The first rays of dawn painted the barren landscape in pale hues of orange and gold. Eryon adjusted the straps of his pack, his eyes fixed on Gareth, who stood at the edge of the town, waiting. Tia yawned beside him, still rubbing sleep from her eyes, while Lysara leaned against a wooden post, her expression unreadable as always.
"You're late," Gareth said with a smirk as they approached. His leather armor creaked as he adjusted his sword belt. "I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind."
Eryon ignored the comment. "Let's just get moving."
Gareth shrugged. "Fair enough. Try to keep up."
The group set out toward the Forbidden Wastes, the landscape growing more desolate with each passing hour. The air grew heavy, and an unnatural stillness settled over the land. No birds sang, and even the wind seemed hesitant to disturb the silence.
"What exactly makes the Wastes so dangerous?" Tia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gareth glanced over his shoulder. "Everything. The Void's corruption has seeped into the land, twisting it into something unnatural. The ground itself can betray you, and the creatures… well, let's just say they're not friendly."
"That's encouraging," Eryon muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
As they walked, the once-solid ground began to change. The dirt became cracked and brittle, patches of blackened earth radiating an eerie, otherworldly glow. Strange, gnarled trees jutted from the ground, their branches twisted into unnatural shapes.
"Stay close," Gareth said, his tone more serious than before. "The Wastes have a way of separating groups. You'll see things—hear things—that aren't real. Ignore them."
Tia moved closer to Eryon, her eyes wide as she took in the alien landscape. "This place feels… wrong."
"It is," Lysara said, her voice low. "The Void's influence is strongest here. The longer we stay, the more dangerous it becomes."
Hours turned into an eternity as they trekked deeper into the Wastes. The oppressive atmosphere began to take its toll, fatigue settling into their bones. Strange whispers drifted on the wind, faint and indistinct, yet impossible to ignore.
"Did you hear that?" Tia asked, clutching Eryon's arm.
"It's just the Wastes messing with your head," Gareth said, though even he seemed uneasy. "Keep moving."
The whispers grew louder, forming words that tugged at the edges of Eryon's mind. "Eryon… you cannot escape…" He shook his head, trying to dispel the voice, but it lingered, growing stronger with each step.
Ahead, Gareth came to an abrupt stop. "We're not alone."
The group froze, their eyes scanning the desolate landscape. At first, there was nothing—just the barren wasteland stretching endlessly in all directions. Then, the shadows began to move.
From the twisted trees and jagged rocks emerged figures cloaked in darkness. Their forms were indistinct, shifting like smoke, but their glowing violet eyes were unmistakable.
"Voidspawn," Lysara hissed, drawing her twin daggers.
"They've found us already?" Eryon asked, unsheathing his sword.
Gareth grinned, the glint of excitement in his eyes. "Looks like this trip just got interesting."
The Voidspawn advanced, their movements unnaturally fluid. One lunged at Eryon, its claw-like appendages slicing through the air. He blocked the attack, the force of it sending a jolt through his arm. With a swift counter, he struck the creature, his blade glowing faintly as it connected. The Voidspawn shrieked and dissolved into shadows.
"Don't let them surround you!" Gareth shouted, slashing at another Voidspawn. "They're stronger in groups!"
Tia held the Shard of Earth tightly, its green glow forming a protective barrier around her. She focused, sending a pulse of energy into the ground. The earth trembled, and jagged spikes erupted, impaling two Voidspawn.
Lysara moved like a shadow, her daggers flashing as she cut through their foes. Despite her seemingly effortless skill, the Voidspawn kept coming, their numbers unrelenting.
Eryon's chest burned with the strange energy he had felt during the fall of Eldenridge. As he fought, the glow in his blade intensified, and with each strike, he felt the Voidspawn's presence weaken. But the more he tapped into the power, the more it consumed him, threatening to overwhelm his senses.
"Eryon, focus!" Lysara shouted, noticing his faltering stance. "Don't let it control you!"
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay grounded. The Voidspawn began to retreat, their forms dissolving into the air as the group fought them back. Within moments, the battlefield was silent once more.
The group regrouped, their breaths ragged. Gareth wiped blood from his blade, his grin replaced by a grim expression. "That was just a taste. The deeper we go, the worse it'll get."
Eryon glanced at Tia, who was visibly shaken but unharmed. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, though her hands trembled as she lowered the Shard's barrier. "I'm fine. Just… tired."
Lysara sheathed her daggers, her gaze fixed on Eryon. "You need to learn to control that power. If you lose yourself out here, we're all dead."
"I'm trying," Eryon said, frustration evident in his voice.
"Try harder," she snapped. "The Void doesn't care about your struggles. It will consume you if you let it."
Gareth chuckled, breaking the tension. "She's right, you know. But don't worry—I'm sure you'll figure it out before it kills us all."
Eryon glared at him but said nothing. He knew Lysara was right, but controlling the power was easier said than done. The pull of the energy was intoxicating, and every time he used it, he felt a little less like himself.
"We should keep moving," Lysara said. "The Voidspawn will return, and next time, we might not be so lucky."
As they continued their journey, the oppressive atmosphere of the Wastes grew heavier. The whispers returned, louder and more insistent, and the shadows seemed to close in around them.
Eryon clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest. The Shard of Shadows was out there, and he would find it—no matter the cost.