The council chamber was quiet, the weight of recent events hanging heavily in the air. Kaelron stood at the edge of the room, his fingers brushing the satchel at his side where the fragment pulsed faintly. Nyx leaned against the wall, her sharp eyes fixed on Councilor Orlan, who had just finished explaining the limits of their support.
"We'll send three enforcers with you," Orlan said, his voice steady but firm. "It's the best we can do while keeping the city defended. Tharien's Gate is still vulnerable after the gang's attack."
Nyx folded her arms. "Three enforcers aren't enough. The jungle is dangerous on its own, let alone with the gang operating nearby."
"They'll have to be enough," Orlan replied, his tone tinged with frustration. "You've already seen the strain on our forces. We cannot leave the city unguarded."
Kaelron exchanged a glance with Eryk, who stood quietly by Frostfang. The rogue tamer's face was unreadable, but Kaelron could see the tension in his posture.
"It's fine," Kaelron said, breaking the silence. "Eryk and I will go to Mossmere with the enforcers. It's close enough to the jungle to serve as a base, and we can investigate the gang's movements while we're there."
Nyx frowned. "And what happens if you're ambushed on the way? Or worse, if the gang is already entrenched in Mossmere?"
Kaelron's jaw tightened. "That's a risk we have to take. We can't afford to wait any longer. The shrine's guardian is already in danger."
Nyx sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. But if you're going to Mossmere, Zerin and I are staying here. Someone needs to keep an eye on the city—and work on decoding that message. If the gang attacks again, we'll be ready."
Zerin smirked from his spot near the door. "Guess I get to play babysitter. Lucky me."
Nyx shot him a glare before turning back to Kaelron. "Are you sure about this? Splitting up puts both groups at risk."
Kaelron nodded. "It's the only way. The enforcers will give us some backup, and Mossmere is close enough to the jungle to pick up the gang's trail. We'll send word as soon as we learn anything."
Orlan cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "The enforcers will meet you at the southern gate within the hour. Travel carefully—the roads have grown dangerous."
---
Kaelron, Eryk, and the three enforcers departed Tharien's Gate as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the dusty road. Ignis walked beside Kaelron, her wings tucked close to her body, while Frostfang prowled ahead, his keen senses on high alert.
The enforcers were seasoned but quiet, their expressions grim. Each carried a standard issue sword and shield, their armor patched but sturdy.
"This better not be a waste of time," Eryk muttered as they passed a grove of twisted trees. "We're chasing shadows, and all we've got is a name and a map."
Kaelron glanced at him. "We're not just chasing shadows. We're following the trail of the gang—and the Maw's corruption. Mossmere will give us a better vantage point to figure out their next move."
Eryk shrugged but said nothing, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
As the group pressed on, the road grew rougher, the surrounding wilderness thickening into tangled underbrush. Kaelron felt the fragment pulse faintly, a subtle but persistent warning that sent a chill through him.
"This area feels wrong," one of the enforcers said, breaking the silence. He gestured toward a patch of wilted trees, their bark blackened and cracked. "I've seen this before—corruption spreading from the jungle."
Kaelron slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the area. "The Maw's influence. It's stronger here than it was near Tharien's Gate."
Eryk unsheathed his sword, his movements deliberate. "Keep your eyes open. If the gang's been through here, they'll have left more than just a trail."
The group reached a narrow stretch of road flanked by dense thickets. Frostfang growled low in his throat, his ears flattening. Ignis stopped abruptly, her feathers ruffling as she let out a warning trill.
Kaelron raised his staff, his heart pounding. "Something's here."
Before anyone could react, shadow-corrupted creatures burst from the underbrush, their violet eyes glowing with malevolence. The beasts were twisted amalgamations of animals, their forms warped by the Maw's energy.
"Defensive formation!" one of the enforcers shouted, raising his shield as a beast lunged at him.
Kaelron swung his staff, a burst of fire searing through the nearest creature. "Ignis, stay close!"
The gryphon leapt into the fray, her talons blazing with molten heat as she tore into the attackers.
Eryk fought beside Frostfang, his greatsword cleaving through the corrupted creatures with brutal efficiency. "These things are more aggressive than before!" he shouted over the chaos.
Kaelron gritted his teeth, channeling another wave of fire to drive back a group of beasts. "It's the Maw's corruption. The closer we get to the jungle, the stronger it becomes."
The enforcers held their ground, their shields clanging as they fended off the creatures. One fell back with a cry, a beast's claws raking across his arm before Kaelron blasted it with fire.
"These things aren't just here by chance," Kaelron said, his voice tight. "They were sent to stop us."
"By who? The gang?" Eryk shouted, slamming his sword into another beast.
"Or the Shadow Tamer," Kaelron replied grimly.
Ignis roared as she leapt over Kaelron, her wings spreading wide to shield him from a lunging beast. Flames erupted around her, consuming the creature in an instant.
---
After a brutal clash, the last of the corrupted beasts fell, its body disintegrating into ash. Kaelron lowered his staff, his chest heaving as he surveyed the carnage.
The enforcers regrouped, their expressions grim but determined. One clutched his injured arm, but the others were unharmed.
"That was too close," Eryk said, wiping blood from his blade.
Kaelron nodded, his gaze distant. The fragment in his satchel was pulsing erratically, its energy both a warning and a guide. "They're trying to stop us from reaching Mossmere. Whatever's happening at the shrine, it's worse than we thought."
One of the enforcers stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension. "We'll make it to Mossmere. Whatever's waiting there, we'll face it together."
Kaelron placed a hand on Ignis's neck, her warmth grounding him. "Then let's not waste any time. The jungle awaits."