Kael woke to the sound of crackling flames and the faint murmur of voices. His body felt like it had been trampled by a herd of beasts, every muscle aching as he tried to sit up. A sharp pain in his side made him wince, and he realized his wounds were hastily bandaged. Blinking, he took in his surroundings—a makeshift camp nestled among jagged rocks and sparse vegetation.
"You're awake," Marra's voice came from near the fire. She sat on a flat stone, her bow resting on her lap. Her sharp green eyes flicked toward him, filled with relief and lingering concern. "Took you long enough."
Kael groaned, rubbing his neck. "How long was I out?"
"A few hours," Thane said, appearing at Kael's side. The boy's face was pale, and the glow of his staff had dimmed. He looked exhausted but offered a faint smile. "We didn't think you'd sleep through Marra yelling at Corin, though."
"Funny," Corin muttered from across the camp, where he leaned against a rock, sharpening his dagger. "I'm not the one who almost got himself killed charging a shadow monster."
Kael ignored the jab, his memories returning in a flood. The Master. The glowing altar. The fight to distract him while Thane destroyed the structure. His stomach sank as he remembered the Master dissolving into shadows and slipping away.
"He got away," Kael said, his voice heavy with frustration.
"For now," Marra replied. "But we hurt him. His altar's gone, and his hold over the goblins is broken. That's a win."
"Is it, though?" Kael muttered, staring into the fire. "He's still out there. What's stopping him from regrouping?"
Marra's gaze softened, but her tone remained firm. "We'll stop him. But for now, we need to recover and figure out our next move."
***
Leena approached Kael cautiously, her hands clutching a waterskin and a bundle of herbs. She still looked shaken, her face gaunt and her movements uncertain, but there was a determination in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
"I thought you might need this," she said, holding out the items.
Kael smiled weakly, taking the waterskin and drinking deeply. "Thanks. How are you holding up?"
Leena hesitated, her gaze flicking toward the fire. "Better, I think. It's still… hard to believe any of this is real."
"I know what you mean," Kael said, leaning back against the rock. "It doesn't get easier, but you learn to keep moving."
Leena nodded, sitting down beside him. "I want to help," she said suddenly, her voice quiet but firm. "I'm not much of a fighter, but I don't want to be a burden."
"You're not a burden," Kael said. "You've been through enough already. Just staying with us is helping."
Leena shook her head. "I need to do more. Teach me how to fight. How to survive."
Kael studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. We'll start tomorrow."
***
The next day, the group set out for Ironholt, with Leena walking close to Kael. She carried a short sword Marra had given her, though she handled it awkwardly, clearly unused to the weight. Kael made a mental note to teach her the basics when they stopped for the night.
The journey took them through dense forests and rolling hills, the landscape shifting as they traveled. Despite the danger they had left behind, the group remained vigilant, scanning the horizon for signs of trouble.
"You'll get used to the sword," Kael said to Leena as they walked. "It just takes practice."
Leena nodded, her expression determined. "I don't want to be useless."
"You're not," Kael said. "Surviving what you did shows you're stronger than you think."
Leena gave him a faint smile, her grip on the sword tightening. "Thanks."
***
On the third day of their journey, the group entered a dense patch of woods, the trees casting long shadows across the narrow path. The air felt heavy, and the usual sounds of birds and insects were strangely absent.
"Something's wrong," Marra said, her voice low. "Stay sharp."
Kael tightened his grip on his spear, his instincts prickling. He glanced at Leena, who looked nervous but kept her sword ready. The group moved cautiously, every step deliberate as they navigated the winding path.
The forest opened into a small clearing, and Kael's stomach dropped at what he saw. At the center stood a towering totem, larger and more intricate than any they had seen before. Dark symbols were carved into the wood, and faint tendrils of black energy swirled around it.
"That's not good," Thane said, his voice trembling.
"Another marker?" Kael asked.
Marra shook her head. "No. This one's active. It's a beacon."
"A beacon for what?" Corin muttered, his dagger already in hand.
Before Marra could answer, the totem pulsed, sending a wave of energy rippling through the clearing. The ground shook, and shadows began to coalesce, taking on twisted, humanoid forms. Their glowing eyes burned like embers as they advanced toward the group.
"Shades," Thane said, his voice filled with dread. "Servants of the Master."
"Form up!" Marra shouted, raising her bow. "Don't let them surround us!"
Kael planted his feet, his spear at the ready as the shades closed in. The first one lunged at him, its clawed hand slashing through the air. He sidestepped, spinning his spear and driving it into the creature's chest. The shade let out a guttural hiss before dissolving into shadows.
Victory!
You have defeated Shade (Level 4)
+20 XP
Leena stood frozen, her eyes wide as another shade charged toward her. "Leena, move!" Kael shouted.
She snapped out of her daze, raising her sword awkwardly to block the creature's attack. The force of the blow nearly knocked her over, but Kael was there in an instant, driving his spear into the shade's side. The creature crumpled, its body dissipating into dark mist.
"Stay focused!" Kael said, helping her to her feet. "You can do this."
Leena nodded, her grip on the sword tightening as she faced the next shade.
***
The battle was chaotic, the shades moving with unnatural speed and precision. Marra's arrows flew with deadly accuracy, each one finding its mark, while Corin darted between the creatures, his daggers flashing. Thane's spells provided bursts of light that disrupted the shades' movements, giving the group precious seconds to recover.
Kael fought with everything he had, his body aching from the effort. The shades were relentless, but the group's coordination and determination kept them from being overwhelmed.
Leena held her own, her strikes clumsy but effective. With Kael's guidance, she managed to take down one of the shades, her sword slicing through its chest. She stared at the dissipating mist in disbelief, a mix of fear and triumph on her face.
"I did it," she whispered.
Kael smiled, nodding. "Told you."
The last shade fell to Marra's arrow, its body dissolving into nothingness. The clearing fell silent, the faint hum of the totem the only sound.
"We need to destroy that thing," Marra said, her gaze fixed on the totem.
Thane stepped forward, raising his staff as he began to chant. The runes glowed brightly, their light intensifying as he poured his energy into the spell. With a final burst of magic, the totem cracked and shattered, the dark energy dissipating into the air.
Kael leaned on his spear, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. "That was too close."
Marra nodded, her expression grim. "It's a warning. The Master knows we're coming."
Kael exchanged a glance with Leena, who was still catching her breath. Despite the fear in her eyes, there was also a spark of determination. She was stronger than she realized—and they would need that strength in the battles to come.