The sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, painting the forest floor with golden streaks. Eryon, Tia, and Lorin trudged through the undergrowth, their footsteps muffled by the soft moss beneath them. Though the morning light brought some measure of comfort, the fear of what lay behind them lingered like a shadow.
"Are we still being followed?" Tia asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Eryon glanced over his shoulder. The forest stretched endlessly, the silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. "I don't see anything," he replied, though his grip on the sword he'd taken from the bandits tightened.
Lorin stumbled over a root, his small frame sagging with exhaustion. "I'm so tired," he said, his voice trembling.
"We'll rest soon," Eryon promised, though he wasn't sure how long they could afford to stop. The memory of the glowing figure he'd glimpsed in the clearing the night before gnawed at him. Whatever it was, it had felt wrong—an unnatural presence that sent chills down his spine.
The trio pressed on, their path winding deeper into the forest. As they walked, Eryon's mind drifted to the visions he'd seen when he touched the shard. The images had been fleeting but vivid—a world in chaos, torn apart by forces he couldn't comprehend. And then there was the voice, its cryptic words echoing in his thoughts: The balance has been broken. You must restore it.
"What does it mean?" he muttered under his breath.
"What does what mean?" Tia asked, looking up at him.
Eryon hesitated. He hadn't told them about the shard or the visions. How could he explain something he didn't fully understand himself? "Nothing," he said finally. "Just thinking out loud."
Tia frowned but didn't press further.
As midday approached, they stumbled upon a small stream, its crystal-clear water bubbling over smooth stones. Eryon knelt by the edge, splashing his face and drinking deeply. Tia and Lorin followed suit, their spirits lifting slightly as they quenched their thirst.
"We should rest here for a bit," Eryon said, scanning the area for signs of danger. The forest seemed quiet, but the silence was unnerving.
Tia sat beside Lorin, handing him a piece of bread from her bag. The boy ate hungrily, crumbs falling onto his tattered shirt. "Do you think my family is looking for me?" he asked, his voice tinged with hope.
Eryon's heart ached for the boy. "I'm sure they are," he said, though he couldn't bring himself to meet Lorin's eyes.
Suddenly, the forest grew colder. The cheerful chirping of birds ceased, replaced by an oppressive stillness. Eryon's instincts screamed at him to move, but he didn't know where the danger was coming from.
"Stay close," he whispered, rising to his feet.
A low growl echoed through the trees. Eryon spun around, his sword at the ready. From the shadows emerged a beast unlike anything he'd ever seen. Its body was massive and wolf-like, but its fur shimmered with an unnatural, metallic sheen. Its eyes glowed with a sinister light, and jagged spines protruded from its back.
"What is that?" Tia gasped, clutching Lorin tightly.
Eryon didn't answer. The creature circled them, its movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring the moment.
"It's a tracker," came a voice from the trees, deep and resonant.
Eryon's blood ran cold. A figure stepped into view, draped in a dark cloak that seemed to absorb the light. The man's face was partially obscured by a hood, but his piercing, amber eyes burned with an otherworldly intensity.
"I've been looking for you," the man said, his gaze fixed on Eryon.
"Who are you?" Eryon demanded, his voice steady despite the fear coiling in his chest.
The man smirked. "You can call me Kael. And you, boy, have something that doesn't belong to you."
Eryon tightened his grip on the sword. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kael chuckled, a sound devoid of humor. "You touched the shard, didn't you? The Void recognizes its own."
The mention of the shard sent a jolt of fear through Eryon. "What do you want?"
"Only what was taken," Kael replied. He raised a hand, and the tracker snarled, its muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce. "Come willingly, and I might spare your friends."
Eryon's mind raced. He couldn't fight Kael and the tracker; their power was overwhelming. But he couldn't abandon Tia and Lorin either.
"I won't let you hurt them," he said, stepping in front of the children.
Kael's smirk faded, replaced by a look of irritation. "So be it."
With a flick of his wrist, Kael sent the tracker lunging toward Eryon. The beast moved with unnatural speed, its jaws snapping inches from Eryon's face. He raised his sword, deflecting the attack, but the force of the impact sent him staggering backward.
"Run!" he shouted to Tia and Lorin.
"No!" Tia cried, but Lorin grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the trees.
The tracker growled, turning its attention to the fleeing children. Eryon's heart lurched. "No! Over here!" he yelled, swinging his sword wildly to draw its attention.
The tracker hesitated, its glowing eyes locking onto him. It charged again, but this time, Eryon was ready. He sidestepped the attack, slashing at its flank. The blade bit into its metallic fur, sparks flying as the creature howled in pain.
Kael watched the battle with a mix of amusement and annoyance. "Impressive," he said, his tone mocking. "But you're outmatched."
Eryon ignored him, focusing on the tracker. The strange heat in his chest flared again, his movements growing sharper and more fluid. As the beast lunged once more, he ducked under its jaws and drove the sword into its side. The tracker roared, thrashing wildly before collapsing to the ground.
Eryon panted, his body trembling with exhaustion. The tracker lay still, its glowing eyes dimming.
Kael clapped slowly, his expression unreadable. "Not bad for an amateur. But let's see how you fare against me."
Before Eryon could react, Kael raised his hand. A wave of dark energy surged toward him, crackling with violet lightning. Eryon braced himself, but the force was too much. He was thrown backward, crashing into a tree.
Pain wracked his body as he struggled to stand. Kael approached, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You should've come quietly," he said, raising his hand for another strike.
"Leave him alone!"
Kael paused, turning to see Tia standing defiantly, a sharp rock clutched in her hand. Lorin stood behind her, his face pale but determined.
Kael laughed. "How touching. But bravery won't save you."
Before he could attack, a burst of light erupted from the trees. A figure emerged, cloaked in silver and gold, wielding a staff that shimmered with ethereal energy.
"Step away from them, Kael," the newcomer commanded, their voice calm but authoritative.
Kael scowled. "You're meddling again, Althea. Do you ever tire of interfering?"
Althea ignored him, her gaze fixed on Eryon. "Are you hurt?" she asked.
Eryon shook his head, though every muscle in his body ached. "Who are you?"
"A friend," Althea said, stepping between him and Kael. She raised her staff, its light intensifying. "Leave now, or face the consequences."
Kael hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "This isn't over," he said finally, disappearing into the shadows.
The forest fell silent once more.
Althea turned to Eryon, her expression softening. "You've drawn the attention of dangerous forces. But you're not alone in this fight."
Eryon stared at her, a thousand questions swirling in his mind. But for the first time since the Voidfall, he felt a glimmer of hope.