The group moved swiftly, their footsteps muffled by the damp, mossy ground. The forest felt alive, pulsing with an energy that seemed to grow heavier the further they traveled. James kept the shard tucked away, its faint warmth serving as both a comfort and a constant reminder of the encounter.

Derrin, carrying the child, glanced at James. “What do you think that thing meant? The Veil’s shadow... Do you think it was talking about the shard?”

“I don’t know,” James admitted. “But it’s not just the shard. It’s us. All of us. The Veil has been around us since this whole thing started.”

“Great,” Vance muttered from ahead, his voice laced with sarcasm. “So we’re cursed, doomed, and trekking through a forest that probably wants to eat us. Love that for us.”

“Focus,” Rook barked, his tone sharp. “This isn’t the time for whining. We’re close to the edge of the forest. Just keep moving.”

The dense canopy above gradually began to thin, allowing streaks of gray light to filter through. The air grew colder, and the ground became firmer, but the oppressive energy remained, clinging to them like a second skin.

As they pressed on, the child stirred in Derrin’s arms, letting out a faint whimper.

“Hey,” Derrin whispered, his voice soft. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

The boy’s eyes fluttered open, wide and glassy. He didn’t speak, but his gaze locked onto James, his expression blank yet unnerving.

“Why’s he staring at me?” James asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Maybe he sees something in you,” Derrin replied with a weak smile, though the unease in his voice was clear.

Before James could respond, Rook held up a hand, signaling for them to stop.

“Listen,” Rook said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The group froze, straining to hear over the faint rustle of the forest. At first, there was nothing. Then, a low, guttural growl echoed from somewhere nearby.

“Please tell me that was your stomach,” Vance whispered, drawing his daggers.

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“Not this time,” Derrin muttered, shifting the child to one arm as he reached for his blade.

The growling grew louder, joined by the rustling of leaves and snapping branches. Whatever was coming, it was big—and it wasn’t alone.

“Form up,” Rook ordered, stepping into the center of the group. “Keep the kid safe.”

James drew his sword, his hands trembling slightly. The shard in his pocket pulsed again, its warmth intensifying.

From the shadows emerged a pack of gaunt, wolf-like creatures with glowing, blood-red eyes. Their matted fur clung to their skeletal frames, and their mouths dripped with thick, black saliva.

“Carrion Wretches,” Rook growled. “Stay sharp. They’ll try to break us apart.”

One of the creatures let out a piercing howl, and the pack lunged forward.

James barely had time to react as one of the Wretches leapt at him, its jaws snapping inches from his face. He swung his sword wildly, the blade slicing through its side. The creature let out a screech, collapsing to the ground in a heap.

“Don’t let them bite you!” Rook shouted, slashing at another Wretch. “Their saliva’s toxic!”

Derrin handed the child to Vance, then drew his sword, stepping back-to-back with James. “We’ve got this,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos.

The two of them fought in unison, their movements almost instinctive. James swung low while Derrin struck high, their blades cutting through the Wretches with surprising efficiency.

But for every one they killed, two more seemed to take its place. The pack was relentless, their glowing eyes filled with a primal hunger.

“They just keep coming!” Vance shouted, his daggers flashing as he fought off another Wretch.

Rook, standing at the center of the fray, let out a guttural roar as he brought his axe down on one of the creatures, splitting it in two. “Hold the line! We’re almost through this!”

James’ arms burned with exhaustion, but he kept swinging, his blade slicing through fur and flesh. The shard in his pocket grew hotter, its pulsing light spilling out into the clearing.

“James!” Derrin called, pointing at the shard. “What’s it doing?”

Before James could answer, the light exploded outward, washing over the clearing in a wave of green energy. The Wretches froze mid-attack, their bodies convulsing as the light seemed to sear their very essence.

One by one, the creatures let out piercing shrieks before disintegrating into ash, their remains scattering on the wind.

The forest fell silent once more, the only sound the heavy breathing of the group.

“What the hell was that?” Vance asked, his voice shaking.

James pulled the shard from his pocket, staring at it in disbelief. The green glow had faded, leaving it cold and inert.

“I… I don’t know,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rook stepped forward, his expression grim. “Whatever it was, it saved us. But it also made us a target. We need to move. Now.”

Derrin nodded, scooping up the child and falling into step behind Rook. James lingered for a moment, staring at the shard before tucking it away and following the others.

As they pressed on, the tension in the air remained, heavier than ever.

The Veil’s shadow touches you.

James couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever had just happened, it was only the beginning. The Veil was watching, and it wasn’t done with them yet.