Chapter 20: The Gathering Storm
The days following their encounter with the shadow warrior were grueling. Hye Rin pushed Jin Soo to his limits, forcing him to hone his control over the tether. Each session left him exhausted, but he could feel himself growing stronger.
Eun Ha and Min Jae trained alongside him, their bond deepening as they faced their fears together. Seo Jin focused on fortifying the camp, creating barriers of light to shield them from surprise attacks.
One evening, as the group gathered around the fire, Min Jae broke the silence. "Do you ever wonder what happens after this? After we win?"
Eun Ha smirked. "You're already thinking about victory? That's bold."
"I'm serious," Min Jae said. "If we destroy the shadows, what's left for us?"
Jin Soo stared into the flames. "We rebuild. We create a world where people don't have to live in fear."
Hye Rin, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "The shadows will never be gone completely. They're a part of the balance. But we can weaken them enough to give the light a chance."
Her words hung in the air, a reminder of the stakes they faced.
The next morning, their fragile peace was shattered by a piercing scream. The group rushed to the edge of the forest, where they found a villager fleeing in terror.
"Help us!" the man cried. "They're attacking the village!"
Without hesitation, the group followed him to a nearby settlement. Shadows swarmed the area, their forms twisting and writhing as they tore through buildings and attacked anyone in sight.
Jin Soo led the charge, his tether blazing as he cut through the darkness. Eun Ha and Min Jae fought by his side, their movements fluid and precise. Seo Jin's light blasts scattered the smaller shadows, while Hye Rin focused on protecting the villagers.
As the last shadow fell, the villagers emerged from their hiding places, their faces a mix of relief and gratitude.
"Thank you," an elderly woman said, her hands trembling. "We thought we were doomed."
Jin Soo looked at the destruction around them, his jaw tightening. "This is just the beginning," he said. "The shadows are getting bolder."
Hye Rin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then we'll stop them, one step at a time."
TO BE CONTINUED...