The forest was eerily silent as Calypsius and Ellara moved deeper into its shadowy embrace. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled silver patterns on the ground. Every crackle of a branch underfoot or rustle of leaves in the wind made their hearts race.
Calypsius clenched the glowing blade tightly in his hand, its once-brilliant light now reduced to a faint glow. The sigils along his arms pulsed faintly, a rhythmic reminder of the bond he had formed with Valenyr.
"We need to find shelter," Ellara said, her voice low but steady. Her eyes scanned the darkened path ahead, her elven instincts sharpening in the aftermath of the battle.
Calypsius nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. The words of the Shrouded Court echoed in his ears. The blade does not belong to you. Their intent was clear: this wasn't just about the Elganth or the attack on the village. This was something larger, something ancient.
"Ellara," he began, his voice hesitant. "If the Shrouded Court has been hunting artifacts like Valenyr, why hasn't anyone stopped them?"
Ellara frowned, her steps faltering slightly. "They operate in the shadows. They've never acted openly, at least not in my lifetime. But their reach… it's vast. They've toppled entire kingdoms in secret just to claim the relics they seek."
"So why didn't they come for Valenyr before?"
"Perhaps they couldn't find him," Ellara replied. "Or maybe he wasn't ready to be found."
Calypsius's jaw tightened. "Well, they've found him now. And they won't stop until they take him from me."
Ellara placed a hand on his arm, her touch light but grounding. "We'll figure this out. But first, we need to regroup. The elders will know what to do."
Her mention of the elders brought a pang of guilt to Calypsius's chest. He had come to their village seeking refuge, and in doing so, he had brought chaos to their doorstep. The thought of returning to face them, knowing the destruction he had helped unleash, made his stomach churn.
"Do you think they'll even let me back?" he asked, his voice laced with doubt.
Ellara paused, meeting his gaze. "They may be cautious, but they're not unreasonable. You saved their village, Calypsius. That counts for something."
They pressed on in silence, the forest growing darker and denser with every step. Calypsius could feel the weight of exhaustion settling into his limbs, but he forced himself to keep moving. The glowing sigils along his arms had dimmed further, their light now barely visible beneath his torn sleeves.
Suddenly, Ellara stopped, raising a hand to signal for silence. Calypsius froze, his senses on high alert.
"What is it?" he whispered.
Ellara didn't answer immediately. Her sharp elven ears twitched slightly, straining to catch the faintest sound. Then she turned to him, her expression grave. "We're being followed."
Calypsius's grip on his blade tightened. "The Shrouded Court?"
Ellara shook her head. "No. Something… different."
Before she could elaborate, a low growl rumbled from the shadows. Calypsius spun around, his blade flaring to life as his eyes searched the darkness. The growl grew louder, more guttural, and was soon joined by others.
"Wolves?" he asked, though the primal edge in the sound made him doubt it.
"Not wolves," Ellara murmured, drawing her dagger.
The growls multiplied, echoing through the trees and circling them. Calypsius stepped closer to Ellara, the faint light of his blade casting long shadows around them. His pulse quickened as he caught movement in the darkness—glinting eyes, low to the ground, moving with unnatural fluidity.
"Stay behind me," he whispered, his voice steady despite the cold dread creeping through him.
Ellara nodded but didn't lower her dagger. Her elven instincts told her these creatures were not of the natural world.
The first beast lunged out of the shadows, its massive form illuminated by the golden glow of Calypsius's blade. It resembled a wolf, but its body was twisted and grotesque, covered in jagged black fur that shimmered like obsidian. Its eyes burned with a dull, crimson light, and its jaws were lined with impossibly sharp teeth.
Calypsius reacted instinctively, swinging his blade in a wide arc. The golden light seared through the beast's flank, and it let out a piercing screech before crumbling into ash.
"Voidspawn," Ellara hissed, her voice tight with alarm.
"Voidspawn?" Calypsius asked, glancing at her.
"They're creatures of the void—mindless beasts summoned by dark magic. If they're here, it means someone sent them."
As if on cue, two more Voidspawn burst from the treeline, their movements unnaturally fast. Calypsius met the first head-on, his blade slicing through it with ease, while Ellara ducked and drove her dagger into the throat of the second. The creature thrashed wildly before collapsing.
"They're testing us," Ellara said, breathing hard. "Whoever sent them wants to see what we're capable of."
"Well, I hope they're paying attention," Calypsius muttered, stepping forward as three more Voidspawn emerged.
The battle was relentless. Calypsius felt his movements grow sharper with each strike, as if Valenyr's power was guiding him. The sigils along his arms pulsed with every swing of the blade, and each time the golden light made contact with the Voidspawn, they disintegrated into ash.
Ellara fought beside him, her movements precise and deadly despite her weakened state. Together, they managed to keep the creatures at bay, but the waves of Voidspawn kept coming, each group more ferocious than the last.
"We can't keep this up," Ellara said, her voice strained. "They'll overwhelm us eventually."
Calypsius nodded, sweat dripping down his face. His body ached, and the sigils on his arms were beginning to burn, as if drawing from his own life force.
Just as he prepared for another attack, the growling ceased. The clearing fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of their ragged breathing. Calypsius held his blade at the ready, its faint glow barely illuminating the space around them. Ellara scanned the treeline, her dagger poised for another strike.
"Why did they stop?" Calypsius whispered, his voice barely audible.
Ellara's sharp eyes darted through the shadows. "This isn't over. They're waiting for something—or someone."
A chilling wind swept through the clearing, carrying with it the faint scent of decay. The temperature dropped, and a figure emerged from the darkness, cloaked in flowing black robes that seemed to merge with the shadows. The figure's face was obscured by a hood, but its presence exuded power and malice.
The Voidspawn that remained recoiled slightly, almost bowing as the figure stepped forward. Calypsius tightened his grip on Valenyr's hilt, the blade flaring brighter as though reacting to the new threat.
"Impressive," the figure said, its voice smooth yet laced with menace. "The bearer of Valenyr has proven to be more capable than anticipated."
"Who are you?" Calypsius demanded, his tone firm despite the tremor in his chest. "What do you want?"
The figure tilted its head slightly, as though amused. "Names are irrelevant, mortal. What matters is the power you wield—and your unworthiness to wield it."
Ellara stepped forward, placing herself partially in front of Calypsius. "If you know Valenyr's name, then you know what it stands for. Balance. Why would you send Voidspawn to claim it?"
The figure chuckled darkly. "Balance? Such a quaint notion. The Shrouded Court understands the truth. Power exists to be seized, not protected."
"So you're with the Court," Calypsius said, his jaw tightening.
The figure's hood dipped in acknowledgment. "Indeed. And you, boy, are nothing more than a pawn who stumbled upon something far greater than you can comprehend. But worry not—your role is almost over."
As the figure raised an arm, dark tendrils of energy began to spiral around it, twisting and writhing like living shadows. The Voidspawn snarled in unison, their crimson eyes flaring brighter.
"Ellara, get back," Calypsius said, stepping in front of her.
"You can't face this alone," she countered, though her voice betrayed her fear.
"I don't have a choice."
The figure's tendrils shot forward, black as midnight and crackling with energy. Calypsius swung his blade, the golden light clashing violently with the dark magic. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing, forcing both him and Ellara to stagger back.
The figure didn't relent, its attacks growing faster and more precise. Calypsius parried desperately, each swing of Valenyr draining more of his strength. The sigils on his arms flared painfully, as if the blade was drawing on every ounce of his remaining energy.
"Your defiance is admirable," the figure said, its voice dripping with contempt. "But futile."
Calypsius gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face. "If it's so futile, then why haven't you taken the blade yet?"
The figure hesitated, just for a moment, and Calypsius seized the opportunity. With a burst of energy, he lunged forward, his blade glowing brighter than ever. The figure recoiled, the golden light forcing it to retreat.
Ellara took advantage of the distraction, hurling her dagger with precision. The blade struck the figure's shoulder, causing it to hiss in pain.
"This isn't over," the figure snarled, its form beginning to dissolve into shadow. "The Shrouded Court will have what is theirs. And when we return, there will be no escape."
The Voidspawn dissolved along with the figure, their forms vanishing into the darkness.
Silence returned to the clearing, but it was far from peaceful.
Calypsius collapsed to one knee, his chest heaving. The sigils on his arms dimmed to near invisibility, and Valenyr's blade flickered weakly.
Ellara rushed to his side, helping him to his feet. "We need to get out of here," she said urgently. "If they know where we are, they'll come back. Stronger."
Calypsius nodded, though his body felt like it was made of lead. "Let's keep moving. The elders need to know about this."
As they stumbled deeper into the forest, Calypsius couldn't shake the figure's parting words. The Shrouded Court was relentless, and their reach was vast.
He gripped Valenyr tightly, the weight of the blade heavier than ever. Whatever fate had in store for him, he knew one thing: this was only the beginning of the war.