The shadowhound's carcass still lay in the clearing, its dark blood seeping into the earth. Dani stared at it, a mix of exhaustion and disbelief coursing through his veins. The sword in his hand, now streaked with the creature's essence, pulsed faintly, its mysterious energy an enigma. He had never felt so alive, so aware of the thin thread that separated life from death.
But the victory was bittersweet. The shadowhound was a creature of legend, often seen as an omen of darkness. If one had appeared here, it meant trouble was brewing—trouble that might reach far beyond Dani's meager existence.
As he made his way back toward the outskirts of the kingdom, the weight of the sword—both literal and symbolic—felt heavier in his hands. The forest around him was quiet, unnervingly so, as if the world itself was holding its breath. When he finally emerged from the treeline, the sight of Evelyn waiting by the ruined chapel brought a rush of relief.
She spotted him instantly, her piercing blue eyes widening as she ran toward him. "Dani! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and reproach. "What happened? Why are you covered in blood?"
"It's... not mine," Dani said, his voice hoarse. He lowered the sword, planting it into the ground as he sank to his knees. "There was a shadowhound. It came out of nowhere. I... I killed it."
Evelyn froze, her expression shifting from worry to shock. "A shadowhound? Here?" She knelt beside him, inspecting the faint scratches on his arms. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," he replied, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his lingering fear. "I don't know how I did it, Evelyn. I—I thought I was going to die."
She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But you didn't. You survived. That's what matters." Her gaze shifted to the sword. "That blade... it's more than just steel, isn't it?"
Dani nodded. "It felt... alive, somehow. Like it was guiding me."
Evelyn's brow furrowed as she reached for the hilt, her fingers brushing against it. The sword pulsed faintly, emitting a subtle hum that sent a shiver down her spine. "This isn't an ordinary weapon," she murmured. "It's enchanted. Ancient, maybe. Where did my family even get this?"
Dani shook his head. "I don't know. But if it weren't for this sword, I—"
A sudden rustling interrupted him, and both turned their attention to the treeline. A figure emerged, cloaked in a tattered gray robe. The person's face was obscured by a hood, but the air around them crackled with an unsettling energy.
"Who are you?" Evelyn demanded, stepping protectively in front of Dani.
The figure paused, their head tilting slightly. When they spoke, their voice was low and rasping. "You wield the blade of moonsilver. A relic of the Old Wars. How curious."
Dani's grip tightened on the sword as he rose to his feet, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "What do you want?"
The figure chuckled softly, the sound sending a chill down Dani's spine. "The question is not what I want, but what fate demands of you. The appearance of a shadowhound marks the beginning of great turmoil. That blade—and the one who wields it—will be at the center of it all."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know this?"
"Because," the figure said, lowering their hood to reveal an aged face marked with strange runes, "I am a seer. And I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
The seer's words hung heavy in the air as Dani and Evelyn listened intently. He spoke of an ancient prophecy, one that foretold the rise of a great darkness and the emergence of a chosen champion. The moon silver sword, the very weapon Dani now held, was said to be the key to either salvation or destruction.
"I'm no champion," Dani argued, his voice trembling. "I'm just... me. I can barely hold this sword properly."
"And yet," the seer replied, "you felled a shadowhound—a feat that even seasoned knights struggle to achieve. The blade chose you, young one. That alone speaks volumes."
Evelyn stepped forward, her expression resolute. "If Dani is part of this prophecy, then I will stand by him. He won't face this darkness alone."
The seer's gaze softened. "You have a noble heart, child of the crown. But know this: the path ahead will test you both in ways you cannot yet imagine. Allies will be few, and enemies will be many."
He turned to Dani, his tone grave. "Your journey begins now, wielder of moonsilver. Seek the other relics scattered across the lands. Only with their combined power can you hope to confront what lies ahead."
Dani swallowed hard, his mind reeling. He had spent his life as an outcast, mocked and dismissed by everyone around him. And now, he was being told he had a destiny greater than anything he could comprehend.
"I don't know if I can do this," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Evelyn placed a hand on his arm, her touch steadying. "You can. We can. Together."
The seer nodded. "Then go, and may the stars guide your path."
As the figure disappeared into the shadows of the forest, Dani and Evelyn exchanged a glance. The weight of the prophecy loomed over them, but for the first time, Dani felt something other than fear. He felt determination.
The road ahead would be perilous, but he wasn't alone. And for now, that was enough.