The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees as Lin Xuan and his companions made their way back to the village. Though the Shadow Revenant was gone, a lingering tension hung in the air. The summoning ground had raised more questions than answers, and the faint hum of the Shard of Night in Lin Xuan's pouch was a constant reminder that their challenges were far from over.
Yun Xi broke the silence, her voice low. "We need to discuss what we found. That monolith—it wasn't just a tool for summoning. It was a conduit for something far more dangerous."
Lin Xuan glanced at her, his expression calm but serious. "You think it was connected to the shard?"
She nodded. "It's not just a coincidence. The shard's energy resonated with the monolith. Whoever set that summoning ground knew exactly what they were doing, and they might already be aware of us."
Fang Yun, walking slightly ahead, frowned. "If that's true, then we're being hunted. We can't just wander aimlessly with the shard. We need a plan."
Xiao Lan tapped the butt of her spear against the ground, her voice firm. "The village needs to be warned. If someone can summon a creature like that, they could target the villagers again—or worse."
Lin Xuan stopped, turning to face his group. His sharp gaze met each of theirs in turn. "We'll split our priorities. Fang Yun and Xiao Lan, return to the village and ensure the people are safe. Yun Xi and I will investigate the shard's connection to the summoning ground. We need to find out who's behind this and why they're after the shard."
Fang Yun raised an eyebrow. "You sure it's wise to split up? If they're targeting us, it's safer to stay together."
"It's a risk we have to take," Lin Xuan replied. "The villagers can't be left defenseless, and we can't waste time retracing our steps. Trust me—we'll regroup once we've learned more."
Reluctantly, Fang Yun nodded. "Fine. But don't do anything reckless."
Yun Xi gave a small smile, though her eyes betrayed her concern. "We'll be careful."
---
As Fang Yun and Xiao Lan headed back toward the village, Lin Xuan and Yun Xi veered off the main path, following the faint energy trail left by the shard. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the stronger the shard's pulses became, as though it was leading them somewhere.
After an hour of walking, they arrived at a secluded grove. At its center stood an ancient stone altar, overgrown with moss and vines. Strange carvings adorned its surface, similar to those they'd seen at the summoning ground.
"This place…" Yun Xi murmured, running her fingers over the carvings. "It's ancient. Far older than the monolith. The energy here feels… primal."
Lin Xuan stepped closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Does it connect to the shard?"
Yun Xi closed her eyes, focusing her energy. The shard in Lin Xuan's pouch began to glow faintly, its light syncing with the carvings on the altar. A low hum filled the air, growing louder as the connection deepened.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. Lin Xuan drew his sword, scanning the area for threats. Yun Xi stumbled back as the altar's carvings began to shift, rearranging themselves into a new pattern.
A deep voice echoed through the grove, resonating from the altar itself. "Who dares disturb the Guardian's rest?"
Lin Xuan's grip tightened on his sword. "We mean no harm. We're seeking answers about this shard."
The voice chuckled, a sound like rumbling thunder. "The Shard of Night… a fragment of the old world, carrying both light and shadow. Few understand its true power. Fewer still survive its trials."
Yun Xi stepped forward, her voice steady. "If you know about the shard, tell us what it is. Why is it connected to these summoning grounds?"
The altar glowed brighter, the voice growing colder. "To wield the shard is to invite both creation and destruction. It is sought by many but belongs to none. Beware, mortals, for the path you tread is fraught with peril."
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes. "Who's behind the summoning grounds? Who's hunting us?"
The voice paused, as if considering. "An ancient force stirs, seeking to reclaim what was lost. Beware the shadowed ones, for they will stop at nothing to possess the shard. But know this—true power lies not in the shard, but in the heart of its bearer."
The light from the altar faded, and the carvings returned to their original state. The grove fell silent, save for the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
Yun Xi let out a shaky breath. "An ancient force… shadowed ones… this just keeps getting more complicated."
Lin Xuan sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. "At least we know more than before. But it's clear that the shard is both a blessing and a curse. We need to stay ahead of whoever's after it."
Yun Xi nodded. "Agreed. But if this force is as ancient as the altar suggests, we're going to need more than just strength to face it. We'll need knowledge—knowledge that may not even exist in our time."
Lin Xuan glanced back at the altar, his mind racing. "Then we'll start with what we can find. There must be someone out there who knows more about the shard and its history."
As they left the grove, the faint hum of the shard continued to pulse, a constant reminder of the power they carried—and the dangers it invited.
Unbeknownst to them, a figure cloaked in shadow watched from a distance, its unseen presence blending seamlessly with the forest. A low, menacing chuckle escaped its lips. "Foolish mortals. They've only just begun to understand the storm they've unleashed."