The descent from the Shadowveil Mountains was much faster than the grueling ascent, but the air was thick with a new tension. Ethan's grip on the artifact tightened as he and Kaela made their way down narrow, treacherous paths. Every step seemed to echo the gravity of their situation: they had the artifact, but now they were targets.
Kaela walked a few paces ahead, her eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. The weight of her silence told Ethan everything—she was just as on edge as he was. The artifact pulsed softly in his hand, a reminder of the power they now carried.
"You sense it too, don't you?" Kaela's voice was barely above a whisper.
Ethan nodded, his wristband flickering with energy. "They're coming for us." He activated the map display on his interface, watching as several red dots appeared on the edges of the screen, slowly converging on their location.
---
System Alert:
Hostiles Detected: 5
Distance to Hostiles: 1.2 miles
Threat Level: High
---
"We need to move faster," Ethan said, his voice tense. "There's no way we can fight all of them at once."
Kaela nodded, already picking up the pace. "Let's head for the river. It'll be easier to lose them in the forest on the other side."
They raced down the mountain, the trees thickening around them as they reached the forest's edge. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest, the sense of urgency only growing stronger as the hostile dots on his map drew closer. He could feel the familiar tug of the artifact's power, both a blessing and a curse—its energy was like a beacon, drawing the Fallen to them.
They reached the river just as the first of the enemies broke through the treeline behind them. Ethan glanced over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of dark, humanoid figures moving with unnatural speed. Their eyes glowed with malevolent light, their movements quick and precise.
"There!" Kaela pointed to a narrow bridge made of stone that crossed the rushing water below. "We can bottleneck them there!"
Ethan nodded, his mind racing. "I'll hold them off for as long as I can. You cross first!"
Kaela hesitated for a moment but quickly complied, sprinting across the bridge with the agility of a seasoned warrior. Ethan stood his ground, summoning his Shadow Manipulation as tendrils of darkness swirled around him.
The first of the Fallen reached him in a blur of motion, but Ethan was ready. He lashed out with the shadows, tripping the creature and sending it crashing to the ground. He followed up with a Shadow Strike, his blade humming with dark energy as it sliced through the enemy's chest.
The second and third Fallen were close behind, their snarls echoing through the forest as they lunged at Ethan. He dodged their attacks, his reflexes heightened by the adrenaline coursing through his veins. With a quick flick of his wrist, he activated Ethereal Blade, the weapon glowing with a faint, ghostly light.
He slashed through the second Fallen with ease, the ethereal energy cutting through its dark form like it was made of smoke. The third creature let out a screech as it leaped toward him, but Ethan sidestepped its attack, sending a wave of shadows crashing into it.
But there was no time to rest. The fourth and fifth Fallen were already upon him, their claws slashing through the air as they closed the distance. Ethan felt a surge of panic—he couldn't take them all on by himself. He needed a plan, and fast.
"Kaela, I need you!" he shouted, backing toward the bridge.
Kaela was already in motion, sprinting back across the bridge with her sword drawn. She leaped into the fray, her blade flashing as she struck the nearest Fallen with a powerful blow, sending it stumbling back.
Together, they fought off the remaining enemies, their movements perfectly in sync. Ethan's shadows complemented Kaela's speed and precision, and within minutes, the last of the Fallen had been defeated. They stood panting on the bridge, the rush of the river below the only sound breaking the silence.
---
Ethan's Status
Level: 11
Strength: 21
Agility: 23
Intelligence: 19
Endurance: 21
Mana: 28
Skill Upgrade Unlocked:
- Shadow Manipulation (Level 2)
- Ethereal Blade (Level 2)
---
"We can't keep this up," Kaela said, her voice breathless. "They'll keep coming, and we're not going to last much longer if we don't find somewhere to regroup."
Ethan nodded, his mind racing as he studied the map on his wristband. There was a small settlement marked a few miles to the west, nestled in the heart of the forest. It wasn't far, but it wasn't close either. If the Fallen were tracking them this closely, they might not make it in time.
But they didn't have a choice. "There's a village not far from here," he said, pointing to the map. "We need to get there before the next wave finds us."
Kaela sheathed her sword and took a deep breath. "Then let's move. The longer we stay out in the open, the more vulnerable we are."
They began moving again, the tension still hanging thick in the air. The forest closed in around them, the dense canopy casting deep shadows over their path. Ethan's wristband pulsed faintly, the artifact's energy a constant reminder of the danger they were in.
As they pressed on, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The forest felt different—darker, more oppressive. The shadows seemed to shift unnaturally, as if watching their every move.
And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it—a figure, cloaked in black, standing just beyond the treeline. It watched them for a moment, its face hidden beneath a hood, before disappearing into the shadows.
Ethan's blood ran cold. Whoever—or whatever—that was, it wasn't part of the Fallen. This was something else. Something worse.
"We need to hurry," he said, his voice tight with fear. "I think we're being followed."
Kaela looked at him, her expression grim. "By what?"
Ethan shook his head. "I don't know. But I don't want to find out."