The morning sun broke through the forest canopy, casting long shadows over the damp earth. The once-corrupted forest now felt lighter, as though it had exhaled a breath it had been holding for years. Birds hesitantly returned, their chirping cautious but present. Anant and Surya stood at the edge of the clearing, looking back at the massive, fallen tree—the heart of the corruption they had destroyed the night before.
Anant wiped his brow, his muscles aching from the battle. "It still doesn't feel like enough."
Surya adjusted the strap of his satchel. "It never does. But every step we take weakens Rudrakaal's grip. The more places we free, the harder it will be for him to spread his influence."
Anant nodded, but doubt still gnawed at him. The villagers from the destroyed settlement were still missing. If Rudrakaal hadn't killed them, where had they gone? And why?
---
A Trail of Desperation
The two continued their journey, following a faint trail that led away from the ruined village. Along the path, they found signs of movement—scattered belongings, torn fabric, even footprints half-buried in the mud.
"They were running," Anant observed, crouching to examine the tracks.
Surya knelt beside him. "Yes. But from what?"
A broken wooden charm lay beside the footprints. Anant picked it up, recognizing the intricate carvings as a protective symbol often worn by travelers. It had been split in half, the edges charred.
"This isn't natural," Anant murmured. "Something attacked them."
A sudden rustling in the undergrowth made them both snap to attention. Anant gripped his staff, while Surya unsheathed his blade. The bushes trembled, and a figure stumbled out—thin, covered in dirt, and barely standing.
It was a young woman, her clothes torn and her eyes hollow with exhaustion. She looked at them with terror before collapsing.
---
A Survivor's Tale
Anant rushed forward, catching her before she hit the ground. "She's burning up," he said, feeling the heat radiating from her skin.
Surya reached into his satchel, pulling out a small vial. "Give her this. It should help stabilize her."
Anant gently tilted her head back, letting the liquid trickle into her mouth. Moments later, her breathing steadied, and her eyelids fluttered open.
"Who… who are you?" she whispered.
"My name is Anant. This is Surya. We found the ruins of your village. What happened?"
Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to sit up. "The shadows… they came at night. Took people. We tried to run, but… they hunted us."
Anant clenched his fists. "Where did they take them?"
She shook her head, fear returning to her voice. "The mountains. The black citadel."
Surya and Anant exchanged looks.
"Rudrakaal's fortress," Surya muttered. "We were heading there anyway, but if he's taken villagers…"
"We have no choice," Anant finished. "We're going in."
---
The March Toward Darkness
The woman, whose name was Raji, was too weak to travel with them. They built a small shelter near a clean water source and left her with enough provisions to recover.
"The citadel is a day's journey from here," Surya said as they left her behind. "We need to be careful. If Rudrakaal has gathered prisoners, he won't leave them unguarded."
Anant nodded, gripping his pendant. "We free them, no matter what."
The path ahead was clear, but they both knew the real darkness was yet to come.