The jungle had grown quieter in the hours since their skirmish with the shadowy servant.
Micheal, Selene, and Umbra moved cautiously through the dense terrain, their senses on high alert. One thing that the encounter had proved was that their enemies were becoming more aggressive.
Micheal looked at the Veralune Staff knowing It was no longer a simple weapon; it felt like some kind of guide, an extension of the jungle.
Umbra padded silently beside him, glowing blue eyes cutting through the gloom beneath the underbrush, watching for threats.
Selene was well ahead of them, as always, fluid and quick in her movements. She was untouchable, ever ready for whatever was to come. Micheal was in awe of her confidence but couldn't help but wonder what made her that way.
"Selene," he called out into the silence.
She slowed, looking back. "What?"
"Why are you doing this? Why risk your life out here?"
She cocked her head, her eyes studying the question. "Because someone has to," she said with stark simplicity. "The Shadow Lords do not only want the jungle but want it all. If we do not stop them here, there will be nothing left to save."
Her response struck him. He had thought that his own reasons for fighting were noble, yet the conviction of Selene made him see how much more he had yet to learn.
They rounded one bend and another as the jungle changed once more; the trees grew taller, twisted, their roots gnarled into natural arches and tunnels. The air thickened with moss smell and damp earth.
All of a sudden, Umbra stopped, ears pricked. It growled, low and soft, some alarm.
"What is it?" Micheal asked, holding tight to his staff.
Crouching low, dagger in hand, Selene said, "Stay quiet."
The three of them sat in wait, listening to the quiet. Then, from out of nowhere, there came a rustling from within the bushes. Micheal raised the staff, ready to strike, but what emerged wasn't an attacker.
It was small, no bigger than a rabbit, with fur that glittered in the sun as silver. Its eyes were dimly radiant, and it moved toward them very warily.
"What is that?" Micheal whispered.
Selene sheathed her dagger, her expression softening. "A jungle sprite. They're harmless, but they usually don't show themselves unless there's something important nearby."
The sprite chirped softly, tilting its head as if beckoning them to follow.
"I think it wants us to go with it," Micheal said.
Selene hesitated but nodded. "Fine. But stay alert. Just because it's harmless doesn't mean the area is."
The sprite led them down a series of narrow paths and overgrown trails, its silvery glow lighting the way. After several minutes, they arrived at a small clearing. At its center was a stone pedestal, partially covered in vines.
Micheal approached cautiously, the Veralune Staff humming in his hands. As he reached out to touch the pedestal, the vines fell away, revealing a map carved into the stone.
"What is this?" Micheal asked, tracing the intricate patterns with his fingers.
Selene leaned in, her eyes narrowing. "It's a map of the jungle. But not just any map. it shows places that aren't marked on any normal chart."
Micheal's heart raced as he studied the markings. The map appeared to be a layout of vital positions in the jungle, and each one of them was labeled with a glowing rune.
As Micheal looked at the map, one rune started to shine brighter than the others, pulsing with an intense golden light that called to him.
"What does that mean?" he asked, pointing to the glowing rune.
Selene frowned. "I don't know. But if the jungle is highlighting it, then it must be important."
The Veralune Staff began to glow in response to the rune, and Micheal could feel a pull, much like during his trial.
"I think we're supposed to go there," he said.
Selene crossed her arms, her skepticism apparent. "Just because the jungle points you somewhere doesn't mean it's safe. It could be another test or worse, a trap."
Micheal nodded. "I know. But we don't have a choice. If this map shows us where to find answers, then we have to follow it."
Selene sighed but didn't argue. "Fine. But let's not rush in blindly. We'll prepare first."
As Micheal prepared to leave the clearing, the map began to shimmer. The glow expanded, surrounding him in a cocoon of light.
"Micheal!" Selene called out, but her voice sounded far away, muffled by the light.
Micheal blinked, and suddenly, he was no longer in the jungle. He stood in a vast, open field under a stormy sky. In the distance, he saw towering figures cloaked in darkness (Shadow Lords).
They loomed over a battlefield, their power radiating like a suffocating fog.
Standing with the Veralune Staff in the center of this battlefield was Micheal;beside him stood allies he did not yet know, a group of warriors wielding their unique weapons.
There they stood against the Shadow Lords, the combined strengths of each lighting up through the darkness.
There had been flashes of desperate combats, shattered alliances, and moments of desperation, but through all this there was one continuity, the glow of the Veralune Staff, like a promise of hope.
The vision faded, and Micheal found himself standing once again in the clearing. Salena shook his shoulder awake, her face as concerned as ever.
"What?" she demanded.
Micheal took a deep breath, his mind reeling from what he'd seen. "I think… I saw the future. Or maybe a possible future."
Selene's eyes narrowed. "What did you see?"
"War," Micheal said simply. "But also hope."
The glow faded out of the map, leaving behind only faint runes carved into the stone.
Micheal and Selene looked at each other; no words were exchanged, but silent understanding passed between them.
"Whatever happens next," Micheal said, "we need to be ready."
Selene nodded. "Then let's get moving. That glowing rune isn't going to wait for us."
Umbra growled softly, the glowing eyes scanning the jungle as they set off once more. The weight of the vision lingered within Micheal's mind, but he pushed it aside.
The jungle had chosen him for something. And he wasn't about to let it down.