The growl echoed again, deep and guttural, sending shivers down Kael's spine. The fire in the cave flickered as though the cold itself were trying to snuff it out. Outside, the wind howled, but it wasn't loud enough to mask the crunch of footsteps on the icy ground.
"We're not alone," Ember growled, her flames flaring brighter as she turned toward the cave's entrance.
Lira had already slipped into the shadows, her daggers drawn, their steel glinting faintly in the firelight. "I'll circle behind it," she whispered. "Don't do anything stupid until I give the signal."
Kael clenched his fists, the golden thread in his chest pulsing wildly. The artifacts in his satchel felt heavier than ever, their combined energy radiating warmth that did little to counteract the chill creeping into his bones.
Umbra moved closer to Kael, his glowing blue eyes scanning the darkness. "It's drawn to the crystals," he murmured. "Just like the wraith."
Kael's chest tightened. "Why do they keep coming? What do they want?"
"The artifacts," Ember said sharply, her fiery eyes fixed on the shadows beyond the cave. "They're not just powerful—they're a beacon. And until we figure out how to shield them, we'll keep attracting things like this."
Kael opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden roar cut through the air, so loud and deep it shook the walls of the cave.
A massive figure stepped into the dim light of the entrance, and Kael's breath caught in his throat.
The creature was a hulking beast, its body covered in thick, frost-covered fur that gleamed faintly in the firelight. Its glowing white eyes burned with an unnatural intensity, and its jagged claws were coated in ice. Frost formed in the air around it, and the temperature in the cave plummeted.
"A frostborn stalker," Ember growled, lowering her body into a defensive stance. "It's a hunter. And we're its prey."
Kael's heart pounded as the beast let out another deafening roar, its breath visible in the cold air. The golden thread pulsed wildly in his chest, its energy surging in response to the beast's presence.
"Kael, stay back!" Ember shouted, leaping toward the creature with her flames blazing.
The stalker swiped at her with its massive claws, but Ember twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the strike. She landed on the ground and unleashed a burst of fire that struck the beast's side.
The flames melted some of the frost on its fur, but the creature barely flinched. Instead, it turned its glowing eyes on Ember and lunged.
"Ember!" Kael shouted, his voice breaking as the beast's claws came down toward her.
A shadow darted forward, intercepting the strike. Umbra's tendrils lashed out, wrapping around the stalker's arm and pulling it back with surprising strength. The beast roared in frustration, its movements slowed by the shadows.
"Keep it off her!" Umbra growled, his small body trembling with effort.
Kael's mind raced as he pulled the golden crystal from his satchel. Its light flared brightly, and the stalker recoiled slightly, its glowing eyes narrowing.
"It's weak to the light!" Kael shouted, stepping forward.
"Then use it!" Ember snapped, dodging another swipe from the beast.
Kael raised the crystal, letting its energy surge through him. The warmth spread through his limbs, and the golden thread pulsed in harmony with the crystal's light.
"Get back!" Kael shouted, releasing a wave of energy.
The golden light erupted from the crystal, striking the stalker head-on. The creature roared in pain, its frost-covered fur cracking and breaking under the force of the light.
For a moment, it staggered, its movements sluggish.
"That's it!" Ember shouted, leaping forward with her flames blazing. She struck the beast's side, her fire burning through the exposed flesh beneath the frost.
The stalker roared again, its glowing eyes flicking between Kael and Ember. It lunged toward Kael, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed.
Kael froze, his heart pounding as the beast closed in.
"Kael, move!" Lira's voice rang out, and a dagger flew through the air, embedding itself in the stalker's shoulder.
The beast roared in pain, turning toward Lira as she emerged from the shadows. "Didn't think I'd miss the fun, did you?" she said with a smirk.
The distraction gave Kael enough time to focus. He raised the crystal again, pouring every ounce of his willpower into the golden thread.
The light flared brighter than ever, enveloping the entire cave in a warm, radiant glow. The stalker howled, its frost-covered body cracking and splintering under the force of the light.
With a final, ear-splitting roar, the beast collapsed, its massive form dissolving into a pile of frost and ice.
Kael stood frozen, the crystal's light dimming as the thread's energy settled. His chest heaved, and his legs felt like they might give out beneath him.
"Is it… gone?" Umbra asked, his voice trembling.
Ember nodded, her flames flickering weakly. "It's gone."
Lira retrieved her dagger from the icy remains of the beast, wiping the blade on her cloak. "That was too close," she muttered, though her smirk hadn't entirely faded.
Kael sank to the ground, the golden crystal still warm in his hands. "They're getting stronger," he said quietly. "Whatever's out there—it won't stop coming."
Ember sat beside him, her fiery eyes meeting his. "Then we'll have to get stronger, too."
Kael nodded, though the weight of the crystals in his satchel seemed heavier than ever. The golden thread pulsed faintly in his chest, a steady reminder of the path ahead.
"We'll keep moving," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "But we need to find answers—soon."
The fire crackled softly, and the group sat in silence, their thoughts heavy with the battles yet to come.