The steps of Micheal were cautious in the jungle, lest he trip on the uneven ground. His mind still echoed with the tussle with the mysterious man.
Body ache, heavy fog of exhaustion clung to him, but he kept on with his way. The path ahead was getting narrower and the jungle denser, as if testing at every step the determination of his will.
The air was thick and dank, bringing with it an eerie silence. It wasn't the stillness of silence that he had previously experienced; this was oppressive, like something was watching him.
He gripped his staff tightly, his eyes scanning the area. The further he went, the more he noticed shadows moving at the edge of his vision.
Every time he turned to look, they vanished, melting into the darkness.
Micheal stopped, taking a steadying breath. "I know you're there," he called out, his voice firm despite the unease twisting in his gut.
The jungle didn't respond, but the shadows seemed to grow bolder. They moved closer, weaving between the trees like living smoke.
Micheal raised his staff, its light cutting through the gloom. "If you want something, show yourself!"
For a moment, everything went still. Then, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
It was humanoid, but its features were indistinct, like smoke held together by an act of magic.
A dull red glow emanated from its eyes, while its voice was no more than a husky whisper that seemed to come from everywhere at once. "Why do you walk this path, boy?"
Micheal kept his staff raised, the magic within it coursing weakly. "I'm here to protect Veralune and stop the darkness.
It cocked its head to one side, seeming to amuse itself. "Protect? Stop the darkness? You speak as if you understand what lies ahead. But do you?"
"I'll figure it out," Micheal replied resolutely.
The shadow chuckled in a dry, grating tone. "Brave words for one so young. But bravery alone is not enough.
Before Micheal could respond, more shadows emerged from the trees. They surrounded him, their forms shifting and twisting as they moved.
Each one whispered in low, unintelligible voices, the sound grating against Micheal's ears.
He gritted his teeth, tightening his grip on the staff. "If you're trying to scare me, it's not going to work."
The first shadow stepped closer, his red eyes locking onto Micheal's. "Scare you? No, boy. We're here to remind you of the truth.
The jungle's magic may guide you now, but it is not without cost. Every step you take, every bond you forge-it all comes with a price."
Micheal frowned. "What price?
The shadow leaned forward, putting his hands on Micheal's Chest and said calmly.
"The jungle doesn't give without taking. You've already begun to pay, though you don't realize it yet."
Micheal retreated a step, his heart thumping. "What are you talking about?"
The shadow didn't respond. Instead, it raised its other hand, and the air around Micheal grew colder. The whispers grew louder, more insistent, until they became a cacophony of voices.
Micheal clutched his staff, channeling the jungle's magic into a shield around himself. The light pushed back against the encroaching shadows, but they didn't retreat.
You can't fight what you don't understand," the shadow snarled, its voice cutting through the din of noise. "You can't protect what you don't know."
Micheal clenched his jaw and focused on the warmth in the magic of the jungle. He forced the energy outwards, the light from his staff flaring brighter.
The shadows hissed and pulled backward with the movement, but they did not vanish.
You think you can resist us?" he asked, almost mockingly. "You are still but a child playing with forces far beyond your comprehension."
"I am not playing," Micheal shot back, his voice level. "I have come this far, and I am not going to turn my back now....Whatever price the jungle wants, I'll pay. But I will not let the darkness win."
The shadow paused, the glowing eyes narrowing, until for a moment, there was silence in the jungle, whispers dwindling to nothing. Then, the shadow started to laugh.
"Perhaps there is more to you than I thought," it now said, the voice softer. "Very well, Micheal. Continue on your path.
But remember,every choice has its own consequences. The jungle may well guide you, but it will not protect you from yourself.
With that, the shadows began to dissipate, melting back into the trees. The weight hanging in the air vanished as the path opened before him, showing a faint glow in the distance.
Micheal let his staff down, his breathing unsteadied. He didn't understand what had just happened, but he knew one thing for sure: the jungle's magic wasn't so simple.
He tightened his grip on the staff and resumed walking, his mind reeling with what the shadows had told him. What price am I paying? What did they mean-the jungle will not protect me?
He felt determined and ill at ease as he approached the light. The road was getting tougher, and the truths he dug out were much heavier than he had anticipated. But he couldn't give up.
Not when so much was at stake.