The Wilds seemed to shift after Kael's trial at the Heartstone. The terrain grew harsher, the skies dimmer, and the air carried an oppressive weight. Every step forward felt like walking into a trap, and even Nyrax growled uneasily as they ventured deeper into the wilderness.
Kael felt the power of the Heartstone coursing through him, but it wasn't a comforting sensation. It was a reminder—a tether to the Wilds that bound him more tightly than ever.
Kaela's voice echoed in his mind. The gods know. They feel the Wilds' rebellion, and they will act soon.
"Let them," Kael muttered. "We've come too far to stop now."
Eryndra glanced at him, her expression wary. "Talking to her again?"
Kael nodded. "She says the gods are preparing something."
Thane hefted his axe, his grin sharp and eager. "Good. I'm getting tired of waiting for a fight."
Seris, however, was more somber. "This isn't just a fight, Thane. The gods are desperate. Desperation makes them dangerous."
---
The Ambush
The first sign of trouble came as they crossed a dense forest. The trees, which had been alive and vibrant before, now seemed twisted and hostile. Their branches clawed at the sky like skeletal hands, and the shadows they cast were unnaturally deep.
Kael felt it before he saw it—a ripple in the air, a distortion that sent chills down his spine.
"Something's wrong," he said, stopping in his tracks.
Kaela's growl rumbled through his mind. They're here.
From the shadows emerged a figure cloaked in black armor, their face obscured by a golden mask. They moved with an unnatural grace, their very presence exuding divine energy. Behind them, more figures appeared—servants of the gods, their forms shimmering with celestial light.
"So, you're the one causing all this trouble," the lead figure said, their voice cold and metallic. "The gods have been watching you, Kael of the Wilds. They're not impressed."
Kael drew his dagger, his stance firm. "Good. I'm not here to impress them."
The figure laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Such arrogance. But you'll learn your place soon enough."
---
The Battle
The ambush erupted into chaos. The armored figures moved like phantoms, their strikes precise and deadly. Kael and Kaela fought as one, their bond stronger than ever. Each slash of his dagger was mirrored by her claws, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Eryndra fired arrow after arrow, her aim unerring. Thane's axe cleaved through their enemies with brutal efficiency, and Nyrax roared as he tore through the attackers.
But the lead figure was different. They moved faster, struck harder, and their golden mask seemed to radiate a blinding light.
Kael lunged at them, his dagger glowing faintly with the Heartstone's power. The figure parried effortlessly, their movements fluid and precise.
"You think the Wilds' blessing makes you invincible?" they sneered, slamming Kael backward with a burst of divine energy. "You're nothing but a pawn in a game you can't begin to understand."
Kaela's voice roared in Kael's mind. We are more than pawns!
Together, they struck again. This time, Kael felt the Heartstone's energy surge through him, guiding his blade. The dagger found its mark, piercing the figure's armor and shattering their golden mask.
The figure recoiled, their true face revealed—a twisted, inhuman visage that seemed to shift and blur.
"You've made a grave mistake," they hissed, their form dissolving into shadow. "The gods will not forgive this."
---
The Aftermath
When the battle finally ended, the clearing was littered with the remains of the celestial attackers. The group stood battered but victorious, their breaths heavy in the still air.
Eryndra slumped against a tree, her bow still in hand. "What were those things?"
"Servants of the gods," Seris said grimly, wiping blood from her spear. "They'll keep coming."
Kael stared at the spot where the lead figure had vanished. The power of the Heartstone still thrummed in his veins, but it felt distant now, like a flickering flame in a storm.
"They're scared," he said. "They're throwing everything they have at us because they know we're close to something."
Kaela's voice was quieter now, her tone heavy with caution. They're trying to break us, Kael. To make us doubt. You can't let them.
"I won't," he said firmly. "Whatever they're hiding, whatever they're afraid of—we'll find it."
Seris stepped forward, her expression determined. "The waystone at the heart of the Wilds is close. If we can reach it and awaken its full power, the gods won't be able to stop us."
Thane grinned, though his grip on his axe was tight. "Good. Let's finish this."
Kael looked at his companions, each of them bloodied but unbroken. The gods had thrown their worst at them, and they were still standing.
"Then we keep moving," he said, his voice steady. "We end this on our terms."