Astar's heart raced as he rode the charmadine with Haruki, their fingers brushing against each other occasionally, sending a thrilling shiver down his spine. The harsh sun beat down upon them, casting their forms in stark relief against the dry, barren landscape. Haruki's white hair glinted with a silver sheen, his intense eyes surveying the rugged terrain ahead.
The narrow canyon stretched out before them, its towering walls of rusted orange sandstone radiating the heat absorbed throughout the day. Their path led deeper into the winding gorge, its twists and turns offering little respite from the relentless sun. Today, the terrain presented a new challenge—the canyon seemed that it could hold some more secrets of its own.
Eldrin led the way with his uncanny tracking abilities. At his waist hung two metal fans, their glimmer undiminished by the harsh sunlight. Galvan sat with resolute confidence, his twin daggers gleaming on his hips in the intense light. While Phyre brought up the rear, her eyes scanning the canyon walls for any potential threats, still on edge after the earlier attack from the vultures tear. Elva strolled by her side on the ground, flicking the loose bandages on her wrists in the air around her. The rest of the group rode sluggishly along between them, Haruki and Astar sat at the front of the group, slightly behind Eldrin and Galvan.
As they ventured deeper into the canyon, the heat pressed down upon them like an unyielding weight. Sweat trickled down Astar's brow, his throat parched despite the water they carried. A sense of unease settled over the group, the canyon walls seeming to close in around them.
'We're not alone.' Haruki warned them.
Astar's laughter faded, replaced by a keen awareness of their surroundings. The group began to dismount in case of a sudden attack. He felt Haruki's hand slip into his own, their fingers intertwining as if the touch would prevent Astar from harm.
'We must remain vigilant,' Phyre's voice was strained, her words a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
Eldrin halted, raising a hand to signal the group to stop. His pointed ears twitched, attuned to even the faintest of sounds carried by the hot breeze. 'Be prepared for anything,' he cautioned, his eyes scanning the rocky terrain.
In an instant, the tranquillity shattered. From the shadows of the canyon emerged a horde of screeching harpies, their wings beating against the heated air. The group was taken by surprise, surrounded by the winged creatures armed with sharp talons and piercing cries. Astar's heart pounded as he tightened his grip on Haruki's hand, his gaze narrowing as he assessed the situation.
Galvan sprang into action, his battle cry a defiant challenge. His daggers glinted as he moved with practised grace, each strike aiming to incapacitate the harpies before they could descend upon the group. Eldrin's fans became a blur of motion, deflecting the harpies' swooping attacks with an almost dancer-like finesse. Phyre's sword sang as it cleaved through the air, her movements fluid despite the challenging terrain.
Amidst the chaos, Haruki's stance shifted, his focus turning inward. He drew his katana, the blade gleaming with a silvery light that seemed to cut through the scorching air. Shadows danced along the edge as if mirroring the intense heat of the canyon. Haruki's power was palpable, a force to be reckoned with.
But even as he unleashed his shadows with deadly precision, a struggle flickered in Astar's eyes. He felt the weight of his power—the power of the Keysword—a weapon that held ancient magic and unrivalled strength. As the battle raged on, Astar's hands trembled as he tried to summon the energy within him. It was a struggle he had faced before, a struggle to wield a weapon that held immense potential but required a connection to his innermost self.
Haruki's strikes were a dance of shadow and steel, a symphony of destruction that left a trail of fallen harpies in his wake. Yet, his gaze flickered toward Astar, his eyes filled with concern and encouragement. Astar's breaths came faster as he closed his eyes, trying to bridge the gap between himself and the Keysword's power.
And then, with a surge of determination, the key in Astar's palms ignited with golden light. The Keysword materialised in his grasp, its blade an ethereal fusion of metal and energy. With a cry that mingled both triumph and relief, Astar swung the weapon, unleashing a torrent of light energy that engulfed many of the remaining harpies.
As the last harpy fell to Haruki's blade, the canyon fell silent once more. Astar and Haruki stood amidst the aftermath, their hands once more clasped, sweat and dirt staining their skin. The canyon walls bore witness to their fierce battle, scorch marks and feathers littering the sandstone.
'We did it,' Astar said, his voice a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.
Haruki's slight smile was a brilliant contrast against the harsh backdrop. 'Together,' he replied, his voice carrying a steadfast determination.
With the threat of the harpies vanquished and the canyon regaining its oppressive stillness, the group took a moment to catch their breath. A silent understanding passed between them—their journey was a testament to their resilience, and they faced every challenge with unwavering unity. Astar felt Haruki's grip, a grounding reassurance that no matter the odds, they would always stand together.
'Why are there so many hostile entities in this canyon?' Elva asked as she emerged from behind Phyre's graceful elven stature.
'The mana residue is high here, it's common around dungeon portals.' Eldrin said through a sigh. 'Unfortunately finding the dungeon portal isn't even the first step, we need to fight these creatures that guard the space around it.'
'This is a good sign though.' Dock said as he sheathed his wide claymore into the holter on his back. A few drops of the harpy's blazed red blood slipped off the metal as it entered.
'How?' Elva whined, 'How is any of this good?'
'More hostile creatures means our proximity to the portal is getting nearer.'
Dock was right, Astar knew it, it made the most sense. However, this was not good news in his eyes, he'd just struggled greatly to even hold the power of his weapon, let alone fight alongside them. He had been useless when the vultures tear took Ellie as well. He had promised himself he would gain the groups trust, but he still believed the group would see him as an outsider. His gaze had fallen to the outer walls of the canyon a while ago, and he had remained in that state as he began to zone out and his mind went blank. Someone squeezed his hand.
Astar turned his head, breaking out of the haze that fogged his mind. Haruki looked down at him, looking at him with a slight concern. Astar nodded to let Haruki know that he was alright.
The group began to walk again, leading their mounts along, it would not be a good idea to stay mounted anymore as the threat of attack loomed over them.