked on the door with a series of urgent, deliberate taps. After a moment, the door creaked open, and Mara's thin, sharp and concerned eyes took them in.
“Talon, Aerin,” she breathed, stepping aside to let them in. “What happened?”
The interior of Mara's home was a haven of warmth and light. The smell of herbs and freshly brewed tea filled the air, momentarily soothing their frayed nerves. They settled into the worn but comfortable chairs by the round table in the center of the room, the flickering flames from the fireplace casting a gentle light over their weary faces.
Aerin was the first to speak, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay composed. “We were in Bramhall. The Shadow Seekers found us.”
Mara's face paled, her eyes widening with fear and understanding. “The Shadow Seekers? Here, in our lands?”
She took her kettle and poured each of them a cup of tea. “The shadows of the past have a way of finding us, no matter how far we run.” She said as she placed the cups on the table.
Talon nodded grimly, his hands clenched tightly together. “We barely escaped. Elden stayed behind to buy us time.”
The mention of Elden brought a flicker of confusion to Mara's eyes. “Elden? Who is he?”
Aerin’s mind raced back to the intense moments they had shared with Elden—the uncertainty, the strange pull she felt towards him, and his final act of sacrifice. “He’s... a mystery,” she said softly. “He appeared out of nowhere after our first battle, saved us, and then... he stayed to fight the Seekers. I don’t know if he survived.”
Mara’s gaze softened, a mix of sorrow and sympathy in her eyes. “You’ve been through so much. Sometimes, the bravest heart is the one that beats in the shadows, unseen yet unwavering” She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Aerin's. “But you’re safe now.”
Talon leaned back in his chair, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He couldn’t shake the image of Elden standing resolutely against the oncoming darkness. There was a part of him that hated the man for his mysteriousness, but another part that grudgingly admired his bravery. “We need to prepare,” he said, his voice resolute. “The Seekers won’t stop. They’ll come for Yaveria next.”
Aerin felt a deep sense of dread settling in her chest. The home she had grown up in, the people she loved, they were killed by these creatures. Now we're all in danger, once again. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders. She had to protect them, no matter the cost.
Mara stood up, moving to a nearby cabinet filled with jars and vials. She began to pull out various herbs and ingredients, her movements purposeful and precise. “We’ll need more than just physical defenses,” she said, her tone determined. “The Seekers are creatures of darkness. We’ll need magic to fight them.”
Aerin watched as Mara worked, her mind flashing back to the night her family was taken. The same creatures, the same malevolent eyes. A cold shiver ran down her spine, but she forced herself to stay focused. She couldn’t afford to fall apart now.
Talon’s eyes followed Mara’s movements, a question forming on his lips. “Mara, do you think we stand a chance? Against them?”
Mara paused, turning to face him. Her eyes were filled with a fierce, unyielding light. “We have to believe we do,” she said firmly. “Hope is our greatest weapon. Without it, we’ve already lost.”
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The road ahead was fraught with danger, but they weren’t alone. They had each other, and they had the will to fight. Her magic stirred inside her once again. They would prepare. They would fight. And they would do whatever it took to protect their home and their people.
The warmth of Mara’s apartment provided a stark contrast to the chill that still clung to Aerin’s bones. As they settled and talked by the table, Aerin could no longer contain the storm of emotions and revelations brewing within her. She took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she began to speak.
“Mara, something happened during the battle in Bramhall,” Aerin said, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames. “My magic... it erupted. I’ve always felt it brewing beneath the surface, but this time, it was uncontrollable. The healer, Eleara, said it felt like old magic, something ancient but she didn’t know where it was from.”
Mara listened intently, her sharp eyes narrowing full of concern “Old magic, you say?” she repeated, her tone carefully neutral. “Tell me more.”
Aerin hesitated, glancing at Talon before continuing. “It was during the ambush. The attackers had us cornered, and I thought we were done for. But then, I felt this surge, like fire and ice coursing through my veins. It was overwhelming. I... I hurt some of them, but I couldn’t control it. Eleara said it was familiar, like magic from long ago.”
Mara’s face remained composed, but inside, her mind raced. Could it be that the Shadow Seekers were after Aerin herself, drawn by this ancient power she harbored? She had felt her magic during their training before. It was very weak but there was something different about it. The thought weighed heavily on her, a burden she wasn’t sure how to share with Aerin without breaking her spirit.
As the silence stretched, Aerin looked down, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know what to do, Mara. This power... it scares me.”
Mara reached out, placing a comforting hand on Aerin’s shoulder. “Magic is a gift, but it is also a responsibility,” she said softly. “The fact that you are afraid shows that you respect its power. We will figure this out together.”
“You two look like death warmed over,” she said, her voice gentle but with the usual sharpness beneath.
Aerin sank into a chair by the table, too tired to respond with her usual sarcasm. Talon slumped against the wall, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I’ve got food,” Mara said, moving gracefully around the small apartment as she set out bread, cheese, and a warm stew that filled the room with the comforting aroma of spices. “Eat first, then rest.”
Aerin’s stomach finally growled despite her exhaustion. She reached for the bread but winced, the movement sending a sharp pain through her side.
Mara was by her side in an instant, setting a small vial in front of her. “This should help with the pain. It’s a stronger blend than what you had before.”
Aerin eyed the vial warily. “What’s in it?”
Mara smiled, her expression softening in that way it always did when she was about to explain something in great detail. “A mix of Thalindrian root, celandine, and a few other herbs. It’ll help your body heal faster and ease the fatigue.”
Talon, already halfway through his bowl of stew, raised an eyebrow. “Give her the whole thing. She needs it more than I do.”
Mara shot him a look. “You’ll get yours too, Talon. I don’t need you passing out on my floor.”
Aerin took the vial and uncorked it, the bitter scent of herbs filling her nose. She hesitated for a moment before downing it in one gulp, grimacing at the taste. Almost immediately, warmth spread through her, soothing the worst of her aches.
Mara handed another vial to Talon, who took it with a nod of thanks, though his eyes remained on Aerin, watching her closely.
“Rest here tonight,” Mara said, pulling a blanket from the bed and draping it over Aerin’s shoulders. “You’ve both pushed yourselves too far.”
Aerin leaned back in the chair, the warmth of the potion lulling her into a much-needed sense of calm. “Thanks, Mara,” she muttered, her eyelids already drooping.
Later, when Aerin had gone to rest in Mara’s bedroom, Mara motioned for Talon to follow her out to the garden. The walls of the house seemed to close in around them, the air thick with unspoken worries. Talon watched her closely, sensing the gravity of what she was about to say. The garden smelled of herbs and spices, filling the air around them. The darkness of the night hung over them like a thick heavy blanket.
“Mara, what is it?” he asked, his voice low and tense.
Mara straightened her body, took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on a distant point. “I didn’t want to alarm Aerin, but her magic... I fear it may be the reason the Shadow Seekers are here.”
Talon’s eyes widened in shock. “What do you mean?” The air thickened and it felt like the sky fell lower and lower above them.
Mara sighed, her expression heavy with the weight of her thoughts. “Old magic, the kind that Aerin described, is incredibly rare and powerful. It’s the kind of power that the Shadow Seekers are drawn to, the kind they would do anything to possess or destroy. If they sense it in Aerin, then she is in grave danger. They won’t stop until they’ve captured her, or worse.”
Talon clenched his fists, a mix of fear and anger surging through him. Mara never spoke this casually, she always had a poetic sound to her words. “We have to protect her. But how can we fight something like that? How can we keep her safe when they’re so relentless?”
Mara shook her head slowly, the hopelessness of their situation sinking in. “I don’t know, Talon. All we can do is prepare and stay vigilant. We must keep this between us for now. Aerin is already carrying so much. If she knew the full extent of the danger...”
Talon nodded, his jaw set with determination. “We’ll find a way. We have to. But i don't want to keep this from her for too long”
Aerin stirred from her rest, the tendrils of sleep slipping away as a sense of unease settled over her. The soft murmur of voices reached her ears, drifting in through the open window. She recognized the voices immediately—Talon and Mara. They had stepped outside, clearly discussing something they didn’t want her to hear. Her heart tightened with dread.
Quietly, Aerin rose from her bed and moved to the window, careful not to make any noise. She strained to catch their words, but the thick walls and the distance made it impossible. She could see their silhouettes in the moonlight, their gestures animated and their expressions serious.
Her mind raced with possibilities. Why were they keeping secrets? What was so important that it had to be discussed away from her ears? The thought that it could be something about her magic, or the danger they were in, made her stomach churn.
Unable to stand the suspense any longer, she stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against her skin. Talon and Mara turned to face her, surprise and guilt flashing in their eyes.
“Aerin,” Talon began, his voice trying to sound casual but failing to hide the tension. “You should be resting.”
Aerin crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “What are you two talking about that you couldn’t say in front of me?”
Mara’s face softened, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. “We were just discussing... preparations. How to keep everyone safe.”
Aerin’s gaze shifted between them, sensing their unease. “You’re lying,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “I know it’s about me. I heard you mention the Shadow Seekers before I fell asleep. Why won’t you tell me the truth?”
Talon sighed, running a hand through his blond tousled hair. “Aerin, it’s not that simple. There are things we’re still trying to understand ourselves.”
Aerin’s frustration boiled over, her fear and uncertainty fueling her anger. “This is about my magic, isn’t it? You think they’re after me.” She could feel it on the mountain, in the healer’s cottage, when they ambushed the village. Her magic almost boiled over at the sight of them. They seeked out her.
Mara stepped forward, her hands outstretched in a placating gesture. “Aerin, please, we’re just trying to protect you. We don’t have all the answers yet, and we don’t want to worry you more than necessary.”
Aerin shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m already worried, Mara. Keeping me in the dark isn’t helping. I need to know what I’m facing.”
Talon looked at Mara, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, he turned back to Aerin, his expression weary. “Mara said she suspected that your magic might be the reason the Shadow Seekers came,” he admitted reluctantly. “But we don’t know for sure. We didn’t want to tell you until we had more information.”
Aerin’s shoulders slumped, the weight of their words settling heavily on her. “So it is my fault,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“No, Aerin,” Mara said firmly, stepping closer and placing both hands on her shoulders. “This is not your fault. Your magic is a part of you, and it’s something we need to understand and protect. But we didn’t want to overwhelm you with possibilities without facts.”
Aerin took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “I understand why you wanted to protect me, but I need to be part of this. I can’t fight what I don’t know.”
Talon nodded, his expression earnest. “You’re right. We’ll figure this out together, but we need to be careful. The Shadow Seekers are relentless, and we can’t afford to make mistakes.”
Mara squeezed Aerin’s shoulders gently. “We’ll tell you everything we know, but please trust that we’re doing this to keep you safe.”
Aerin looked between them, the fear and anger slowly giving away. “I trust you both. Just don’t leave me out again. I need to be ready for whatever comes.”
Talon smiled faintly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “We promise.”
Mara looked up at the clear night’s sky. Her Eyes gazed over the stars. “Fear is the night that cloaks us, but courage is the dawn that breaks it.”
As they stood together in the moonlight, the night air cool around them, Aerin felt a renewed sense of resolve. There were still many uncertainties ahead, but at least now, they would face them together.
As they returned to the main room, the fire’s glow seemed dimmer even though it was powered from Mara’s magic, the shadows longer and more menacing. The weight of their reality pressed down on all of them, the uncertainty of the future a constant, oppressive presence.
Mara’s heart ached for Aerin, for the burden she bore. The path ahead was shrouded in darkness, and the light of hope seemed distant and faint.