The sky above Ventosca was a pale tapestry of shifting clouds and sunlight, yet something felt off as Willie and Ghoida trekked toward the next floating island. The whispers had grown louder, almost tangible, as if they were being carried by the wind itself.
“We’ve got the shard,” Ghoida said, breaking the uneasy silence. “So, what now? More monsters? More glowing puzzles?”
Willie adjusted the artifact hanging from his satchel. “I think this shard is connected to the others. If we find more, maybe we can get some answers.”
“Answers would be nice,” Ghoida replied, her voice edged with sarcasm. “But I’d settle for a meal that isn’t dried jerky.”
Willie chuckled, his tension easing just slightly. “You and food. Maybe the next shard comes with a kitchen.”
“Hey, I’m just practical,” Ghoida said with a smirk. “Fighting monsters on an empty stomach isn’t exactly ideal.”
The conversation was cut short by a sudden gust of wind. The floating islands ahead began to tremble, their rocky surfaces cracking and shifting.
“That’s not normal,” Willie said, his grip tightening on the artifact.
“Nothing in Ventosca is normal,” Ghoida muttered, unsheathing her sword.
From the edge of the nearest island, shadows began to coalesce, forming into shapes that slithered and darted across the terrain. These creatures weren’t like the Sky Reaver—they were smaller, quicker, and more numerous. Their bodies seemed to flicker between solid and ethereal, their glowing eyes fixed on Willie and Ghoida.
“Great,” Ghoida said, taking a defensive stance. “More monsters.”
Willie backed away, trying to focus the artifact’s energy. The whispers grew louder, almost deafening, as the shadow creatures charged.
Ghoida moved first, her blade slicing through the nearest creature. It let out a high-pitched screech before dissipating into a wisp of smoke. “They’re fast, but not tough. Keep them off me while I clear a path!”
“Easier said than done!” Willie shouted as two of the creatures lunged at him.
He stumbled backward, tripping over a loose rock and landing hard on his back. The creatures pounced, their claws slashing at the air above him. Desperately, Willie raised the artifact, which emitted a burst of light that sent the creatures scattering.
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“You’re really good at falling,” Ghoida called out, slashing through another wave of attackers.
“Thanks for noticing!” Willie retorted, scrambling to his feet.
The artifact pulsed again, the light growing stronger. Willie focused, trying to channel its energy. A beam of light shot out, hitting one of the creatures and causing it to disintegrate.
“Finally figured it out?” Ghoida asked, sidestepping a lunge and countering with a clean strike.
“Sort of!” Willie replied, aiming the artifact at another creature.
The battle was chaotic, with Ghoida’s precise strikes and Willie’s erratic blasts slowly thinning the horde. Yet, for every creature they defeated, more seemed to emerge from the shadows.
“This isn’t working,” Ghoida said, her breathing heavy. “We need to get out of here.”
Willie scanned the area, his mind racing. His eyes caught a narrow bridge of rock connecting their island to another. “There! If we can get across, maybe we can lose them!”
“Lead the way!” Ghoida shouted, cutting down another attacker.
Willie bolted toward the bridge, Ghoida close behind. The shadow creatures surged after them, their screeches echoing through the air.
As they reached the bridge, the island behind them began to shake violently. The shadows were consuming it, the rock crumbling into the abyss below.
“Go faster!” Ghoida yelled, pushing Willie ahead.
They sprinted across the narrow bridge, the shadows nipping at their heels. Just as they reached the other side, the bridge collapsed, sending a cascade of debris into the void.
Breathing heavily, Willie and Ghoida turned to look back. The shadow creatures stopped at the edge of the crumbled bridge, their glowing eyes watching them intently.
“That was too close,” Ghoida said, collapsing onto the ground.
Willie sat down beside her, clutching the artifact. “What were those things? They felt… different.”
“Does it matter? They wanted us dead,” Ghoida said, wiping sweat from her brow. “And I’m not interested in sticking around to ask why.”
The artifact pulsed faintly, the whispers in the wind fading into silence. Willie frowned, his mind lingering on the creatures and their relentless pursuit.
“I think they were guarding something,” he said quietly.
Ghoida sighed. “Of course they were. It’s never just a coincidence with you, is it?”
Willie offered a weak smile. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
As they rested, the clouds parted, revealing a towering structure in the distance. Its spires seemed to pierce the sky, glowing faintly with the same runes as the artifact.
“Looks like that’s our next stop,” Ghoida said, pushing herself to her feet.
Willie nodded, his resolve strengthening. “Let’s keep moving.”
With their goal in sight and danger at their backs, the journey through Ventosca continued, each step bringing them closer to the truths buried within Elaris.
> End of Chapter 10