The journey out of Evershade was far more tense than their entry. Now that the Emberlight pulsed within Alaric, he felt every inch of the forest around him, alive and watchful, as though the trees, the earth, and even the shadows were observing his every move. But it wasn't just the forest he sensed—there was something darker waiting beyond.
As they emerged from the heart of Evershade and entered the outer reaches of the forest, Alaric felt a subtle shift in the air. He glanced at Calia, who seemed equally on edge, her hand hovering close to her dagger.
"Something's out there, isn't it?" Alaric asked, his voice low.
Calia nodded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the darkened forest. "The Hollow King's servants. They can sense the Emberlight. They're drawn to it, like moths to a flame. But these are no mere shadows, Alaric. They are creatures of darkness, bound to him, twisted and corrupted."
A chill ran through him as he tightened his grip on his staff. He could feel the Emberlight flickering within, a source of strength but also of vulnerability. He knew he'd have to rely on its power soon.
They moved swiftly but carefully, weaving through the trees, their footsteps barely making a sound. The eerie silence of the forest weighed heavily on them, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or a distant hoot of an owl. But soon, those small sounds faded, replaced by a thick, unnatural silence.
Then, Alaric saw them.
Figures, barely distinguishable from the darkness itself, crept between the trees, their forms shrouded in a thick, smoky mist. Their eyes glowed a dull, sickly yellow, locked onto him with a hunger that felt both ancient and endless.
Calia hissed, drawing her dagger. "The Nightbound. They serve the Hollow King, bound to him by shadows. Be careful, Alaric—they are relentless."
As she spoke, the creatures moved forward, slow and deliberate, their steps silent but purposeful. Alaric felt the Emberlight surge within him, responding instinctively to the threat, its warmth filling his veins, pushing back against the cold dread of the Nightbound.
One of the creatures lunged, its shadowy form twisting in the air as it reached for him with elongated, clawed fingers. Alaric raised his staff, the emberlight blazing as he thrust it forward. The light erupted, meeting the creature mid-leap, and a searing flash filled the forest. The Nightbound shrieked, recoiling from the light, its form dissolving into smoke as the emberlight tore through it.
But there were more of them.
Two more lunged from opposite sides, their movements quick and fluid, as if the shadows themselves were guiding them. Calia moved with practiced agility, spinning to meet one of them, her dagger gleaming with a faint, enchanted glow. She slashed through the creature's smoky tendrils, her blade slicing cleanly through as the creature disintegrated.
Alaric met the second one head-on, his staff pulsing with emberlight as he swung it like a blade, slicing through the creature's darkness. It screeched, its form wavering before it melted back into shadow.
For a moment, silence fell, the forest holding its breath.
Then, a low, resonant voice echoed through the trees, chilling in its calmness.
"You wield the Emberlight, mortal, yet you are young, untested. Do you think it will save you from me?"
Alaric felt a cold sweat break out on his skin. The voice felt as though it were seeping into his very bones, dark and ancient, layered with an insidious confidence. He could almost feel its gaze, distant but heavy, watching him from beyond.
Calia's face was pale, her jaw clenched. "The Hollow King," she whispered. "He's reaching through his servants. Alaric, you must block him out."
But the voice pressed on, unyielding.
"You carry a flame, but it is a mere spark compared to what I have seen, what I command. Turn back, boy. The Emberlight has destroyed many before you, and you will fare no better."
Alaric gritted his teeth, holding his staff tighter. "I didn't come this far to be frightened by shadows and empty words!"
The voice chuckled, a dark, menacing sound. "You are brave, and that is admirable. But bravery alone will not save you from what lies ahead."
With that, the presence faded, leaving behind an emptiness that seemed to echo in the silence. Alaric took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He glanced at Calia, who looked equally unsettled.
"He's watching," she said, her voice tight with urgency. "The Hollow King can sense the Emberlight within you. He'll send more of his servants to try to wear you down, weaken you. He knows your power is growing, and he won't let that happen unchallenged."
Alaric's gaze hardened. "Then I'll face whatever he sends. I won't let him stop me."
They moved forward, their pace quickening as they left the eerie silence behind. But Alaric could feel the Hollow King's presence lingering, like a shadow on the horizon, waiting, biding its time. He knew now that this journey would be far more dangerous than he'd anticipated.
Yet as he felt the emberlight warm his veins, he also felt a surge of determination. The Hollow King was powerful, yes, but Alaric had been chosen by the Emberlight. He carried the legacy of those ancient warriors, the guardians who had once wielded this flame. He would not let their sacrifice be in vain.
As they made their way through the forest, Calia placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression softening. "You're stronger than I thought," she said quietly. "Most would have faltered by now. But the path ahead is only going to get harder. There will be choices you must make, and not all of them will be easy."
He nodded, meeting her gaze. "I'm ready, Calia. Whatever it takes, I'll see this through."
She hesitated, her eyes searching his face. "Just… remember what I told you before. The Emberlight is a gift, but it's also a burden. Use it wisely, or it will consume you."
With a final, determined nod, Alaric continued forward, his steps resolute. The forest opened up before him, and beyond the trees, he could see the faint outline of distant mountains, shrouded in mist. Somewhere beyond them lay the Hollow King's domain, a fortress hidden within the shadows.
And as he stared out across the horizon, Alaric knew that his battle was only just beginning. The Hollow King awaited, and the price of wielding the Emberlight would be tested like never before. But he was ready.
Or at least, he hoped he was.