The shard’s hum was a steady rhythm in my chest as I stood waiting at the edge of the courtyard. My father’s words still echoed: You will not go alone. That had been his condition. If I were to investigate the disappearances, I would do so under the watchful eyes of those he trusted—or perhaps those he thought could control me.

The thought brought a wry smile to my lips. Control me? The shard pulsed faintly, almost as if it shared my amusement. I adjusted my grip on my cane and turned my head toward the approaching footsteps. They were deliberate, heavy, but controlled—someone used to discipline.

“Caelan,” Aric’s voice greeted me, colder than usual. “I’m surprised you convinced Father to let you do this.”

I didn’t reply immediately, focusing instead on the second set of footsteps behind him. They were lighter, more precise. A woman, perhaps? The vibrations carried a faint sense of armour—a scout or a ranger.

“Is that... Resna?” I asked, turning slightly toward the second figure. The pause before she replied told me I was right.

“Impressive,” she said, her voice cool but not unkind. “I didn’t think you’d remember me.”

“You’re difficult to forget,” I said, earning a small chuckle from her. Resna was one of the most skilled rangers in Veylora, though I’d only met her a handful of times. Her reputation spoke louder than her presence, and it was clear she’d been chosen for this mission for a reason.

“Father insisted I bring someone competent,” Aric said, his tone clipped. “He doesn’t think I’m enough to keep you out of trouble.”

“Wise of him,” I muttered, earning a sharp glare from my brother—though I couldn’t see it, I could feel the tension radiating from him.

“Enough,” Resna interjected, her tone firm. “If we’re going to do this, we need to move quickly. The longer we wait, the colder the trail gets.”

The journey to the eastern border was slow and tense. The shard pulsed faintly with each step, its hum aligning with the rhythm of my breathing. Resna moved ahead of us, her steps light and deliberate, while Aric stayed closer, his heavy armour clinking softly with each movement.

The forest was quiet—unnervingly so. Even without sight, I could feel the absence of life. The usual sounds of birds and the rustle of leaves in the wind were gone. The shard’s hum sharpened as we moved deeper, a quiet warning that set my nerves on edge.

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“Something’s wrong,” I said quietly, breaking the silence.

“You’re just noticing that now?” Aric muttered, though his voice lacked its usual bite.

Resna paused ahead of us, her voice low. “He’s right. This place feels... wrong. The air is heavy.”

“Magic,” I said, the word slipping from my lips before I could stop it. The shard pulsed again, its energy sharpening my senses. “It’s thick here. Can’t you feel it?”

Neither of them answered immediately. Finally, Resna spoke. “I don’t have your... affinity, but yes, there’s something unnatural about this place.”

Aric shifted uncomfortably. “Keep your focus, both of you. If magic’s involved, we must find its source and eliminate it.”

We reached the first village just before sunset. It was eerily quiet, the buildings standing empty like hollow shells. My cane tapped softly against the ground as I moved forward, the shard’s energy guiding me.

“Stay close,” Resna said, her voice barely above a whisper. I could hear her drawing her bow, the faint creak of the string pulling taut. “We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

I nodded, focusing on the vibrations around me. The shard’s hum sharpened, and I stopped abruptly, holding out a hand. “Wait.”

“What is it?” Aric asked, his sword already drawn.

“There’s something here,” I said. The shard pulsed sharply, its energy prickling along my skin. “I can feel it... moving.”

Resna froze, her breath catching. “Where?”

I pointed ahead, toward what I assumed was the village square. “There.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Then, a low, guttural sound broke through the stillness. It was faint at first, like a whisper carried on the wind, but it grew louder, closer. The shard’s energy surged, warning me of the danger before I could fully understand it.

“Get ready,” I said, gripping my cane tightly. The sound grew into a growl, and I heard claws scrape against the stone.

The creature emerged from the shadows, its presence heavy and oppressive. I couldn’t see it, but the shard’s energy painted a vivid picture in my mind—its movements were unnatural, its body twisted by whatever magic had consumed it.

“What is that?” Resna hissed, her voice tight with fear.

“Does it matter?” Aric snapped. “Kill it!”

The shard pulsed violently as the creature lunged. I sidestepped instinctively, the air shifting as its claws raked the space where I had just been. Aric’s sword clashed against the creature’s hide, the impact ringing like a bell.

“It’s fast!” he shouted, barely dodging its counterattack.

Resna’s bowstring snapped, and I heard the arrow sink into flesh. The creature roared, its movements growing more erratic. The shard pulsed sharply, and I felt its energy course through me, heightening my senses further. I could feel the vibrations of its steps, the tension in the air as it prepared to strike again.

“Guide me,” I whispered, the words meant more for the shard than myself.

The fight was chaotic, each movement a blur of sound and sensation. Aric’s strikes were powerful but imprecise, while Resna’s arrows kept the creature at bay. The shard guided my own movements entirely, its energy aligning with my instincts.

Finally, with a sharp thrust of my cane, I struck a point just beneath the creature’s jaw. The shard pulsed violently, and the creature let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing to the ground.

Silence fell over the village once more.

“What was that thing?” Resna asked, her voice shaking slightly as she approached.

“Something twisted by magic,” I said quietly. The shard’s hum was steady again, but its energy lingered in my veins. “This isn’t the end of it.”

Aric wiped his blade clean, his tone grim. “Then we’ll deal with whatever comes next.”

I nodded, though a sense of unease settled over me. The shard pulsed faintly, its rhythm a quiet reminder of my chosen path. Whatever was happening in the East was only the beginning.