Aric's breath came in shallow waves, the thrum of his pulse echoing in his ears as he stood next to Krael, the tension between them thick as the shadows pressing in from the forest. The flicker of pale eyes and that twisted grin still lingered in his mind, sharp as a dagger's edge. Every muscle in his body coiled tight, ready for the unknown.
Krael's eyes darted between the dense tangle of branches, their usual steel-hard focus now laced with something more: anticipation. "They won't wait long," he muttered, voice low and edged with certainty.
Aric swallowed and steadied his stance, drawing on the warm pulse of magic within him. It responded, trickling through his veins and settling into his limbs, steadying the tremor in his hands. The forest, with its gnarled roots and towering oaks, was cloaked in a silence that felt unnatural, as if every living thing had stilled to watch what would unfold.
Then, from the left, came the sound again—a rustle, a snapping twig. Aric's head whipped toward the noise, eyes straining to penetrate the darkness. For an instant, nothing moved, and he could almost believe it was a trick of the wind. But Krael's posture, blade held high and eyes narrowed, said otherwise.
The silence shattered.
Three figures burst from the underbrush, their movements inhumanly fast. Aric's sword was up before he could think, catching the first creature's lunge with a clash that sent vibrations up his arm. The creature's pale eyes gleamed with a malevolent light as it snarled and leapt back, moving with a fluidity that sent a jolt of unease through him.
Krael was already in motion, his blade a blur as he met the second attacker head-on. The clash of steel rang out, sharp and brutal, as Krael drove the creature back with a flurry of strikes. The third figure circled them, eyes flickering between Aric and Krael, searching for an opening.
Aric's heart pounded as he tightened his grip on the hilt. The warm hum of magic surged, and he let it flow through his body, giving him the speed to pivot and deflect a blow aimed at his side. The creature hissed, its twisted grin reappearing as it met his gaze.
"Don't let them corner you!" Krael shouted, parrying a strike and pivoting with lethal precision. He slashed upward, cutting deep into his opponent's arm. The creature recoiled, dark blood seeping down its pale skin before it darted back into the cover of the trees.
Aric nodded, the command seeping into his mind as he sidestepped another lunge. This time, he was ready. He channeled the magic into his muscles and swung with more force, catching the creature across its chest. It stumbled, eyes wide with shock as the blue-tinged blade cut through. For a moment, it stood still, then melted into a wisp of shadow, dispersing into the forest floor.
A second of silence. Then the last creature lunged for Krael, aiming low. Krael twisted, the movement smooth and practiced, and brought his blade down in a single, decisive stroke. The creature let out a guttural cry before disintegrating, leaving only the scent of damp earth and the faint, acrid tang of blood.
Aric exhaled shakily, his limbs trembling with the aftermath of battle. The glow of magic within him dimmed, leaving behind an ache that was part exhaustion, part exhilaration. He turned to Krael, whose expression was as unreadable as ever.
"They were scouts," Krael said, scanning the darkness that lay just beyond the thin shafts of moonlight. "More will come."
Aric's chest tightened at the thought. "What are they?"
Krael sheathed his sword, the motion deliberate and slow. "Remnants of old magic, twisted by time and malice. They shouldn't be here, not this close to the village."
Before Aric could respond, a movement at the edge of the clearing caught their attention. Lyra stepped into the pale light, her face pale but composed, eyes flickering with something unreadable as she surveyed the scene.
"They know we're not weak," Krael said, his voice as much for Lyra as for Aric. "But they'll come again. Stronger."
Lyra's gaze settled on Aric, the worry in her eyes softening into something like pride. "You're ready for what comes next," she said quietly, more statement than question.
Aric felt the weight of the night settle into him, the thrum of magic still lingering in his veins. He met her gaze and nodded. He had to be ready. Because whatever those pale-eyed shadows were, tonight had proven that this was only the beginning.