The world around me felt distant, as if wrapped in layers of fog. My body, heavy and slow, struggled to respond to my attempts to wake. A dull ache persisted in my limbs, reminding me of the battle that had nearly claimed my life.
Then, with a sharp inhale, I woke.
My eyes fluttered open to find myself staring at a stone ceiling, dimly lit by the flickering light of a nearby fire. The crackling warmth of the flames was comforting, but it didn't erase the uncertainty that gnawed at me. Where was I? And how long had I been asleep?
I groaned softly, pushing myself up on the bed. My muscles screamed in protest, but I forced myself to sit. As I looked around, I realized I was in the same room as before, the small stone chamber where the stranger had brought me. My hand instinctively went to my chest, feeling the steady pulse of the rune beneath my skin. It was still there, cold and quiet, yet I could sense its faint hum of power.
"You've finally woken up," a familiar voice called out, calm and composed, yet carrying a weight I couldn't quite place.
I turned my head to see the figure from before, seated near the fire. He was shrouded in shadow, the flames casting a faint glow on his features—sharp, angular, and unreadable. He sat there with an air of quiet patience, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"How long…?" I asked, my voice raspy from days of disuse.
"Three days," the man replied, standing slowly. "You've been unconscious for three days straight. Your wounds were more severe than I expected, but you've recovered well."
I blinked, trying to process his words. Three days? I had slept through three whole days? The last thing I remembered was collapsing in pain, my body giving out after the fight with the demons. And now I was here, alive and mostly healed, but still with no understanding of how or why.
I shifted on the bed, my body still aching. "Who… are you?" I asked, my gaze locked on him.
The man stepped closer, his movements graceful yet deliberate. The shadows danced around him as if they were a part of him, shifting and twisting with every step. He stopped at the edge of the bed, his piercing eyes meeting mine.
"My name is Itharos Zhal," he said, his voice low and steady. "And I suppose you could say I come from the same place as your enemies."
His words sent a chill down my spine, though his calm demeanor did little to betray any malice. I narrowed my eyes, feeling a surge of unease. "The same place? You mean the demons?"
He smiled faintly, though there was no warmth in it. "In a sense, yes. But I am not your enemy, Carrion."
"How do you know my name?" I demanded, tension rising in my chest. This man—this *Itharos Zhal*—he seemed to know far too much about me.
"I've been watching you for some time," Zhal answered, his gaze never leaving mine. "The moment you found that rune, your fate became intertwined with forces beyond your understanding. I am here to ensure you don't make the same mistakes as others before you."
I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling up inside me. "You keep talking about this rune like it's something dangerous, but I don't even know what it is. All I've done is run from one threat to the next, with no answers."
Zhal's eyes flicked down to the rune on my chest, the faint glow of its power barely visible through my shirt. "That rune… it is a key. A key to something far greater than you can imagine. But with that key comes the attention of those who seek its power for their own ends."
I shook my head, trying to make sense of his cryptic explanation. "What do you want from me, then? If you're not my enemy, why are you helping me?"
Zhal paused for a moment, his gaze softening slightly. "Because, like you, I am bound by forces beyond my control. My fate is tied to yours, whether I wish it or not. You're not ready to face what's coming, Carrion, but I can help you—if you're willing to listen."
I hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at me. This man, this shadowed figure who claimed to know so much, had saved my life. But there was something about him, something dark and unsettling, that made it hard to trust his words. Still, I had no other options. If what he said was true, then I needed answers, and fast.
I took a deep breath, meeting Zhal's gaze. "Alright. I'm listening."
Zhal's lips curved into a faint smile, though his eyes remained as cold as ever. "Good. Then let me tell you a story—one that begins long before you were born, and one that may determine the fate of everything you know."
He stepped back, his shadow elongating as he spoke. "The rune you carry is not just an artifact of ancient magic. It is a fragment of something far more powerful, something that existed before even the gods. It was created by beings who sought to control the very fabric of reality, and in doing so, they unleashed forces they could no longer control."
I frowned, my mind struggling to grasp the weight of his words. "What kind of forces?"
"Darkness and light," Zhal said, his voice taking on a grave tone. "Opposing forces that seek to consume each other. The rune is a vessel, a balance between these forces. And you, Carrion, are now its bearer. Whether you like it or not, your destiny is to decide which side prevails."
My heart pounded in my chest as his words sank in. Darkness and light—two forces vying for control. And I was caught in the middle of it all.
"Why me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why was I chosen?"
Zhal's eyes softened for a moment, as if he understood the weight of the burden I carried. "Because the rune saw something in you—something that could tip the balance. But the choice is yours, Carrion. You can choose to embrace its power, or you can run from it. Either way, the shadows will follow you."
I sat in silence, my mind racing. The weight of Zhal's words was overwhelming, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to accept the responsibility he was placing on me. But deep down, I knew there was no turning back. The rune had chosen me, and now, I had to face whatever came next.
Zhal turned toward the door, his voice softer now. "Rest for now. We'll have much to discuss when you're ready. The path ahead is dangerous, and you'll need every bit of strength you can muster."
With that, he stepped into the shadows, disappearing as quietly as he had appeared, leaving me alone with the flickering flames and the weight of the rune's power humming softly against my chest.