The forest was in complete silence. Only the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional cracking of a band under their feet broke through the darkness. Kael moved quickly, but with the suppleness of a hunter, while Elara struggled to keep up with him.
Her thoughts were racing.
A descendant of the light seers? Shanged by the darkness?
It sounded like something from an old legend, not like her own life. And yet – the shadow creatures, the burning houses, the light that had flowed from their own hands – everything had been real.
Kael suddenly stopped and raised a hand.
"We are not alone."
Elara swallowed. Her eyes flew through the trees, but she could not see anything.
"How do you know that?" She whispered.
Kael's golden eyes shimmered slightly as he concentrated. "I can feel them. Shadow magic leaves a trail in the air... and there are many."
A cold shiver ran down Elara's spine. "What should we do?"
Kael drew his silver sword and pointed it on the ground "fighting."
STEPS.
From the dark depths of the forest emerged shadowy figures. They moved silently, their bodies barely more than vivid shadows with glowing red eyes. This time it was more than before.
Elara felt her heart race.
There are too many...!
But Kael seemed calm. Without hesitation, he swirled around - and in a single, lightning-fast blow he cut the first two creatures. Their bodies warped before they fell into black splinters of smoke.
But instead of fleeing, the others rushed towards him.
Kael moved like a blade in the wind. Every step, every movement was perfect. His sword cut through the darkness as he moved through the shadow creatures.
Elara could only watch - until one of the creatures went directly at her.
PANIC.
Her legs wanted to move, but her body felt paralyzed.
The claws of the creature rushed forward.
No!
Instinctively, she raised her arms - and at that moment the silver light flared up around her.
A glaring ray shot from her hands and hit the shadow creature with full force. A tormented scream echoed through the night before the creature dissolved into thin air.
Elara gasped. Her hands were shaking.
She had done it again.
But there was no time to think – a second creature pounced on her.
"BEHINd YOU!" Called Kael.
Elara turned around - but this time she was prepared.
Another flash of light twitched through the air, hit the creature in the chest and caused it to burst apart.
Kael landed next to her, his sword still bloodsmed from the last attack. He looked at her briefly, then nodded.
"Well done."
But Elara could hardly be proud of herself - because even more shadow creatures came from the darkness.
Kael gritted his teeth.
"There are too many. We have to get out of here."
He grabbed her wrist, but before they could start running, the ground under them shay.
Something great was approaching.
Something... powerful.
And then, from the shadows of the trees, a figure came out.
Bigger than any human being, wrapped in dark armor, with a massive sword in his hand. The air around him flickered with dark energy.
Kael's face stiffened.
"A Shadow Lord."
Elara felt her blood freeze in her veins.
The creature lifted her helmet - and two burning eyes fixed her.
"Light seer..."
The voice was deep, distorted, as if it came from the depths of another world.
Kael stepped protectively in front of her.
"Elara. Listen to me carefully." His voice was calm but serious. "If I fight, you will run. No discussion."
"But..."
NO BUTS!" Kael swirled around, his gaze burning in hers. "I'll stop him. You have to survive. Otherwise, everything was in vain."
Elara felt her hands clenche into fists.
The Shadow Lord raised his sword - and with a wave of pure darkness he rushed towards her.
Kael jumped towards him.
The fight had begun.