The forest was eerily quiet as Ethan and Lyra sprinted deeper into the trees, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting shifting patterns on the forest floor. The shadows seemed to twist unnaturally, reaching out as if alive.
"How far do you think we need to go?" Ethan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lyra glanced over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the darkness. "Farther. Rhovan isn't the kind to let something like this go. He'll send his men—or worse, come himself."
Ethan nodded, gripping his staff tightly. The weight of their escape pressed on him, but so did the uneasy feeling emanating from the Core. He couldn't shake the sensation of its energy brushing against his own, like an invisible hand testing his limits.
"Why does it feel… alive?" Ethan finally asked, motioning toward the Core in Lyra's hands.
"Because it is," Lyra replied grimly. "The Umbral Core isn't just some enchanted gemstone. It's a fragment of pure shadow energy. If Rhovan was guarding it personally, it means it's something far more powerful than we thought."
Ethan frowned, his emerald eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "And we just stole it."
Lyra shot him a sharp look. "We didn't have a choice, Ethan. Marek's instructions were clear. If he wanted this Core, there's a reason. Besides, we couldn't leave it in Rhovan's hands."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," Ethan muttered, glancing at the shadows creeping along the forest floor.
They continued in tense silence for another hour, the forest growing denser around them. The air felt heavier, the darkness thicker. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them.
"Do you feel that?" he asked, stopping suddenly.
Lyra paused, her dagger already in her hand. "Feel what?"
"The shadows… they're moving." Ethan scanned the area, his eyes narrowing. He extended his staff, the vines writhing slightly as if sensing the same unease.
Lyra stiffened. "Keep moving. If they've sent trackers, we don't want to give them the chance to corner us."
As they pushed forward, the shadows seemed to grow more restless. Ethan's system reacted instinctively, a faint green aura pulsing around him. He tightened the gloves on his hands, trying to suppress the glow, but the Overgrowth System was harder to contain under stress.
"Ethan," Lyra whispered, pointing ahead.
He followed her gaze and saw a figure standing in the distance, partially obscured by the trees. It was tall and humanoid, but its form was distorted, as if it were made of the shadows themselves.
"What is that?" Ethan asked, his voice low.
"A shade," Lyra said, her grip on the Core tightening. "Rhovan must have sent it to track us. They're fast, relentless, and immune to most weapons."
"Fantastic," Ethan muttered, raising his staff. "How do we kill it?"
"You don't," Lyra replied. "You run."
The shade moved, faster than Ethan could follow. One moment it was standing in the distance, and the next it was inches from them, its clawed hand reaching out.
Ethan swung his staff instinctively, the vines lashing out to intercept. They struck the shade, but instead of cutting through, the vines passed through it harmlessly. The shade hissed, its hollow eyes glowing with malice.
Lyra threw a dagger, aiming for the creature's head. The blade hit its target but dissolved into black mist on impact.
"This isn't working!" Ethan shouted, stepping back as the shade lunged again.
"Keep it busy!" Lyra yelled, pulling a small vial from her belt.
"What are you—" Ethan started to ask, but the shade interrupted him, slashing at his chest. He barely managed to block with his staff, the impact sending a shockwave up his arms.
Lyra uncorked the vial and hurled it at the shade. The glass shattered on impact, releasing a burst of brilliant light. The shade screamed, its form flickering as it recoiled.
"Run!" Lyra shouted, grabbing Ethan's arm.
They sprinted through the forest, the shade's enraged screeches echoing behind them. Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he pushed himself to keep up with Lyra, who seemed to know the forest's paths instinctively.
"What was that?" Ethan asked, glancing back to see if the shade was still following.
"Sunlight essence," Lyra said, not breaking stride. "It's rare, but it's one of the only things that can disrupt a shade. It won't last long, though."
Ethan cursed under his breath. "So what's the plan? Keep running forever?"
"Not forever," Lyra said, her voice grim. "Just until we find somewhere to hide—or fight back."
Ethan glanced at the Core in her hands, its dark energy swirling ominously. Whatever they had gotten themselves into, it was bigger than they had imagined. And with each passing moment, the stakes grew higher.
As they finally reached the edge of the forest, the first rays of dawn began to break over the horizon. The shade's screams had faded, but Ethan knew it wouldn't be gone for long.
Lyra stopped, catching her breath. "We'll rest here for a moment, but not too long. Rhovan will send more than just shades if he really wants that Core back."
Ethan nodded, collapsing against a tree. He looked down at his hands, the gloves scorched and torn from the encounter. His system pulsed faintly, the green glow barely visible in the early light.
"I need to find a way to hide this better," he said quietly.
Lyra turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Your system is powerful, Ethan. But it's also a beacon. If we're going to survive this, you need to learn control—and fast."
Ethan stared at her, then at the horizon. The dawn brought little comfort. The shadows were still out there, waiting. And they weren't done with him yet.