The forest became a labyrinth as night fell, its thick canopy blocking out the stars. The shard in Aethren’s hand cast a faint glow, the only source of light as he and Kaelor navigated the winding paths.
Kaelor moved with practiced ease, his steps silent despite the undergrowth. Aethren, by contrast, stumbled over roots and branches, his exhaustion making every step feel heavier.
“Keep your focus,” Kaelor said without turning. “They’ll strike again when we’re vulnerable.”
Aethren tightened his grip on the shard. Its light flickered, as if responding to his anxiety. “Who are these people? The Order of the Abyss?”
Kaelor’s face was grim. “Zealots. They believe the Rift’s power is divine, that it should be worshipped—and wielded. To them, the shard is sacred.”
Aethren shuddered. “And they’ll do anything to get it.”
“Exactly,” Kaelor replied. “But they’re not the only ones we need to worry about.”
----------------------------------------
The shard pulsed suddenly, its light dimming before flaring bright again. Aethren froze, his heart racing. “What was that?”
Kaelor stopped, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He scanned the shadows, his body tense. “They’re close. The shard’s reacting to them.”
The air grew colder, and the faint sound of whispers drifted through the trees. Aethren turned in circles, his eyes darting to every shadow. The whispers grew louder, their words incomprehensible but filled with malice.
Kaelor drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the shard’s light. “Stay behind me,” he ordered.
----------------------------------------
The attack came without warning. Shadows burst from the trees, their forms shifting and indistinct. These were not human attackers but creatures of the Abyss, their glowing eyes fixed on the shard.
Kaelor moved like a whirlwind, his sword slicing through the first wave of creatures. Their forms dissipated into smoke, but more emerged to take their place.
Aethren held up the shard, its light flaring to push back the advancing creatures. The energy it emitted was warm, reassuring, but it drained him with every passing moment.
“Don’t stop!” Kaelor shouted, cutting down another creature. “The shard’s light is the only thing keeping them at bay!”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
----------------------------------------
The creatures seemed endless, their numbers growing with every second. Aethren’s arms trembled as he held the shard aloft, his strength waning.
“I can’t keep this up!” he shouted.
Kaelor spun to face him, his expression fierce. “You have to! If they reach the shard—”
A deafening roar cut him off, and a massive shadow loomed over them. The creature was unlike the others, its form solid and menacing. It had the body of a beast, with long, jagged claws and eyes that burned like embers.
Kaelor’s grip on his sword tightened. “That’s a wraith. Stay back!”
----------------------------------------
The wraith lunged at Kaelor with terrifying speed. He barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side and striking at its flank. The blade connected, but the wraith didn’t falter.
Aethren watched in horror as the wraith turned its glowing eyes toward him. The shard pulsed wildly, its light growing brighter as if in response to the creature’s presence.
The wraith roared and charged, its claws swiping at Aethren. He stumbled backward, barely managing to raise the shard in time. The light flared, and the wraith recoiled, screeching in pain.
“Focus, Aethren!” Kaelor shouted, his sword slashing at the wraith’s legs. “The shard is your weapon—use it!”
----------------------------------------
Aethren took a deep breath, centering himself. He closed his eyes, letting the shard’s energy flow through him. The warmth spread from his hands to his chest, filling him with a newfound strength.
When he opened his eyes, the light from the shard was no longer flickering. It shone steadily, illuminating the entire clearing.
The wraith hesitated, its form flickering under the shard’s glow. Aethren took a step forward, holding the shard out like a shield.
“Go back!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the forest.
The shard’s light intensified, and the wraith let out a final, agonized screech before dissolving into smoke.
----------------------------------------
The clearing fell silent. The shadows that had surrounded them were gone, leaving only the faint glow of the shard.
Kaelor lowered his sword, his breathing heavy. “You’re starting to get the hang of it,” he said, a hint of a smile on his face.
Aethren let out a shaky laugh. “I thought we were done for.”
Kaelor’s expression grew serious. “That was just a taste of what’s to come. The creatures of the Abyss won’t stop. The shard is a beacon—they’ll keep coming.”
Aethren nodded, his resolve hardening. “Then we’ll face them. Whatever it takes.”
----------------------------------------
As they continued through the forest, the shard’s light remained steady, guiding their way. But Aethren couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.
The whispers had stopped, but the silence was just as unnerving. Every rustling leaf and distant sound made his heart race.
Kaelor seemed unbothered, his focus unwavering. “We need to reach the next town,” he said. “We’ll find supplies and rest there.”
“And what then?” Aethren asked.
Kaelor glanced at him, his eyes sharp. “Then we find out who else is after the shard—and why.”
----------------------------------------
The journey was slow, the weight of the shard’s power hanging heavy between them. By the time they reached the forest’s edge, the first light of dawn was breaking over the horizon.
Aethren paused, looking back at the dark expanse of trees. The forest seemed almost peaceful now, its dangers hidden beneath the rising sun.
“Come on,” Kaelor said, motioning for him to follow. “The fight’s not over yet.”
Aethren turned and followed, the shard’s glow fading as the sunlight took its place.
But in the shadows of the forest, unseen eyes watched their every move.