The growl echoed through the trees, sending a cold tremor down Aleron's spine. His grip on the sword tightened, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't be enough. The forest around him felt alive, its shadows shifting as if they were watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Seraphina's horse shifted nervously beneath her, its ears flicking toward the sound of movement in the underbrush. Her eyes remained sharp, her posture tense, yet her expression was one of quiet resolve.
"Stay close," she ordered, her voice calm but firm. "And don't let your guard down. The forest is not what it seems."
Aleron nodded, trying to steady his breath as the reality of the situation settled over him. He had left the safety of the capital, seeking answers, only to find himself hunted by... something. The dark forces of the Void weren't just rumors or ancient legends—they were real, and they were here, now.
A sudden rustle in the trees broke the silence, and before Aleron could react, a dark figure lunged from the shadows. It was like nothing he had ever seen—half-human, half-beast, with glowing red eyes that burned like embers in the night. Its claws scraped against the bark of the trees as it moved with terrifying speed, its growl filling the air with a deep, primal rage.
Seraphina's sword was already in her hand, and she charged toward the creature without hesitation, her movements fluid and precise. Aleron, too, found himself instinctively drawing his blade, though his grip was shaky, his mind racing with uncertainty.
"Focus, Aleron!" Seraphina shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "This is no ordinary creature. It's a Voidspawn, a servant of the darkness. They are drawn to your power."
Aleron's heart skipped a beat as he squared off against the creature. The Voidspawn was massive, its muscles rippling beneath its dark, matted fur. Its mouth was filled with sharp, jagged teeth, and its claws were long and curved, capable of rending through steel.
The creature lunged toward him, its claws flashing in the dim light. Aleron barely managed to sidestep the attack, feeling the air brush against his skin as the Voidspawn's claws missed him by mere inches. His sword swung wide, but it seemed to pass right through the creature's form, as though it was nothing more than a shadow.
"No!" he shouted, fear rising in his chest. "It's not real!"
Seraphina's voice rang out sharply. "It's real, Aleron! But it's also part of the Void's magic. You must use your power to fight it."
He froze, the weight of her words sinking in. His power. The very magic he had been avoiding, the power that had been dormant inside him for so long. He felt the pulsing energy in his veins, like a current that had been waiting to be tapped into. But how could he control it?
The Voidspawn lunged again, this time knocking Seraphina off her horse and sending her sprawling to the ground. Aleron's heart raced as he rushed to her side, but she was already rolling to her feet, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Get up!" she shouted. "You can do this! Focus on your connection to the earth, to the magic that flows through you. It's the only way to defeat it."
Aleron stumbled back, his mind racing. He could feel the power inside him, like a fire building in his chest. It was raw, untamed, and it was terrifying. But he couldn't let fear rule him—not now.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. His mind reached out, searching for the magic that had been passed down through his bloodline. It was there—deep within him, like an ancient song waiting to be sung. Slowly, he allowed himself to feel it, to connect with it. The power flowed through him, and with it, a sense of clarity.
Aleron opened his eyes, his sword glowing with a faint, ethereal light. The Voidspawn hesitated, sensing the change in the air. He raised his sword, focusing on the creature's shadowy form. The energy around him crackled, and the very ground beneath his feet seemed to respond, shifting and pulsing with life.
With a shout, Aleron thrust his sword forward. The blade cut through the air, and for the first time, it met resistance. The Voidspawn howled in pain as the light from the sword pierced its dark form, burning through the shadows like sunlight breaking through the clouds. The creature staggered back, its body writhing as if in agony, before it dissolved into a cloud of smoke and shadow, vanishing into the night.
Aleron stood, panting, his sword still glowing with a faint light. His heart was pounding in his chest, but the magic inside him was still thrumming, like a beat that wouldn't stop.
Seraphina slowly approached, her expression one of quiet approval. "Well done," she said softly, her voice almost gentle. "You've begun to understand the power within you. But this is only the beginning, Aleron. The Void will not stop. You must continue to strengthen your connection to the magic."
Aleron's hand trembled as he lowered his sword. The power had been overwhelming, terrifying, but it had been real. He had felt it, had controlled it, and for the first time in his life, he understood what it meant to be the heir of Varyath.
But as Seraphina had warned, this was only the beginning. The Void was not finished with them. And the true battle was yet to come.