Back in the citadel, the tension was electric. Word had spread quickly through the ranks about the mysterious enemy Eric and his companions had faced in the forest. Though details were scarce, the whispers of an ancient, powerful foe spread like wildfire. Soldiers sharpened their weapons, preparing for the inevitable battle to come, and the corridors of the dark citadel buzzed with unease.
Eric paced his chambers, deep in thought. The encounter had been far too close for comfort. His enemy was not only ancient, but it also knew the nature of the dark magic he had tapped into. He couldn't afford to let his guard down. This wasn't just about defending his throne anymore; this was about survival.
He turned as the door creaked open, revealing Elara, her face as grim as the news she carried.
"My Lord," she began, her voice low. "We've received reports from the southern provinces. The shadow's influence is spreading there as well. People are vanishing, and those who return speak of nightmares come to life. If we don't act quickly, we could lose control over that entire region."
Eric's fist clenched at his side. [The enemy is trying to weaken my grasp before they strike again.] He wasn't one to be easily rattled, but this enemy—this embodiment of darkness—was unlike anything he'd faced before. It was smart, relentless, and connected to his power in ways that unsettled him.
"We'll move swiftly," he said, determination hardening his features. "Gather the commanders. We're launching a full-scale operation to contain this threat before it spreads any further."
Elara hesitated for a moment, her icy gaze meeting his. "Are you sure about this? The last time we faced that enemy, we barely survived. Charging into the unknown could—"
"I'm not charging in blindly," Eric cut her off, his voice cold. "I'm going to lure them out. And when they appear, we'll crush them."
Elara studied his face for a moment longer, then nodded. "As you command, my Lord. I'll have the commanders ready by dawn."
---
Later that night, in the war room, Seraphina was already poring over the maps, her hands glowing faintly with magic as she traced the areas marked by dark energy. "It's spreading faster than we anticipated," she murmured, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Whatever this entity is, it's feeding on the fear and chaos it's creating."
Eric stood behind her, arms crossed as he studied the markings. "It's more than just fear. It's targeting places where the veil between our world and the shadow realm is thinnest. That's how it's moving so quickly."
Seraphina glanced up at him, her expression grim. "If that's the case, then the southern provinces are just the beginning. If it gains a foothold there, it could spread to the entire kingdom."
Eric nodded. "That's why we're going to stop it before it gets any further." His gaze shifted to the door as Sirus entered the room, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something more urgent.
"We have a problem," Sirus said, his voice tight. "Several of our scouts have gone missing. They were tracking the shadow's movements, but they haven't reported back."
Eric's jaw tightened. [This enemy is trying to blind us.] "Send out more scouts. Double the patrols along the borders. I want to know exactly where this thing is at all times."
Sirus nodded but hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "There's something else. One of the scouts that made it back… he mentioned seeing a symbol carved into the ground, near the last place the shadow was spotted. It's ancient, something we haven't seen before."
Eric raised an eyebrow. "What kind of symbol?"
Sirus pulled a piece of parchment from his cloak, unrolling it on the table. The symbol was jagged and unsettling, a twisting spiral that seemed to pulse with malevolent energy.
Seraphina gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "I've seen this before," she whispered. "It's a mark of the Shadowborn."
Eric frowned. "The Shadowborn? I thought they were a myth."
Seraphina shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're real. Or at least, they were. An ancient cult, long thought to be wiped out. They worshipped the darkness, believed that the world would one day return to a state of pure shadow. If they're behind this…"
"Then we're dealing with something much worse than we thought," Sirus finished grimly.
Eric's mind raced. The Shadowborn. An ancient cult, dedicated to the very thing he had sought to control. And now they were using that same darkness against him. [They've been watching me. Waiting for the right moment to strike.]
"We need more information," Eric said, his voice sharp. "Find anything you can about the Shadowborn. Their rituals, their weaknesses. If they've survived all these years, they'll have hidden their secrets well, but I want them found."
Seraphina nodded, already thinking of the texts and scrolls she would need to scour. "I'll start immediately."
Eric turned to Sirus. "And you—prepare the troops. We march at first light. I want every corner of the southern provinces scoured until we find this cult and their leader."
Sirus gave a curt nod before exiting the room, leaving Eric and Seraphina alone.
"You're sure about this?" Seraphina asked, her voice soft. "Going after them so soon? We barely know anything about what we're facing."
Eric's eyes hardened. "The longer we wait, the more power they gather. I'm not giving them the chance to strike first."
Seraphina hesitated, her gaze lingering on Eric. She knew better than to question his resolve, but something about the situation didn't sit right with her. The darkness they were facing wasn't just another enemy. It was something far older, far more dangerous. And it had its eyes set squarely on Eric.
---
Dawn broke with a cold, biting wind. Eric stood at the head of his army, his dark cloak billowing behind him as he surveyed the forces assembled before him. The soldiers were grim-faced but resolute, their loyalty to their Lord unwavering despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Elara and Sirus flanked him, their expressions equally grim. Seraphina was further back, preparing her spells and wards, ready to confront whatever dark magic the Shadowborn might unleash.
As they began their march toward the southern provinces, the sky darkened, heavy clouds rolling in from the horizon. The air grew thick with tension, every step they took seeming to bring them closer to the heart of the storm.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the southern provinces, the land had changed. The once lush forests were twisted and barren, the ground blackened as though burned by some unseen fire. The very air felt heavy, thick with the weight of dark magic.
"It's here," Seraphina murmured, her voice barely audible. "The darkness is strong in this place."
Eric narrowed his eyes, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay alert. They're watching us."
As they ventured deeper into the desolate landscape, the symbol of the Shadowborn appeared again and again, carved into trees, etched into the earth. It was a warning, a reminder of the enemy they were about to face.
Suddenly, a piercing scream cut through the air, sending a shiver down the spine of every soldier in the ranks. Eric's eyes snapped to the horizon, where a figure emerged from the shadows, draped in black, their face obscured by a hood.
The leader of the Shadowborn.
"Lord Varek," the figure called, their voice like a hiss of wind through dead leaves. "You have come. But you will not leave this place alive."
Eric's hand tightened on his sword, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of the darkness pressing down on him, threatening to overwhelm him.
But he would not be broken.
"You underestimate me," Eric growled, his voice a low snarl. "I am the master of this power. And I will see you destroyed."
The figure's laughter echoed through the air, cold and mocking. "We shall see."
And with a flick of their hand, the shadows came alive, swirling around them like a storm, ready to consume everything in their path.