I stood there in the silence, my mind racing as the weight of the figure's words sank in. The beast was gone, but the fear it left behind lingered like a bad omen. I tightened my grip on the sword, my knuckles white, as the cold air gnawed at me. Whatever I'd done, it was far beyond any blade I had ever forged.
The room felt smaller, suffocating. The flickering light from the forge was the only thing pushing back the darkness, but it was weak—on the verge of dying out completely. I needed answers. I needed to know what the hell was really going on. But before I could think clearly, a loud crash came from the back of the shop.
My heart leaped into my throat. Someone—or something—was here.
I turned on my heel, sword raised, ready for another fight. The back door had been kicked open, the hinges screeching in protest. My mind was already forming plans to defend myself, but when I reached the threshold, I froze.
It wasn't another beast. It was a man—or what was left of one.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a tattered cloak hanging from his frame like a flag. His face was mostly covered by a deep hood, but his eyes... they glowed a sickly green, burning with some unnatural fire. His skin was cracked, pale as death itself, and his breath came in ragged gasps, like he had just run for miles in the middle of a storm.
"Who are you?" I demanded, my sword still raised. This guy looked like he belonged in a graveyard, not in a blacksmith's shop.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stumbled forward, his body jerking with unnatural movements. The air around him crackled, charged with some strange, malignant energy. As if the very world around him was bending and warping.
"I... I'm here to stop it," the man rasped, his voice hoarse, like he hadn't spoken in ages. "You... You've triggered something. Something old. And now, it's coming."
I narrowed my eyes. "Stop what?"
His green eyes locked onto mine, desperate. "You've forged the blade... the one the ancient ones warned about." His voice cracked. "The blade that was never meant to exist."
I lowered my sword slightly, curiosity overcoming my instinct to attack. "What do you mean? The blade's just a sword. Nothing special about it."
The man shook his head violently, as if even speaking was a struggle for him. "No... no, you don't understand. It's more than just a weapon. It's a key—a key to the Dark Ones. You've unlocked something that was meant to stay buried."
I stepped back, the weight of his words starting to sink in. "What are the Dark Ones?"
His eyes darted around the room, his breath catching in his chest. "A race older than time itself... creatures of shadow and madness. They were sealed away long ago, bound by the ancient magic of this land. But you... you've freed them. And now they're coming."
I felt my stomach twist in knots. This wasn't just a threat anymore—it was a damn prophecy. The blade wasn't some cursed artifact—it was a doorway.
"What can I do to stop them?" I asked, my voice almost shaking.
The man's mouth twitched as if he wanted to say something, but then he collapsed to his knees. His breathing grew erratic, and a deep, guttural growl came from the back of his throat. Something was happening to him—something unnatural.
I took a step forward, my sword raised, but I hesitated.
His body jerked again, more violently this time, and he let out a strangled scream. Then, before I could react, something exploded from his chest.
I barely had time to react before a massive shadow erupted from his body, an enormous figure formed from pure darkness. It was like a creature of smoke and void, its form constantly shifting, as if it had no true shape. Its glowing green eyes pierced through the darkness like twin beacons.
The thing let out a low, rumbling growl, its mouth opening wide to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth, each one glistening with malice. It turned its head toward me, and I could feel its hunger, its desire to tear me apart.
I staggered back, barely managing to avoid its first swipe. The shadow's claws slashed through the air, missing me by inches as I dove to the side.
"Gods damn it!" I cursed under my breath. This wasn't some regular beast—it was something far worse.
The creature howled, sending a wave of unnatural cold through the shop. I could feel it seeping into my bones, threatening to freeze me from the inside out. My grip on my sword tightened as I stumbled back, trying to keep my footing on the icy floor.
I had no choice. I needed to act fast.
I turned toward the forge, the faint embers still burning weakly in the hearth. If I could reignite the flames, I could use the heat—maybe even drive this creature back. But first, I had to survive long enough to make it there.
With a deep breath, I leapt forward, slashing at the creature's smoky form with everything I had. The blade cut through the shadow, but it did nothing. It passed through the darkness like a knife through fog.
The creature snarled, more furious now, and I felt the air shift around me. It was building up, preparing to strike.
I glanced over my shoulder. The forge was within reach.
Just a few more steps.
I dashed forward, the creature's claws nearly grazing my back. I reached the forge, grabbed the phoenix feather from its place near the hearth, and tossed it into the flames.
The fire roared to life, the heat surging through the room like a burst of energy. The creature screeched in pain, the heat pushing against it, forcing it back.
But it didn't retreat. It roared louder, its form flickering with rage. I could see its outline shift, like it was preparing for something bigger.
And then, from the shadows behind me, I heard it.
A voice, cold and cruel.
"You cannot stop what is coming."
The figure—the one who had warned me—stepped back into view, their eyes glowing brighter now. They had been the one to bring this upon me.
And I had no idea what to do next.