The sound of rushing water grew louder as the group approached the river, the faint roar of the current masking their hurried breaths. The forest loomed thick and oppressive, each shadow hiding potential danger.
Caden's hand tightened on his sword hilt. The shard pulsed faintly in his pocket, its energy a steady, distracting rhythm that seemed to synchronize with his pounding heart.
"Something's off," Garrick muttered, stopping abruptly. His staff glowed faintly as he scanned the area ahead. "We're not alone."
Kael, ever quick with her blade, pulled her dagger free, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "Reclaimers again?"
"Most likely," Garrick replied, his tone grim. "They're closing in."
"Great," Kael muttered. "Because we haven't dealt with enough of them already."
Caden's stomach churned as he followed Garrick's lead, stepping off the path and crouching low behind a cluster of rocks. The shard pulsed harder now, reacting to the presence of the Reclaimers.
It wasn't long before the enemy appeared. Six figures emerged from the trees, their dark cloaks blending with the shadows. They moved with precision, spreading out to encircle the area. At their head stood a figure taller than the rest, his hood falling back to reveal a sharp, angular face etched with faint glowing lines.
"So predictable," the leader said, his voice low and cold. "A shard bearer, stumbling blindly through the forest. Did you think we wouldn't find you?"
"Funny," Kael said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And here I thought we were doing so well at avoiding you."
The leader's gaze shifted to her briefly before settling on Caden. His expression twisted with disdain. "You're the one who's been causing so much trouble. A shard bearer... wielding power he doesn't understand."
Caden tensed, drawing his sword. The shard pulsed sharply, its energy coursing through him. "If you want the shard, come and take it."
The leader smirked, raising his hand. A faint, shimmering aura surrounded his fingers. "Foolish child. Do you even realize the forces you're toying with?"
"What forces are you toying with?" Garrick shot back, stepping forward, his staff glowing brighter. "Your kind has no claim to the fragments. You're scavengers pretending to be righteous."
The leader's expression hardened. "Righteous or not, we understand the fragments' power better than this boy ever will. Hand it over now, and you might leave this forest alive."
"Not happening," Kael said, twirling her dagger.
The leader sighed, almost theatrically. "So be it."
The Reclaimers attacked in unison, their movements coordinated and swift. Garrick raised a barrier of light to deflect incoming projectiles, the arcane energy sparking against the force of their assault.
Kael darted into the fray, her dagger a blur as she targeted a nearby Reclaimer. The attacker parried her first strike, but Kael's movements were too quick—she ducked low, slashing across his thigh before finishing him with a sharp thrust.
Caden faced the leader directly, their swords clashing in a series of quick, brutal strikes. The shard's energy coursed through him, enhancing his strength and speed, but he could feel the strain building.
The leader moved with surprising agility, his blade an extension of his will. "You're strong," he admitted, his voice calm even as their blades locked. "But strength without understanding is weakness."
Before Caden could respond, the leader stepped back and raised his free hand. A flash of light erupted from his palm, followed by an arc of shimmering energy that surged toward Caden.
Caden instinctively raised his free hand.
[Ability Activated: Shard Barrier.]
A translucent shield of energy erupted around him, deflecting the spell. The force of the impact sent him stumbling, the strain of the barrier sapping his strength.
The leader's smirk widened. "Interesting. A shard bearer with more tricks than expected."
Caden gritted his teeth, his sword trembling in his grip. "How are you using magic? You're not a mage."
The leader laughed. "Magic? Hardly. You think I'd waste my strength on something so mundane?" He reached into his cloak, pulling free a glowing artifact—a palm-sized disk etched with faint runes. "This is just a tool, boy. A trinket. But in the right hands, even a trinket can end you."
Before Caden could respond, the leader flung the disk into the ground. A sudden explosion of light and shadow enveloped him, obscuring his form completely.
"What the—?" Caden staggered back, squinting into the haze. When it cleared moments later, the leader was gone.
Kael ran up beside him, her dagger still ready. "Where did he go?"
Garrick approached, his face grim. "He didn't go anywhere. That was an illusion spell, likely tied to the artifact. A distraction to buy him time."
Caden's heart pounded as he stared at the empty space where the leader had stood. "That was... magic? But he's a swordsman."
"Not real magic," Garrick clarified. "Artifacts and scrolls can mimic spells. The Reclaimers use them often—cheap tricks for desperate men."
Kael sheathed her dagger, scowling. "So, we just got played by a flashy light show. Fantastic."
Caden's hands trembled as he lowered his sword. "I don't understand. Why not stay and finish the fight?"
"Because he didn't need to," Garrick said, his tone heavy. "He saw what he wanted to see—you, using the shard. He's no fool. He'll report back to someone higher, and next time, we won't face a simple patrol."
The words hit Caden like a blow. The Reclaimers weren't just chasing them—they were analyzing them, testing their limits.
The group moved cautiously away from the battlefield, their steps heavier now. As they reached the cover of the trees, Garrick turned to Caden.
"Let this be a lesson," he said. "Strength alone won't win these battles. The Reclaimers will use every advantage they can find—tricks, traps, and illusions. If you want to survive, you need to think beyond your sword."
Caden nodded slowly, his grip tightening on the shard in his pocket. The leader's parting words echoed in his mind, a grim reminder of the power he had yet to fully understand.
"We keep moving," Garrick said, his voice firm. "The next time we face them, we'll be ready."
Caden glanced back at the clearing one last time before following Garrick and Kael into the forest. His resolve hardened with every step.
The Reclaimers had underestimated him before. They wouldn't make that mistake again.
And neither would he.