The morning sun cast long shadows through the forest, its golden rays painting the ground in a dance of light and shadow. Kaelion walked ahead, his senses on high alert, the Orb of Eternity pulsing faintly in his hand. Behind him, Lyria moved like a shadow herself, her daggers glinting with readiness. The forest was eerily silent, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.
"They're watching us," Lyria muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kaelion didn't stop walking, but his grip on the Starfire Blade tightened. "I know. They've been trailing us since dawn. Whoever they are, they're not trying to hide it."
"They're testing us," Lyria said, her eyes scanning the treetops. "Seeing if we'll panic or if we're worth the effort."
Kaelion smirked, though his eyes remained hard. "Well, they're about to find out."
The Orb pulsed again, its light growing brighter for a moment before fading. Kaelion's connection to the artifact had deepened since his encounter with Elyon, and he could feel its power more clearly now. It wasn't just a tool; it was alive, and it was warning him of danger.
---
A Sudden Ambush
The warning came too late. A figure stepped out from behind a tree ahead of them, cloaked in black with their face obscured by a hood. Kaelion stopped, raising the Starfire Blade in front of him. Lyria moved to his side, her daggers poised to strike.
"Kaelion, wielder of the Orb of Eternity," the figure said, their voice smooth and cold. "You've been marked."
"Marked?" Kaelion echoed, his eyes narrowing.
"You've drawn the attention of the Hunters," the figure continued. "Surrender the Orb, and I might let you live."
Kaelion chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "You might? That's generous of you."
The figure didn't react to the taunt. Instead, they raised their hand, and a circle of glowing runes appeared in the air around them. The air grew heavy, charged with energy.
"Lyria," Kaelion said quietly. "Stay close. This one's not playing around."
Before Lyria could respond, the figure attacked. They moved faster than the eye could follow, their hand slashing through the air and sending a wave of dark energy hurtling toward Kaelion. He raised the Starfire Blade, its flames roaring to life as he deflected the attack. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, scattering leaves and dust.
Lyria darted forward, her daggers flashing as she aimed for the figure's throat. They sidestepped her strike with unnatural speed, their hood slipping back to reveal a face marked with glowing tattoos. Their eyes glinted with malice as they countered, a blade of black energy forming in their hand.
---
Kaelion's Power Awakens
Kaelion didn't waste a moment. He charged forward, the Starfire Blade blazing with fury. His strikes were precise and relentless, forcing the figure to split their attention between him and Lyria. Despite their agility, they couldn't keep up with the coordinated assault.
"System," Kaelion thought, his mind racing. "Give me a combat analysis."
> "Analyzing enemy... Combat level: Peak Divine Realm. Skillset: Shadow Manipulation and Rune Crafting. Recommended course of action: Exploit their reliance on speed and energy."
"Peak Divine Realm?" Kaelion muttered. "This is going to be fun."
The figure lashed out with a flurry of strikes, their blade of shadow clashing against Kaelion's flames. Each clash sent sparks flying, the sheer force of their battle carving gouges into the ground. Lyria seized the opening, throwing a dagger infused with her aura. It struck the figure's shoulder, eliciting a grunt of pain.
Kaelion didn't let up. He activated one of the Orb's new abilities—Temporal Rift. The world around him slowed, the figure's movements becoming sluggish as time bent to his will. He stepped forward, his blade arcing toward their chest.
At the last moment, the figure managed to twist away, though the attack left a deep gash in their side. They staggered back, clutching the wound, their glowing tattoos dimming slightly.
"You're stronger than I expected," they admitted, their voice strained.
Kaelion leveled the Starfire Blade at them. "And you're weaker than I expected. I thought the Hunters were supposed to be terrifying."
---
A Hunter's Resolve
The figure's eyes burned with fury. "You've underestimated us. A mistake you won't live to regret."
They raised their hands, and the runes on their body flared to life. The ground beneath them cracked, dark tendrils of energy erupting from the fissures and lashing out at Kaelion and Lyria.
Kaelion gritted his teeth, summoning a barrier of Starfire to shield them. The tendrils slammed against it, their dark energy hissing and sparking as it met his flames.
Lyria darted around the barrier, her movements a blur as she weaved through the tendrils. She closed the distance to the figure, her daggers striking with precision. Each attack chipped away at their defenses, forcing them to focus on her.
Kaelion saw his chance. He deactivated the barrier and channeled the Orb's power, activating Chrono Reversal. Time bent around him, healing his minor wounds and replenishing his energy. With a roar, he surged forward, his blade igniting with a brilliant golden light.
The figure turned to face him, their eyes widening as they realized they couldn't escape. Kaelion's strike connected, the force of it shattering their blade of shadow and sending them crashing into a tree.
---
A Warning in Defeat
The figure slumped to the ground, blood trickling from their wounds. Kaelion approached cautiously, the Starfire Blade still glowing in his hand.
"Who sent you?" he demanded.
The figure chuckled weakly, their voice filled with spite. "You think defeating me changes anything? The Hunters are legion. You're just one man with a shiny toy. You can't stop us."
Kaelion knelt, his blade inches from their throat. "Maybe not, but I can stop you. Last chance—who sent you?"
The figure smiled, their glowing tattoos beginning to pulse erratically. Kaelion's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.
"Kaelion, move!" Lyria shouted, grabbing his arm and pulling him back just as the figure's body exploded in a burst of dark energy. The shockwave threw them both to the ground, the air thick with the acrid smell of burning magic.
---
The Aftermath
Kaelion groaned as he sat up, brushing dirt from his clothes. "Well, that was dramatic."
Lyria glared at him. "You were about to get yourself blown up. Again."
He grinned. "But I didn't, thanks to you."
She rolled her eyes but didn't respond.
Kaelion stood, the Orb of Eternity glowing faintly in his hand. "This was just the beginning," he said, his tone serious. "If the Hunters are really as dangerous as Elyon said, we're going to need to be ready."
Lyria sheathed her daggers. "Then let's not waste time. We've got work to do."
As they continued their journey, the weight of what lay ahead settled over them. The Hunters wouldn't stop, and neither would Kaelion. He would grow stronger, no matter the cost.