The forest grew darker as Lucas and Eira trudged deeper into the Aeltherian woods. The air was thick with damp, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures.
Lucas kept a wary eye on his new companion. Eira moved with practiced ease, her gaze scanning the shadows as if she could sense dangers he couldn't. The fire she had summoned earlier still burned in his mind—controlled, precise, and far more powerful than anything he could conjure.
"How long have you been tracking the curse?" Lucas asked, breaking the silence.
Eira glanced at him but didn't slow her pace. "Long enough to know it's not just a myth. The curse is very real, and it's spreading faster than anyone realizes."
Lucas frowned, adjusting his grip on his staff. "Why me, though? Why did the sigil appear on me?"
Eira hesitated, her expression unreadable. "The curse doesn't choose randomly. It's tied to bloodlines, ancient magic, and… destiny."
"Destiny?" Lucas echoed, his voice skeptical.
She smirked. "Don't look so surprised. You're part of something much bigger than yourself, whether you like it or not."
Lucas sighed, unsure whether to feel reassured or burdened. He glanced at the faint glow of the sigil on his wrist, the mark that had uprooted his life.
Ahead, the path split into two. Eira paused, examining both directions. The left path descended into a narrow ravine, while the right climbed toward higher ground. She turned to Lucas.
"Which way?" she asked.
"You're asking me?" Lucas said, startled.
"You're the one the curse marked," she replied. "Trust your instincts."
Lucas hesitated, then closed his eyes. He focused on the mark, letting its faint pulse guide him. When he opened his eyes, he pointed toward the right.
"This way," he said.
Eira nodded without question, and they began the ascent.
As they climbed, the air grew colder, and the trees thinned, revealing jagged cliffs on either side. The mist hung heavier here, obscuring the stars. Lucas shivered, pulling his cloak tighter.
"Where are you from?" he asked, hoping to distract himself from the eerie surroundings.
"Far from here," Eira said vaguely.
"Helpful," Lucas muttered.
She glanced at him, her green eyes glinting with amusement. "Let's just say I'm not exactly welcome in most places anymore."
"Why not?"
"Not everyone approves of the way I use magic," Eira said, her tone guarded. "Some think it's too… dangerous."
Lucas frowned. "And is it?"
Eira's lips curved into a faint smile, but she didn't answer.
Before Lucas could press her further, a low growl echoed through the mist. He froze, his grip tightening on his staff. Eira raised a hand, signaling him to stay quiet.
The growl came again, closer this time. From the shadows emerged a pack of creatures—four-legged beasts with glowing eyes and jagged fangs. They moved in unison, their steps eerily silent.
"Shadowhounds," Eira murmured, her voice grim.
Lucas swallowed hard. "What do we do?"
"Fight," Eira said simply.
She raised her hands, flames igniting at her fingertips. The hounds snarled and charged, their movements swift and coordinated. Lucas swung his staff, releasing a burst of energy that struck the nearest hound, sending it sprawling.
Eira unleashed a torrent of fire, forcing the rest of the pack to scatter. The flames illuminated her face, revealing a fierce determination that Lucas couldn't help but admire.
One of the hounds lunged at Lucas, its claws aimed for his throat. He barely managed to raise his staff in time, blocking the attack and knocking the creature back. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he cast another spell, this one stronger than before. The hound yelped as it disintegrated into ash.
"Not bad," Eira called over her shoulder.
Lucas didn't have time to respond. Two more hounds rushed at him, their glowing eyes locked on their prey. He braced himself, but before they could reach him, a wall of fire erupted between them.
The remaining hounds hesitated, then turned and fled into the mist.
Eira lowered her hands, the fire fading. She turned to Lucas, her expression calm despite the battle.
"Still think this is just a myth?" she asked.
Lucas shook his head, his breathing ragged. "No. Definitely not."
Eira nodded, her gaze softening slightly. "Good. Then you'd better keep up, because this is only the beginning."
Without waiting for a response, she started up the path again. Lucas hesitated, then followed, the mark on his wrist pulsing faintly as if in agreement.