Kael stumbled as they emerged from the gateway, the energy of the obelisk leaving a tingling sensation across his skin. The oppressive haze of the Shattered Plains was gone, replaced by a damp, suffocating mist. The ground beneath their feet was soft and uneven, and the air smelled of wet earth and decay.
"Where are we?" Kael asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The Vale of Mists," the knight replied, scanning their surroundings. "One of the most treacherous places in this world. Few who enter ever leave."
Tharion drew his sword and tested the ground with his boot. "You've got a real talent for leading us to cursed places."
"Cursed or not, the next relic is here," the knight said, his tone unbothered. "You'd better keep your wits about you. The mist hides more than just the path."
Kael shivered, clutching his staff tighter. The relic in his satchel pulsed faintly, as if reacting to the strange energy of the vale.
"Let's keep moving," Tharion said. "The sooner we're out of this place, the better."
---
The group trudged through the mist, visibility limited to a few paces ahead. The trees around them were gnarled and twisted, their blackened bark glistening with moisture. Every now and then, Kael thought he saw movement in the fog—shadows darting just out of sight.
"Stay close," the knight warned. "The vale is alive. It doesn't like visitors."
Kael felt the air grow colder with every step, the mist clinging to his skin like a second layer. His mind wandered to the stories he'd heard as a child, tales of travelers who ventured into the Vale of Mists and were never seen again.
"What kind of creatures live here?" Kael asked, his voice trembling.
The knight smirked. "Not creatures. Spirits. Shades of those who died here, bound to the mist. They're harmless unless you give them reason to notice you."
Tharion glanced back, his eyes narrowing. "Define 'reason.'"
"Fear. Anger. Despair," the knight said. "Anything that feeds their hunger."
Kael swallowed hard, doing his best to steady his nerves.
---
Hours passed, the mist growing thicker as they pressed deeper into the vale. The relic's pulse became stronger, its warmth radiating through Kael's satchel.
"We're getting closer," Kael said, his voice barely audible.
"To the relic or something else?" Tharion muttered.
The knight stopped abruptly, holding up a hand. "Wait."
Kael and Tharion froze, their eyes scanning the mist. At first, there was nothing but the oppressive silence. Then, a faint sound reached Kael's ears—a low, mournful wail, carried on the wind.
"What is that?" Kael whispered.
"Shades," the knight said, drawing his sword. "They've noticed us."
The wailing grew louder, and the mist began to shift, coalescing into vaguely humanoid shapes. The shades were translucent, their features blurred and indistinct, but their eyes burned with an unnatural light.
"Stay calm," the knight said. "They'll test us first. If you give in to fear, they'll attack."
Kael's grip on his staff tightened as the shades drew closer, their wails piercing the air. He tried to steady his breathing, but his heart was racing.
One of the shades reached for him, its fingers elongated and wispy. Kael flinched, raising his staff instinctively.
"Don't let it touch you!" the knight barked.
Kael channeled a pulse of magic, the energy dispersing the shade momentarily. But the others were undeterred, their movements becoming more erratic.
"They're not backing off," Tharion growled, slashing at a shade with his sword. The blade passed through harmlessly, as if cutting through smoke.
"They won't," the knight said grimly. "Not until they've had their fill."
Kael's panic began to rise, the shades' wails echoing in his mind. He could feel their presence pressing against his thoughts, feeding on his fear.
"Kael!" Tharion shouted, his voice snapping Kael out of his daze.
"I—I can't fight them!" Kael stammered.
"Yes, you can," the knight said, his voice cold and steady. "The relic. Use it."
Kael hesitated, his hand moving to his satchel. The relic's pulse was stronger than ever, its warmth almost burning against his skin.
"Do it!" the knight snapped.
Kael closed his eyes and focused on the relic, drawing its energy into himself. The warmth spread through his body, pushing back the cold of the mist. When he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with the relic's power.
The shades recoiled, their wails turning to shrieks of pain. Kael raised his staff, channeling the relic's energy into a wave of light. The mist around them evaporated, and the shades dissolved into nothingness.
When the light faded, the vale was silent once more.
---
Kael collapsed to his knees, the relic's energy leaving him drained. Tharion and the knight approached, their expressions a mix of concern and approval.
"You did well," the knight said, his tone uncharacteristically soft.
Kael looked up at him, his face pale. "That was the relic's power, wasn't it?"
The knight nodded. "And a fraction of what it's capable of. But be careful, boy. The relic isn't a tool—it's a weapon. And weapons have a way of turning on their wielders."
Kael's stomach churned at the thought. He could still feel the relic's presence, like a faint ember in the back of his mind.
Tharion placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "We're not done yet. If the relic's reacting this strongly, the next shard must be close."
Kael nodded, forcing himself to his feet. Despite his exhaustion, he knew they couldn't stop now. The vale was testing them, but the true challenge was still ahead.
As they pressed on, the mist began to thin, revealing the outline of a massive structure in the distance.
"The Temple of Echoes," the knight said, his voice laced with anticipation. "That's where the next relic waits."
Kael stared at the looming temple, his resolve hardening. Whatever trials lay within, he would face them. The fate of the world depended on it.