The air in Springey grew colder by the day, as if the darkness surrounding the gateway was spreading its influence. Claire had warned us that activating the wards would draw attention, but none of us could have anticipated how quickly that attention would arrive—or how dangerous it would be.
It happened at the first ward, a crumbling stone obelisk hidden in the overgrown ruins of an old church. The symbols etched into its surface glowed faintly in the moonlight, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Van and Kyle stood on either side of me, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger, while Claire carefully sketched the runes into her notebook.
"Are you ready, Amber?" Claire asked, her voice tight with worry.
I nodded, though my hands trembled slightly.
"Let's do this."
Taking a deep breath, I focused on the obelisk, reaching for the light within me. The energy surged through my veins, warm and bright, and I raised my hands, directing it toward the ancient symbols.
The glow intensified, the runes flaring to life as the ward began to reactivate. But before I could complete the process, a chilling voice echoed through the ruins.
"Well, isn't this a touching scene?"
The light faltered, and I turned to see a figure step out of the shadows. He was tall and gaunt, with pale, almost translucent skin and hair as black as ink. His eyes burned a deep crimson, and his smile was a cruel slash across his face.
"Who the hell are you?" Van demanded, stepping in front of me protectively.
The man's smile widened.
"You may call me Malric. And you must be the Guardian."
His gaze fixed on me, and I felt an icy shiver run down my spine.
"What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Oh, nothing much," Malric said, his tone dripping with mockery.
"I simply can't allow you to interfere with my plans. You see, I've been waiting for this gateway to open for a very long time."
Kyle stepped forward, his shadowy blade forming in his hand.
"Not gonna happen, Malric."
Malric laughed, the sound echoing eerily through the ruins.
"Well hello Kyle the little shadow-walker. You think you can stop me? How amusing."
Upon hearing that, Kyle fiercely moved forward.
But before any of us could react, Malric raised a hand, and a wave of dark energy shot toward us. Van pushed me out of the way, his golden shield absorbing the brunt of the attack, but the force sent him staggering backward.
"Amber, finish the ward!" Claire shouted, drawing her rune-inscribed dagger.
I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding as Malric advanced on us. Kyle darted forward, his blade slicing through the air, but Malric was faster. He caught Kyle's wrist and twisted, forcing him to drop his weapon before sending him flying into a crumbling wall.
"Pathetic," Malric sneered, turning his attention back to me.
Van lunged at him, his golden energy blazing, but Malric deflected his attack with ease. It was like watching light and shadow collide, the clash of their powers lighting up the ruins in bursts of gold and black.
"Amber, now!"
Claire yelled again, slashing at a Shade that Malric had summoned from the shadows.
I turned back to the obelisk, panic threatening to overwhelm me. The light within me flickered, but I forced myself to focus, channeling everything I had into the runes. They flared brighter and brighter until the obelisk emitted a blinding pulse of light that sent the Shades disintegrating into smoke.
Malric hissed, shielding his eyes from the light.
"This isn't over, Guardian," he snarled, retreating into the shadows.
"You can't stop what's coming."
As he disappeared, the ruins fell silent, save for the sound of my ragged breathing.
"Is everyone okay?" I asked, turning to the others.
Kyle pushed himself to his feet, wincing.
"I've been better."
Van sheathed his golden energy, his expression grim.
"That was no ordinary enemy. Malric is powerful—and dangerous."
Claire nodded, her face pale.
"We'll have to be ready for him next time. He's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."
"And what does he want?" I asked.
Van's gaze met mine, his golden eyes filled with concern.
"You, Amber. He wants you out of the way so the gateway can open."
The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy blanket. Malric wasn't just another Shade or a passing threat—he was a true villain, one who wouldn't stop until he destroyed everything we were fighting to protect.
Kyle stepped closer, his usual smirk replaced by a rare look of seriousness.
"Don't worry, Guardian. He'll have to get through me first."
Van shot him a sharp look, but before they could start arguing again, Claire spoke up.
"We need to keep moving. There are still three more wards to activate, and I doubt Malric will let us finish without a fight."
As we left the ruins, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get much worse. Malric was unlike anything I'd ever faced, and the thought of confronting him again terrified me.
But as Van walked beside me, his presence steady and reassuring, and Kyle trailed just behind, his sharp wit temporarily silenced, I realized I wasn't alone.
No matter how dark things became, I had a team—maybe even a family—fighting beside me. And together, we might just stand a chance.