The forest path twisted ahead of Kaelron and Eryk as they made their way back to the safehouse, the relic wrapped tightly in Kaelron's cloak. The crystalline artifact hummed faintly, its light dim but steady, casting long shadows on the surrounding trees.
"We need to keep moving," Eryk said, his voice low as he scanned the dense undergrowth. Frostbane padded silently beside him, the frost wolf's ears flicking at every faint noise. "If the cult realizes we have the relic, they'll come after us."
Kaelron nodded, his grip on the relic tightening. "They've probably already figured it out. The guardian's warning wasn't subtle."
Eryk glanced at him, his expression grim. "That thing you saw—about the Bonds falling apart. Do you think the cult knows about that too?"
Kaelron hesitated, the memory of the vision still vivid in his mind. "If they don't know already, they will soon. This relic is tied to the Bonds, and the Whispered Flame's ritual was meant to locate the hidden shrines. If they find those..."
Eryk's jaw tightened. "Then we don't let them. We regroup, figure out our next move, and stay ahead of them."
They didn't get the chance.
The first attack came silently—a shadowy bolt whizzing past Kaelron's head and slamming into a tree, splintering the trunk. Kaelron spun around, flames flaring instinctively as Ignis roared above him.
"Get down!" Eryk shouted, pulling Kaelron into the cover of a rocky outcrop as more bolts of shadow magic tore through the trees.
Figures emerged from the forest, their movements unnervingly fluid. Robed cultists wielding shadow-forged weapons advanced, their eyes glowing faintly. At their center stood a larger figure clad in dark armor, their face obscured by a mask etched with runes.
"They sent an enforcer," Eryk muttered, drawing his blade as Frostbane growled beside him. "They're not taking any chances."
Kaelron rose from the ground, merging with Ignis in a burst of fiery light. "Neither are we."
The cultists charged, their weapons gleaming with corrupted energy. Kaelron launched a wave of fire, forcing them back, while Eryk darted to the side, summoning shards of ice that froze the ground beneath their enemies.
Frostbane lunged at the nearest cultist, his frost-coated claws tearing through their defenses. The cultist crumpled, their weapon clattering to the ground.
Kaelron focused on the enforcer, whose presence seemed to command the shadows around them. "You can't have it!" Kaelron shouted, flames spiraling around him as he unleashed a fiery barrage.
The enforcer raised their hand, a shadowy barrier absorbing the attack. "You have no idea what you're meddling with," they said, their voice distorted and cold. "The relic belongs to the Order, not to a fool playing with fire."
The battle intensified, the forest coming alive with bursts of fire and ice clashing against dark energy. Kaelron moved in sync with Ignis, weaving flames into blinding arcs that kept the cultists at bay.
Eryk fought with precision, his blade glowing faintly with frost as he cut down cultists one by one. Frostbane stayed close, guarding Eryk's flank and freezing any enemies who got too close.
The enforcer advanced steadily, their staff emitting tendrils of shadow that lashed out with deadly precision. One struck Kaelron's shield, sending cracks rippling through the fiery barrier.
"They're too strong," Eryk called out, throwing a shard of ice that shattered harmlessly against the enforcer's armor. "We need to regroup!"
Kaelron gritted his teeth, flames flaring brighter. "We can't let them take the relic."
The enforcer raised their staff, a surge of shadow magic gathering at its tip. "You cannot protect it. The relic's power is not yours to wield."
Kaelron braced himself, preparing to counter the attack, but the sheer force of the enforcer's magic was overwhelming.
Kaelron glanced at Eryk, who was fending off another wave of cultists. "Eryk! Take the relic and go!"
Eryk froze, his expression darkening. "What? No! You can't hold them off alone!"
Kaelron's eyes burned with determination. "If they get their hands on this, everything we've done will be for nothing. Go, now!"
Eryk hesitated, but Frostbane nudged him forward, growling low. With a reluctant nod, Eryk grabbed the relic, wrapping it tightly in his cloak. "Don't get yourself killed."
Kaelron smirked faintly. "Not planning to."
Eryk and Frostbane sprinted into the forest, disappearing into the shadows as Kaelron turned back to face the enforcer.
Kaelron poured every ounce of energy into his merging magic, flames erupting around him in a blazing inferno. Ignis let out a defiant cry, her fiery wings spreading wide as they charged the enforcer.
The enforcer's shadow magic clashed violently with Kaelron's fire, the forest trembling under the force of their battle. Kaelron moved with precision, using Ignis' speed to evade the enforcer's attacks while countering with bursts of searing heat.
"You're just a pawn in a game you can't win," the enforcer taunted, their voice echoing through the chaos.
"Better a pawn than a puppet of the Maw!" Kaelron shot back, his flames flaring brighter.
The enforcer's barrier flickered under the relentless assault, cracks forming in its surface. Kaelron pressed the advantage, pouring more power into his attacks.
Just as it seemed the enforcer was faltering, they unleashed a wave of shadow magic that knocked Kaelron off his feet, sending him crashing into a tree.
Before the enforcer could strike the final blow, a piercing whistle echoed through the forest. A familiar shadow darted through the trees, tackling the enforcer to the ground.
"Umbra!" Kaelron gasped, recognizing Nyx's black panther. Moments later, Zerin appeared, his daggers gleaming as he struck at the enforcer with precision.
"You didn't think we'd let you have all the fun, did you?" Zerin said, flashing a grin as he evaded a retaliatory strike.
Nyx emerged from the shadows, her daggers slicing through the remaining cultists with deadly efficiency. "Eryk told us what happened. Looks like you needed backup."
Kaelron rose unsteadily, Ignis landing beside him. "Took you long enough."
With Nyx and Zerin's arrival, the battle shifted in their favor. Umbra tore through the cultists, her movements swift and lethal, while Nyx's strikes dismantled their ranks with practiced ease.
Zerin focused on the enforcer, his agile movements keeping them off balance as Kaelron regrouped. Together, the three launched a coordinated assault, forcing the enforcer to retreat under the combined pressure.
"You think this changes anything?" the enforcer snarled, their voice distorted with fury. "The Maw's truth will prevail."
Nyx stepped forward, her daggers poised. "Not today."
With a final strike, the enforcer's barrier shattered, and they disappeared into the shadows, leaving the forest eerily quiet.
Kaelron leaned against a tree, catching his breath as the adrenaline faded. "Where's Eryk?"
Nyx sheathed her daggers. "He's safe. He took the relic and headed toward the safehouse. We'll meet him there."
Zerin smirked, brushing dirt from his coat. "You're welcome, by the way."
Kaelron managed a tired smile. "Thanks. I owe you one."
As the group regrouped and began their trek back to the safehouse, Kaelron couldn't shake the enforcer's parting words: "The Maw's truth will prevail."