Capítulo 17: The Gathering Storm
The sun dipped low in the sky as Liam and his team returned to Fort Veldran. The trek back had been uneventful, but the tension among the group was palpable. Everyone felt the weight of what they'd uncovered—a looming threat far greater than bandits or rogue mercenaries.
As they crossed the fort's gates, Captain Marden was there to greet them. His expression darkened as he took in their worn faces and the faint scorch marks on their armor.
"I take it things didn't go smoothly," he said, his tone gruff.
"Depends on your definition," Liam replied, dismounting. "We disrupted the ritual and took down their leader, but it's bigger than we thought. The Whisper is moving, and whatever they're planning, it's far from over."
Marden's jaw tightened, and he gestured for them to follow. "Let's get this debriefing over with."
The war room was quiet, the usual hum of activity muted as Liam and Elena recounted the details of their mission. Maps and notes were spread across the table, each marking potential sites of enemy activity. The other officers listened intently, their faces grim.
"They've been experimenting with dark magic," Liam explained, his voice steady. "The corrupted we fought weren't just tools—they were the result of deliberate testing. Whoever the Whisper is, they're trying to create an army."
Marden's expression darkened further. "And the leader you killed?"
"He called himself a servant of the Whisper," Elena said, her tone sharp. "Claimed we were too late to stop their plans. He was arrogant, but I don't think he was bluffing."
One of the officers, a middle-aged man with a salt-and-pepper beard, leaned forward. "If they're this organized, we'll need to mobilize more troops. A coordinated assault might be our only chance to crush them before they gain more ground."
"And risk walking into a trap?" Marden countered, his voice hard. "We need more information before we act. Sending in a full force now could leave us exposed."
Liam exchanged a glance with Elena. "We'll go," he said. "Just give us a target."
Marden raised an eyebrow. "You've barely had time to rest, and you want to head back out?"
"We don't have a choice," Liam replied firmly. "If we wait, they'll only get stronger."
Elena nodded in agreement. "And we're the best chance you have of gathering intel without drawing too much attention."
The room fell silent as Marden studied them. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You're right. We can't afford to waste time." He gestured to one of the maps. "There's a village a day's ride from here—Valenwood. We've had reports of strange activity in the area. If the Whisper's forces are there, you'll find them."
Liam nodded, his resolve firm. "We'll leave at first light."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of preparation. Liam checked and rechecked his equipment, making sure Solblade was ready for whatever lay ahead. Elena, meanwhile, went over their route with the scouts, ensuring there would be no surprises along the way.
As the moon rose high in the sky, Liam found himself alone in the training yard. The stillness of the night was a welcome reprieve, a chance to clear his mind. He raised Solblade, the weapon glinting faintly in the moonlight, and began a series of deliberate, measured strikes.
"You're pushing yourself too hard," Elena's voice came from behind him.
Liam paused, lowering the blade as he turned to face her. "I thought you'd be resting."
She shrugged, stepping closer. "Could say the same about you."
"I needed to clear my head," he admitted. "Harrow, the corrupted, the Whisper—it's a lot to process."
Elena nodded, her gaze steady. "It's not going to get any easier. But you've handled everything they've thrown at you so far. You'll handle this too."
Liam offered a small smile. "Thanks. That actually helps."
"Don't get used to it," she said, smirking. "Come on. You'll need your strength for tomorrow."
The ride to Valenwood was uneventful at first, the quiet countryside deceptively peaceful. But as they neared the village, the atmosphere changed. The air grew colder, and a faint mist began to creep along the ground.
"I don't like this," Elena said, her eyes scanning the foggy landscape. "It's too quiet."
Liam nodded, his grip tightening on Solblade. "Stay alert."
As they entered the village, it became clear that something was very wrong. The streets were deserted, the houses dark and silent. Broken carts and scattered belongings hinted at a hasty evacuation—or something worse.
"Fan out," Liam ordered, his voice low. "Look for survivors."
The team moved cautiously through the village, their weapons at the ready. Liam activated Eye of Revelation, scanning the area for any signs of magic. The skill revealed faint traces of energy, leading toward the village square.
He signaled for the others to follow as he moved toward the center of the village. What they found there sent a chill down his spine.
A large symbol had been burned into the ground, its intricate design pulsating faintly with dark magic. Surrounding it were the bodies of several villagers, their faces frozen in expressions of terror. The air was thick with the stench of death and decay.
Elena covered her mouth, her eyes narrowing. "This... this is a message."
Liam knelt by the edge of the symbol, studying it carefully. The runes were similar to those they'd seen at the altar but more elaborate, their purpose unclear. He activated Eye of Revelation again, trying to piece together the spell's function.
"It's a beacon," he realized, his voice grim. "They were calling something here."
"Or someone," Elena said, her tone icy.
A low, guttural growl echoed through the square, cutting through the tense silence. The team tensed, their weapons drawn as a figure emerged from the shadows. It was massive, its form twisted and monstrous. Black veins pulsed across its body, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Liam.
"Get ready!" Liam shouted, raising Solblade.
The creature lunged, moving with terrifying speed despite its size. Liam barely dodged in time, the ground shaking as the creature's claws tore through the earth where he'd been standing. Elena countered with a blast of fire, the flames searing the creature's flesh but failing to slow it down.
"This thing's tougher than the corrupted!" Elena shouted, her voice strained.
"Focus on its core!" Liam called back, activating Shadow Step to evade another attack. He reappeared behind the creature, driving Solblade into its back. The blade struck true, but the creature let out a deafening roar and spun, swiping at him with its massive claws.
The battle raged on, each strike of the creature's claws sending shockwaves through the square. Liam and Elena fought side by side, their attacks coordinated and relentless. But the creature's strength seemed endless, its monstrous form shrugging off blows that would have felled any other opponent.
Finally, Liam spotted it—a faint glow deep within the creature's chest. Activating Eye of Revelation, he confirmed his suspicion: the core.
"There!" he shouted, pointing to the glow. "Aim for the chest!"
Elena nodded, her flames surging brighter as she launched a focused blast at the core. The creature howled in pain, its movements growing erratic as it staggered. Liam seized the opportunity, using Shadow Step to close the distance and driving Solblade into the core with all his strength.
The creature let out one final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing. Its body dissolved into black mist, leaving behind only the faint glow of the shattered core.
As the team regrouped, Liam couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Whisper's influence was spreading, and the stakes were higher than ever.
"We need to report this immediately," Elena said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
Liam nodded, his resolve hardening. "Agreed. But this isn't over—not by a long shot."
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