The alliance with Ignisheim brought a sense of relief, but there was no time to rest. With the Abyssal Herald's threat looming, Aeron knew they had to gather allies from all corners of Elysium. Yet, as they departed the Kingdom of Fire, Aeron couldn't help but feel the weight of something unseen, something sinister creeping closer.
The heat of Ignisheim gradually faded as they moved into cooler regions, heading toward Umbrawood, the Shadow Kingdom—the home of the Sword of Shadows.
"Ignisheim is behind us, but Umbrawood is no easy place to gain allies," the Sword of Shadows warned. She walked beside Aeron, her dark eyes scanning the horizon. "My people are... complicated. They don't trust outsiders, and their loyalty lies in shadows and secrets."
Aeron nodded. "We'll figure it out. Right now, every kingdom has to see the greater threat."
As they approached the borders of Umbrawood, the landscape began to change. The trees became taller and more twisted, their dark branches blocking out much of the sky. The air was cooler here, and a mist clung to the ground, swirling around their legs as they walked deeper into the forest.
Umbrawood lived up to its name. Shadows seemed to move with a life of their own, and even Aeron, who had seen many strange things since coming to this world, felt unnerved by the eerie silence.
Lirael, walking just behind them, tightened her grip on her staff. "This place... it feels wrong."
The Sword of Shadows smiled slightly, though there was no humor in her expression. "This is home for me. But even I admit, it's not for the faint of heart."
Aeron's eyes scanned the shifting shadows, his senses alert. "We're being watched."
"Of course we are," the Sword of Shadows replied. "The people of Umbrawood don't reveal themselves easily. They'll wait to see what we do first."
Not long after, a figure emerged from the shadows—a tall woman dressed in flowing black robes, her skin pale as moonlight, and her eyes gleaming with a piercing intensity.
"You've returned," she said, addressing the Sword of Shadows. Her voice was soft but carried a sharp edge. "And you bring strangers with you."
The Sword of Shadows stepped forward. "I bring them because the fate of this world is at stake. These strangers are my allies, and they have come to warn us of a coming darkness."
The woman tilted her head, her eyes flicking to Aeron. "The Abyssal Herald. We've heard whispers, though most believed it to be nothing more than myth."
"It's no myth," Aeron said, stepping forward. "The Herald is real, and it's preparing to strike. We've already seen what it can do, and it's only the beginning."
The woman studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. You may pass. But know this—Umbrawood trusts no one. If you intend to ask for our aid, you'll have to prove yourselves."
The Sword of Shadows exchanged a look with Aeron. "That was the easy part. Gaining the trust of Umbrawood's rulers will be far more difficult."
As they moved deeper into the shadowy forest, Aeron couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. Not just the people of Umbrawood, but something darker, more malevolent. It was as if the very shadows themselves were alive, whispering secrets he couldn't understand.
They soon arrived at a vast clearing where a towering fortress loomed, made of dark stone that seemed to absorb the light around it. This was the heart of Umbrawood, where its rulers—known as the Shadow Council—held court.
Inside the fortress, the air was thick with tension. The members of the Shadow Council sat on their thrones, their faces obscured by hoods. Each of them wielded some form of dark magic, and their gazes were cold and calculating.
The leader of the council, a tall figure with silver hair spilling from beneath her hood, rose to address them. "You come before us seeking aid, but Umbrawood does not give its allegiance lightly. We serve the shadows, and we care not for the light. Why should we stand with you against this supposed threat?"
Aeron stepped forward, meeting the leader's gaze with calm determination. "Because if the Abyssal Herald succeeds, there won't be any shadows left to hide in. The darkness it brings will consume everything—even Umbrawood."
The council members murmured amongst themselves, their voices low and conspiratorial.
The Sword of Shadows stepped forward, her voice firm. "I was born here, raised in the ways of shadow, but even I know when to fight for something bigger than ourselves. The Abyssal Herald isn't just a threat to the kingdoms of light—it's a threat to the entire balance of Elysium. We must unite, or we will all fall."
The leader of the council watched them in silence for a long moment before nodding slowly. "We will consider your words. But know this—Umbrawood trusts only in strength. If you wish to gain our allegiance, you must prove yourselves in the arena."
Aeron frowned. "The arena?"
"Yes," the leader said, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "It is our way. Only those who survive the trials of shadow are deemed worthy of our support."
The Sword of Shadows glanced at Aeron. "I warned you it wouldn't be easy."
Aeron nodded. "We'll face your trials. But once we succeed, you'll stand with us against the Abyssal Herald."
The leader's smile widened. "We shall see."