The plains stretched endlessly before us, an expanse of gold rippling in the breeze. The shard's weight in my pocket felt heavier with every step, a constant reminder of what we had left behind. The Dawnhound padded beside me, silent but alert. Its glowing eyes scanned the horizon, every twitch of its ears was a signal to pay attention. The Phaseling floated ahead, its translucent form blending oddly with the shimmering heat waves rising from the ground.
The first few hours passed in silence, broken only by the soft crunch of grass underfoot and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the distance. The shard pulsed faintly now, a steady beat that matched my footsteps. It felt less urgent, but I knew better than to let my guard down. Whatever this thing was, it had stirred something in that ruin, and I doubted it would let us go so easily.
By midday, the heat was oppressive. Sweat slicked my back, and my pack felt heavier with every step. We came across a small cluster of boulders and stopped to rest. I dropped to the ground with a grunt, leaning back against the cool stone. The Dawnhound flopped down beside me, its sides rising and falling with slow breaths. The Phaseling hovered near the top of the tallest boulder, its glow dimming slightly as if conserving energy.
I pulled out my water flask and took a long drink, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat. Holding it up, I tilted my head toward the Phaseling. "Sure you don't need any?"
It didn't respond, as usual, but its form shifted slightly, almost like a shrug. I rolled my eyes and capped the flask, setting it aside. The Dawnhound's ears twitched, and it let out a low growl, more of a warning than a threat. I followed its gaze to the horizon, where a faint plume of dust rose against the sky.
"What is it?" I asked though I didn't expect an answer. Squinting, I could just make out a group of figures moving through the plains. They were distant, little more than silhouettes, but they were heading in our direction.
I stood, brushing the dirt from my hands, and slung my pack over my shoulder. "Let's keep moving."
The Dawnhound rose instantly, its muscles tensing as it stared at the approaching figures. The Phaseling drifted closer, its glow intensifying slightly as if preparing for something. Together, we moved away from the boulders, keeping a steady pace. I didn't look back, but the growing unease in my chest told me the figures hadn't changed course.
The guiding stone pulsed faintly, its rhythm unchanged. It wasn't warning me, but it wasn't offering any comfort, either. I tightened my grip on my pack straps and focused on the path ahead.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the terrain began to change. The plains gave way to rocky outcroppings and sparse clusters of trees. The air cooled slightly, offering some relief from the heat. We found a narrow trail winding between the rocks and followed it, the sound of our footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet.
The figures behind us didn't close the distance, but they didn't fall back, either. They stayed just within sight, a constant shadow on the edge of my awareness. The Dawnhound's growls became more frequent, and the Phaseling's glow flickered uneasily.
"We'll stop here for the night," I said, gesturing toward a small alcove formed by two leaning rocks. It wasn't much, but it offered some shelter. The Dawnhound sniffed the area cautiously before circling once and lying down. The Phaseling hovered near the entrance, its form almost blending with the twilight.
I built a small fire, the flames casting flickering shadows against the rocks. The warmth was welcome, but it did little to chase away the tension. The figures hadn't come closer, but I could still feel them out there, watching.
"Who do you think they are?" I asked, more to myself than to my companions. The Dawnhound's ears flicked, but it didn't respond. The Phaseling drifted closer, its glow casting an eerie light on the shard as I pulled it from my pocket.
The shard's surface shimmered faintly, its light pulsing in time with the guiding stone. I turned it over in my hands, searching for answers in its jagged edges. "What are you?" I whispered.
The shard offered no answers, only its steady pulse. Sighing, I tucked it back into my pocket and leaned against the rock. The Dawnhound shifted closer to the fire, its glowing eyes half-closed. The Phaseling settled near the edge of the alcove, its form still and watchful.
Sleep didn't come easily. Every sound seemed louder in the quiet, every rustle of grass or snap of a twig a potential threat. The Dawnhound's low growls punctuated the night, a constant reminder that we weren't alone. I kept my blade close, one hand resting on its hilt as I dozed fitfully.
When dawn finally broke, it brought no relief. The figures were gone, but the tension lingered. I doused the fire and packed up quickly, eager to put more distance between us and whoever had been following. The Dawnhound seemed just as eager, pacing restlessly as I prepared to leave. The Phaseling remained quiet, its glow faint in the morning light.
We pressed on, the trail winding deeper into the rocky terrain. The guiding stone's pulse grew stronger, pulling me forward with renewed urgency. I didn't know where it was leading, but I could feel it—a sense of purpose growing with every step. The shard in my pocket throbbed faintly in response, a reminder of the burden I carried.
Whatever lay ahead, I knew we couldn't avoid it. The guiding stone wouldn't let me. And as much as I wanted answers, I couldn't shake the feeling that they would come at a cost.
The Dawnhound barked suddenly, its body tense and alert. I froze, my hand going to my blade as I scanned the trail ahead. The Phaseling moved closer, its glow intensifying. A shadow shifted among the rocks, and I caught a glimpse of movement—something, or someone, waiting just beyond the next bend.
I tightened my grip on my blade and took a steadying breath. Whatever was waiting for us, I wasn't going to back down. The guiding stone pulsed stronger now, urging me forward.
"Let's see what's next," I muttered, stepping forward with the Dawnhound and the Phaseling by my side.