The glowing symbol in the village square pulsed rhythmically, its light casting long, shifting shadows across the cobblestones. The villagers gathered at the edges of the square, their faces pale with fear and confusion. Muttered prayers and panicked whispers filled the cold night air, the tension thick enough to choke.
Kaelin stood at the center of the square, his sword drawn, its faint hum resonating in time with the symbol's glow. The energy emanating from the ground was palpable, vibrating through his boots and into his chest. Whatever force had carved the shifting runes into the earth wasn't done yet, and Kaelin could feel its gaze, unseen but heavy, pressing down on him.
"Step back," he said, his voice cutting through the murmurs. The villagers hesitated, their fear mingling with uncertainty, but Jorin's firm voice reinforced Kaelin's command.
"You heard him!" the innkeeper barked. "Get inside! Now!"
The crowd scattered reluctantly, the shuffling of feet and slamming of shutters echoing in the tense silence. Kaelin glanced at Jorin, who lingered at the edge of the square, his jaw tight and his lantern trembling in his grip.
"This your idea of quiet village life?" Kaelin muttered.
Jorin's lips twitched in a grim approximation of a smile. "Not exactly. You're the expert here—what do we do?"
Kaelin's eyes returned to the symbol, its glow growing brighter with each pulse. "I hold the line," he said simply. "You keep them safe."
Before Jorin could respond, the light intensified, flooding the square with blinding brilliance. Kaelin raised an arm to shield his eyes as a low, guttural hum filled the air. The ground beneath the symbol trembled, the cobblestones cracking as a dark, writhing shadow began to rise from its center.
Kaelin's heart pounded, his grip tightening on his sword. The shadow coalesced into a humanoid form, tall and imposing, its surface a roiling mass of black and violet energy. Its eyes glowed faintly, twin points of cold light that locked onto Kaelin with unerring precision. The hum faded into silence, and for a moment, the square seemed frozen in time.
The shadow spoke, its voice a hollow echo that resonated in Kaelin's chest. "You carry the shard."
Kaelin's jaw tightened, his sword pulsing faintly in his hand. "If you've come for it, you're too late."
The shadow tilted its head, its movements slow and deliberate. "The light of the Forge is not yours to bear. Surrender it."
Kaelin took a step forward, his sword raised defensively. "You'll have to pry it from my corpse," he said. "Though I should warn you—I don't stay dead."
The shadow let out a low, hollow laugh, its form rippling with dark energy. "Arrogant, even now. Very well. I will extinguish your light."
It lunged, faster than Kaelin anticipated, its movements a blur of shadow and malice. Kaelin barely had time to react, his sword flashing upward to intercept the attack. The blade clashed against the shadow's arm, sparks of violet and gold energy erupting from the contact.
Kaelin gritted his teeth as the force of the blow drove him back, his boots skidding against the cobblestones. The shadow pressed the attack, its strikes relentless and precise. Kaelin parried and dodged, his movements fluid but strained as the energy crackling from the shadow's form sapped his strength with every clash.
"You fight well, Eternal," the shadow said, its voice a cold sneer. "But you are still unworthy."
Kaelin didn't respond. He focused on the rhythm of the battle, each movement calculated, each strike aimed with purpose. His sword pulsed in his hand, the shard's energy resonating with his resolve. He stepped into the shadow's next attack, his blade carving a golden arc through its chest.
The shadow let out a guttural roar, its form flickering as the wound sizzled with light. It staggered, but only for a moment, before surging forward with renewed fury. Kaelin braced himself, his sword meeting the shadow's claws in a flurry of sparks.
The villagers watched from behind shuttered windows, their faces pale and wide-eyed as the battle raged. Jorin stood at the edge of the square, his lantern swinging wildly as he shouted encouragement—or perhaps prayers. Kaelin didn't hear him. His focus was singular, his body moving on instinct as he fought to keep the shadow contained.
The shadow's form shifted, its movements growing more erratic and unpredictable. Kaelin ducked under a sweeping strike, his sword flashing upward to sever one of its arms. The limb dissolved into black mist, but the shadow didn't falter. It lunged, its remaining arm a blade of pure energy that slashed through the air with deadly precision.
Kaelin twisted, the blade grazing his side as he countered with a brutal strike to the shadow's core. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the square, the light of his sword burning into the shadow's form. The creature let out a deafening screech, its body convulsing as cracks of golden light spread across its surface.
Kaelin didn't wait. He surged forward, his sword driving into the shadow's chest with a final, powerful thrust. The blade pulsed, and light erupted from the wound, consuming the shadow in a blinding explosion. The force of the blast sent Kaelin stumbling back, his vision swimming as he struggled to stay upright.
When the light faded, the square was silent. The symbol in the cobblestones was gone, replaced by scorched stone and faint wisps of smoke. Kaelin stood alone in the center, his sword dim and his chest heaving with exhaustion.
Jorin approached cautiously, his lantern casting flickering shadows across the damaged square. "Is it… gone?" he asked, his voice hesitant.
Kaelin nodded, his grip on his sword loosening. "For now."
Jorin let out a shaky breath, his shoulders sagging with relief. "You saved us," he said. "Thank you."
Kaelin sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. "Don't thank me yet," he said. "That thing wasn't the end of it. It was just the beginning."
Jorin frowned, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
Kaelin's gaze drifted to the darkened forest beyond the village, his voice low and grim. "The Forge's light draws shadows," he said. "And they'll keep coming. This world isn't safe—not while I'm here."
Jorin was silent for a moment, his expression conflicted. "Then what do we do?"
Kaelin turned to face him, his eyes hard. "You protect your people. I'll protect the shard."
With that, he stepped away from the square, his steps heavy but determined. The night was still, but Kaelin could feel the weight of the battle lingering in the air. The Forge's burden was his to bear, and the road ahead was long and uncertain.
But Kaelin Veynar was no stranger to uncertainty. And he wasn't about to stop now.