The air grew colder as Kaelron and Eryk rode southward through the dense thickets of the Whispering Forest. The sun barely filtered through the canopy, casting long, flickering shadows across their path. The silence between them was heavy, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the soft growls of Eryk's wolf-like beast, Frostfang, sniffing the air for danger.
Kaelron shifted in his saddle, glancing down at the pouch that held the mysterious crown fragment. Even without touching it, he could feel its presence—a faint pulse, like a heartbeat, whispering to him in the quiet moments.
"Do you always travel this quietly?" he asked, breaking the tension.
Eryk smirked faintly but didn't look back. "When shadow beasts are hunting you, it's best not to make too much noise."
Kaelron huffed, keeping his staff close. His gryphon, perched nearby, let out a low, irritated growl.
"You don't trust me, do you?" Eryk said after a moment.
Kaelron frowned. "I don't know you. You show up in my village with a fragment that draws shadow beasts and ask me to leave everything behind to help you. So no, I don't trust you. Not yet."
Eryk glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "Fair enough. But you're here anyway. That says something about you."
Before Kaelron could respond, Frostfang stopped abruptly, his ears twitching. The wolf's hackles rose, and a low growl rumbled from his throat.
Eryk raised a hand, signaling Kaelron to stop. "Something's coming."
---
The first shadow beast lunged from the underbrush—a wolf-like creature with smoky black fur and glowing violet eyes. Kaelron reacted instantly, raising his staff and sending a burst of flame toward the beast. The attack struck its side, forcing it to retreat with an angry snarl.
More shadow beasts emerged, their violet eyes glowing in the gloom. They moved unnaturally, their limbs jerking as if controlled by an unseen force.
"They've found us," Eryk muttered, drawing his jagged blade. "Stay close!"
Kaelron nodded, reaching out through his bond to his gryphon. The massive creature spread its wings and let out a piercing screech, diving toward the nearest shadow beast with razor-sharp talons.
"Rynne would've been great right about now," Kaelron muttered, swinging his staff to block a claw strike. His heart ached at the thought of his flame vulpine, but he pushed the feeling aside. He had made his choice to protect Lilia and the village.
Frostfang leapt into the fray, tearing into a shadow beast with chilling precision. The wolf's icy breath froze parts of the beast's smoky body, making it easier to shatter.
Kaelron swung his staff, flames erupting with each strike. His gryphon fought beside him, its golden feathers glinting in the dim light as it raked through the beasts with devastating speed. But for every shadow beast they destroyed, another seemed to take its place.
"This isn't normal!" Kaelron shouted, dodging a swipe from a bear-like shadow beast.
Eryk parried an attack, his blade glowing faintly with frost. "They're not after us—they're after the fragment!"
Kaelron gritted his teeth, the weight of the fragment's pouch feeling heavier by the second. "Then we need to get out of here!"
"Agreed!"
Eryk whistled sharply, and Frostfang retreated to his side. Kaelron climbed onto his gryphon's back, urging the creature into the air. The gryphon beat its powerful wings, lifting both riders skyward as shadow beasts snarled below.
---
They flew for what felt like hours, the forest stretching endlessly beneath them. Kaelron's grip on the gryphon's reins tightened as he scanned the horizon for a safe landing spot. Finally, they spotted a clearing near a small stream and descended cautiously.
As they touched down, Kaelron dismounted, his legs aching from the ride. "We need a plan," he said. "We can't keep running like this."
Before Eryk could respond, a familiar voice rang out from the treeline.
"Running won't save you."
Kaelron spun, his staff at the ready, as Lady Serina Nyx stepped into the clearing. Her silver hair glinted in the sunlight, and her shadow panther stalked beside her, its violet eyes glowing faintly. Behind her, several Guild tamers emerged, their beasts poised for battle.
"Nyx," Kaelron growled, his grip tightening. "How did you find us?"
Nyx smirked, tapping her temple. "The Guild has its ways. And you're not exactly subtle with that gryphon of yours."
Eryk stepped forward, his blade at the ready. "What do you want?"
"The fragment," Nyx said bluntly, her gaze locking onto Kaelron. "It's too dangerous to leave in your hands. Come back with us, and no one has to get hurt."
Kaelron's gryphon growled, its wings spreading protectively. "What happens if I refuse?"
Nyx's smile faded, her expression growing cold. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be. The Guild doesn't tolerate rogue tamers, especially ones with merging magic."
Kaelron's heart pounded. He glanced at Eryk, who gave him a subtle nod.
"Sorry, Nyx," Kaelron said, raising his staff. "But I'm not going anywhere with you."
---
Nyx's eyes narrowed. "So be it."
She raised her hand, and her shadow panther lunged. Kaelron's gryphon intercepted, their claws clashing in midair as the clearing erupted into chaos. The other Guild tamers charged, their beasts joining the fray.
Kaelron focused on Nyx, sending a wave of fire toward her. She dodged gracefully, her movements precise as she countered with a blast of dark energy.
"You're strong," Nyx admitted, circling him. "But you're untrained. The Guild could teach you control."
"I don't need the Guild," Kaelron shot back, striking again.
Eryk and Frostfang fought off the other tamers, their movements a blur of frost and steel. But the Guild's numbers were overwhelming, and it quickly became clear that they were outmatched.
"Kaelron!" Eryk shouted. "We need to retreat!"
Kaelron gritted his teeth, blocking another strike from Nyx. His gryphon screeched in pain as the shadow panther landed a heavy blow, forcing it to the ground.
"Leave the fragment!" Nyx demanded, her voice cold. "It's the only way you'll walk away from this alive."
Kaelron's mind raced. He glanced at Eryk, who gave him a pleading look. They couldn't win this fight—not now.
Reluctantly, Kaelron reached for the pouch. "Fine," he said, holding it up. "Take it."
Nyx's eyes gleamed, but as she stepped forward, Kaelron threw the pouch into the air.
"Now, go!" he shouted to Eryk.
Eryk didn't hesitate. He whistled sharply, and Frostfang unleashed a blast of icy wind, freezing the clearing's ground and forcing the Guild tamers back. Kaelron leapt onto his gryphon, urging it into the air as Eryk mounted Frostfang and fled into the forest.
Nyx's furious shout echoed behind them as they disappeared into the trees.
---
They regrouped miles away, the sun dipping below the horizon. Kaelron dismounted, his legs trembling as he caught his breath.
"That was reckless," Eryk said, glaring at him. "You almost got us killed."
Kaelron shot him a look. "You're welcome for the distraction."
Eryk sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But we can't keep running forever. If the Guild is after us, we'll need more than just brute strength."
Kaelron nodded, his jaw tightening. "We'll figure it out. But first, we need to find that shrine."
As they set off again, Kaelron couldn't shake the feeling that the Guild's pursuit was just the beginning. The fragment's faint pulse still lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of the danger ahead.
Whatever the Eternal Maw was planning, he knew they were running out of time.