The forest seemed alive, its towering trees stretching toward the heavens, their thick canopies forming a web of intertwining shadows. Kael pressed forward, his steps deliberate on the moss-covered ground. Flamorin stayed close, its glowing tail lighting the path in faint flickers. The journal in Kael's satchel felt heavier now, its newly revealed runes pulsating faintly, as though responding to the latent energy that hung in the air.
Kael glanced over his shoulder. The clearing where the Aether Crystal had vanished was no longer visible, swallowed by the dense forest. Yet, its hum still lingered in his chest, a faint vibration that seemed to echo the unspoken mystery of what had just transpired.
"What do you think that was, buddy?" Kael asked, glancing at Flamorin.
The Beast tilted its head, its bright eyes reflecting the dim light. It let out a soft chirp, flicking its tail as if urging him to keep moving. Kael sighed.
"Yeah, I guess we'll find out soon enough."
The map his mother had given him was their only guide now. He paused beneath an ancient oak, unrolling the parchment and scanning its intricate markings. The ruins were marked less than a mile ahead, but the terrain ahead was riddled with jagged cliffs and narrow gorges.
"Looks like we'll have to be careful," Kael murmured.
As they continued, the air grew cooler, the forest darker. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant cry of a nocturnal Beast. Kael's grip tightened on the hilt of his knife, his instincts on edge.
Suddenly, Flamorin froze, its flames flaring slightly. Kael stopped in his tracks, following Flamorin's gaze.
"What is it?" he whispered.
The underbrush ahead trembled, and a faint growl reached his ears. From the shadows, a creature emerged—a sleek, wolf-like Beast with shimmering black fur and eyes that glowed a deep crimson. Duskrend, Kael thought, recognizing the Beast from one of his father's sketches. It was a nocturnal predator known for its agility and sharp instincts.
Duskrend's gaze locked onto Flamorin, its growl deepening. The tension crackled in the air like a storm about to break.
"Easy," Kael said, raising a hand. He knew better than to provoke it. "We're just passing through."
Duskrend crouched low, its muscles tensing. It wasn't about to let them go without a fight.
"Guess we don't have a choice," Kael muttered.
Flamorin stepped forward, its flames burning brighter. The two Beasts circled each other, their movements fluid and deliberate. Kael's pulse quickened. This was the first real fight they'd encountered since leaving the village, and he couldn't afford to falter.
"Flamorin, Ember Flare!" Kael commanded.
Flamorin responded instantly, launching a burst of fiery embers at Duskrend. The wolf-like Beast leaped to the side with startling speed, its crimson eyes narrowing as it retaliated with a shadowy swipe.
"Dodge it!" Kael shouted.
Flamorin darted out of the way, the shadowy attack grazing its fur but missing its mark. The two Beasts clashed again, Flamorin's flames illuminating the darkness as Duskrend's shadowy energy swirled around it like tendrils of smoke.
Kael watched closely, his mind racing. Duskrend was faster, but Flamorin's fire attacks were keeping it at bay. He needed to find an opening.
"Flamorin, circle around and use Flame Sweep!"
Flamorin pivoted, flames trailing in its wake as it unleashed a wide arc of fire. Duskrend tried to dodge, but the attack clipped its side, earning a sharp yelp. The Beast staggered, its movements faltering.
"Now, finish it with Ember Barrage!"
Flamorin unleashed a rapid series of fiery bursts, each one striking true. Duskrend let out a final growl before retreating into the shadows, its form disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.
Kael let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Good job, Flamorin."
The Beast trotted back to his side, its flames dimming as it nuzzled against his leg. Kael crouched down, checking it for injuries. A small scratch on its flank was the only sign of the battle.
"We'll clean that up when we stop for the night," he said, pulling a small cloth from his pack to dab at the wound. Flamorin chirped softly, leaning into his touch.
The encounter had rattled him more than he cared to admit. Duskrend was no ordinary wild Beast; it was a skilled hunter, and its presence so close to the ruins felt deliberate.
Kael stood, his gaze shifting back to the path ahead. The ruins weren't far now, but the forest felt heavier, as if the encounter had awakened something ancient and unseen.
"Come on," he said, his voice steady. "We've got to keep moving."
They pressed on, the shadows seeming to stretch and twist with each step. The faint hum from earlier grew stronger, guiding them like a beacon through the oppressive darkness.
Finally, they reached the edge of a large clearing. Kael's breath caught as the ruins came into view. Massive stone structures rose from the earth, their surfaces covered in intricate runes that glowed faintly in the moonlight. Vines and moss clung to the crumbling walls, but the air around them buzzed with power, as if the place itself was alive.
At the center of the ruins stood a massive archway, its frame adorned with symbols similar to those in his father's journal. Kael stepped closer, the hum of energy vibrating through the ground beneath his feet.
"This is it," he whispered, pulling the journal from his satchel. The runes on its pages seemed to react to the ruins, glowing brighter as he approached the archway.
Flamorin let out a low growl, its ears flattening against its head. Kael frowned, glancing around. The forest was silent again, but this time, it didn't feel natural.
"We're not alone, are we?" he murmured.
As if in response, a low rumble echoed from the shadows. Kael's grip tightened on the journal, his heart pounding. Whatever was waiting for them in these ruins, he knew one thing for certain: their journey was far from over.