As the wind howled through the darkened trees, the tension around the Thornhill estate reached a palpable peak. The guards stood ready, their spears and swords glinting under the pale light of the moon. Clara, Marcus, and Kael formed a protective circle, each of them anticipating the imminent danger.
Kael, feeling the thrum of energy within him, glanced down at his hands. His fingers tingled with an unfamiliar sensation, as though something just beneath his skin was begging to be unleashed. But what could he do? He was only a child—yet this force inside him felt ancient and powerful.
"Kael," Clara whispered, pulling him closer. "Stay close to us. Whatever happens, don't wander off."
He nodded, though deep down he could sense that staying by their side wasn't what the strange power inside him wanted. It wanted something more—something that scared him, but also made him feel strangely alive.
Before he could voice his feelings, a growl rumbled through the trees. The creatures had arrived. Shadows moved swiftly between the trunks, their eyes glowing faintly as they stalked closer.
One of the guards stepped forward, his voice steady but anxious. "They're here, my lord. What are your orders?"
Marcus clenched his fists, his mind racing. "We hold our ground. Keep them from crossing the perimeter. If they breach the estate, we'll lose our only line of defense."
Clara positioned herself beside him, her eyes scanning the darkness for movement. "Marcus, these things… they're not ordinary creatures. They're driven by something else. Something darker."
"I know," Marcus muttered under his breath. "But we have no choice. We can't let them—"
A shriek cut through the night, and suddenly the creatures burst from the forest. There were dozens of them—hulking beasts with blackened fur, their forms twisted by dark magic. They charged at the estate with terrifying speed, claws extended and jaws snapping.
The guards surged forward, meeting the creatures head-on with a wall of spears and swords. Steel clashed against flesh, and the sounds of battle erupted around them.
Marcus drew his sword, his expression grim. "Clara, stay with Kael. I'll lead the defense."
But before he could take a step, a blinding flash of light exploded from behind him. He turned, eyes wide, as he saw Kael standing in the center of the courtyard, his hands glowing with an ethereal light.
"Kael!" Clara shouted, rushing toward him. "What are you—"
But Kael didn't seem to hear her. His eyes were fixed on the approaching creatures, his expression one of fierce determination. The light around him grew brighter, and then, with a surge of power, it exploded outward in a shockwave that sent the creatures reeling.
The battlefield froze. The creatures, momentarily stunned by the force of Kael's power, staggered back into the treeline, their snarls turning to yelps of fear.
Kael stood in the center of the courtyard, panting heavily, the light around him fading. He swayed slightly, his face pale and drawn.
"Kael!" Clara reached him just in time to catch him as he collapsed into her arms. "What… what just happened?"
Marcus hurried to their side, his heart pounding. He knelt beside Kael, placing a hand on his forehead. "He's burning up."
"I-I don't know," Kael whispered, his voice weak. "It just… happened. I didn't mean to… but I had to stop them…"
Elara approached cautiously, her eyes wide with disbelief. "That was… magic. Pure, unfiltered magic."
Marcus' mind raced as he glanced between his son and the retreating creatures. "This power—whatever it is—he's barely scratched the surface of it. And it's tied to the artifact. We need answers, and fast."
Clara held Kael tightly, her face filled with concern. "We can't keep putting him in danger like this. If the artifact is responsible, we need to figure out how to control it before it controls him."
Elara nodded. "Agreed. There's an old seer in the southern mountains. She's dealt with ancient magic before. If anyone can help us, it's her."
Marcus rose to his feet, determination in his eyes. "Then we'll go. At dawn, we'll set out for the mountains."
Clara stood as well, still holding Kael. "We'll figure this out, Kael. We'll make sure you're safe."
But as they spoke, Kael's eyes flickered open, and in them, a faint glow still lingered. The power within him hadn't faded—it had only just begun to awaken.
The creatures were gone for now, but Marcus knew they would return. And when they did, Kael's power would be the key to their survival.