Heavy jungle heat smothered Micheal, Selene, and Umbra as they pressed through the underbrush in the direction of the glowing rune on the stone map.
The silence between them felt heavy, thicker than it should be due to the vision Micheal had. He had yet to tell Selene the complete vision; he wasn't even quite sure how she would react to everything he had seen.
"Are you going to tell me what you saw back there?" Selene asked, her voice cutting through the stillness.
Micheal hesitated. "It's hard to explain. I saw a battle… and a group of people fighting the Shadow Lords. I think we were winning, but—"
"But what?" Selene pressed, her tone sharp.
Micheal glanced at her, then away. "It didn't feel certain. Like the future could still change."
Selene turned him, out of pace for him to stop and face him. "The jungle doesn't give out visions on a whim, Micheal. It showed you that for a reason,to spur you to action. And so, what do you propose doing about it?"
"I don't know yet," Micheal conceded. "But I think the map is part of it. We need to find that glowing rune."
Selene's face relaxed, and she nodded. "Fine. But keep your head clear. Visions have a way of messing with people's minds."
As they pressed on, the weather of jungle began to change again. The foliage grew denser, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and rotting leaves.
"We should rest here," Selene said, gesturing to the riverbank.
Micheal nodded, grateful for the break. He sat down near the water, letting Umbra drink while he caught his breath. Selene stood nearby, ever vigilant.
It wasn't long before they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Micheal jumped to his feet, gripping the Veralune Staff, as Umbra growled low.
"Relax," the voice called out. "It's just me."
Kai stepped out from amongst the trees, his hands up in mock surrender. The rogue's easy smile was still plastered on his face, but there was just something about him that put Micheal ill at ease.
Selene's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here, Kai?"
"Following a lead," Kai said, casually leaning against a tree. "Rumor has it, the Shadow Lords are after something big. Figured you might know what it is."
"We don't," Selene said flatly.
Kai shrugged. "Fair enough. But it's not like you're just wandering aimlessly. You've got that fancy staff and your new pet over there. Looks like you're onto something."
Micheal frowned, unsure how much he could trust Kai. He had been helpful before, but his motives were always murky.
"We found a map," Micheal admitted cautiously. "It's leading us to something important."
Kai's eyes lit up with interest. "A map, huh? Sounds intriguing. Mind if I tag along?"
Selene crossed her arms over her chest. "We don't need you slowing us down."
Kai snickered. "Ah, come on, Selene. You know I'm not dead weight. Besides, I've got information that might be useful."
Micheal looked uncertainly from Selene to Kai. The distrust of Selene was apparent, and yet something in Kai's manner made Micheal pause.
"What kind of information?" Micheal asked.
The grin on Kai's face broadened. "I've been tracking a bunch of shadowy figures, and they're not ordinary servants-they're commanders. If they're out here, it means the Shadow Lords are planning something big."
Selene's expression darkened at this. "Commanders? Are you sure?"
"Positive," Kai said. "And if we don't figure out what they're after, we're all in trouble."
Micheal looked to Selene. "He might be right. If the Shadow Lords are sending commanders, it means they're escalating."
Selene sighed, clearly unhappy but relenting. "Fine. But if you pull anything, Kai, I'll make sure it's the last thing you do."
Kai smirked. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
As the group continued their journey, the jungle grew eerily quiet. The usual hum of insects and rustling leaves was replaced by an unsettling stillness. Umbra's ears twitched, and it let out a low growl.
"We're being watched," Selene said, her hand on her dagger.
Kai nodded. "I feel it too. Whoever's out there isn't friendly."
Before Micheal could say anything, a dark figure emerged from the trees. It had the shape of a humanoid, but all was shrouded in darkness, and features were not well distinguished. The air around it seemed to ripple with malevolence.
"Turn back," the figure said, its voice unnatural, an echo. "The path you seek leads only to death."
Micheal stepped forward and raised the Veralune Staff. "We are not afraid of you. If the Shadow Lords sent you, tell them we're coming."
The figure chuckled, and the sound sent chills down Micheal's spine. "You misunderstand. I am not your enemy. Not yet. But if you continue down this path, you will face trials that even the jungle's magic cannot save you from."
"Who are you?" Selene demanded, her dagger drawn.
The figure cocked its head to the side. "A messenger." Nothing more.
In the blink of an eye, it dissolved into the darkness and disappeared, leaving only a whiff of decay.
Kai whistled softly. "Well, that was ominous."
"You think it was lying?" Micheal asked, looking back at Selene.
Her jaw clenched. "Doesn't matter. We don't go back."
Kai gave her his most charming smile. "That's the Selene I know. Obstinate as all get out."
Selene gave him a heated glare. "Don't try me, Kai."
Micheal let out an exasperated breath; the tension between the two was palpable. "Will you guys just settle it? We're nearing the location of the next marker."
Umbra growled softly, in agreement, and the group moved on, the weight of the messenger's warning thick above them.
As darkness descended, they made their camp in a small clearing. Micheal sat by the fire, the Veralune Staff laid across his lap. He couldn't keep the feeling out of his mind that the messenger's warning was more than it seemed.
She sat opposite him, sharpening her dagger. "Don't let it get to you," she said without looking up.
Micheal frowned. "What if it was right? What if we're not ready for what's ahead?"
Selene looked into his eyes, firm and steady. "We don't have the luxury of doubting ourselves, Micheal. If we falter, the Shadow Lords win. It's that simple."
Kai leaned against the nearest tree, for once serious, no smirk in sight. "She's right. This isn't some game, kid. Whatever's waiting for us, we deal with it. No second guessing."
Micheal nodded. Those words again laced him with a new sense of determination. He turned toward Umbra, which was lying a little distance away, its eyes aglow as they watched him.
"We'll get through this," he said quietly to himself.
The fire crackled softly as the group settled in for the night, each of them lost in their thoughts. The darkness of the jungle seemed to close in around them, a constant reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.
But for now, they had each other. And that, Micheal hoped, would be enough.