The morning came with a pale, gray light that barely filtered through the dense canopy above. The cold was sharper than before, biting at Kael's skin as he adjusted the satchel slung over his shoulder. The faint hum of the artifacts inside pulsed in rhythm with the golden thread in his chest, their energy stronger than ever.
"Do you feel that?" Umbra asked, padding close to Kael's side. His glowing blue eyes darted between the trees.
Kael nodded, his chest tight. "It's the artifacts. They're resonating with something ahead."
Ember, walking a few paces ahead, stopped and sniffed the air. Her flames flickered faintly, casting faint shadows against the frost-covered ground. "The energy here is stronger," she said, her voice low. "It's not just the artifacts—it's the land itself."
Lira raised an eyebrow, her fingers tapping idly against the hilt of one of her daggers. "Lovely. Just what we need—more creepy magical vibes."
Kael ignored her sarcasm, his focus fixed on the path ahead. The golden thread pulsed faster in his chest, pulling him forward like an invisible tether.
"We're getting close to something," Kael said, his voice steady despite the unease twisting in his stomach.
"Let's hope it's not another revenant," Lira muttered, though her sharp eyes scanned the shadows with more caution than usual.
The group pressed on, the forest growing darker and denser with each step. The air was heavy, thick with an unnatural stillness that made Kael's skin crawl.
The golden thread pulsed wildly now, its energy clashing with the hum of the artifacts in his satchel. Kael's chest ached from the intensity of it, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving.
"We're not alone," Ember said suddenly, her fiery eyes narrowing. Her flames flared slightly, casting a warm glow over the twisted trees.
Kael froze, his heart pounding. "What is it?"
Ember growled softly, her gaze fixed on the shadows ahead. "Something's watching us."
Lira tightened her grip on her daggers, her body tensed and ready. "Great. Here we go again."
Umbra let out a low growl, his shadowy tendrils curling protectively around him. "It's close," he said softly. "And it's powerful."
Kael's stomach churned as the golden thread pulsed harder, its rhythm erratic and frantic. He reached for the golden crystal, pulling it from his satchel. Its light flared faintly, illuminating the surrounding trees.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, from the shadows, came a faint whisper—low and chilling, like the wind carrying a voice that didn't belong.
"What was that?" Kael whispered, his grip tightening on the crystal.
"I don't know," Ember said, her flames blazing brighter. "But I don't like it."
The whisper grew louder, and the shadows seemed to shift and writhe, as though alive. The air grew colder, and frost crept along the ground, spreading like veins of ice.
"Kael," Umbra said, his voice trembling. "It's not just watching us—it's feeding on the artifacts' energy."
Kael's blood ran cold as the whisper turned into a low, guttural growl. From the shadows, a figure emerged—a massive beast, its body wreathed in swirling darkness. Its eyes glowed an eerie green, and its jagged claws shimmered with frost and shadow.
"A shadow beast," Ember growled, her fiery eyes narrowing. "It's drawn to the artifacts' power."
Kael's chest tightened as the beast let out a deafening roar, its presence radiating cold and malice. The golden thread in his chest pulsed wildly, its energy clashing with the beast's oppressive aura.
"We have to fight," Kael said, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at him.
The beast lunged, its massive claws slashing through the air. Kael dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike as the ground where he had stood shattered under the impact.
"Keep it distracted!" Ember shouted, leaping toward the beast with her flames blazing. She struck its side, her fire burning through the swirling shadows that surrounded it.
The beast growled, twisting to swipe at her, but Lira was already moving. She darted behind the creature, her daggers flashing as she struck at its exposed flanks.
"It's vulnerable where the shadows are thin!" Lira called, dodging another swipe of the beast's claws.
Kael raised the golden crystal, its light flaring as he released a wave of energy. The golden light struck the beast, forcing it back a step, but it quickly recovered, its glowing green eyes locking onto him.
"It's feeding on the artifacts' energy!" Umbra shouted, his shadowy tendrils lashing out at the beast's legs. The creature snarled, tearing through the shadows with its claws.
Kael clenched his fists, the golden thread's energy surging through him. He raised the crystal again, focusing on the thread's rhythm.
The beast lunged toward him, its claws glowing with dark energy.
"Kael, move!" Ember shouted, her flames blazing as she leapt toward the beast.
Kael rolled to the side, the golden crystal's light flaring as he released another wave of energy. The light struck the beast's chest, cracks spreading through the swirling shadows that covered it.
"It's weakening!" Lira shouted, her daggers flashing as she struck at the exposed cracks.
Kael took a deep breath, the golden thread guiding his movements. He raised the crystal one last time, pouring every ounce of his willpower into its energy.
The crystal's light flared brighter than ever, filling the forest with a radiant golden glow.
The beast let out a deafening roar as the light tore through its shadowy form. The cracks spread further until, with a final, guttural growl, the beast shattered into a cascade of darkness and frost.
The forest fell silent, the golden light fading as Kael sank to his knees. The golden crystal's warmth pulsed faintly in his hands, its energy steadying as the golden thread settled into a calm rhythm.
"It's gone," Umbra said softly, his voice trembling.
Kael nodded, though his body felt like it might give out. "For now."
Ember padded over to him, her flames dimmed but steady. "The artifacts are getting stronger," she said quietly. "And so are the things hunting them."
Kael's chest tightened as he slipped the crystal back into his satchel. The weight of the artifacts felt heavier than ever, their energies a constant reminder of the dangers they carried.
"We can't stop now," Kael said, his voice firm despite his exhaustion. "The tower is close—I can feel it. And whatever answers are waiting there, we need to find them."
The fire crackled softly as the group gathered their strength. The road ahead was uncertain, but Kael knew one thing for sure—they couldn't turn back now.