The moon hung low over the horizon, its pale light bathing the trio as they moved swiftly through the dense forest. Each step was measured, every sound scrutinized. Lin Xuan led the way, his senses sharp, the fragment hidden securely in his robes. The air felt heavier now, tinged with an inexplicable tension, as if the world itself knew of the artifact's awakening.
Yu Mei broke the silence, her voice low. "We've drawn too much attention tonight. That vault wasn't just a random hiding spot; someone will come looking for what was taken."
Xu Yan, trailing slightly behind, kept his bow ready. "She's right. The fragment wasn't unguarded for a reason. Whatever power it holds, others will want it just as badly as we do."
Lin Xuan glanced back, his gaze steady. "We've made our choice. There's no turning back now. Our next step is securing it before anyone can track us down."
Miles Away—The Council of Shadows
In a hidden chamber beneath the city of Tianlu, a council convened. Hooded figures sat in a circle, their faces obscured, save for their glowing eyes that pierced through the darkness. At the center of the chamber, a projection of the Vault of Echoes shimmered.
"The seal has been broken," a deep voice rumbled, reverberating through the room. "The fragment has been taken."
Another voice, higher-pitched but no less ominous, replied, "Fools. They have no idea the forces they've unleashed. The artifact must be recovered before its power is fully awakened."
The leader of the council, cloaked in an aura of shadow, raised a hand. "Send our agents. Use every means necessary. The artifact must not fall into the wrong hands—or worse, be destroyed."
Back in the Forest
Lin Xuan and his companions reached a small clearing, where they stopped to regroup. The fragment's energy, though contained, seemed to pulse faintly, as if reacting to their surroundings.
Yu Mei leaned against a tree, her brow furrowed. "Do you even know what this thing does, Lin Xuan? We've risked our lives to retrieve it, but if we don't understand its purpose—"
"I know enough," Lin Xuan interrupted, his tone firm. "This fragment isn't just a relic. It's a key—part of something much larger. I don't know its full purpose yet, but I do know one thing: if it fell into the wrong hands, the consequences would be catastrophic."
Xu Yan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So we're protecting something we barely understand. Typical. Any idea how long we have before those 'wrong hands' come looking for us?"
As if in answer, a low growl echoed from the trees. The trio froze, their instincts on high alert.
From the shadows emerged a pack of beasts, their eyes glowing with a malevolent red light. They were massive, their fur bristling, and their teeth gleaming like sharpened steel. At their head was a creature larger than the rest, its aura suffused with a dark energy that made the ground beneath it crackle.
Yu Mei drew her daggers, her stance tense. "Shadow Hounds. Someone sent them. They're tracking us."
Xu Yan notched an arrow, his gaze narrowing. "These aren't just trackers. They're assassins."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his sword gleaming as he drew it. "Then let's not disappoint them."
The Battle Begins
The pack lunged as one, a wave of feral energy descending on the trio. Lin Xuan met the alpha head-on, his sword clashing against its claws in a burst of sparks. The creature was fast, its movements erratic, but Lin Xuan's strikes were precise, his blade weaving a deadly pattern.
Yu Mei darted through the fray, her daggers flashing in the moonlight. She targeted the smaller hounds, her movements fluid and deadly. Each strike found its mark, her blades piercing their darkened hides.
Xu Yan provided support from a distance, his arrows streaking through the air with unerring accuracy. Each shot was calculated, aimed to cripple or kill. When one hound broke through their defenses, he shifted his aim, pinning it to the ground with a well-placed arrow.
The alpha growled, its red eyes locking onto Lin Xuan. It lunged with ferocity, its claws aiming for his throat. Lin Xuan sidestepped, his blade slicing through its side. The creature roared in pain but retaliated with a swipe that forced him back.
"These things don't go down easy," Yu Mei called out, her breathing labored as she dispatched another hound.
"Then we hit harder," Lin Xuan replied, his grip tightening on his sword.
He channeled his energy into his blade, its edge glowing with a faint blue light. With a powerful swing, he unleashed a wave of energy that struck the alpha squarely in the chest, sending it crashing into a tree.
The remaining hounds hesitated, their movements faltering.
A New Threat
Before the trio could regroup, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was cloaked in dark robes, its face obscured, but the aura it emanated was oppressive. The hounds immediately retreated, falling in line behind the figure.
"Impressive," the figure said, its voice cold and emotionless. "But your efforts are meaningless. Surrender the fragment, and I may yet let you live."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his sword at the ready. "And who are you to demand anything from us?"
The figure chuckled. "You may call me Harrow. I am but a servant of the council, tasked with retrieving what you so foolishly stole."
Yu Mei's eyes narrowed. "The Council of Shadows. I should have known they'd send someone like you."
Harrow tilted his head. "You know of us. Good. Then you know resistance is futile."
Lin Xuan smirked. "Futile? We'll see about that."
The air grew tense as both sides prepared to clash. The moonlight dimmed, as if retreating in anticipation of the storm that was about to erupt.
"You've made your choice," Harrow said, his aura flaring. "And now, you'll face the consequences."
Lin Xuan tightened his grip on his sword, his resolve unshaken. "Bring it on."