The night was unusually dark, with the winds howling across the vast plains of "Ilirian," carrying the scent of wild herbs and faint sounds that resembled ancient whispers, as if telling stories lost with time. The endless plains were covered in tall, dark grasses that leaned toward a gray hue under the moonlight. These grasses swayed in the wind as though they were watching anyone who passed through. In some places, giant rocks were scattered haphazardly across the ground, like silent corpses from ancient times, covered in moss and wild plants. Some of the rocks were exposed, reflecting the firelight in sharp angles, enhancing the feeling of isolation and mystery.
The land was riddled with cracks and narrow ravines, covered by rare plants that grew in the dark, like glowing flowers lighting the path for those brave enough to cross. The rare trees towered over the cracked earth, their thick leaves obscuring the sky, making you feel as if you were trapped between mountains and dark pits.
Kailon sat beside a small fire, struggling to keep it alive in the wilderness, holding his hands close to shield himself from the cold night. The flame's reflection on his face highlighted the long scar that crossed his left eyebrow and descended to the corner of his mouth. That scar was more than just a wound; it was a constant reminder of a past he had not forgotten. His bright blue eyes were fixed on the fire, his features heavy, as though they carried the pain of a distant time. His messy blonde hair was dusted with dirt, and as the wind blew, strands fell on his forehead, as if trying to hide the scar.
Beside him sat Lyra, staring at the fire in silence, while playing with her dagger, skillfully twirling it between her fingers. Her shiny black hair fluttered with the wind, and her gray eyes held the harshness of the entire world, yet there was a hint of hidden sadness, as if she concealed pains that only a few could see. Her slim, toned body was tense, as if ready to leap at any moment. She wore a light black leather armor that blended with the color of her eyes, always appearing prepared for any battle.
She spoke in a calm voice, yet one that carried sharpness: "How long do we have to stay here? This place isn't safe."
Kailon raised his eyes to her, studying her face, which seemed carved from stone, then said, "I know that, but we need rest. The journey is long, and we need to conserve our strength."
A third voice interrupted them, full of energy: "Rest? I don't think the sorcerers will grant us the luxury of rest."
The speaker was Finn, who emerged from behind a nearby tree with his bow slung over his shoulder and an arrow in his hand. He smiled as he approached, though his eyes held a hidden concern. Finn was taller than Kailon, with visible muscles and broad shoulders, proudly carrying the bow that seemed custom-made for him. His dark eyes gleamed in the dark, showing signs of tension despite his reassuring smile.
He sat near the fire and looked at Kailon.
"Kailon, do you still believe this sword is worth all this trouble? I mean, we're chasing a legend that could just be a myth."
Kailon replied in a calm, but firm voice: "It's not a myth. The scar I bear is proof. I saw that night myself. I saw how the sorcerers destroyed everything. If the sword can end this evil, I won't stop until I find it."
Kailon's words were full of determination, but they also carried the weight of the past. Finn paused for a moment, then said with a light tone: "Well, as long as we're not dying for a myth, I'm with you."
---
Hours later...
While the group slept, Kailon remained awake. He looked at the scar in the small metal mirror he always carried. He clearly remembered that night: the flames that burned his village, the screams of the people, and the appearance of that dark sorcerer who gave him this wound.
He felt a faint pain in his chest, as though the scar were pulsing. Suddenly, he heard a distant sound, a soft whisper that resembled the wind, but it was different. He stood up quickly, staring into the surrounding darkness.
"Kailon?"
It was Lyra's voice. She slowly opened her eyes, raising her dagger as though ready for any danger.
"Something... something is coming."
Lyra was not wrong. In the distance, shadows were moving, as if they were breathing. Finn quickly approached and drew his bow.
"What is it?" he whispered.
The first of the creatures emerged from the darkness, their bodies translucent, their faces featureless. These were the "War Spirits," cursed beings formed from the souls of the dead from an ancient war. They moved slowly at first, but quickly gained speed, heading towards them. Their voices began as soft whispers, then turned into piercing screams, as if they were saturated with the grudges buried deep within them.
Kailon shouted: "Prepare yourselves!"
---
The First Battle:
Lyra leapt towards the first creature, using her dagger to slash its translucent body. But the spirit was unaffected, instead reshaping itself rapidly. The scattered bodies reformed and stuck together as if they were flexible, like illusions that continuously changed.
She said angrily: "These things don't die!"
At that moment, Kailon raised his hand, summoning water magic. A small whirlpool formed around him, and he launched it towards the spirits. As the water touched their bodies, the spirits screamed and began to dissipate as if they were losing their power gradually. The sound they emitted was unsettling, like a faint metallic screech that grated on the ears.
Finn, who was fighting a few meters away, shouted enthusiastically: "Very nice, Kailon! I think you're starting to master this power!"
But his joy didn't last long. The number of spirits increased, and the fight grew harder. These creatures circled around them, trying to trap them in the misty moments.
Suddenly, the spirits stopped their attack. They began to retreat, as though something had summoned them. Kailon felt something strange seep into the air around them. The energy felt odd, as if it were controlled by something greater than their understanding.
Kailon looked into the darkness, then whispered: "This is not natural... Something is controlling them."
---
End of the Chapter:
As the spirits slowly withdrew, Kailon stood still, watching the darkness that began to creep in quietly. A strange feeling washed over him, a feeling that there was something larger than just the War Spirits controlling the moment, and that what had occurred was just the beginning. The transparent bodies retreated, but none of them felt relief. Instead, there was a void that filled the place, like the emptiness left by fear after it fades.
Lyra spoke in a low voice, "Is it over?"
But Kailon wasn't sure. He looked at the dark sky, where the clouds were gathering quickly, as if threatening an invisible storm. The scar on his face stung again, and he felt something strange within him, a feeling of an unfinished mission.
"No... Something will happen. This isn't everything."
Moments of heavy silence passed, then the wind began to howl again, as if carrying something from afar. The spirits had disappeared, but there were questions without answers, and other souls that might still be hiding in the shadows. In the distance, there was a faint light shining, as if something was calling them to go further.
The group stood in silence, each of them thinking about what had happened, but they all knew that what awaited them might be far more dangerous than they had imagined.
Yet, in that moment, the earth groaned silently, as though hiding a deeper secret, a secret that could be tied to the end of what Kailon had started, or perhaps the beginning of something greater and darker.