The air was thick with the scent of moss and iron. Night has fully descended itself upon the young adventurers, the canopy of the forest has twisted to form webs of silver and black. The Lake's faint glow had shimmered through the trees like the heartbeat of something ancient. For a moment, everything was still- too still even the insects had silent their song.
Then a, low growl broke the silence.
Ammon's head turns towards the sound- his instincts tightening like drawn string. The ground trembled, dust arising from the forest floor. A second growl, louder and closer, followed by massive footsteps.
Ayden's hand hovered close to the hilt of his dagger, his face calm but his glinting like moonlight.
"Something comes", he muttered.
From the shadow, emerge a hulky figure, towering and grotesque. It's skin colored like burnt earth, it's body rippling with unnatural muscles. Four arms extended from its torso, each tipped with claw that looks like molten stone. When it roar, the air rippled with heat.
Elara gasped. The troll it guards the seal.
The creature eyes fixed on her, burning with feral intelligence. Ammon moved instinctively, stepping between her and the monster.
"Ayden protect her", he commanded, despite the fear gnawing at its chest.
Ayden looked at the woman, he was told to protect, his tone was cold. Protect her!, protecting her won't save us.
But,Ammon did not wait for a reply, he swung into action. His blade met the best claw with a deafening clang, sparks flew. The creature's strength brought him backward, his boots digging into dirt.
Ammon gritted his teeth and swung again, but each strike unyeilding. The beast hides sas strong . One his arms slammed into Ammon's chest, hurling against a tree.
He cough tasting blood. His vision was blur but through it , he saw the beast turn away and make for Elara.
"No..." he wheezed, forcing himself to stand up. "I won't let you".
Ammon dashed forward with his sword raised, but sheer couldn't bridge the gap between his powerlessness and the monster's strength. The creature swung claws, slicing the air. Ammon ducked beneath the blow, feeling the wind tear past his ear.
From behind came a flare of light, a ball of fire- brilliant and alive- cut through the darkness. It's struck the creature chest exploding in heat and ash.
The forest shuddered from the impact. The beast roared in pain for the first time, it's body staggering backward before retreating into the shadows with a furious snarl.
Ayden lowered his hand, smoke curling from his fingertips. "You are welcome", he said dryly.
Ammon exhaled, his sword dropping to the ground. " Took you long enough " he mummured.
As the echoes of battle faded, night crept in again. The air grew colder- unnaturally so. A heavy mist began to coil among the trees and Ammon breath came in thin clouds. He shivered violently.
Elara's expression darkened. "The forest doesn't welcome outsiders". She said softly. It's takes it toll.
Ammon tried to speak but his lips were numb. His body felt drained, as though the forest itself was leaching it's strength. Elara touched his forehead and frowned.
Your spirit burns too bright for this place, you are weakening faster than I expected.
They all decided to take a break and rest in a cave. Elara stood and gathered her staff "Stay by the fire. I'll return with the herbs you need before the moon dips behind the ridge".
Before Ammon could protest, she vanished into the mist.
The campfire cackled weakely, casting long drawn shadows across the ground. Ayden sat opposite Ammon, his eyes reflecting the dying flame. The silence between them was heavy filled with words neither wish to say.
Finally, Ayden broke it." You know you could have died back there".
Ammon smirked faintly. "I am aware".
"Then why do it?". Ayden asked. "why throw yourself at something you can not defeat".
Ammon looked up at the dark canopy above, where a single star glimmered faintly through the leaves. "Because someone had to stand between her and death. Powerless or not, I can still stand.
Ayden's expression twisted torn between admiration and resentment.
Yo've always talk about standing, but standing without powers only get you killed. You think courage changes fate.
"Maybe not", Ammon said quietly. But I would rather fall trying than live doing nothing.
The fire cackled again filling the space between them with warmth, that neither could feel.
The wind shifted. The campfire flickered blue for a heartbeat, then dimmed. Ayden's gaze sharpened. "Did you feel that?"
Ammon's finger brushed the hilt of his sword. The forest has gone silent- no rustle, no distant cry of beasts. Only the hum of unseen energy filled the air.
The fire sputtered out, leaving them in darkness.
Then came the whispers.
Faint at first- like wind through dead leaves- then clearer. Curling around their thoughts.
Ammon's pulse quickened. He turned searching for the source, but all he saw was flickering shape moving beyond the reach of sight.
Ayden's dagger flashed as he slashed the dark, but his dagger met only air. Illusions, he hissed.
The shadows surged. Cold tendrils wrapped around their limbs, dragging them down. Ammon fought to keep his eyes open, but the weight of the darkness was too much.
"Ayden_", he shouted. But the world was already fading.