The sun climbed higher over Arclight as Kaelyn and Darian made their way through the crowded streets. Despite the city's lively atmosphere, an undercurrent of tension ran through Kaelyn. The pendant, now tucked safely beneath her tunic, pulsed faintly against her chest, a reminder of the path they had chosen.
"What do you make of all this?" Kaelyn asked, her voice low.
Darian glanced at her, his brow furrowed. "Eryndor seems to know what he's talking about. But cursed mountains and ancient enemies? That's the kind of trouble I'd usually charge double for."
Kaelyn smirked despite herself. "And yet here you are."
"Yeah, well…" Darian rubbed the back of his neck. "Let's just say I've got a soft spot for people too stubborn to back down."
Kaelyn was about to retort when she noticed a figure lingering at the edge of the market square. Cloaked in shadow despite the bright daylight, they seemed to be watching her. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end.
"We're being followed," she murmured.
Darian's hand drifted casually to his sword. "Where?"
"Near the fruit stand. Don't look directly."
Darian tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Got it. That's definitely a Shadow."
Kaelyn's heart quickened. "How did they find us so quickly?"
"They're good at what they do," Darian said, his voice grim. "We need to lose them."
He steered her into a side street, away from the bustling market. The narrow alley twisted and turned, its walls closing in around them. Kaelyn glanced over her shoulder, her pulse pounding in her ears.
"Still there," she whispered.
Darian cursed under his breath. "Hold on."
He ducked into a nearby doorway, pulling Kaelyn in after him. The room was dark and musty, filled with the faint scent of mildew. Through a crack in the wooden door, they watched as the cloaked figure passed by, their movements swift and deliberate.
Kaelyn held her breath, her hand gripping the pendant through her tunic. The figure paused at the end of the alley, their head swiveling as if searching. After a moment, they moved on, disappearing into the crowd.
Darian let out a quiet sigh of relief. "That was close."
Kaelyn nodded, but the unease in her chest didn't fade. "They're not going to stop."
"No, they're not," Darian said. "Which means we need to stay ahead of them. Mount Aegis isn't exactly around the corner. We'll need supplies—and a way out of the city."
Kaelyn's mind raced. "There's an old caravan route that leads to the mountain. It's less traveled but more dangerous."
Darian grinned. "Dangerous, huh? Sounds like our kind of road."
The next few hours were spent gathering supplies, sticking to the less populated parts of the city. Kaelyn kept her hood pulled low, her eyes darting constantly to the shadows. The pendant's hum had quieted, but its presence was a steady weight against her chest.
By late afternoon, they found themselves at the outskirts of the city, where the caravan route began. The road stretched into the wilderness, its edges overgrown with weeds. Beyond it, the jagged peaks of Mount Aegis loomed, shrouded in mist.
Darian adjusted the straps of his pack. "Ready for this?"
Kaelyn took a deep breath, steeling herself. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They set off, the city fading behind them with each step. The air grew colder, the trees taller and denser. The path was uneven, littered with rocks and roots that threatened to trip them at every turn.
As dusk fell, they found a small clearing to make camp. Darian built a fire, its crackling flames casting flickering shadows on the surrounding trees. Kaelyn sat nearby, her thoughts heavy.
"Something on your mind?" Darian asked, poking at the fire with a stick.
Kaelyn hesitated. "I just… I don't know if I can do this."
Darian looked up, his expression surprisingly gentle. "Hey. You faced down a shadowstalker and a rogue mage in the same day. I'd say you're doing pretty well so far."
"That was different," Kaelyn said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I mess up? What if I fail?"
Darian leaned back, staring into the fire. "Here's the thing about failure," he said after a moment. "It's not about avoiding it. It's about what you do when it happens. You get up, you keep going. That's how you win."
Kaelyn didn't reply, but his words stayed with her as she lay down to sleep. The pendant's faint glow was the last thing she saw before her eyes closed.
In the dead of night, Kaelyn was jolted awake by the sound of a branch snapping nearby. She sat up, her heart racing, and saw Darian already on his feet, his sword drawn.
"Stay quiet," he whispered.
The fire had burned low, its embers casting faint light across the clearing. From the darkness beyond, a low, guttural growl echoed.
Kaelyn's blood ran cold. "Not again."
A pair of glowing green eyes appeared in the shadows, followed by another—and another. Shadowstalkers. Three of them.
Darian cursed under his breath. "They must've tracked us. Get behind me."
Kaelyn scrambled to her feet, the pendant in her hand. The creatures stepped into the clearing, their sleek, smoky forms gliding silently over the ground. Their claws gleamed like blades, and their growls deepened.
Darian lunged at the nearest one, his sword flashing in the dim light. The shadowstalker dodged with inhuman speed, circling him like a predator toying with its prey. The other two advanced on Kaelyn, their eyes locked on the pendant.
Kaelyn gripped the pendant tightly, its light flaring to life. The creatures hissed, recoiling, but they didn't retreat. She could feel the Heart's energy coursing through her, stronger than before.
"Help me," she whispered, her voice trembling.
The pendant responded. A surge of golden light erupted from it, sweeping across the clearing like a tidal wave. The shadowstalkers howled, their forms disintegrating into wisps of smoke.
When the light faded, the clearing was silent. Kaelyn stood trembling, the pendant's glow fading once more.
Darian lowered his sword, his breathing heavy. "Remind me to never underestimate you again."
Kaelyn managed a shaky smile. "I didn't know I could do that."
"Good thing you did," Darian said, sheathing his sword. "But we've got to move. If the Shadows sent those things, they'll send more."
Kaelyn nodded, the weight of the pendant heavier than ever. The road to Mount Aegis was long, and the dangers were only beginning.
~To Be Continued~