The forest loomed like a sleeping giant, its branches intertwining to form an unyielding canopy that blocked out the pale light of the moon. The ground beneath Kael's boots was a treacherous mix of mud and roots, each step a calculated risk as he ventured deeper into the unknown. The compass in his hand pulsed faintly, casting a soft glow that barely cut through the oppressive darkness.
The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and moss, and the silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional drip of water from the leaves above. Kael's thoughts were a chaotic whirl, each question louder than the last.
What had he just escaped from? Why had Hargen—a man who rarely raised his voice, let alone a weapon—sacrificed himself? And why the hell was this compass so important that shadowy monsters would slaughter a village to get it?
Kael's grip tightened around the artifact. The runes on its surface were intricate and mesmerizing, but there was no time to dwell on their meaning. The compass's needle quivered, pointing unwaveringly toward a direction that didn't align with any map he'd ever seen. He wanted to stop and examine it more closely, but the memory of those red-eyed creatures kept him moving.
A sudden rustle to his left made him freeze. He crouched low, holding his breath as his heart pounded against his ribs. The sound came again, closer this time. He strained his ears, trying to distinguish the source. Was it a deer? A wolf? Or one of those… things from the village?
"Shit," he whispered, barely audible. His fingers itched for a weapon, but all he had was the compass and his wits.
The rustling stopped, and for a moment, Kael dared to hope that it was nothing. Then, with a suddenness that nearly made him cry out, a figure emerged from the undergrowth. It was humanoid but barely so, its limbs unnaturally long and its movements jerky. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its mouth twisted into a grotesque grin as it spotted him.
Kael didn't wait to see what it would do. He bolted, weaving through the trees as fast as his legs would carry him. Behind him, the creature let out an ear-piercing shriek, the sound reverberating through the forest and setting his nerves on edge. He ran blindly, the compass's glow bouncing wildly in his hand.
The forest seemed to conspire against him. Branches clawed at his face, roots tripped his feet, and the damp air clung to his skin, making every breath a labor. The shriek came again, closer this time, and Kael's panic surged. He risked a glance over his shoulder and saw the creature gaining on him, its grotesque form moving with unnatural speed.
"Why can't you just fuck off?" he shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.
The compass's pulse quickened, its glow intensifying as if responding to his plea. Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet shifted, and Kael stumbled into a clearing he hadn't seen before. At its center stood a jagged stone monolith, covered in the same glowing runes as the compass. The artifact's needle spun wildly before pointing directly at the monolith.
Kael didn't have time to wonder what it meant. The creature burst into the clearing, its glowing eyes locking onto him with predatory intent. Kael backed toward the monolith, clutching the compass as if it could shield him.
"Stay back," he warned, though his voice wavered.
The creature hissed, its grin widening as it advanced. Kael's mind raced. There had to be something he could do. Desperation drove him to hold the compass aloft, aiming it toward the creature like a shield. The artifact's glow intensified, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, a beam of light shot from the compass, striking the creature square in the chest.
The creature let out a guttural scream as the light enveloped it, its form writhing and distorting before collapsing into a heap of ash. The clearing fell silent, save for Kael's ragged breathing. He stared at the compass, his hands trembling.
"What the hell are you?" he murmured.
The compass offered no answer, its glow dimming slightly as if spent. Kael sank to his knees, the adrenaline leaving him in a dizzying rush. He stared at the monolith, its runes pulsing gently in sync with the compass. Whatever this place was, it was tied to the artifact in a way he couldn't yet understand.
A sound behind him made him spin around, his heart leaping to his throat. This time, it wasn't a monster but a woman. She stepped into the clearing with cautious grace, her cloak damp from the rain and her sharp eyes fixed on him. She carried a staff, its top adorned with a glowing crystal that emitted a faint, soothing light.
"Impressive," she said, her voice low and measured. "Few survive an encounter with a shadowfiend, let alone destroy one."
Kael blinked, still clutching the compass. "Who are you?"
"Someone who's been looking for that," she replied, nodding toward the artifact in his hands. "And by the looks of it, so have they."
Kael's grip tightened. "You're not taking it."
The woman raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering across her face. "Relax, boy. If I wanted to take it, you'd already be unconscious. I'm here to help."
"Help?" Kael's voice was tinged with disbelief. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because if you don't, you'll be dead before sunrise." Her tone was matter-of-fact, but there was an edge of urgency to it. "The compass is drawing them to you. If you want to live, you need to learn how to use it."
Kael hesitated, his instincts torn between caution and desperation. The memory of the shadowfiend's shriek and Hargen's sacrifice loomed large in his mind. Finally, he nodded, his voice steady despite the fear still gnawing at him.
"Alright," he said. "Start talking."