The valley stretched before them, cloaked in swirling mist that clung to the ground like a living thing. The air was colder here, biting against Aria's skin and carrying a faint, eerie hum. Every sound seemed amplified—the crunch of their boots on frost-covered grass, the whisper of the wind through the trees, the distant howl of wolves.
Kael stopped at the edge of the valley, his green eyes scanning their surroundings. "Stay close," he said, his voice low. "This place isn't natural."
Aria tightened her grip on her staff, her chest tightening. "What do you mean?"
Kael gestured toward the mist. "Listen."
Aria strained her ears, her breath hitching as faint whispers reached her. They were soft at first, like the rustle of leaves, but as she focused, the voices grew louder, distinct yet incomprehensible.
"What is that?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Kael's expression was grim. "The valley is cursed. They call it the Whispering Vale. It's said to be haunted by the spirits of wolves who died here long ago."
Aria shivered, the weight of the whispers pressing down on her. "Why didn't you mention this before?"
"Because it's the fastest way to the stronghold," Kael said. "And because I didn't want you to turn back."
Aria shot him a glare, but before she could respond, a chill ran down her spine. The whispers grew louder, swirling around them like a phantom wind.
"Kael," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think we're being watched."
---
The mist shifted, taking on shapes that danced and flickered at the edges of her vision. Aria spun around, her heart pounding as shadowy figures began to emerge from the fog.
They were wolves, but not like any she had seen before. Their translucent forms shimmered with an ethereal light, their eyes glowing a pale silver. They moved silently, their steps leaving no trace, their gazes fixed on Aria and Kael.
"Spirits," Kael said under his breath, his dagger already in his hand. "Stay calm. Don't provoke them."
One of the wolves stepped forward, its silver eyes locking onto Aria. She felt the heat in her chest flare, the song of the moon growing louder as the wolf approached.
"Aria," Kael said, his voice tight. "What's it doing?"
"I don't know," she said, her voice trembling.
The wolf stopped a few feet from her, its head tilting as if studying her. Then, to her shock, it spoke—not with words, but with a voice that resonated in her mind.
Mooncaller.
Aria's breath hitched. "You… you know who I am?"
You do not belong here, the wolf said, its voice calm but firm. Turn back before it is too late.
"I can't," Aria said, her voice steady despite her fear. "I need to reach the stronghold."
The wolf's glowing eyes narrowed. The path is dangerous. Few who enter the vale survive. And fewer still reach the stronghold.
Aria squared her shoulders, determination hardening in her chest. "I don't have a choice. If I don't reach it, I won't survive what's coming."
The wolf studied her for a long moment before stepping aside. The other spirits followed its lead, retreating into the mist but never fully disappearing.
Kael exhaled, his grip on his dagger relaxing. "That was… unexpected."
Aria nodded, her pulse still racing. "Let's keep moving."
---
As they ventured deeper into the vale, the mist thickened, and the whispers grew louder. They spoke in fragmented sentences, their words overlapping and impossible to understand.
But then, one voice broke through the cacophony—a deep, commanding tone that sent a shiver down Aria's spine.
You will fail.
She stopped in her tracks, her chest tightening. "Did you hear that?"
Kael glanced back at her, his expression concerned. "Hear what?"
Aria hesitated. "A voice. It said I'll fail."
Kael frowned. "The whispers are just echoes, memories of those who died here. They're meant to mess with your head. Don't listen to them."
Aria nodded, but the words lingered in her mind.
They pressed on, the air growing colder with every step. The ground beneath them became rocky and uneven, and the mist seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
"Look," Kael said, pointing ahead.
Aria followed his gaze, her breath catching as she saw the remains of a battle scattered across the ground. Broken weapons, shattered bones, and torn scraps of clothing littered the area, all dusted with frost.
"This must be where the wolves fell," Kael said, his voice somber. "The spirits we saw… they're the remnants of those who fought here."
Aria's stomach churned as she knelt beside a rusted sword. She could feel the weight of the lives lost in this place, their pain and anger lingering like a shadow.
"This is wrong," she said quietly.
Kael nodded. "It's why the vale is cursed. Too much death, too much grief. It leaves a mark."
---
As they moved past the battlefield, the whispers intensified, their voices growing sharper and more aggressive.
You cannot save them.
Your power will destroy you.
Turn back before it's too late.
Aria clenched her fists, the heat in her chest flaring in response. "They're trying to scare me."
"Then don't let them," Kael said, his tone firm.
But the voices didn't relent. They seemed to claw at her mind, each word striking a nerve.
You will fail.
You will die alone.
You are nothing without the light.
"Enough!" Aria shouted, the light in her hands bursting forth. The mist recoiled, the whispers falling silent as her power illuminated the vale.
Kael stared at her, his expression a mix of surprise and caution. "Well… that worked."
Aria exhaled, lowering her hands. "They were wrong," she said, her voice steady. "I'm not nothing without the light. I am the light."
Kael smiled faintly, his respect for her growing. "Come on, Mooncaller. Let's get out of this cursed place."
---
As the vale began to thin, the mist gave way to clearer air, and the whispers faded into silence. The oppressive weight that had hung over them lifted, and Aria felt a sense of relief she hadn't realized she needed.
They reached the edge of the valley just as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Ahead, the jagged peaks of the mountains loomed, their snow-covered slopes glinting in the fading light.
Kael stopped, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "The stronghold is close now," he said. "But the hardest part is still to come."
Aria nodded, the determination in her chest unwavering. "I'm ready."
Kael glanced at her, his green eyes glinting with something like pride. "We'll see."
As they began the climb toward the stronghold, Aria couldn't help but feel that the vale had been more than just a test of courage—it had been a warning. The darkness ahead would be unlike anything she had faced before, but she refused to let fear hold her back.
The Mooncaller's path was clear.