The jungle was eerily silent after the battle. Smoke from the scorched underbrush lingered in the air, carrying with it the acrid scent of burnt shadows. Kaelron leaned heavily on his staff, sweat dripping down his face as Ignis crouched at his side, her fiery feathers dim and flickering.
Eryk stood a few paces ahead, his greatsword embedded in the ground as he caught his breath. Frostfang was at his feet, its silver fur matted with blood from the fight. Around them, the clearing was littered with the remains of shadow beasts and cultists, their forms dissolving into dark mist.
Despite their victory, the jungle shrine stood in ruin. The guardian, a massive serpent-like creature, lay coiled at the base of the shrine, its shimmering scales dulled by corruption. Shadowy tendrils still clung to its body, pulsing faintly with remnants of dark energy.
"We were too late," Kaelron said quietly, his voice heavy with guilt.
Eryk clenched his fists, his expression hard. "Not yet. If we destroy what's left of the nexus—"
"—you'll only delay the inevitable."
The voice that interrupted was smooth and cold, carrying a tone of absolute authority. Kaelron and Eryk spun around, their weapons raised, as a figure stepped into the clearing from the shadows.
A figure stepped forward, their dark armor shimmering with corrupted energy. Shadows coiled around them like a living cloak, their every movement exuding power and control. Their piercing green eyes glowed faintly, a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness that seemed to follow them.
Kaelron's heart sank. The figure was unmistakable—Maevor, the supposed defector who had guided them through the jungle. But now, the guise of desperation was gone, replaced by an air of absolute confidence.
"Maevor," Kaelron hissed, his staff trembling in his hands.
The figure let out a soft chuckle, their voice laced with mockery. "Maevor? Oh, that name was nothing more than a convenience. A tool to bring you here, to this moment. But now that the charade is over, you may address me as Veyrith, the Shadow Tamer."
Eryk's grip on his greatsword tightened as his expression darkened. "You led us into a trap."
"Of course I did," Veyrith replied smoothly, their tone dripping with amusement. "Did you truly believe a servant of the Maw would abandon their purpose so easily? Your naivety is almost charming."
Kaelron narrowed his eyes, his voice low and tense. "You're with the cult."
Veyrith's amusement faded, replaced by a faint sneer. "We are not a cult," they said sharply. "You and your ilk cling to that word because it comforts you. It allows you to believe that we are disorganized, delusional, weak. But we are none of those things." They took a step forward, shadows rippling around them. "We are the Veilborn Order—the stewards of salvation, the architects of what this world needs to survive."
Kaelron's mind raced as he tried to process Veyrith's words. "You... you're one of their leaders."
"Indeed," Veyrith said with a faint smile, their tone almost reverent. "I am one of the four bishops of the Veilborn Order. My dominion is the wilds—the corrupted beasts, the untamed forces that bow to the Maw's will. You stand before the Shadow Tamer, and you are woefully unprepared."
Eryk stepped forward, his greatsword gleaming in the dim light. "If you're so powerful, why play games? Why pretend to help us?"
"Because I wanted to see you for myself," Veyrith replied, their glowing eyes locking onto Kaelron. "You, Kaelron. The one who wields the fragment and bonds with creatures as no one else can. You are a curiosity—an anomaly. And I needed to know if you were truly a threat."
"And?" Kaelron asked, his voice cold.
Veyrith's smile widened. "You are... promising. But ultimately misguided. Still, there's potential within you—if only you'd embrace it."
Kaelron's heart pounded as he took a step forward. "What happened to the others?" he demanded. "The enforcers—Maren, Gryss, Talis—where are they?"
Veyrith's faint smile didn't waver. "Ah, your loyal companions. Brave, if not particularly clever. They were quite entertaining."
"Answer me!" Kaelron snapped, his staff igniting with flame.
Veyrith tilted their head, their expression unreadable. "They fought well. Admirably, even. But against my shadow beasts, bravery only goes so far. Perhaps they still cling to life... or perhaps not. Does it matter? You're here now, and they are... elsewhere."
Kaelron's chest tightened as doubt and fear gripped him. He tried to force the images of his injured companions from his mind, but the thought of abandoning them was unbearable.
"I'll go," Eryk said suddenly, his voice firm and resolute.
Kaelron turned to him, startled. "What?"
"You need to stay here," Eryk said, gesturing to Veyrith and the guardian. "If this fragment falls into their hands, it's over. You're the only one who can stop him."
"But—" Kaelron started, his voice breaking.
"No time to argue," Eryk interrupted. "You fight him. I'll get to Nyx and the others and buy them some time."
Kaelron hesitated, doubt swirling in his mind. "It's too dangerous to go alone. If something happens—"
"I'll handle it," Eryk said sharply, placing a hand on Kaelron's shoulder. "Trust me."
Veyrith let out a soft laugh, their green eyes glinting with amusement. "Trust. Such a fragile thing. Are you sure he's worthy of it?"
Kaelron turned back to Veyrith, his stomach twisting. "What are you trying to say?"
"Oh, nothing," Veyrith said, their tone light but cutting. "Only that your companion has secrets—secrets that might change everything you think you know. But go ahead. Send him off. It will make this all the more entertaining."
Kaelron clenched his fists, forcing himself to push the doubt aside. "Go, Eryk," he said firmly. "Save them. I'll hold him here."
Eryk nodded, his greatsword gleaming as he turned and sprinted toward the ridge. Frostfang followed, the wolf's sharp barks fading into the distance.
As the jungle grew silent once more, Kaelron turned back to Veyrith, his body tense. "If you think you can break me, you're wrong."
Veyrith's smile faded slightly, their green eyes narrowing. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But boldness without understanding is nothing more than folly."
Kaelron raised his staff, flames spiraling outward. "Let's find out whose folly this really is."
The air grew heavy as shadow energy coiled around Veyrith, forming tendrils that lashed toward Kaelron. Ignis leapt forward, her fiery claws slashing through the shadows as Kaelron countered with a blast of flame.
Veyrith barely flinched, their movements calm and precise. "You waste your strength, fighting for a world that does not deserve your efforts."
"And you're destroying it!" Kaelron shot back, deflecting another tendril with his staff.
"Necessary sacrifices," Veyrith said coolly. "The bonds of this world are breaking. The Maw offers salvation—not to preserve what is, but to prepare for what must come next."
"What does that even mean?" Kaelron demanded, his flames intensifying.
Veyrith laughed softly, the sound low and chilling. "You wouldn't understand. Not yet. But you will, in time. When you see what lies beyond the veil, you'll thank me."
As the battle raged, Veyrith's voice grew softer, more persuasive. "You have potential, Kaelron. You feel the fragment's power, its resonance with your very soul. Why fight it? Why resist the inevitable?"
Kaelron gritted his teeth, pushing back against the tendrils with all his might. "Because your way destroys everything I care about."
"You think you can protect them?" Veyrith asked, their tone mocking. "You think you can save your friends, your village, this world? You're a fool if you believe you can hold back the tide."
Kaelron staggered under the weight of the shadows but managed to stand firm. "I'll fight for them, no matter what it takes."
As Kaelron braced himself for the next wave, the shadows around Veyrith pulsed with an unnatural energy, twisting and warping the air. The Shadow Tamer's voice echoed through the clearing, resonating with an otherworldly authority.
"You are strong, Kaelron, but strength alone will not save you. Nor will it save those you cherish."
Kaelron steadied himself, his staff blazing brighter as Ignis growled beside him, her fiery form shimmering with renewed intensity. "I don't need saving, and I won't let you twist this world into your vision of salvation."
Veyrith's smile returned, cold and calculating. "You misunderstand. The Maw does not ask for your approval. It does not need your understanding. It will do what is necessary, with or without you. The question is: will you stand against it... or stand with it?"
Kaelron's flames surged as he stepped forward, his voice resolute. "I'll stand against you. Always."
Veyrith's laughter rang out, a low, chilling sound that sent shivers down Kaelron's spine. "So be it. Let this be your lesson in futility."
With a wave of Veyrith's hand, the shadows erupted, rushing toward Kaelron like a tidal wave. Ignis roared, meeting the onslaught with a fiery blast as Kaelron's flames collided with the darkness.
The clearing became a battlefield of fire and shadow, the ground trembling under the force of their clash. Kaelron's determination burned brightly, but Veyrith's power was unrelenting, each attack more devastating than the last.
As the battle raged, Kaelron could only hope that Eryk would reach the others in time—and that they would all survive long enough to regroup. The war against the Maw was far from over, and this was only the beginning.