Nathaniel, holding a map with one hand and his sword's hilt with the other, kept his eyes forward. "It should be a few days' journey from here. As long as we stay on this path and keep heading north, we'll find it." He shot a quick look at Rin, attempting to mask his own uncertainty with confidence.
Viorst, her cloak wrapped tightly around her to ward off the growing chill, shivered slightly. "I hope we find it soon. These woods are starting to creep me out," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes darted around nervously, scanning the dense forest as if expecting something sinister to emerge.
Nathaniel gave her a reassuring smile, though he couldn't shake the feeling of unease creeping into his bones. "Don't worry, Viorst. Just stick close and keep your eyes open." He moved forward, his senses on high alert, every rustle in the underbrush setting his nerves on edge.
As they continued deeper into the woods, the daylight faded quickly, and an eerie darkness enveloped them. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees towering overhead like silent sentinels. Unseen creatures rustled in the distance, and the occasional call of a predator echoed through the air.
Rin tried to lighten the tension again, but his voice carried a nervous edge. "Anyone else feel like we're being watched? Or is it just me?" He glanced over his shoulder, his hand instinctively resting on his sword.
Nathaniel stopped abruptly, raising a hand for silence. "Stay alert," he whispered, his voice tense. "We don't know what's out here, and it's better to be prepared."
The three of them halted, listening intently to the forest around them. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of their own breathing. Then, out of the shadows, a low growl rumbled through the trees, sending a chill down their spines.
"What was that?" Viorst's voice trembled as she gripped her staff tighter, her eyes wide with fear.
Rin swallowed hard, his face paling in the dim light. "I don't know, but it didn't sound like anything friendly." He drew his sword, positioning himself beside Nathaniel.
Nathaniel's eyes scanned the darkness, his muscles tensed and ready. "Stay together. Whatever it is, don't let it separate us." He raised his sword, the blade catching the last of the fading light.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes appeared, then another, and another. A sense of dread filled the air as dark, indistinct figures began to emerge from the trees, their forms shifting and flickering like smoke.
Viorst took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. "Nathaniel, what are those things?" Her voice was barely a whisper, filled with a mix of fear and awe.
Nathaniel tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay close," he commanded. "We can't let them flank us."
Without warning, the shadowy figures lunged, moving with unnatural speed and aggression. Nathaniel swung his sword, slicing through one of the figures, but it dissipated into a dark mist, only to reform behind him.
"They're not normal creatures!" Viorst shouted, her voice rising in panic as she swung her staff to keep another shadow at bay. "They're like ghosts!"
"Just keep fighting!" Nathaniel called out, his voice strained as he continued to slash at the shadows. "We can't let them overwhelm us!"
The shadows were relentless, attacking from all sides with a ferocity that left little room for error. Each time Nathaniel or Rin landed a blow, the figures would dissolve into mist, only to reappear moments later, their forms as solid as ever.
Rin's breath came in ragged gasps as he parried and struck, his movements becoming more desperate with each passing second. "There's too many of them! We can't keep this up!"
Nathaniel knew Rin was right. The shadows were endless, and their strength seemed to be waning. Desperation clawed at him, but he forced it down, focusing on the immediate threat.
Viorst, her back pressed against a tree, swung her staff in wide arcs, her fear giving way to a fierce determination. "We have to find a way out of here!"
As the battle raged on, Nathaniel's mind raced. He remembered something Brial had told him long ago, a story of shadow creatures that could only be defeated by light. "Viorst!" he shouted, a sudden idea striking him. "Do you have any light spells?"
Viorst's eyes widened with realization. "Yes, but I'll need a moment to prepare!"
"Do it!" Nathaniel ordered. "Rin and I will cover you!"
With a nod, Viorst began to chant softly, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she gathered her energy. Rin and Nathaniel closed ranks around her, their swords flashing in the dim light as they fought to keep the shadows at bay.
The shadows pressed harder, sensing the change in the air. Nathaniel gritted his teeth, his muscles burning with exhaustion, but he refused to give in.
"Almost… there…" Viorst muttered, her voice strained as she focused all her energy into the spell.
Just as the shadows closed in, Viorst's hands erupted in a brilliant flash of light. The shadows recoiled, hissing and screeching as the light cut through them like a knife, dissolving them into wisps of smoke.
Nathaniel and Rin shielded their eyes from the blinding light, but when they looked up, the shadows were gone. The forest was still once more, the only sound the ragged breathing of the three friends.
"Is… is it over?" Rin panted, lowering his sword cautiously.
Nathaniel nodded, though his grip on his sword remained firm. "For now. But we need to keep moving. Whatever those things were, they won't be the last threat we face."
Viorst, still catching her breath, nodded in agreement. "Let's not wait around to find out."
With renewed urgency, the trio continued their journey through the forest, the encounter with the shadows a stark reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. They pressed on, their resolve strengthened, knowing that their journey was only just beginning.
As the group continued their trek, the forest began to thin out, revealing a small, abandoned village up ahead. The wooden buildings were old and decrepit, their walls covered in moss and ivy. A sense of desolation hung in the air, the village seemingly forgotten by time.
Nathaniel halted at the edge of the village, holding up a hand to signal the others to stop. "This place looks deserted," he said quietly, his eyes scanning the empty streets.
Rin peered over Nathaniel's shoulder, his curiosity piqued. "What do you think happened here? It looks like no one's been here for years."
Viorst frowned, sensing something was off. "I don't know… but we should be careful. There could be traps or worse."
Nathaniel nodded, taking a cautious step forward. "Let's check it out. Stay close and keep your guard up."
They moved slowly through the village, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. Broken windows and crumbling walls hinted at the passage of time and neglect. As they walked, a chill seemed to settle over them, the air growing colder with each step.
Suddenly, Rin stopped, his eyes fixed on something up ahead. "Hey, look at that," he whispered, pointing to a large building at the center of the village.
Nathaniel followed his gaze, his expression darkening. The building appeared to be some sort of temple or shrine, its entrance flanked by two crumbling stone statues. The doors were ajar, a faint, unnatural light spilling out from within.
"We should check it out," Nathaniel suggested, though a sense of dread gnawed at him. "There might be something important inside."
Viorst hesitated, glancing around nervously. "I don't like this… It feels like we're being watched."
Nathaniel nodded, sharing her unease. "Stay close. We'll go in together."
They approached the temple cautiously, their footsteps silent on the cobblestone path. As they neared the entrance, the strange light grew brighter, pulsing with a rhythm that seemed almost alive.
Nathaniel pushed open the door with his sword, revealing a dark, cavernous chamber. The light came from a series of glowing runes etched into the floor, forming a complex pattern that seemed to hum with energy.
"What is this place?" Rin asked, his voice barely a whisper as he stepped inside.
Viorst's eyes widened as she examined the runes. "These are ancient symbols… I've read about them in my studies. This is some kind of ritual site, but I don't know what for."
Nathaniel moved closer to the runes, his expression grim. "Whatever it is .... it's big."