The fire crackled softly, its dim light casting long shadows against the rocky walls of the overhang. The bitter chill of the night pressed in on them, but Kael barely noticed. His thoughts were consumed by the pulsing rhythm of the golden thread in his chest, its energy erratic and uneasy.
Something was coming.
Umbra's ears twitched, and he let out a low growl. "It's still out there," the cub said, his glowing blue eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the firelight.
"We've been running all day," Lira muttered, her voice low but sharp. "If it wanted to attack us, it would've done it by now."
"Or it's waiting for the right moment," Ember growled, her flames flaring slightly. "Whatever it is, it's patient—and smart."
Kael tightened his grip on the satchel, the weight of the artifacts pressing heavily against him. "The artifacts are drawing it to us," he said quietly. "The closer we get to the tower, the more attention they attract."
Lira sighed, leaning back against the stone wall. "Then maybe we should stop running and deal with it already. I'm getting tired of looking over my shoulder."
"We don't even know what 'it' is," Umbra said, his voice tense. "Rushing into a fight without knowing the enemy is suicide."
"Then we make it show itself," Ember said, rising to her feet. Her fiery eyes narrowed as she stepped toward the edge of the firelight. "If it's going to follow us, we'll give it a reason to come out."
Kael's stomach churned, but he nodded. "Ember's right. We can't keep running forever."
Umbra growled softly, his small body tensed. "Be careful."
The group moved cautiously into the forest, the firelight fading behind them as the shadows grew darker and deeper. The snow crunched softly beneath their boots, the sound unnaturally loud in the eerie silence.
Kael's heart pounded as he scanned the darkness, every rustle of wind through the trees making his chest tighten. The golden thread pulsed wildly, its rhythm frantic and disjointed.
"It's close," Umbra whispered, his glowing blue eyes darting between the shadows.
Ember's flames flared, casting flickering light over the twisted trees. "Come on, then," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. "Show yourself."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, from the shadows, came a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver down Kael's spine.
The growl grew louder, deeper, as the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the trees. A figure emerged from the darkness, its massive form cloaked in shadow.
The creature was unlike anything Kael had ever seen. Its body was covered in jagged, ice-like armor that glinted faintly in the moonlight, and its glowing blue eyes burned with an unnatural light. Frost clung to its claws, and a cold, oppressive aura radiated from it, making the air around it feel sharp and heavy.
"A frost revenant," Ember said, her voice tense. "It's a hunter, bound by magic to track and destroy."
Kael's chest tightened as the revenant let out a deafening roar, its icy breath visible in the frigid air. The golden thread pulsed wildly, the crystals in his satchel resonating with the creature's presence.
"It's here for the artifacts," Kael said, his voice barely audible.
"Then it's not leaving with them," Ember growled, lowering her body into a defensive stance.
The revenant lunged forward with terrifying speed, its claws slashing through the air. Kael barely had time to react as the group scattered, the impact of its strike sending a shockwave through the ground.
"Keep it moving!" Lira shouted, her daggers flashing as she darted behind the creature. She struck at its exposed joints, but her blades glanced off its icy armor, leaving only shallow scratches.
"It's too well-protected!" she called, dodging a swipe of the revenant's claws.
Kael raised the golden crystal, its light flaring as he released a wave of energy. The golden light struck the revenant, forcing it back a step, but it quickly recovered, its glowing eyes locking onto him.
"It's resistant to magic!" Umbra barked, his shadowy tendrils lashing out at the creature. The revenant snarled, slashing through the shadows as it charged toward Kael.
"Kael, move!" Ember shouted, leaping toward the revenant with her flames blazing. She struck its side, her fire melting some of the frost on its armor, but the creature barely flinched.
Kael stumbled back, his heart pounding as the golden thread pulsed more wildly than ever. He could feel the artifacts resonating with the revenant, their energies clashing in a way that made his chest ache.
"Kael, focus!" Umbra called, his glowing eyes blazing with determination. "The thread—it's the only way to stop it!"
Kael clenched his fists, the golden crystal's warmth surging through him. He raised the crystal, letting its energy flow into the thread.
The revenant roared, lunging toward him with claws outstretched.
Kael took a deep breath, the golden thread guiding his movements. He released another wave of energy, this one brighter and stronger than before. The golden light struck the revenant head-on, and cracks spread across its icy armor.
"It's working!" Ember shouted, her flames flaring brighter.
The revenant growled, its movements slower and more erratic as the cracks deepened. Lira darted in, her daggers finding purchase in the weakened armor.
"Finish it!" she shouted, leaping back as the revenant let out another deafening roar.
Kael raised the golden crystal one last time, pouring every ounce of his willpower into the thread. The warmth surged through him, and the crystal's light flared brighter than ever, filling the entire forest with a radiant glow.
The revenant howled as the golden light tore through it, its icy form shattering into a cascade of frost and shards.
The forest fell silent, the golden light fading as Kael sank to his knees, the crystal still warm in his hands.
"It's… gone," Umbra said softly, his voice trembling.
Kael nodded, though his chest heaved with exhaustion. The golden thread pulsed faintly, its rhythm finally steadying.
"That thing was no accident," Ember said, her fiery eyes narrowing. "Something sent it after us."
Kael's stomach churned as he slipped the crystals back into his satchel. "Venric," he said quietly. "He's not done with us yet."
The fire crackled softly as the group gathered their strength, but Kael couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
Their journey was far from over—and the worst was yet to come.