Chapter 2:
The rain fell heavier as Arlen and the girl moved through the ruined forest. The faint glow of his eyes illuminated the path ahead, casting eerie shadows over the gnarled trees. The girl hadn't spoken much since the attack, her gaze flitting nervously toward every sound.
"What's your name?" Arlen finally asked, breaking the uneasy silence.
"Kael," she replied, her voice barely audible.
"You said the Wraithbound are hunting the Eyes. How do you know this?"
Kael hesitated, her steps faltering. "I... I've seen it. They came to my village a week ago. I don't know how, but I knew they were searching for people like you. The elders tried to hide anyone they suspected had... powers." She swallowed hard. "It didn't matter. They slaughtered everyone."
Arlen's jaw tightened. "And you survived?"
Kael nodded. "Barely. I hid in the temple. That's when I heard the whispers."
"Whispers?"
Kael stopped walking, her wide eyes locking onto his. "They're not just hunting you. They're being *called*—summoned by something ancient. The Wraithbound serve a master, and it's waking up."
Arlen felt a chill crawl up his spine. He had heard of dark forces that once walked the earth, sealed away by the ancestors of the Blood Souls. Could it be true that one was stirring?
"Where is this temple?" Arlen asked.
"North of here," Kael replied. "But it's dangerous. The Wraithbound patrol the area, and... there's something worse in the ruins."
"Worse?"
Kael hesitated, then whispered, "A Shadowborn. I saw it once—a creature of pure darkness. It's not like the Wraithbound. It... *thinks*. It's been watching me ever since I fled."
Arlen cursed under his breath. Shadowborn were far more dangerous than the mindless Wraithbound. If one was involved, it meant Kael wasn't safe—not from them, and certainly not from whatever power was rising.
"We'll go to the temple," Arlen said firmly. "If it's connected to what's happening, we need answers."
Kael looked terrified but nodded.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the air grew heavier, and the shadows seemed to shift unnaturally. Arlen's eyes flared as he scanned the surroundings, his senses attuned to the slightest movement.
Finally, they reached the edge of a cliff overlooking the ruins of the temple. It was a sprawling structure, half-buried in the earth, its stone walls etched with glowing red sigils that pulsed faintly in the darkness.
"That's it," Kael whispered.
Arlen studied the scene. The sigils were ancient, possibly protective wards, but they were dim—fading. Whatever power they had once held was almost gone.
Suddenly, a low, guttural growl echoed from below. Kael gasped, and Arlen placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Stay close," he said.
They descended the cliff carefully, slipping into the shadows of the ruins. The air grew colder with each step, and Arlen's grip on his sword tightened.
As they entered the temple, Kael froze. "Do you hear that?"
Arlen paused, his blood running cold. A faint, sibilant whisper filled the air, like a thousand voices murmuring in unison.
*Welcome, Blood Soul.*
The voice wasn't external—it was in his mind, seeping into his thoughts like poison. Arlen staggered, pressing a hand to his temple.
"Arlen!" Kael cried, grabbing his arm.
"I'm fine," he lied, forcing himself to stand upright. The whispers grew louder, but he shoved them aside, focusing on the path ahead.
The chamber they entered was vast, its walls covered in more of the glowing sigils. At the center stood a massive stone altar, its surface cracked and blackened.
Kael pointed to the altar. "That's where the elders said the seal was placed, to keep the darkness locked away."
Arlen approached cautiously, his heart pounding. The air around the altar thrummed with power, but it was unstable, chaotic.
Before he could examine it further, a chilling laugh echoed through the chamber.
"So predictable," a deep voice purred.
Arlen whirled around, his sword ready. From the shadows emerged a tall figure cloaked in darkness, its glowing crimson eyes piercing through the gloom.
"A Shadowborn," Kael whispered, trembling.
The creature chuckled. "The Blood Souls are always so brave... and so foolish. Did you really think you could stop what is coming?"
"What are you talking about?" Arlen demanded.
The Shadowborn tilted its head. "The end of your kind, of course. The return of the true master of this world."
Arlen's eyes flared as he stepped forward. "Over my dead body."
The Shadowborn smirked. "That can be arranged."
The room exploded into chaos as the creature lunged, its movements unnaturally fast. Arlen met it head-on, his blade clashing against its claws. Sparks flew as the two forces collided, the chamber trembling with the force of their battle.
Kael ducked behind a pillar, watching in terror as Arlen fought with every ounce of his strength. But the Shadowborn was relentless, its laughter echoing as it toyed with him.
"You cannot win," it sneered. "Your soul is already fractured. How long before you lose yourself completely?"
Arlen gritted his teeth, refusing to listen. He summoned the memories of countless warriors, their voices blending into a roar of defiance. With a burst of energy, he drove the Shadowborn back, slashing through its form.
The creature shrieked, its body dissolving into shadows. But as it faded, it whispered, "You are too late. The master is waking... and when he rises, all shall fall."
Silence fell over the chamber. Arlen lowered his blade, breathing heavily.
Kael approached cautiously. "What does it mean? Who is the master?"
Arlen stared at the altar, the cracks in its surface glowing ominously.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But we're going to find out."
Outside, the storm raged on, lightning illuminating the ruined temple. Whatever lay ahead, Arlen knew this was only the beginning.
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