The morning mist clung to the jungle like a shroud as Micheal, Selene, and Kai resumed their journey. The jungle felt different today;more watchful.
Micheal's grip on the Veralune Staff tightened as he kept pace with Selene. Her sharp eyes scanned the terrain, while Kai, ever stoic, trailed behind with his massive sword slung across his back.
A period of time passed, in which the three just trudged on without word, each in their individual thoughts. Micheal still had his mind back home and the weird occurrence that night out in the grove.
He hadn't spoken with Selene or Kai on the subject-something of Elyria's words made him feel that its secret is his alone to keep.
"What's the plan for today?" Micheal suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Selene glanced at him. "We're heading toward the Whispering Hollow. It's a natural choke point, but it's also a favorite haunt of shadow beasts. If we're lucky, we'll get through without a fight. If not…"
"We fight," Kai finished bluntly.
Micheal sighed. "Of course."
The Whispering Hollow was as eerie as its name suggested. The trees here were ancient and twisted, their gnarled branches forming an almost impenetrable canopy overhead.
Every now and then, Micheal felt the weight of the jungle's magic weighing upon him, almost as if the land itself was watching.
Selene dropped abruptly into a crouch, one hand raised as a silent signal for them to halt. "Do you hear that?" she whispered.
Micheal strained his ears, but all he could make out was the familiar chorus of the sounds of insects and the cool wind been blown.
"I don't hear anything different from normal," he replied, voice low."
"Exactly," Selene said, tautly. "The jungle's too quiet. There's something wrong.
Kai unsheathed his sword with a quiet rasp, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Stay close. We're not alone."
It caught them off guard. Beasts of shadow erupted from the underbrush and melded seamlessly into the dark with forms of glowing red eyes charging at them.
Micheal barely had time to react before one of the beasts lunged at him. His instincts kicked in, and he swung the Veralune Staff. A burst of light exploded from the staff, forcing the creature backward, though another replaced it immediately.
"Kai! Left!" Selene shouted as she hurled a dagger at another beast.
Kai moved with precision, his sword slicing through the shadowy forms with ease. "Micheal, don't hold back!" he barked.
"I'm trying!" Micheal yelled, channeling energy into the staff. The runes glowed brighter, and a wave of light rippled out, forcing several beasts to retreat.
But for every beast they took down, more seemed to appear, their numbers endless.
"We can't hold them off forever!" Selene shouted.
"Fall back!" Kai ordered. "We'll regroup and find another way around!"
The three of them began to retreat, fighting their way through the onslaught. Just when Micheal thought they wouldn't make it, a deafening roar echoed through the hollow.
The shadow beasts froze, their glowing eyes flickering uncertainly.
"What was that?" Micheal whispered, his voice barely audible.
Selene's face had gone pale. "Something worse than shadow beasts," she said grimly.
Moments later, the source of the roar came into view. A huge creature stepped into sight, its form a melding of shadows and bone. Its eyes blazed with a fierce red light, and the air around it seemed heavy with fear.
"A Shadow Lord," Kai growled, clenching his grip on his sword.
Micheal's heart was racing as he stared into the monstrous being. This was no ordinary enemy. The power emanating from the Shadow Lord was overwhelming.
Selene pulled Micheal back. "We can't fight this thing. Not now."
"But we can't just run!" Micheal protested.
Kai's voice was firm. "We don't have a choice. We'll die if we stay.
Another roar of the Shadow Lord shook the ground beneath their feet as the shadow beasts around it seemed to get bolder, moving forward once again.
Selene latched onto Micheal's arm. "Move!"
The three ran, dodging trees and leaping over roots as the shadow beasts pursued them. The light of the Veralune Staff offered some protection, but the beasts would not stop.
Micheal felt exhaustion creeping in, but he pushed forward, his lungs burning. "We're not going to make it!" he shouted.
"Yes, we will!" Selene snapped. "Keep moving!"
Kai suddenly stopped, turning to face the advancing beasts. "Go! I'll hold them off!
"No!" Micheal yelled, suddenly stopping. "You cannot fight them alone!"
Kai gave him a cold stare. "You're the one with the staff. If you fall here, it's over. Go!"
Before Micheal could say anything, Selene grasped his wrist and dragged him forward. "Don't waste his sacrifice!" she exclaimed furiously.
Micheal felt his throat lump as he followed her, looking back to see Kai standing his ground, the faint glow of his sword a beacon as he stood resolute against the tide of oncoming horde.
Eventually, after running for what felt like an eternity, Selene and Micheal stumbled into a small cavern hidden behind a curtain of vines. It was cool and damp inside, and for the first time since the attack began, Micheal felt safe.
Selene slumped against the wall, trying to catch her breath. "We'll wait here," she said. "Kai will find us if he makes it."
Micheal sat down, his hands shaking as he clutched the Veralune Staff. "I should have stayed. I could have helped him."
Selene shook her head. "No, you couldn't. Kai's right-you're the one who has to make it. That staff of yours might be the only thing that can stop the Shadow Lords."
Micheal looked at her, guilt and determination warring within him. "Then I need to get stronger. I can't keep relying on everyone else to save me."
Selene smiled faintly. "Good. Because the jungle doesn't have room for the weak."
As the two of them rested in the cavern, he couldn't get the picture of Kai standing alone against the shadow beasts out of his mind. He promised silently to himself that the sacrifice Kai made wouldn't be in vain.
The jungle was a relentless environment, but Micheal was catching its beat. And it wasn't going to cut him any slack, unless he toughened up.
Not only for his own sake, but also for the handful that had chosen to ride in with him.