Kaelen’s words hung in the air, heavy with urgency. He had already begun moving, grabbing his sword and securing his pack, all while his mind raced. Whatever Nessa had seen, it wasn’t something they could ignore. Not anymore.

Nessa, her face pale from fear, was already packing her own things with quick, precise movements. Kaelen turned toward the fire where the remnants of their meal still smoldered. It felt wrong—like they should be running, not resting, not waiting. He didn’t like it. They didn’t have the luxury of time anymore.

It wasn’t long before Sigrid returned, her figure cutting through the trees like a shadow. She was silent, her eyes scanning the area with the same cautious precision she always carried. But when she reached the camp, she paused, seeing the tension that had overtaken the once-calm surroundings.

“What’s going on?” Her voice was sharp, demanding.

“Nessa saw something,” Kaelen said, not bothering with pleasantries. “Something’s coming, and it’s not good. We’re moving out.”

Sigrid didn’t question it, just gave a quick nod and began gathering her things with the same efficiency she applied to everything else. But Kaelen could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. They all felt it—the same gnawing feeling that there was something out there, waiting.

“Do you have any idea what it is?” Sigrid asked as she strapped her gear on, her eyes narrowing in the direction Nessa had come from.

“I don’t know,” Kaelen replied, his voice grim. “But whatever it is, Nessa's not seeing it clearly. And that means it's not just a beast.”

They packed in silence for a few more moments, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them like a storm cloud about to burst. Kaelen’s eyes flicked to Nessa, still standing by the fire, her expression distant, haunted.

“You good?” Kaelen asked her.

Nessa didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she looked into the fire, almost as if searching for something. Her voice, when it came, was quieter than usual, tinged with an almost hollow emotion.

“I think I saw it. Whatever it is, it’s not just a shadow or a monster. It’s... different. And it’s close.”

Kaelen cursed under his breath, grabbing his blade. He hated this feeling—the feeling of being blindfolded in the face of danger. But he had no time to dwell on it. He gestured for the group to move out.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

As they began their trek forward, the forest seemed to close in around them. The air was thick, damp, and the trees loomed like silent sentinels, their gnarled branches stretching like claws overhead. The further they ventured, the more Kaelen’s senses sharpened. Every rustling leaf, every snap of a twig beneath their feet felt amplified, as though the world itself was holding its breath.

Nessa’s movements were faster now, more erratic, and Kaelen noticed that her eyes kept darting back over her shoulder. He wasn’t sure if it was the visions that kept her on edge or something more, but there was definitely a change in her demeanor. Even Sigrid, who usually moved with ice-cold confidence, kept looking to the shadows around them, her hand close to the hilt of her weapon.

They walked for hours, the silence between them deepening. There was no sign of whatever Nessa had sensed, but Kaelen could feel the tension in the air—thick and suffocating. The hair on the back of his neck prickled with the unsettling certainty that something was coming.

Finally, Nessa stopped. “We’re close. It’s almost here.”

Kaelen turned sharply toward her. “How do you know?”

“I feel it,” she said, her voice quiet but firm. “The energy... the way the air shifts. It’s different. It’s not like anything I’ve sensed before.”

Kaelen motioned for the group to stop. They were in a small clearing now, a few sparse trees dotting the landscape. The only sounds were the occasional whisper of wind and the distant call of night birds. But the stillness felt wrong—like the calm before a storm.

“Stay alert,” Kaelen muttered, as they spread out slightly. His grip tightened on his sword, eyes scanning the tree line. The darkness seemed to stretch forever, swallowing the light.

And then, there was a noise—a low, guttural growl that came from somewhere deep in the shadows. It was followed by the sound of movement, something massive stirring in the underbrush.

Kaelen’s heart rate spiked. “Get ready,” he whispered to the others, his voice barely audible over the tension that crackled in the air.

The growl grew louder, closer, and then—suddenly—out of the darkness, something emerged.

It was unlike any beast Kaelen had encountered. It was a creature of shadows and nightmares, its body a twisted amalgamation of sharp, jagged edges. Its eyes were glowing, a deep crimson that cut through the dark like burning coals. The air around it rippled, as if the very fabric of reality was bending to its presence.

Kaelen felt his blood run cold. He had no idea what it was, but he could feel the power radiating off it. This wasn’t just a monster. It was something much worse.

“Take cover!” Kaelen shouted, pushing Sigrid and Nessa back into the trees. But they were too late. The creature lunged, its claws slashing through the air in a blur of motion.

Kaelen was the first to react. He charged forward, his body moving on pure instinct as he closed the distance. But as he swung his blade at the beast, it seemed to melt into the shadows, avoiding the strike with a speed Kaelen hadn’t anticipated.

Before he could recover, the creature’s claws slashed at him, grazing his side. The pain was sharp, but he barely flinched. This was no time to hesitate.

Kaelen raised his sword again, but this time, there was something different about him. His eyes flickered briefly, and the air around him seemed to shift. A low hum filled the clearing, and for a moment, everything slowed.

His body surged with an unnatural energy as his wounds began to close up. It wasn’t fast, but he could feel the healing working, his muscles knitting together as though he had just taken a breath after holding it for too long.

The creature hissed in confusion as Kaelen moved once more, faster than before. His sword met its shadowy form, and this time, the strike found its mark. The creature screamed, a horrific sound that seemed to reverberate through the ground beneath them.

Kaelen stood tall, his eyes locking with the creature’s, his breath steady as he prepared for the next move. “It’s not over yet,” he muttered.

Sigrid and Nessa were still recovering, but they were getting ready, their weapons in hand, prepared for the next assault. Together, they were going to finish this.

The battle had only just begun.