The glowing shard pulsed faintly in Arianne's hand, its warmth spreading through her body like a soothing balm. Yet, the serenity was fleeting. From the dark edges of the clearing, the red eyes multiplied, glowing like embers. Low, guttural growls rumbled, vibrating through the ground beneath her feet.
Kael stepped in front of her, sword gleaming in the faint light of the shard. His stance was firm, radiating calm despite the impending danger. "Stay close to me," he said without looking back. "Use your power if you can, but don't force it. You'll know when the moment's right."
Arianne's heart pounded. She had no idea how to control this new power—or if she even could. The shard hummed against her palm, as if urging her to act. "What if I make things worse?"
"Then we'll handle it. Together."
Before she could respond, the shadows erupted into motion. Creatures leapt from the darkness—wolf-like beasts with jagged, obsidian fur and glowing red eyes. Kael moved like a storm, his blade cutting through the first wave with lethal precision.
Arianne stumbled back, clutching the shard tightly. The beasts were terrifying, but what struck her more was the way the shard responded to their presence. It glowed brighter, almost blindingly, and the tingling sensation in her fingertips grew stronger.
One of the creatures lunged at her, its jaws snapping inches from her face. Instinctively, she raised her hand, and a burst of light exploded outward, sending the beast sprawling. Arianne staggered, gasping. The power left her both exhilarated and drained.
Kael's voice rang out over the chaos. "Good! Again!"
The words barely registered. Another creature charged her, and again the light erupted, this time forming a shield that the beast crashed into with a bone-rattling force. It yelped and retreated into the shadows.
Kael dispatched the last of the attackers and turned to her, breathing heavily. "You're a natural," he said, though his tone carried a mix of relief and caution.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Arianne admitted, her voice trembling. She looked down at the shard, its glow dimming as the immediate threat passed. "It just… happens."
"That's how it starts," Kael said, sheathing his sword. "You're connected to the Veil now. Its power will guide you, but you'll need to learn control. Without it, you could hurt yourself—or worse."
Arianne swallowed hard, nodding. She couldn't afford to hesitate, not when the stakes were this high.
The two continued their journey through the forest, the eerie silence returning as the shadows receded. Kael explained the importance of mastering her abilities, sharing bits of his own experience as a Guardian of the Veil.
"It's not just about strength," he said as they paused to rest by a stream. "It's about balance. The Veil is fragile, and even the smallest misstep can have consequences."
"Like this shard," Arianne said, holding it up. Its faint glow reflected in the water, casting ripples of light.
Kael nodded. "The shard is both a gift and a curse. It will make you stronger, but it also makes you a target. The closer we get to the Mage's Tower, the more dangerous things will become."
Arianne stared at the shard, her resolve hardening. "Then I'll learn. Whatever it takes."
Kael's lips quirked into a rare smile. "Good. Because this is just the beginning."
As the moon rose higher, casting silver light through the canopy, the pair pressed onward. But the forest seemed different now—alive in a way that made Arianne's skin prickle. She could feel it in her bones: something ancient was watching, waiting.
And as they ventured deeper, the shard began to glow once more, guiding them toward the unknown.