The glade was still as Azhaan and Shade made their way back to the overgrown trail, the faint glow of the Lunar Blooms casting a soft light from inside Azhaan's pack. The quiet hum of the forest returned, broken only by the rustle of leaves and the distant calls of unseen beasts.
Azhaan glanced over his shoulder at the clearing, where the panther-like beast lay resting. Its glowing eyes had dimmed, and the runes on its fur no longer pulsed. He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he thought about the fight.
"Do you think it'll be okay?" he asked softly.
Shade growled faintly, its gaze fixed on the path ahead. The bond between them pulsed with reassurance, a quiet sense of understanding flowing through the connection.
Azhaan sighed, adjusting the straps of his pack. "I guess we didn't have much of a choice, huh? Either we fought, or we left empty-handed."
Shade didn't respond, but its presence beside him was steady, grounding him as they moved deeper into the forest.
The trail narrowed as the forest thickened, the towering trees forming a canopy so dense that only faint beams of light managed to pierce through. The air grew cooler, and the faint scent of moss and earth filled Azhaan's lungs.
The Verdantwilds felt different now, more alive than before. Azhaan could feel the faint hum of magic in the air, a quiet yet persistent reminder that this place was far from ordinary.
"What do you think, Shade?" Azhaan asked, his voice breaking the silence. "Are we being watched?"
Shade growled softly, its ears flicking back. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a mix of vigilance and caution.
Azhaan's grip tightened on his dagger as his eyes scanned the trees. The faint rustle of leaves overhead made his heart race, but when he looked up, he saw nothing.
"This place is too quiet," he muttered, quickening his pace.
The path opened suddenly into a small clearing, where a crumbling stone structure stood hidden among the trees. The shrine was ancient, its weathered surface covered in vines and glowing moss. Faint runes etched into the stone flickered with a soft, golden light, their patterns almost hypnotic.
Azhaan froze at the sight, his breath catching in his throat.
"What is this place?" he whispered, stepping closer.
Shade growled softly, its red eyes fixed on the shrine. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a quiet mix of curiosity and unease.
Azhaan reached out to touch the stone, his fingers brushing against the cool, rough surface. A faint surge of energy coursed through him, and for a moment, he felt as though the forest itself was watching.
"This must be one of the old tamers' shrines," Azhaan muttered, his gaze drifting over the runes. "Kaela said they were scattered across the Verdantwilds, but I didn't think I'd find one this deep."
The runes seemed to shimmer in response to his words, their light growing brighter for a brief moment before fading again.
Shade growled, its body tensing as its gaze shifted to the edge of the clearing.
"What is it?" Azhaan asked, his hand tightening on his dagger.
The underbrush rustled, and a familiar flash of crimson fur appeared. The fox-like creature from before stepped into the clearing, its golden eyes glinting in the faint light.
Azhaan froze, his heart racing. "You again."
The creature tilted its head, its tail swishing behind it as it stared at Azhaan.
Shade growled, stepping protectively in front of him. The bond between them pulsed sharply, a warning that Azhaan couldn't ignore.
The fox yipped softly, its voice almost playful. Then, without warning, it darted forward, weaving around the shrine with a speed that made it hard to track.
"Shade, wait!" Azhaan called as the Shadow Stalker lunged after the fox, its sleek form disappearing into the trees.
Azhaan cursed under his breath, chasing after them.
The forest blurred around him as Azhaan sprinted through the undergrowth, his breath coming in short gasps. Shade's dark form darted ahead, barely visible among the shadows, while the fox-like creature moved with an agility that seemed almost unnatural.
"What are you trying to show us?" Azhaan muttered, his legs burning as he struggled to keep up.
The bond between him and Shade pulsed faintly, a mix of frustration and determination flowing through the connection.
The fox led them deeper into the forest, where the trees grew even taller and the air felt heavy with magic. Azhaan could see faint glimmers of light flickering among the branches, like distant fireflies.
Finally, the chase ended in a small, circular clearing. The fox stopped abruptly, turning to face Azhaan and Shade with an almost expectant expression.
Azhaan stumbled to a halt, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
"What… was that all about?" he demanded, glaring at the fox.
The creature didn't respond, but its golden eyes seemed to glint with amusement.
Shade growled, its body low as it crept closer to the fox. The bond between them pulsed sharply, a warning that Azhaan couldn't ignore.
"Shade, wait," Azhaan said, holding up a hand.
The fox tilted its head, then yipped softly before stepping back. As it moved, something behind it caught Azhaan's eye—a faint glow emanating from the base of a tree at the edge of the clearing.
"What is that?" Azhaan muttered, stepping closer.
Shade followed, its red eyes locked on the fox as they approached the glowing object.
At the base of the tree, nestled among the roots, was a small, crystalline shard that pulsed faintly with energy. Its surface shimmered like liquid light, and Azhaan could feel the magic radiating from it even from a distance.
"A Starfire Shard," he whispered, his heart racing.
The fox let out a soft yip, then turned and darted into the trees, disappearing once again.
Azhaan stared after it, his mind racing. "Why is it helping us?"
Shade growled softly, the bond between them pulsing with a quiet sense of agreement.
Azhaan crouched by the shard, carefully picking it up. The moment his fingers touched its surface, a faint surge of energy coursed through him, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.
"We've got two of the pieces we need now," Azhaan said softly, slipping the shard into his pack. "Come on, Shade. Let's get back to the Spire."
The journey back through the Verdantwilds felt shorter, though no less tense. Azhaan kept his dagger in hand, his senses on high alert as they retraced their steps. The forest's hum seemed louder now, as if it was watching them leave.
Shade stayed close, its red eyes scanning the shadows as the bond between them pulsed faintly with vigilance.
By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the Spire's golden chains were visible in the distance, glinting faintly in the evening light.
Azhaan exhaled slowly, relief washing over him as they stepped onto the familiar path leading back to the academy.
"We did it," he said, glancing at Shade. "Now we just need to figure out how to put it all together."
Shade growled softly, its tail flicking as they continued up the path.
As the Spire loomed closer, Azhaan couldn't shake the feeling that the fox-like creature wasn't done with them yet.