The echoes of their battle against the Abyssal Prince still resonated in the dark corridors of the fortress. Aeron and his companions had barely stepped out of the chamber when the oppressive weight of foreboding fell upon them once again. The air was thick with a sense of unease, as though the very world around them was holding its breath.
Selene's eyes, usually sharp and confident, were clouded with worry as she looked at Aeron. "That was just the beginning, wasn't it?"
Aeron nodded, his gaze distant. "The Oracle warned us. There's more coming. The Abyssal Prince was just a pawn."
Thorin grunted in agreement, his hammer resting over his shoulder. "Aye, laddie. Ye can smell it in the air. The storm's coming."
They made their way through the labyrinth of stone halls, Mira's staff glowing softly to light their way. The fortress had become eerily quiet, as if the shadows themselves were watching their every move. The battle had ended, but something dark still lingered.
As they exited the fortress and stepped into the cool night air, Kael paused, glancing back at the ancient structure. "So what's next?" he asked. "We've taken down an Abyssal Prince. What's stopping them from sending another one?"
"Or worse," Mira added quietly. "The Oracle hinted at something much more powerful lying in wait."
Aeron sheathed his swords, glancing at his companions. "We have to regroup. Find out more about these threats before we rush into the next battle. We need information—about the Oracle, about the Abyssal forces, and whatever else is lurking in the shadows."
Selene's gaze shifted toward the darkened sky, where clouds were slowly gathering. "There's someone we can speak to. The Feylings might have information. They've always been in tune with the currents of dark magic, sensing things before others can."
"The Feylings?" Mira raised an eyebrow. "They're not exactly... reliable."
"No," Selene agreed, "but they're ancient, and they know things. If anyone can help us understand the scale of what we're facing, it's them."
Aeron considered her words, then nodded. "It's worth a try. The Feywild is close enough. We can reach it in a few days if we push hard."
Kael grinned, spinning one of his blades idly. "I've always wanted to meet some mischievous fairies. Should be fun."
Thorin chuckled, his deep voice rumbling. "Careful, lad. The Feylings are known to be tricksters. Ye might find yerself turned into a toad before ye even blink."
Mira gave a small smile, but there was tension beneath it. "Just what we need, more mischief and chaos."
As they set off toward the Feywild, Aeron's mind raced. The Feylings were a wildcard—unpredictable and sometimes dangerous—but they held knowledge that could give them an edge in the battles ahead. And battles were coming. He could feel it.
The wind picked up as they walked, rustling the leaves of the trees that lined the forest path. The sense of calm from their earlier victory had faded, replaced by a creeping unease. Aeron kept his hand near his sword, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.
The deeper they went into the forest, the more the atmosphere seemed to change. The air grew cooler, and strange lights flickered in the distance, casting an ethereal glow on the path ahead. The sounds of the forest—birds, insects, and rustling leaves—slowly faded, replaced by an eerie silence.
Mira was the first to notice the shift. "We're getting close," she whispered. "The Feywild's magic is everywhere here."
Aeron felt it too. The air around them seemed to shimmer with unseen energy, and the trees began to take on otherworldly shapes, their bark twisting into strange, unfamiliar patterns. Tiny glowing orbs flitted through the air like fireflies, their light dancing around the group.
Suddenly, a high-pitched giggle echoed from the trees, followed by more laughter, light and musical, but somehow unsettling. Kael tensed, his hand on his blade. "Here we go. The Feylings are watching us."
Aeron raised his hand, signaling for everyone to stay calm. "We're not here to fight. They'll show themselves when they're ready."
Sure enough, the laughter grew louder, and in a burst of sparkling light, several Feylings appeared before them. They were small, no taller than a child, with delicate wings and mischievous smiles. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and their hair shimmered like starlight.
One of them, a particularly bold Feyling with silver wings, fluttered closer to Aeron, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Travelers from the mortal realm, you tread on dangerous ground. What brings you to our forest?"
Aeron met her gaze, unfazed by the Feyling's trickster nature. "We seek information. There's a growing threat—dark forces from the Abyss. We need your help to understand what's coming."
The Feyling tilted her head, her smile widening. "Oh, the Abyss, is it? Dangerous business, that is. But what makes you think we would help you?"
Mira stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "The balance of magic affects us all. If the Abyss consumes this world, it will consume yours too."
The Feyling's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, giggling softly. "Perhaps. But we Feylings don't give our help so easily. You'll have to earn it."
Kael groaned under his breath. "Here we go."
The Feyling ignored him, fluttering closer to Aeron. "A game, perhaps? A challenge? If you win, we'll share what we know."
Aeron narrowed his eyes, knowing full well that the Feylings loved to twist their games to their advantage. But they didn't have much choice. "What's the challenge?"
The Feyling clapped her hands, and the forest around them shimmered with magic. "A race! To the heart of the Feywild. Beat us there, and we'll tell you everything you wish to know."
Without another word, the Feylings shot off into the trees, their laughter echoing through the forest. Aeron exchanged a glance with his companions.
"Well," Kael said with a grin, "this is going to be interesting."