Chapter 11: Hunted Shadows
Kaylen stirred awake to the faint sound of Solas pacing the chamber. The glow of the Ember Core pulsed steadily on its pedestal, a silent reminder of the price he had paid. Fragments of his past—faces, voices, laughter—felt distant, like they belonged to someone else. He clenched his fists, the emptiness gnawing at him.
"You're awake," Solas said without turning. "Good. We don't have much time."
Kaylen sat up, wincing as his body protested. "What do you mean? What's going on?"
"The Hunters," Eryn said from the doorway. Their expression was grim, their tone sharp. "They're here."
Kaylen's blood ran cold. "Here? Already?"
Solas nodded. "They must have tracked the Core's activation. Its energy isn't exactly subtle."
Kaylen's heart raced. He thought back to the Hunters who had cornered him in his apartment—their cold, calculated precision, their overwhelming power. "How many?"
"Two," Eryn replied. "Elite Enforcers. They're not like the ones you fought before. These are specialists."
Kaylen swallowed hard, his pulse pounding in his ears. "And what are we supposed to do? Fight them?"
Solas turned to him, their masked face unreadable. "If you're careful, you won't have to. The Core has given you strength, but it's still a gamble. You're not ready for a direct confrontation."
Eryn stepped closer. "Solas is right. We'll draw them away. You take the Core and head east—stick to the path we planned. Solas and I will buy you time."
Kaylen shook his head. "No way. I'm not running while you two get yourselves killed."
"You don't have a choice," Eryn snapped. "The Core is what they want, and you're the only one who can wield it. If they capture you, it's over."
Kaylen hesitated, the weight of their words sinking in. He hated the thought of leaving them behind, but he knew they were right. The Ember Core wasn't just his burden—it was his responsibility.
"Fine," he said, his voice tight. "But I'm not leaving until I know you'll be okay."
Solas chuckled dryly. "We'll be fine, boy. You just focus on staying alive."
---
The plan was simple. Solas and Eryn would lure the Hunters into the ruins, using their knowledge of the terrain to stay ahead. Meanwhile, Kaylen would slip away through a hidden tunnel beneath the tower, taking the Core to safety. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was the best they had.
As Kaylen stood at the entrance to the tunnel, Eryn placed a hand on his shoulder. "Remember what you've learned. Stay calm, stay focused, and don't overreach. The Core will test you, but you're stronger than it is."
Kaylen nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "You better come back," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Eryn smirked faintly. "Don't worry about us. Just keep moving."
Solas handed him a small satchel filled with supplies. "This will get you through the Wastes. Follow the map, and don't stray from the path."
Kaylen took the satchel, gripping it tightly. "Thank you… for everything."
Solas inclined their head. "Don't thank me yet. Survive first."
With one last look, Kaylen descended into the tunnel, the faint glow of the Core lighting his way. The air was cold and damp, the walls lined with crumbling stone. He forced himself to focus, each step taking him farther from the only allies he had left.
---
Above ground, the Hunters arrived.
The two figures moved with purpose, their glowing Signatures casting eerie light over the ruins. One carried a blade that shimmered like liquid fire, while the other's hands crackled with arcs of electricity. Their faces were obscured by helmets, their movements precise and deadly.
"They're here," Eryn whispered, crouched behind a pile of rubble. "We need to split them up."
Solas nodded, their voice low. "I'll take the one with the blade. You handle the other."
Eryn smirked. "Always the risky one, aren't you?"
Solas didn't reply. They stepped into the open, drawing the attention of the blade-wielding Hunter. The figure's head tilted slightly before they lunged forward, their blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Solas dodged smoothly, leading their opponent deeper into the ruins.
Meanwhile, Eryn hurled a small device at the second Hunter, triggering a blinding flash of light. "Over here!" they taunted, darting into the shadows.
The Hunter gave chase, their crackling energy illuminating the path ahead. Eryn moved like a shadow, weaving through the debris with practiced ease. They knew the terrain better than anyone, but the Hunter was relentless, their attacks carving through the ruins with devastating force.
---
Deep underground, Kaylen felt the vibrations of the battle above. Each tremor sent dust cascading from the tunnel walls, and the Ember Core pulsed faster, as if responding to the chaos.
"Stay calm," he muttered to himself, gripping the satchel. "They'll be fine. They have to be."
But doubt gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was abandoning them, leaving them to face the Hunters alone. The Core's warmth grew more insistent, urging him to act.
"No," he said through gritted teeth. "I'm not giving in."
He forced himself to keep moving, even as the tremors grew stronger. The tunnel stretched on, its darkness seemingly endless. Every step felt heavier, the weight of the Core pressing down on him.
Then, without warning, the ground shook violently, and the tunnel collapsed ahead. Kaylen staggered back, coughing as dust filled the air. He was trapped.
Panic surged through him, but he shoved it aside, his mind racing. The Core pulsed again, brighter this time, its energy surging. Kaylen clenched his fists, focusing on the connection he had forged with it.
"Fine," he muttered. "Let's see what you can do."
He closed his eyes, drawing on the Core's power. Heat surged through him, and his surroundings blurred. When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the tunnel.
Instead, he stood on the edge of the ruins, the battle raging in the distance. Solas and Eryn were still fighting, their movements a desperate dance against the overwhelming power of the Hunters.
Kaylen's breath caught. He could run, leave them to finish the fight—but his heart screamed against it. Clenching his fists, he took a step forward.
"I'm done running," he said, the Ember Core blazing to life in his hand.