Rina's hands trembled as she held the Box of Aeldor, its once faint hum now a menacing throb that vibrated through her entire body. The moonlight that bathed the ruins around them only added to the surreal aftermath of the battle. Silence followed the devastation, and her heart was pounding, not from fear, but from the overwhelming realization of what she had just unleashed.
Torin and Alara slowly approached her, their steps cautious, as if afraid the Box might erupt again at any moment.
"Rina," Torin's voice was low, and the concern in his tone was unmistakable, "are you alright?"
She nodded, though she wasn't sure if she meant it. Her mind raced with the possibilities. She had tapped into a power far beyond what she'd ever imagined, but it had taken so much from her—her strength, her focus. Worse still, it was only the beginning.
"I'm fine," she whispered, her voice shaky. "But we need to move. Now."
Alara crouched beside the fallen leader of the Pale King's men, checking for any signs of life. "He's still breathing," she muttered. "Barely."
"Leave him," Rina said quickly. "We can't risk staying here any longer. Others will come looking when they don't report back."
Alara stood up, her eyes scanning the horizon. "She's right. We've stirred up a hornet's nest. Let's go."
Without another word, they began their retreat. The ruins behind them seemed to groan and shift, as if the magic Rina had unleashed had disturbed the very foundation of the land. The wind carried with it a cold bite, one that left her feeling like unseen eyes were watching their every step.
As they navigated the dense forest that surrounded the ancient tomb, Torin fell into step beside her.
"You saved us back there," he said quietly, his voice filled with admiration. "Whatever that was—it was incredible."
Rina didn't answer right away. She had saved them, yes, but the cost of using the Box's power lingered in her mind like a shadow. It wasn't just the physical toll. It was something deeper, something more ominous. She had felt the Box's pull, its hunger. It wanted more.
Torin noticed her hesitation and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You did what you had to."
"I did what I wasn't sure I could control," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what that power could've done to us… if it had gone wrong."
"It didn't," Torin said firmly. "You controlled it. And you saved us."
Rina gave a weak nod but remained unconvinced. Deep down, she knew this was only the beginning. The Box had tasted her will, and now it felt like it was waiting, ready to offer her more. But what was the price? She wasn't sure she was ready to find out.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Alara, who had taken the lead, suddenly stopped. She raised a hand, signaling for them to halt.
Rina's senses sharpened instantly. "What is it?" she asked.
Alara didn't respond at first, her eyes scanning the treetops and shadows around them. "We're being followed."
Torin's hand immediately went to the hilt of his sword. "How many?"
"Two, maybe three," Alara whispered, her voice tense. "They're keeping their distance, but they're moving fast."
"Could they be more of the Pale King's men?" Torin asked.
"Possibly," Alara replied. "Or worse—spies from the King's Council."
Rina's stomach turned at the thought. The King's Council had been after the Box for years, but their interest was not public knowledge. Only a few on the council knew the truth about the Box's power and its connection to the royal family. If they were involved now, it meant their mission had been compromised on a far greater level than Rina had imagined.
"We can't lead them back to the city," Rina said, her voice firm. "We need to lose them."
Alara nodded. "Follow me. I know a place."
They veered off the main path, moving quickly through the dense underbrush. The moonlight grew dim as they entered a deeper part of the forest, where ancient trees with thick canopies blocked out the sky. The air was heavy, and the silence was almost suffocating.
Rina focused on keeping her breathing steady as they hurried through the dark. She could still feel the Box pulsing faintly in her hands, almost as if it was sensing the danger around them. She couldn't afford to use it again—not so soon. The last time had nearly drained her entirely.
Alara led them to a small clearing surrounded by towering stones that looked like they had been placed there by some ancient civilization. It was a natural hiding spot, shielded from view on all sides. They huddled together, crouching low behind one of the stones, and waited in silence.
Minutes passed, and Rina strained her ears, listening for any sign of their pursuers. The forest remained eerily quiet. She exchanged a glance with Torin, who gave her a reassuring nod. But Rina couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Suddenly, Alara tensed beside them. "There," she hissed, pointing toward the edge of the clearing.
Rina followed her gaze and spotted two figures moving through the trees, their movements swift and silent. They wore dark cloaks similar to the Pale King's men, but something about their gait was different—more graceful, almost predatory.
"Who are they?" Torin whispered.
"I don't know," Alara replied. "But they're not ordinary soldiers."
The figures moved closer, their faces still obscured by the shadows. Rina's grip on the Box tightened. She felt the power within it stir, as if it was calling out to her, urging her to act.
But before she could make a decision, one of the figures suddenly stopped and turned in their direction. Rina's heart skipped a beat as their eyes locked—piercing, glowing eyes that seemed to see straight through the darkness.
"They know we're here," Alara whispered, her voice tight with fear.
The other figure joined the first, and together, they began to move toward the clearing with purpose.
Rina's mind raced. They couldn't outrun them. They were too fast, too skilled. But she couldn't risk using the Box again—not with so little control.
"We have to fight," Torin said, his voice steady but grim.
Alara nodded, drawing her daggers. "No other choice."
Rina swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. The figures were closing in, and she could feel the weight of the Box pressing down on her, its power tempting her, whispering promises of salvation.
She had a choice to make.