The night was heavy with an eerie stillness, the kind that made even the shadows seem alive. Eryon sat near the edge of the village, staring at the shard in his hand. Its soft, pulsing glow illuminated his face, casting flickering light on his weary features.
Althea approached quietly, her staff tapping softly against the ground. "You've been staring at that thing for hours. What's on your mind?"
Eryon didn't look up. "Rhea's words keep running through my head. This shard chose me for a reason. But why? I'm not special."
Althea sat down beside him, resting her staff across her lap. "You survived when your village was destroyed. You unleashed power against the Voidspawn. If that's not special, I don't know what is."
He shook his head. "It doesn't feel like enough. We're up against forces we don't understand, and now we're supposed to find all twelve shards? I don't even know where to start."
Althea placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to figure it all out tonight. Take it one step at a time."
Before Eryon could respond, Lorin's voice called out from behind them. "We've got company."
Both of them sprang to their feet. Lorin stood at the edge of the square, his bow in hand, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness.
"What is it?" Althea asked.
"Strangers," Lorin said. "A group of them. They're heading this way."
Eryon's grip tightened on the shard. "Do they look dangerous?"
"They're armed," Lorin replied, "and they're moving like they're looking for something—or someone."
The group quickly regrouped in the shadow of a nearby building. Tia clung to Eryon's arm, her eyes wide with fear.
"What do we do?" she whispered.
"We wait," Althea said. "If they're after us, we'll know soon enough."
The strangers entered the village square, their figures silhouetted against the faint glow of lanterns. There were five of them, each clad in dark, weathered armor. Their leader, a tall man with a scarred face and piercing eyes, stepped forward.
"We're looking for travelers who came through here earlier today," the man said, his voice carrying across the square. "A group of four. One of them carries something of great value."
Eryon felt his heart pound in his chest. They knew about the shard.
The villagers murmured nervously, their eyes darting toward the strangers. One of the guards from the gate stepped forward. "We don't want trouble here. If you're looking for someone, take it outside the village."
The scarred man smirked. "Oh, I intend to. But first, we'll search every corner of this place. I won't leave without what I've come for."
Eryon felt a surge of panic. They had to leave before the strangers found them, but the village was surrounded by forest, and sneaking past armed men wouldn't be easy.
"What now?" Lorin whispered, his bow ready.
"We split up," Althea said. "Draw them away from the village. They're after Eryon, so he'll need to go in the opposite direction."
"I'm not leaving you all behind," Eryon said, his voice firm.
"You don't have a choice," Althea snapped. "You're the one carrying the shard. If they get their hands on it, it's over."
Before Eryon could argue, the strangers began spreading out, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. Time was running out.
"Fine," Eryon said. "But I'm coming back for you."
Althea nodded, her expression softening. "Just stay alive, Eryon."
Lorin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Head east. There's a stream that leads out of the forest. Follow it until you're clear."
Eryon glanced at Tia, who was trembling beside him. "You're coming with me," he said.
Tia nodded, her grip tightening on his arm. "Okay."
With one last look at his companions, Eryon led Tia toward the eastern edge of the village. They moved quietly, sticking to the shadows as the strangers combed the square.
"Over here!" one of the strangers shouted, pointing toward a corner of the village.
Eryon's heart sank. They'd spotted Althea and Lorin.
"Run," Eryon whispered to Tia, pulling her into the forest.
They sprinted through the trees, the sound of shouts and clashing steel fading behind them. The shard in Eryon's pocket seemed to grow warmer, its light brighter, as if urging him forward.
After what felt like hours, they reached the stream Lorin had mentioned. Eryon bent over, catching his breath, while Tia collapsed onto a nearby rock.
"Do you think they're okay?" Tia asked, her voice trembling.
"They can handle themselves," Eryon said, though he wasn't sure he believed it.
As they rested, the shard's glow intensified, casting a soft light over the forest. Eryon pulled it from his pocket, staring at it in wonder.
"What's it doing?" Tia asked.
"I don't know," Eryon said. "But it's… pulling me. Like it wants me to go somewhere."
He stood, holding the shard in front of him. The light seemed to pulse in a specific direction, as if pointing the way.
Tia hesitated. "Do you think it's safe?"
Eryon glanced at her. "I don't think we have a choice."
They followed the shard's guidance, the forest growing darker and quieter with each step. The air seemed to hum with energy, and Eryon felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if he'd walked this path before.
Eventually, they emerged into a small clearing. At its center stood a stone altar, weathered and covered in moss. The shard's light grew blindingly bright, and Eryon felt a surge of power coursing through him.
"What is this place?" Tia whispered.
Eryon stepped closer to the altar, the shard trembling in his hand. As he placed it on the stone, the light exploded outward, illuminating the clearing. Symbols carved into the altar began to glow, and a deep, resonant voice echoed in his mind.
"Bearer of the shard, your journey has begun. Seek the others, for only together can the Void be sealed."
The light faded, leaving Eryon and Tia standing in stunned silence.
"What just happened?" Tia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eryon clenched his fists, determination hardening his features. "We've got our next step. We're finding the other shards."
But as they turned to leave, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled the air. From the shadows, a figure stepped into the clearing, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
"You're not going anywhere," the figure said, drawing a blade wreathed in violet energy.
Eryon stepped in front of Tia, the shard's power stirring within him. "We'll see about that."