Chapter 7: The Shadows of the Path
The sky above the Tomb of Chains seemed heavier, and the surrounding mountains exuded an oppressive presence. Ren couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, though he couldn't pinpoint the source. With Kael by his side, he began descending the ancient terrain, the Codex in his backpack feeling more burdensome than ever.
Kael broke the silence as they traversed the winding trail.
— "You've made impressive progress with the First Chain, but that's just a fraction of what the Codex offers."
Ren nodded, though his mind was elsewhere.
— "So what's the next step? More training?"
Kael shook his head.
— "No. Now you need to face the world. Theory and training will only take you so far. It's out there that you'll learn the true cost of wielding the Codex."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
— "That sounds more like a test than a next step."
Kael smirked faintly, but there was a shadow in his expression.
— "Perhaps it's both."
---
The trail led them into a narrow valley, where vegetation was sparse, and the air grew colder. As Ren followed Kael, he noticed strange markings on the rocks. Deep, irregular gashes, as if enormous blades had sliced through the stone.
— "What happened here?" Ren asked, running his hand over one of the cuts.
Kael stopped, his eyes scanning the area cautiously.
— "This isn't nature's work. This place was once a battlefield. Bearers, cultivators… the Chains attract anyone seeking power."
Ren shivered. He knew the Codex held great power, but the thought of a world constantly at odds over it was unsettling.
As they walked, a distant sound caught Ren's attention. It was a mix of a howl and a scream, echoing from all directions. Ren froze and turned to Kael.
— "What was that?"
Kael drew his sword, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed their surroundings.
— "Get ready. We're not alone."
Ren instinctively opened the Codex, its pages flipping as though moved by an unseen wind. Symbols glowed faintly, and he felt the pulse of the First Chain coursing through him.
From the shadows, figures began to emerge. They were humanoid but grotesquely twisted, their forms cloaked in a dark mist. Their eyes glowed with a sickly light, and their claws were as sharp as blades.
Kael charged forward without hesitation, his sword cleaving through the first creature to approach. Ren scrambled to follow, summoning the First Chain's energy to create a barrier around himself.
— "Don't hesitate!" Kael shouted as he fended off two creatures at once.
Ren focused, channeling the energy into his hand to form a blade of light, just as he had in training. When the first creature lunged at him, he struck, slicing it in half and watching as it dissolved into smoke.
But the creatures didn't stop. For every one that fell, more emerged from the shadows, seemingly endless. Ren began to feel the strain of prolonged use of the Chain; his breathing grew labored, and his vision darkened at the edges.
— "Ren!" Kael called out. — "The Codex can help you, but you have to ask!"
Ren hesitated. He knew the Codex offered power, but it always came at a price. Clenching his fists, he fought against the exhaustion overtaking him. Finally, he opened the book again, allowing the symbols to guide his actions.
A surge of energy exploded outward, pushing the creatures back. The Codex glowed intensely, and Ren felt the First Chain expand beyond what he thought possible. He recited the words appearing in his mind, and the energy solidified around him, forming a barrier that repelled the remaining creatures.
When silence returned, Ren collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The Codex still glowed faintly, but he felt as though something had been taken from him.
Kael approached, sheathing his sword.
— "You did well, but you can't rely on the Codex for everything. The price is always high."
Ren looked up at him, his hands trembling.
— "And if I hadn't used it? We'd be dead."
Kael nodded slowly.
— "Perhaps. But you need to learn when the price is worth paying."
---
As they resumed their journey, Ren mulled over Kael's words. He knew the Codex's power was immense, but he also knew there were limits to what he could endure. Each use seemed to chip away at something inside him, and he dreaded what might happen if he pushed too far.
By evening, they spotted a city in the distance. Its high walls loomed like sentinels, with towers rising above them.
— "That's our next destination," Kael said, pointing to the city. — "Vallendara. A place where all factions converge, and neutrality is maintained by a fragile balance."
Ren frowned.
— "Why are we going there?"
Kael's smirk returned, tinged with mystery.
— "Because you need to understand the world the Codex has drawn you into. And there's no better place to learn than Vallendara."
Curiosity and apprehension mingled in Ren as they made their way toward the city. He knew the road ahead would be full of challenges, but he also understood that each step brought him closer to grasping his role as the bearer of the Codex.
As the sun dipped below the mountains, the Codex pulsed faintly in his bag, as though it, too, anticipated what was to come.