Descending from the Emberfall Peaks was no easier than the ascent. The aftermath of their battle with the Emberfang Drake left Ryn, Lyra, and Elias drained, but the looming threat of pursuit kept them moving. Frostfang and the Mistborn Stalker moved with alert precision, their senses attuned to any signs of danger. Elias's Flamefeather occasionally took to the skies, its keen vision scouting ahead.
The Codex Fragment, now safely stowed in Ryn's pack, pulsed faintly. Its energy felt heavier, as if carrying the weight of both knowledge and impending danger.
"The Obsidian Order won't be far behind," Elias warned, his staff tapping against the rocky ground. "They're like vultures, and the smoke from our battle is their beacon."
Lyra smirked despite the tension. "Good. Let them try. We've handled worse."
Ryn didn't respond immediately, his sharp gaze scanning the jagged trail ahead. "We'll outpace them. But if they catch up... we don't hold back."
...
The group reached the base of the peaks by dusk, entering a narrow valley lined with blackened trees and ash-covered ground. The oppressive heat of the mountains was replaced by an eerie chill, and the sound of crunching gravel underfoot echoed ominously.
Flamefeather let out a sharp cry, returning to Elias's shoulder. Its feathers bristled, signaling danger.
"We're not alone," Elias muttered, gripping his staff tightly.
From the shadows of the trees emerged figures clad in black and silver—the unmistakable armor of the Obsidian Order. Their beasts, a mix of shadowy felines and venomous serpents, slithered and prowled into view.
The leader of the group, a tall woman with a sharp, angular face, stepped forward. Her voice was calm, but her gaze burned with intensity. "Hand over the Codex Fragment, and we'll let you leave in one piece."
Ryn stepped forward, his beasts flanking him. "Not happening."
The woman's lips curled into a cold smile. "I hoped you'd say that."
...
At her signal, the Obsidian tamers released their beasts. The shadowy felines darted forward with unnatural speed, their claws gleaming, while the serpents coiled and spat streams of venom that hissed against the rocky ground.
"Frostfang, freeze the ground—slow them down!" Ryn commanded.
Frostfang howled, releasing a wave of icy energy that coated the valley floor. The shadowy felines skidded, their momentum faltering, while the serpents hissed in frustration.
Lyra moved with deadly precision, her dagger flashing as she targeted the distracted tamers. "Stalker, back me up!"
The Mistborn Stalker vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind an Obsidian tamer and taking them down with a swift strike before melting back into the darkness.
Elias raised his staff, chanting a spell that summoned a protective barrier around the group. Flamefeather took to the skies, raining down bursts of fire that scattered the enemy beasts.
The leader of the Obsidian Order stepped forward, releasing her own beast—a towering, armored bear wreathed in shadow.
...
Beast Identified: Shadowrend Ursus
Rank: High-tier Elite Beast
Abilities: Umbral Slam, Spectral Claws, Shadow Shield
...
The Shadowrend Ursus roared, its presence overwhelming. It charged toward Frostfang, its massive claws leaving deep gouges in the icy ground.
"Frostfang, hold your ground!" Ryn shouted.
The frost beast met the Ursus's charge head-on, its icy aura clashing with the shadows surrounding its opponent. The two beasts grappled, each struggling for dominance.
Ryn's ability flared, revealing a weak point in the Ursus's armor near its underbelly. "Stalker, go for its underside!"
The Mistborn Stalker obeyed, darting beneath the Ursus and slashing at the exposed spot. The beast roared in pain, its movements faltering.
Elias joined the fray, directing Flamefeather to target the Ursus's back with concentrated bursts of flame. The combined efforts of Frostfang, the Stalker, and Flamefeather forced the massive beast into retreat.
The Obsidian leader's expression darkened. "Fall back!" she barked to her tamers.
The remaining members of the Order retreated, their beasts following reluctantly. The Shadowrend Ursus snarled but obeyed its master's command, retreating into the shadows.
...
The valley grew silent once more, the only sounds being the crackle of lingering flames and the group's heavy breathing.
Lyra sheathed her dagger, her smirk returning. "Looks like they weren't ready for us."
Elias shook his head. "This was a scouting party. The real threat is still coming."
Ryn knelt beside Frostfang, inspecting the frost beast for injuries. "Then we keep moving. We can't let them corner us again."
He pulled out the Codex, its glow brighter now. The projection revealed a new location—Silverroot Glade—and an encrypted message that pulsed faintly.
Lyra peered over his shoulder. "What's that?"
Ryn frowned. "It's... a warning. Someone—or something—is waiting for us there."
Elias nodded grimly. "If the Codex is leading us to Silverroot Glade, then we'll need to prepare. That place is as dangerous as it is ancient."
...
As the group set off toward Silverroot Glade, the shadowed figure from before watched from a ridge overlooking the valley. Their beast, a sleek, predatory panther with glowing eyes, crouched at their side.
"They've survived this far," the figure murmured, a note of amusement in their voice. "But their luck won't last."
They turned, disappearing into the shadows as the panther followed silently.