Michele's breathing was sharp and shallow as his legs stumbled through the thick undergrowth of the jungle, trembling arms aching from bearing the heavy Veralune Staff.
He had barely managed to survive the ambush by shadow beasts a few minutes earlier. Worse, the glowing runes on the staff were dimming now-the sign that its magic had just about been sapped from it.
"Why won't you last when I need you most?" Micheal muttered under his breath, clutching the staff tightly.
The jungle around him was alive with sound. He wanted to rest, yet knew he couldn't stop moving-not here.
No sooner had he pushed past a thicket, stepping into a small clearing, than a sharp voice broke the silence.
"Stop right there, unless you want an arrow through your foot."
Micheal froze, his hands clutched tightly on the staff. His gaze darted ahead to the trees for any sign of where the voice was coming from.
Out of the darkness stepped a woman, towering and wiry, clad in dark leather armor that easily mixed into the jungle's shadows.
Twin daggers glimmered on her hips while her green eyes, very piercing, latched onto Micheal with a blend of mirth and wariness.
Her hair was combed into an impeccable braid, and every motion she made was as silky-smooth as the running streams around these woods.
"Relax, kid," she said, smirking. "I'm not here to kill you. yet. But judging by the way you're holding that thing."
She gestured to the Veralune Staff."you're either very brave or very stupid."
Micheal shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. "Who are you?" he finally asked, his voice shaking slightly.
"The one who just saved you from wandering straight into a den of shadow spiders," she replied, pointing to a faint web like glint on the ground a few steps ahead. "You're welcome."
Before Micheal could reply, another voice cut through the clearing deep and commanding.
"Selene, stop toying with him. We don't have time for this."
From the other side of the clearing, a man appeared. He was tall and broad shouldered, with a weathered armor and massive sword that suggested he was no stranger to battle.
His eyes, darker than any he had seen before, seemed to flash with a hostility that had nothing friendly to it at all.
"Who are you?" Micheal asked again, more forcefully this time.
The question is, who are you?" the man shot back. His voice was coarse, laced with suspicion. "And why are you walking around with that staff?"
"I don't owe you any answers," Micheal snapped, taking a step back.
Wrong," the man growled, closing the gap. His sword leaned against his shoulder, but the strained angles of his body clearly spelled that he was ready at an instant's notice.
"That staff doesn't get carried by just about anybody. Either you're a thief, or so daft you don't know what you're lugging."
"Enough, Kai," interjected the woman. So, Selene. "Don't chase him off prior to finding out if he's handy to have around.
Useful?" Micheal repeated, narrowing his eyes. "I'm not some tool for you to use.
Selene shrugged, not bothered by his anger. "Take it easy. You've got promise, that's clear. But promise doesn't count for much if you're dead, and from what I see, you're just alive."
Micheal held the staff tighter, but before he could fight back, the jungle turned into mayhem.
A deep growl echoed in the clearing followed by the loud thump of steps coming closer. The ground under them shook, and the air smelled of rot.
"Shadow beasts," Kai said , his sword already out.
Selene swore pulling out her daggers. "They must've been following him," she said looking at Micheal. "Want to tell us why you're walking around like a light for these creatures?"
"I have no idea!" Micheal yelled getting more scared.
"Forget it," Kai snapped. "If you want to stay alive, don't get in my way."
The first beast burst from the treeline, a hulking, wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes and jagged claws. It snarled, baring its blackened fangs, and lunged straight for Micheal.
By instinct, Micheal raised up the Veralune Staff. A burst of light erupted from its tip and slammed into the creature, sending it skidding backward.
The beast roared in pain but quickly regained its composure, circling the group as more shadow beasts emerged from the darkness.
"Not bad," Selene said, sliding into a defensive stance beside Micheal. "But you're gonna need more than flashy lights to survive this."
What was supposed to be a battle immediately started off in chaos and brutally so. Selene danced as gracefully as a dancer, and her daggers flashed continuously while striking at their targets with deadly accuracy.
Kai was a force unto his own, his greatsword crashing its way through beasts with raw force.
Micheal, an amateur, found himself coming back to the staff for support, each pulse of its light disorienting enough for his companions to manage and finish off.
The beasts just kept on coming. Micheal's arms were sore from swinging the staff, and his magic was running low. Just as despair began to creep in, Vaelor's voice echoed in his mind.
"Focus, Micheal. Draw strength from the jungle."
He took a deep breath, planted the staff into the ground, and closed his eyes. He could feel the pulse of the jungle around him.
Channeling that energy, he let loose with a blinding wave of light that enveloped the entire clearing.
When the light faded, the shadow beasts were gone. The jungle was still once more.
Kai sheathed his sword, his face unreadable. "Not bad, kid, but don't get any idea that this means I trust you."
She chuckled, wiping her daggers clean. "Trust or not, he's got potential. And judging by the direction he's heading, he's going to need all the help he can get."
Micheal slumped heavily on the staff, his body shaking with exhaustion. "Why do you care?" he whispered.
Selene smiled, though there was a hint of seriousness in her eyes. "Let's just say I've got my reasons. Besides, you're not the only one with a bone to pick with the Shadow Lords."
Kai crossed his arms, his gaze hard. "We're heading the same way. Don't slow us down."
And just like that, Micheal found himself with two unlikely allies. Though he didn't fully trust them, he couldn't deny the solace of no longer being alone.
For the first time in days, he allowed himself a glimpse of hope.