Chapter 28: Shadows of Doubt
The aftermath of the battle left the group shaken but resolute. Jin Soo wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze fixed on the spot where the cloaked figure had disappeared. The whispers in his mind still lingered, faint but persistent.
"That was no ordinary enemy," Eun Ha said, breaking the silence. She sheathed her blade, her eyes scanning the dark forest. "They were testing us."
"Testing us for what?" Min Jae asked, his voice edged with frustration. "They already know we're here. Why not finish the job?"
Hye Rin knelt beside one of the fading shadows, her hand glowing faintly as she examined its remains. "The shadows feed on fear," she said quietly. "They're trying to weaken us before the real fight."
Jin Soo clenched his fists. He could feel the weight of the tether, both physical and emotional. "We can't let them win. If they want to test us, we'll show them what we're capable of."
The group pressed on, the forest growing darker with each step. The canopy above was so thick that even the faint light of the tether seemed dim. The air was heavy, and the whispers grew louder, each word a dagger aimed at their resolve.
"You'll fail," they murmured. "You're not strong enough. You'll lose everything."
Jin Soo stumbled, the voices clawing at his mind. Hye Rin placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, her expression firm. "Don't let them in," she said. "They're lies, nothing more."
He nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks."
As they reached a small clearing, Seo Jin suddenly stopped, his eyes wide. "Look!" he said, pointing to a massive tree in the center of the clearing. Its bark was black as night, and its twisted branches reached toward the sky like claws. At its base lay another shard of the Light Core, its glow barely visible beneath the thick roots.
"We've found another shard," Eun Ha said, her voice tinged with relief.
But as Jin Soo stepped forward, the ground beneath them trembled. The tree's roots sprang to life, wrapping around the shard and forming a monstrous shape. A shadowy creature with glowing eyes emerged, its form towering over them.
"Of course, it couldn't be that easy," Min Jae muttered, drawing his blades.
"Get ready!" Jin Soo shouted, the tether flaring to life.
The battle began, the group working together to fight the shadowy guardian.
To Be Continue.......