The forest felt different now. Each step Amanda took seemed to reverberate through the dense woods, as though the very ground acknowledged her presence. Her fingers brushed over the crystalline Seed of Power tucked securely into her satchel. Its energy pulsed faintly, steady yet insistent, like a heartbeat.
Eryndor trailed close behind her, his gaze fixed on her back. Though his loyalty had grown, a seed of unease had been planted within him when Amanda claimed the artifact. Fenris padded beside her, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, his growls quiet but ever-present.
Amanda broke the silence as they reached a secluded clearing. The trees surrounding them towered high, their gnarled branches forming a natural barrier. "This will do," she said, her tone resolute.
Eryndor frowned. "What are you planning?"
She turned to him, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I'm going to harness the Seed's power".
His hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his weapon. "Do you even know what it will do? Artifacts like that don't come without risks, Amanda".
"Risk is part of power," she replied coolly. "And if this Seed does what I think it will, it will be worth every danger".
Fenris growled softly, stepping closer to Amanda. His tail swished in agitation, but he made no move to stop her.
Amanda knelt on the ground, placing the Seed in front of her. It glowed faintly in the dim light, its dark energy swirling like a living entity. Taking a deep breath, she extended her hands over it, allowing her mana to flow outward.
The moment her energy touched the Seed, a shockwave rippled through the clearing. The trees trembled, their leaves rustling violently as an unnatural wind swept through the area. Eryndor stumbled back, shielding his eyes from the sudden burst of light.
The Seed reacted, its glow intensifying as Amanda poured her mana into it. The dark energy within the orb surged, intertwining with her own and testing her resolve.
Visions flooded her mind, vivid and overwhelming. She saw flashes of ancient battles where beings of unimaginable power clashed, their might reshaping the very fabric of Pandora. She felt the weight of their intentions, the echoes of their ambition embedded in the Seed.
"Amanda!" Eryndor's voice cut through the haze, grounding her.
Her crimson aura flared, her will pushing against the overwhelming force of the Seed. "I will not break," she growled, her voice steady despite the strain. "This power belongs to me!"
The Seed fought back, its energy lashing out in defiance. Shadows writhed around Amanda, clawing at her like tangible entities. Fenris barked furiously, stepping forward, but Eryndor grabbed his fur, holding him back.
"She can handle it," Eryndor said, though his voice betrayed his uncertainty.
Amanda gritted her teeth, her entire body trembling as she forced the Seed's energy to submit. Slowly, the chaotic power began to shift, bending to her will. The shadows receded, swirling around her before merging into her aura. The Seed's glow intensified one last time before it shattered, releasing a burst of light that illuminated the clearing.
When the brilliance faded, Amanda rose to her feet. Her aura was different now—darker, more potent. Her crimson eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity, and an unmistakable presence of power radiated from her.
Eryndor stepped forward cautiously. "What... what happened?"
Amanda flexed her fingers, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "The Seed of Power has been absorbed. Its essence is now part of me".
"And what does that mean?" he asked, his voice laced with both curiosity and concern.
Amanda's gaze turned distant for a moment, as though listening to something only she could hear. "A Seed of Power is no ordinary artifact. It's a fragment of the energy left behind by ancient gods or primordial forces. By absorbing it, I've tapped into a source of strength beyond anything I've ever known".
Fenris growled softly, his golden eyes fixed on Amanda. Though his expression was unreadable, Amanda could sense his approval.
"And you're... fine?" Eryndor asked.
"I am more than fine," Amanda replied, her tone sharp. "I'm stronger. My magic has evolved. And this is only the beginning".
She turned away from him, her focus shifting to the path ahead. "We need to move. The energy released from the Seed won't go unnoticed. If the nobles weren't already hunting us, they will be now".
Eryndor hesitated but eventually nodded, following her lead.
As they pressed onward, Amanda could feel the changes within her. Her connection to her mana had deepened, each spell feeling more potent and refined. The Seed's energy had unlocked something dormant within her, a potential she hadn't even realized she possessed.
But with that power came a lingering presence, a faint whisper at the edges of her mind. It wasn't malevolent, but it was there—a reminder that the Seed had been a fragment of something far greater.
Hours passed as they made their way through the forest, the oppressive atmosphere gradually lifting. They reached a ridge overlooking a sprawling valley, the view breathtaking yet ominous.
Eryndor stopped beside Amanda, his gaze scanning the horizon. "What's next?"
Amanda's lips curved into a sly smile. "We keep moving forward. The Seed was just the start. There are more relics out there, more power waiting to be claimed. And we'll take it all".
Her words sent a shiver down Eryndor's spine, but he said nothing. He had chosen to follow her, and there was no turning back now.
Fenris barked, drawing their attention. The wolf's ears twitched, his body tense as he sniffed the air. Amanda placed a hand on his head, her smile fading.
"Trouble," she murmured.
From the shadows of the trees emerged a group of figures, their armor glinting faintly in the fading light. Noble soldiers. Their leader stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he took in Amanda's group.
"You've been busy," he said, his voice cold. "But this is where your rebellion ends."
Amanda's aura flared, her expression unyielding. "You're right about one thing," she said, her voice carrying a dangerous edge. "This is where something ends".
Eryndor drew his weapon, and Fenris growled, baring his teeth. The tension in the air was palpable, the forest holding its breath in anticipation of the coming clash.
Amanda's power surged, her confidence unshaken.
She had claimed the Seed, and with it, she would carve a path through anyone who dared to stand in her way.