The road out of Skathar was winding and narrow, carved into the side of the mountain as it snaked its way toward the distant northern ranges. Kael's footsteps were the only sound that filled the still night air, his breath misting in front of him as he walked quickly, head down, his satchel pressed tightly against his side. The orb pulsed faintly with each step, its warmth comforting but unnervingly constant.
He had left the city behind by the time the first light of dawn began to spread across the sky. The pale morning mist clung to the landscape like a shroud, obscuring the view of the world beyond the mountain's edge. Kael glanced over his shoulder once, half-expecting to see the towering spires of Skathar in the distance, but they were already gone—swallowed by the vastness of the wilderness.
For the first time, Kael felt a strange sense of freedom, mingled with anxiety. What had he done? What choice had he made by leaving everything he had ever known? The First Bondkeeper had told him that he was the last of the bondkeepers, but how could he possibly live up to such a legacy? He was just a scribe. He knew nothing of dragons or ancient powers.
But the orb in his pack had a different plan for him. Its presence tugged at him, urging him onward, toward a destination that was as elusive as the flame it had promised to reignite.
As he walked, Kael began to feel the weight of the world pressing in. The prophecy, the orb, the Ashen Covenant—everything was starting to feel overwhelming.
The first few days of his journey passed uneventfully. The road, though rugged and treacherous, was not difficult to follow. Kael kept his pace steady, never lingering too long in one place. The further he traveled, the more the world seemed to change around him. The lush forests of Skathar slowly gave way to barren hills and rocky outcrops. The air grew colder, and the night sky darker, as though the earth itself was bracing for something.
By the fourth evening, Kael found himself camping at the edge of a vast forest, its trees so thick and dark they seemed to form a wall. The orb pulsed in his pack, more insistent now, as though guiding him toward the shadowed woods.
With a sigh, Kael set up camp beside a small fire, the flames crackling in the chill air. He unwrapped the orb and placed it carefully beside him. The book, too, was laid open on the ground. As he studied the strange map again, trying to decipher its meaning, the glow of the orb brightened suddenly, as if reacting to his thoughts.
The book seemed to hum under his fingertips.
The moment his hand touched the text, a burst of light shot from the orb, illuminating the trees in a sudden, intense flash. The fire flickered, then went out completely.
Kael gasped, pulling the orb closer to him. The strange, fiery figure from the visions was there again, materializing from the orb's glow.
You are near, the voice echoed in his mind, deep and commanding. The Mountain of Fire lies beyond these woods. But beware, Kael of Skathar—within these shadows lurk dangers of old. The Ashen Covenant is closer than you think.
Kael stood, the words like ice in his veins. "They've found me already?" His voice trembled, disbelief and fear warring in his chest.
Not yet, the figure intoned. But the closer you come to the mountain, the more they will sense you. And you will not be alone. There are creatures here—ancient and dangerous—that have not seen the light of the world for many years. They are guardians of the old ways, and they will test you.
Kael's heart raced. Creatures? What kind of creatures?
The figure's form flickered, its fire dimming. Do not fear the shadows, Kael. You are stronger than you know. Trust the Flame. It will guide you.
With that, the figure vanished, leaving Kael alone once more.
The night felt heavier after the figure's departure. Kael's mind swirled with doubt and uncertainty. Was the figure right? Was he truly strong enough for what lay ahead? The Ashen Covenant, the guardians of the old ways—none of this made sense to him. How could a scribe, someone who had spent his life cataloging history, suddenly be thrust into the middle of a war that spanned centuries?
He stood and pulled his cloak tighter around him, trying to shake off the sense of foreboding that had settled in his chest. The fire had died, leaving only the faint glow of embers. Beyond the reach of the firelight, the forest loomed—a black wall of trees that seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy.
Kael took a deep breath and began packing his things. The orb had given him no choice but to press on. Whether he understood it or not, he had a role to play in this twisted tapestry of destiny. The sooner he reached the Mountain of Fire, the sooner he could unlock the mysteries that had been thrust upon him.
The next morning, Kael entered the forest. The trees were thick and gnarled, their trunks twisted with age. The path was narrow, often disappearing into the underbrush before reappearing just ahead. Kael walked steadily, feeling the weight of the orb in his pack growing heavier with each step. The pulse from within it had slowed, but it still called to him, urging him deeper into the shadows.
He had only traveled a few miles when he first felt the change. The air shifted—becoming denser, colder—as if something was watching him. He slowed his pace, his eyes darting to the edges of the path.
Then, without warning, the silence was broken.
From the trees came a low, guttural growl—distant, but unmistakable. Kael froze, his heart skipping a beat. The growl came again, closer this time. A shadow moved in the trees ahead of him. Kael's pulse quickened as he reached for the small dagger at his belt, a weapon that felt like little more than a piece of decoration.
Another growl, louder now, and the underbrush ahead parted, revealing a figure—a creature unlike anything Kael had ever seen. It was large, easily twice his size, its body covered in thick, black fur. Its eyes glowed an eerie amber, reflecting the dim light of the forest. Long, curved claws tipped its paws, and its mouth was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth.
The creature snarled, stepping toward him, its gaze fixed on Kael.
"Stay back!" Kael shouted, raising his dagger, though it seemed laughable against the creature's bulk.
The creature paused, its head cocking slightly as if studying him. Then, with a swift movement, it lunged.
Kael's heart stopped as the beast's massive form hurtled toward him. Instinctively, he threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's claws as it crashed into the ground where he had been standing.
Breathing heavily, Kael scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with panic. The creature didn't relent—it turned with surprising speed and lunged again.
But this time, as the beast leapt toward him, the orb in Kael's pack pulsed with intense light. The orb's glow flared so brightly it lit up the entire clearing, filling Kael's vision with a blinding light.
The creature froze midair, its body caught in the light as if held by an invisible force. Its amber eyes flicked back and forth, confusion and fear in them. Then, with a strange, almost mournful howl, the creature dropped to the ground, its body curling in on itself before it disappeared back into the shadows of the forest.
Kael stood motionless, heart pounding, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The orb's glow faded, and the forest seemed to settle into an eerie calm once again.
"What... what was that?" Kael whispered, his voice hoarse.
The orb rested silently in his pack, its pulse steady once more.
Kael didn't wait long before he hurried on. The guardian of the forest had been a warning—a test of sorts, no doubt, one that Kael had narrowly survived. But more tests were likely ahead, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
As he continued along the path, the mountain of fire loomed in the distance, its jagged peaks barely visible through the mist. Kael couldn't help but feel the weight of the orb's presence—a constant reminder that his journey was only just beginning.