The air grew thicker as they made their way deeper into the forest. Though the sun was now fully above them, casting a warm glow through the canopy, Elysara couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The trees around them were ancient, their gnarled branches weaving into an almost unnatural pattern. They towered above them like silent sentinels, their leaves whispering secrets in a language that seemed just out of reach.
But the quiet was shattered when she heard a soft, low growl from the thicket behind them.
Elysara froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Her grandmother didn't seem to hear it at first, too absorbed in her task. But Elysara's senses were heightened, every instinct screaming that something was wrong. The air around them seemed to shift, the once-pleasant atmosphere turning thick with tension.
"Grandmother," Elysara whispered, her voice tight with fear.
Aureth's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. She looked toward the thicket, her hand instinctively reaching for the knife at her side. "Stay close, Elysara," she said softly, but with a firmness that Elysara had grown to trust.
They both turned their attention to the rustling in the underbrush, the growl growing louder. Elysara's fingers tightened around her knife. Her heart raced, but her breath slowed as she forced herself to remain calm. She could do this. She had to.
Then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged.
It was a creature unlike any Elysara had seen before. Its eyes glowed a faint, eerie green, and its skin was a mottled blend of bark and flesh, as though it had grown from the very trees around them. Its claws were sharp, its posture predatory, but there was something strangely deliberate in its movements.
Aureth stepped in front of Elysara, shielding her with her own body. "It's a Thalorith. Stay behind me," she ordered, her voice low and steady.
The creature paused, its head tilting as it studied them. For a long moment, neither moved. Elysara's breath caught in her throat, her eyes locked on the creature as it slowly circled them. The forest seemed to quiet, the sounds of the stream and the wind in the trees falling silent in the presence of the strange being.
Then, without warning, the creature lunged.
Aureth reacted instantly, her knife flashing as she parried the creature's swipe. Elysara's heart leapt into her throat as she saw her grandmother fight with a speed and precision she had never witnessed before. The creature recoiled, snarling.
Elysara's hands shook as she gripped her own knife. She didn't know what kind of magic she could use—nothing in her training had prepared her for this. But she couldn't just stand there. She had to protect herself. She had to protect her grandmother.
Drawing on the magic that had been a part of her for as long as she could remember, Elysara whispered an incantation, her voice trembling but growing stronger as she focused on the energy swirling within her. Her hands glowed faintly, and she released the spell with a force she hadn't expected.
A wave of light surged toward the creature, but it didn't hit it directly. Instead, it created a barrier of shimmering energy around them, pushing the creature back just enough for Aureth to press forward with a well-placed strike to its side. The creature screeched in pain and retreated, disappearing into the forest with a final growl.
Elysara sank to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had done it—she had used magic to defend herself. But the feeling was fleeting, and the weight of the encounter was still sinking in.
The journey to the next stream was slower than they'd anticipated. Every snap of a twig underfoot sent Elysara's heart racing, the memory of the Thalorith still fresh in her mind. Despite the warmth of the sun overhead and the gentle hum of the forest, the weight of the encounter hung heavily in the air. She couldn't shake the image of the creature's glowing green eyes, or the feeling that it had been watching them long before it attacked. It wasn't just a guardian of the forest—it had seemed almost… aware of their presence, as if they were being hunted.
Aureth, sensing her unease, didn't speak as they walked, allowing the silence between them to settle. But Elysara could feel her grandmother's watchful gaze, and she knew her thoughts were as heavy as hers. They both understood that the world around them had changed.
As they reached the stream, the sound of running water filled the air, its cool rush a welcome relief after the tension of the last few hours. The stream wound through the forest like a silver ribbon, cutting through the dense undergrowth, and Elysara could feel the tension in her shoulders begin to ease as she knelt beside it. She cupped her hands and drank deeply, letting the cool water soothe the parched dryness in her throat.
Her grandmother didn't waste time, moving quickly to gather a few simple provisions from her pack. They would rest here for a while, not just to recover from the encounter, but to plan their next steps. Aureth set up a small fire, the flickering flames casting a warm glow against the otherwise dim forest, and Elysara couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy return for a brief moment. In a world so full of magic and danger, the simplicity of fire and food felt grounding.
"You did well, Elysara," Aureth said quietly, breaking the silence as she handed her a small portion of dried meat. "Not everyone can summon magic in such a moment of crisis."
Elysara looked down at the fire, feeling her cheeks warm with a mixture of relief and embarrassment. "I wasn't sure I could," she admitted. "It just… happened. It was like I had to do it, or we wouldn't have survived."
Her grandmother nodded. "That's how it works. Magic is instinctual. It's not always something you can control, but it's always there when you need it. The trick is trusting it—trusting yourself."
Elysara shifted uncomfortably, the weight of her grandmother's words sinking in. She had trusted her magic in that moment, but what if it wasn't enough next time? What if she couldn't protect herself—or her grandmother—if something worse came along? The Thalorith had been terrifying, but it was only one creature. There were many more dangers lurking in the shadows of the forest, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Do you think we'll see more of those… Thaloriths?" Elysara asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Aureth's expression hardened, the warmth in her eyes replaced by a flicker of resolve. "I don't know. But we need to be ready for anything. That creature was sent to test us—to see if we're worthy of this path we're on. The forest has its protectors, and it's not going to let us pass through without a fight."
Elysara's stomach twisted at the thought. This wasn't just about reaching the northern village anymore. This was about surviving the very land they were walking through.
"We'll keep moving at dawn," Aureth continued, her voice practical. "We need to stay on course. The longer we stay in one place, the more likely it is we'll encounter something else."
Elysara nodded, though a part of her felt reluctant to leave the relative safety of the stream. The idea of venturing further into the unknown, into a place where the very trees might turn against them, filled her with dread. But there was no other choice. They had to keep going.
She glanced at her grandmother, who was already packing up the remnants of their meal. Her face was set in determination, a quiet strength that Elysara had always admired. Aureth had lived through things Elysara could barely imagine. She had seen the world before the Veil had hidden it, before the old powers had retreated into the shadows.
Elysara didn't fully understand what was happening, but she knew one thing for certain: the journey ahead was going to demand more from her than she had ever been prepared for. And if she was to survive it, she would need to trust in herself—and in the magic that had always been there, waiting to awaken.
As the last of the light faded from the sky, Elysara stood and wiped her hands on her tunic. "We should get some rest," she said, her voice steady now.
Aureth nodded, offering a rare, soft smile. "Rest well, Elysara. Tomorrow will be another challenge. But we'll face it together."
Elysara nodded in return, her heart a little lighter despite the uncertainty ahead.
************************************************
The soft touch of Aureth's hand on Elysara's shoulder roused her from the dreamlike sleep she had barely been able to enjoy. The faint glow of dawn's first light barely crept through the trees, casting a gentle hue on the forest floor.
"A little before dawn," Aureth's voice was low, but firm, as it broke through the silence. "Time to move."
Elysara blinked her eyes open, her body still heavy with fatigue, but the sharpness of Aureth's voice quickly made her shake the drowsiness away. She sat up, stretching, her muscles stiff from the night's rest beneath the trees.
"You've been up for a while," she noted, sensing the quiet alertness in Aureth's stance.
"I was getting our things ready. We need to move quickly. We're close to a village—Yrutverth. We'll get supplies and weapons there. A friend of mine owes me a favor, and I'm sure she can help with more than just provisions."
Elysara nodded, grateful for the support, but curious about the mention of the friend.
"A favor?" Elysara asked, standing and adjusting her gear. "What kind of favor?"
Aureth smiled, though her eyes remained sharp, scanning the woods around them. "I saved her life once, and she's been in my debt ever since. We'll be able to secure some horses—well, not quite horses, but creatures similar enough to make our journey faster."
"What kind of creatures?" Elysara asked, intrigued.
Aureth's lips twitched with an almost hidden amusement. "Two large, horse-like creatures called Grivoths. They're sturdy and fast, perfect for traveling in the wild."
The name was unfamiliar to Elysara, but she trusted Aureth's judgment. The promise of speed was welcome, especially now that their journey was only becoming more dangerous.
After a quick breakfast of rations, the two of them packed up their camp. Elysara took a last look at the quiet forest surrounding them, knowing it would be some time before they'd rest in such peaceful surroundings again. The path ahead was unclear, but they had no choice but to press on.