The faint plume of smoke grew thicker as the group approached the hilltop village, the scent of burning wood sharp in the crisp evening air. The first sound reached them just before they crested the rise—a scream, desperate and raw, carried by the wind.
Elara was the first to break into a run, her silver hair trailing behind her as she drew her sword. "They're under attack!"
Caius followed quickly, flames flickering faintly around his hands as he tried to steady his racing thoughts. The pull of the shard in his satchel grew stronger with each step, a dark pulse resonating deep in his chest.
The stranger trailed a few paces behind, their silver eyes narrowing as the scene came into view. "Looks like the Shadowborn found a new toy to break."
The village was in chaos. Shadowy creatures with glowing blue eyes prowled the streets, tearing through homes and scattering villagers like leaves in the wind. Fires raged across rooftops, the orange glow casting jagged shadows that flickered like ghosts.
Elara's grip tightened on her sword as she glanced at Caius. "We can't let this happen again."
Caius nodded grimly. "Stay close. They're not just after the villagers."
The group moved quickly into the village, weaving through the narrow streets as the Shadowborn tore through whatever remained of the once-peaceful settlement.
A child's cry cut through the chaos, sharp and panicked. Elara turned sharply, her emerald eyes locking onto a small boy huddled against a toppled cart. A Shadowborn loomed over him, its claws raised to strike.
"Not today," Elara growled. She moved like a flash, her blade cutting clean through the creature. The boy sobbed as the Shadowborn dissolved into smoke, its glowing eyes fading into darkness.
Elara crouched down, her voice soft but firm. "Go. Find somewhere to hide and stay there until it's safe."
The boy nodded, tears streaking his soot-covered face as he scrambled toward the outskirts of the village.
Caius unleashed a burst of flames, striking two Shadowborn that had lunged at them from the shadows. The creatures screeched as the fire consumed them, their forms crumbling to ash.
"They're everywhere," Caius said, his blue eyes scanning the streets. "This isn't random."
The stranger stepped forward, their silver runes glowing faintly as they sent a pulse of energy toward a group of Shadowborn. The blast struck true, scattering the creatures like leaves. "No, it's not. Someone's pulling the strings."
Their path led them to the village square, where the heart of the chaos became clear. At the center of the destruction stood a tall, cloaked figure, its presence commanding. It didn't move, yet the Shadowborn swarmed around it as if drawn by an invisible leash.
The figure held a staff in one hand, its top adorned with a glowing crystal that pulsed in rhythm with the movements of the Shadowborn. Around its feet, the ground was scorched black, the faint lines of a summoning mark barely visible beneath the ash.
Elara's grip on her sword tightened. "That's our target."
The stranger smirked faintly. "You think?"
Caius stepped forward, his flames burning brighter as the shard's hum grew louder. "It's controlling them. Take it out, and the rest will fall."
The cloaked figure turned slowly to face them, its hood concealing its face but not the piercing blue glow of its eyes. The air around it seemed to warp, a palpable pressure emanating from its form.
"You carry the shard," it said, its voice hollow and resonant.
Caius froze, his jaw tightening. "Who are you?"
The figure tilted its head, its movements slow and deliberate. "We are the will of what was. The shards are not yours to claim."
Elara stepped forward, her sword raised. "If you think we're handing them over, you're wrong."
The figure raised its staff, and the crystal at its tip flared with blinding light. "Then you will burn."
The ground beneath them trembled as the Shadowborn surged forward, their glowing eyes locked on the group.
Caius unleashed a wave of flames, driving back the first wave of creatures. "Focus on the leader!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Elara darted forward, her blade slicing through two Shadowborn with precision. The creatures dissolved into smoke, but more quickly took their place.
The stranger's silver runes flared as they sent a concentrated blast of energy toward the cloaked figure. The attack struck the barrier surrounding it, sending sparks flying but leaving the figure unharmed.
"It's protected," the stranger called, dodging a swipe from a nearby Shadowborn. "We'll have to break through!"
Caius narrowed his eyes, his flames coiling around him as he advanced toward the figure. Each step felt heavier, the shard's pulse growing stronger with every movement.
The cloaked figure raised its staff again, and another wave of dark energy surged forward, striking Caius head-on. He staggered but kept his footing, his flames burning brighter as he pushed through the onslaught.
Elara flanked the figure, her sword flashing as she struck at its barrier. Sparks flew as the blade met resistance, but the barrier held firm.
"We need to disrupt the summoning mark!" Elara called, glancing at the faint lines beneath the figure's feet.
The stranger smirked, their silver eyes glinting. "Now that's my kind of plan."
Caius fell back slightly, his flames shifting to focus on the ground beneath the figure. The summoning mark hissed and crackled as the fire consumed it, the jagged lines twisting and breaking under the heat.
The figure let out a low, guttural hiss, its glowing eyes narrowing. "You cannot stop what has already begun."
Elara dodged a strike from a Shadowborn, her blade flashing as she drove it into the creature's core. "Keep going, Caius!"
With a final surge of flames, Caius engulfed the mark entirely. The ground beneath the figure glowed brightly before shattering, sending a shockwave rippling through the square.
The barrier around the figure flickered, cracks forming along its surface.
"Now!" Elara shouted, charging forward.
Elara's blade struck true, shattering the barrier and driving deep into the figure's side. It let out a piercing screech, its form flickering like a dying flame.
The Shadowborn around them faltered, their glowing eyes dimming before they collapsed into smoke.
The cloaked figure staggered, its staff falling to the ground as its glowing eyes fixed on Caius. "This is only the beginning," it said, its voice a low growl. "The shards will return to their master, and you will not stop it."
Before Caius could respond, the figure dissolved into shadow, leaving only silence in its wake.
The fires in the village had begun to die down, the faint glow of embers casting long shadows across the ruined streets. Survivors emerged cautiously from their hiding places, their faces etched with fear and grief.
Caius stood in the center of the square, his flames extinguished, his breathing heavy.
Elara placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft. "We stopped them—for now."
Caius nodded, though his chest felt tight. "But they'll be back. Whatever they're planning, this was just the start."
The stranger smirked faintly, though their silver eyes were sharp. "Then we'd better figure out what they're after before they get there first."
Caius glanced at the remains of the summoning mark, his blue eyes narrowing. The shard pulsed faintly in his satchel, a constant reminder of the battle yet to come.
"Let's move," he said, his voice steady. "This isn't over."