The morning air was brisk as the trio left Arford, their footsteps crunching softly on the dirt road that wound through the dense forest. The town faded into the distance behind them, its modest homes and watchtower soon swallowed by the trees.
Caden adjusted his cloak, his gaze fixed ahead. The shard's faint pulse was still there, but it no longer dominated his thoughts. The rest in Arford had done him good, though the whispers lingered at the edges of his mind, waiting for any sign of weakness.
"How far to the port?" Caden asked, breaking the silence.
"A day and a half if we push," Garrick said, his staff tapping the ground with each step. His injured arm was still bound, but his gait was steadier now, the color returning to his face. "Longer if we're cautious, which we'll need to be. The Reclaimers won't have forgotten us."
Kael snorted from her position at the rear, her dagger spinning idly in her hand. "Forgotten us? If anything, they'll be waiting with a welcoming party. We're not exactly subtle."
Caden glanced at her, frowning. "Then why not avoid the port entirely?"
"Because the port is where the answers are," Garrick said. "The rumors about the fragment deal, the Reclaimers' movements—it all points there. If we avoid it, we'll lose our chance to get ahead of them."
"And get caught in the crossfire instead," Kael muttered, but she didn't press the point further.
The road narrowed as they delved deeper into the forest, the canopy above thickening until only faint slivers of light pierced through. The air was damp, carrying the earthy scent of moss and fallen leaves.
Hours passed in tense silence, each member of the group scanning the trees for signs of movement. The forest seemed alive with subtle sounds—the rustle of leaves, the distant call of birds—but nothing out of the ordinary.
Still, Caden couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His fingers brushed the shard in his pocket, and its faint pulse quickened slightly, as though it sensed his unease.
[Warning: Hostile entities detected. Preparing analysis...]
Caden froze, his breath catching in his throat as the System's message burned across his vision.
"They're here," he said, his voice low.
Kael tensed, her eyes narrowing. "How many?"
[Analyzing… Reclaimers detected. Threat Level: Moderate.]
"Enough to be trouble," Caden added, his hand closing around the shard.
The attack came as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the trail.
The first arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself in the ground inches from Garrick's feet. He reacted instantly, raising his staff and sending a surge of arcane energy into the trees. The blast illuminated the forest, revealing figures in dark cloaks darting between the trunks.
"Reclaimers!" Kael hissed, her dagger already in hand as she moved into a defensive stance.
Caden's heart pounded as he drew the shard from his pocket. Its glow flared, a surge of energy flooding through him as he stepped closer to Garrick.
[Shard activated: Shard Barrier available. Energy reserves unstable.]
The Reclaimers charged, their movements swift and precise. Two came at Kael, their blades flashing in the dim light. She met them with practiced ease, deflecting one strike and driving her dagger into the shoulder of the other.
Garrick muttered a chant under his breath, his staff glowing brighter as he sent another wave of energy toward the advancing enemies. One Reclaimer was thrown back, but two more rushed forward, their weapons aimed for Garrick.
Caden stepped in front of him, raising the shard as its energy surged. A shimmering barrier erupted around them, the Shard Barrier pulsing with raw power.
[Ability activated: Shard Barrier. Energy consumption critical. Prolonged use not recommended.]
The Reclaimers' weapons clashed against the barrier, sending sparks flying, but it held.
"Hold it!" Garrick shouted, his voice strained. "Just a little longer!"
Caden gritted his teeth, his arms trembling under the strain of maintaining the barrier. The shard's energy burned through him, leaving him lightheaded and unsteady.
Kael dispatched another attacker, her movements a blur of precision and brutality. "Whatever you're doing, make it quick!" she yelled.
Garrick's chant grew louder, the energy around him building to a crescendo. With a final word, he unleashed a massive surge of arcane power. The blast tore through the clearing, sending the Reclaimers sprawling and lighting up the forest with a brilliant flash.
[Hostile entities neutralized. User health compromised. Immediate recovery required.]
Caden dropped to his knees, the barrier dissolving as the shard's energy ebbed. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his vision swimming.
"Caden!" Garrick knelt beside him, his hand steadying Caden's shoulder. "Are you all right?"
"I... I'm fine," Caden managed, though his voice was weak.
Kael approached, wiping her dagger on her sleeve. "Fine, huh? You look like you've been trampled by a horse."
"I said I'm fine," Caden snapped, irritation flaring before he could stop himself.
Kael raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Whatever you say, boy. Just make sure you don't keel over before we get to the port."
Garrick helped Caden to his feet, his gaze thoughtful. "We need to move. They'll regroup and come back stronger."
Caden nodded, though his legs felt like lead as he forced himself to follow. The shard's weight pressed heavily on him, a constant reminder of the cost of its power.
As the group resumed their journey, the forest grew darker, the trees casting long, jagged shadows across the trail. The Reclaimers were relentless, and the shard's influence was growing stronger.
But Caden clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. Whatever dangers lay ahead, he wouldn't let the shard control him.
Not yet.