The journey out of the forest seemed easier than expected. After their encounter with the guardian, the trees no longer twisted the paths or blocked their way. Still, the group remained tense, their nerves worn thin by the ordeal. The air carried a strange stillness, as if the forest were holding its breath.
Kael kept the two shards secure, their glow hidden beneath the folds of his cloak. Despite the calm, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The guardian's words haunted him: Every choice carries weight.
"Do you think it'll keep its word?" Maris asked, breaking the silence as they walked.
"About not hindering us?" Vaelin grunted, keeping a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Maybe. But if that thing changes its mind, it'll regret letting us go."
Serin gave him a sharp look. "It's not just about brute force, Vaelin. That creature wasn't an enemy. It was a warning."
Kael nodded. "Serin's right. It didn't want to kill us—it wanted to test us. To see if we were worthy of carrying the shards."
"And what's the verdict?" Maris asked.
Kael hesitated. "I think we passed. For now."
The group fell into silence again, the weight of the guardian's judgment still heavy on their minds.
---
Signs of Trouble
As they neared the edge of the forest, the sound of rushing water reached their ears. A river, wide and fast-moving, cut through the landscape ahead. The sight of it brought a sense of relief—it marked the end of the forest's domain.
"Finally," Vaelin muttered. "I was starting to think we'd be stuck in those cursed woods forever."
Maris smirked. "You sound like you were scared, Vaelin. Should I tell the others?"
"Say that again, and I'll throw you in the river," Vaelin shot back, though there was a hint of humor in his tone.
Kael stepped closer to the riverbank, crouching down to fill his water skin. The cool water felt refreshing against his hands, but as he leaned down, something caught his eye—a faint shimmer in the current.
"Kael?" Serin called, noticing his hesitation.
Kael reached into the water, his fingers brushing against something smooth and cold. When he pulled it out, his heart skipped a beat.
In his hand was a small, crystalline fragment, no larger than a coin. It shimmered faintly, its surface etched with strange symbols.
"A shard?" Maris asked, stepping closer.
Kael shook his head. "No, it's too small. But it feels… connected somehow."
Serin knelt beside him, her brow furrowing as she studied the fragment. "It's a fragment of something—something tied to the shards. Maybe it's part of whatever created them."
"Great," Vaelin said, crossing his arms. "More mysterious artifacts. Just what we needed."
Kael slipped the fragment into his pocket, his mind racing. If this fragment was connected to the shards, it could hold clues about their origin—or their purpose.
"We'll figure it out later," Kael said, standing. "For now, let's focus on finding shelter. We're too exposed here."
---
A Growing Shadow
The group moved quickly, following the river until they found a rocky outcrop that offered some cover. As night fell, they built a small fire, its light casting flickering shadows against the rocks.
Kael sat apart from the others, turning the fragment over in his hands. Its faint glow seemed to pulse in time with the shards, as if responding to their presence.
"What are you thinking?" Serin's voice broke the silence. She sat down beside him, her staff resting across her knees.
Kael sighed. "I'm thinking about what the guardian said. About the price we'll have to pay. Every step we take feels like we're being pulled deeper into something we don't understand."
Serin nodded, her expression thoughtful. "The shards are powerful, Kael. Power like this always comes with consequences. But you're not facing this alone. We're here with you."
Kael looked at her, the firelight reflecting in her green eyes. Her words were reassuring, but they couldn't erase the doubt gnawing at him.
Before he could respond, a sudden gust of wind swept through the camp, extinguishing the fire.
"Stay alert!" Vaelin barked, his sword drawn in an instant.
The darkness around them seemed to deepen, and a low, guttural growl echoed through the night.
Kael stood, his hand instinctively going to the shards. "We're not alone."
From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared, followed by another, and another. A pack of shadowy creatures emerged, their forms shifting and flickering like living smoke.
"Wraithhounds," Serin said, her voice tight. "They're drawn to the shards' energy."
Vaelin stepped forward, his blade gleaming. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
"Don't be reckless!" Maris snapped, already nocking an arrow to her bow.
The first hound lunged, its jaws snapping at Kael, but he rolled to the side, drawing his dagger in a fluid motion.
"Serin, we need light!" he shouted.
Serin raised her staff, its crystal flaring to life with a blinding radiance. The wraithhounds recoiled, their smoky forms writhing in the light.
"Keep them back!" Kael called, slashing at one of the creatures. His dagger passed through it, but the hound dissolved into smoke, dissipating into the night.
Vaelin laughed as he cut down another. "These things aren't so tough!"
But more kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.
"Kael, we can't hold them off forever!" Maris shouted, her arrows barely slowing the advancing pack.
Kael's mind raced. The shards pulsed against his chest, their energy growing stronger. He didn't know how he knew, but he felt certain—they were the key to ending this.
Clutching the shards, he focused on their power, letting it flow through him. A wave of energy erupted from his body, radiating outward in a brilliant flash.
The wraithhounds howled, their forms disintegrating in the light. Within moments, the pack was gone, leaving only silence in their wake.
Kael staggered, the effort leaving him drained. Serin caught him before he could fall, her expression a mix of concern and awe.
"What… was that?" Vaelin asked, lowering his sword.
Kael shook his head. "I don't know. But it worked."
Serin helped him sit down, her brow furrowed. "You tapped into the shards' power. That's dangerous, Kael. You could've—"
"I didn't have a choice," Kael interrupted, his voice firm. "We'd all be dead if I hadn't."
The group fell silent, the weight of the encounter sinking in. Kael glanced at the fragment in his hand, its glow now faint.
Whatever the shards' true purpose, one thing was clear—they were far more powerful than he had imagined.