Kael and Aryn didn't linger long at the canyon's edge. The mountains loomed ahead, jagged and foreboding, their peaks wreathed in a perpetual storm of swirling darkness. The shard was somewhere within their grasp, but the sight of the ominous peaks made Kael's stomach twist with unease.
Aryn broke the silence. "So, what's the plan? Just march into the mountains and hope we don't get eaten by whatever lives there?"
Kael sighed, glancing at the journal in his hands. Its glowing map showed the shard's location nestled deep within the heart of the range. "We follow the map. It's led us this far."
"Yeah, and nearly got us killed twice," Aryn muttered. But she didn't argue further, falling into step beside him.
The landscape shifted as they approached the base of the mountains. The air grew colder, and the ground turned rough and uneven, littered with shards of jagged black rock. Strange sounds echoed through the valleys—whispers carried on the wind, faint and eerie, as though the mountains themselves were alive.
Kael tightened his grip on the journal. "Stay close. This place feels… wrong."
"No kidding," Aryn replied, her eyes darting around. "It's like the shadows are watching us."
They climbed steadily, the path winding upward through narrow passes and crumbling ledges. The farther they went, the more oppressive the air became. It pressed against their lungs, making every breath a struggle.
After hours of climbing, they reached a plateau. Aryn collapsed onto a boulder, wiping sweat from her brow. "We need to rest. I don't care what's chasing us—if I keep going, I'm going to keel over."
Kael nodded reluctantly. His own legs felt like lead, and his chest burned with exertion. "Just for a little while."
As they sat, Kael opened the journal again, hoping for more guidance. The pages glowed faintly, revealing a warning: Beware the Cradle of Shadows. Only the light will guide you through.
"The Cradle of Shadows?" Aryn asked, peering over his shoulder.
"It must be up ahead," Kael said, his voice heavy. "Whatever it is, it doesn't sound welcoming."
Aryn snorted. "Nothing in this place is welcoming."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shuddered. Kael and Aryn sprang to their feet, eyes darting around. From the shadows of the cliffs, figures began to emerge.
At first, they seemed like ordinary shadows cast by the jagged rocks. But as they moved, it became clear they were alive—tall, humanoid shapes made of pure darkness, their glowing red eyes fixed on Kael and Aryn.
"Not again," Aryn muttered, drawing her dagger.
The Shadowborn didn't charge immediately this time. They stood still, as though waiting for something.
Kael felt a chill run down his spine. "Why aren't they attacking?"
As if in answer, the ground trembled again, and a low, guttural growl echoed from the cliffs. From the darkness stepped a creature far larger than any they had encountered before. It resembled the Shadowborn in form but was more solid, its body covered in jagged, obsidian-like armor. Its eyes glowed with an intense crimson light, and black smoke curled from its maw.
"That's new," Aryn said, her voice tinged with both fear and awe.
The massive Shadowborn let out a deafening roar, and the smaller ones surged forward.
"Run!" Kael shouted, grabbing Aryn's arm.
They bolted across the plateau, the Shadowborn in pursuit. The narrow path ahead wound into a dark canyon, its entrance marked by towering spires of black rock.
"This must be the Cradle of Shadows," Kael said, glancing at the journal.
"Great," Aryn snapped. "Into the creepy canyon of doom we go."
The path narrowed further as they entered the canyon, the walls rising high on either side and blocking out most of the light. The shadows seemed to thicken around them, making it hard to see.
Kael opened the journal, its glow providing faint illumination. "The journal said only the light will guide us. We have to trust it."
Aryn stayed close, her dagger ready as they moved deeper into the canyon. The Shadowborn's footsteps echoed behind them, relentless and unyielding.
As they pressed on, the path split into multiple directions, each one descending into deeper darkness. Kael paused, staring at the choices in confusion.
"Which way?" Aryn asked, glancing nervously over her shoulder.
The journal's pages glowed brighter, and a faint golden line appeared on the ground, leading down the leftmost path.
"Follow the light," Kael said, pointing.
They ran down the indicated path, the golden trail guiding them through a labyrinth of twisting passages. The shadows grew more aggressive, lunging at them from the walls, but the journal's light seemed to repel them.
"This thing is really earning its keep," Aryn muttered, slashing at a shadow that got too close.
Kael didn't respond. His focus was on the journal and the glowing trail ahead.
After what felt like an eternity, the canyon opened into a massive cavern. At its center was a pedestal, and resting on it was a shard of crystal that glowed with an intense, otherworldly light.
"The first shard," Kael said, his voice filled with awe.
Aryn hesitated. "It can't be this easy."
As if to confirm her suspicion, the cavern shook violently. From the shadows emerged the massive Shadowborn they had seen earlier, its red eyes blazing with fury.
Kael stepped toward the pedestal, the journal glowing brighter in his hands. "I'll distract it. You go for the shard!"
Aryn stared at him as though he'd lost his mind. "Are you insane? You'll get yourself killed!"
"Just trust me!" Kael said, his voice firm.
Before she could argue, Kael turned to face the beast. The journal's light flared, drawing the creature's attention. It roared and charged at him, its massive claws tearing through the ground.
Kael dodged, barely avoiding the swipe, and held the journal aloft. A beam of light shot out, striking the creature and causing it to recoil with a pained howl.
Aryn didn't waste the opportunity. She sprinted toward the pedestal, her heart pounding. The shard's light was almost blinding up close, its energy pulsing like a heartbeat. She grabbed it, and the moment her fingers touched the crystal, a surge of power shot through her.
The cavern filled with blinding light, and the Shadowborn let out an ear-splitting scream. When the light faded, the creature was gone, and the shadows had receded.
Kael collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. Aryn stood beside him, the shard glowing faintly in her hands.
"Guess we passed the test," she said, offering him a hand.
Kael smiled weakly as she helped him to his feet. "One down. Who knows how many to go."
As they left the cavern, Kael felt a strange sense of hope. The journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but they had taken the first step.
And for the first time, he believed they might actually succeed.