บท 2: Chapter 2: Shadows and Secrets
Kael's pulse thundered in his ears, the chilling weight of Eryn's words clinging to him like a shroud. Tarin's voice, tight with tension, pulled him back to the present.
"We're leaving, Kael. Now."
Kael's mouth was dry. His instinct screamed to flee, to leave this twisted path and the woman who radiated darkness like a storm. Yet, the pull of the Stone was stronger than ever, like invisible chains digging into his soul.
Eryn stood silent, her eyes still locked on him, waiting. She made no move to stop them—her presence alone was enough to unnerve even the bravest warrior.
Tarin grabbed Kael's arm, his grip firm. "This is madness. Whatever you think you'll find, it isn't worth your life."
But Kael couldn't move. His feet felt rooted to the ground, his thoughts swirling in confusion and fear. Unlocking what has long been sealed away, Eryn had said. His father's voice echoed in his head, a warning he couldn't ignore. The Stone calls to our bloodline… don't let it find you.
"I can't leave," Kael finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need answers."
Tarin's jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like he would drag Kael back by force if necessary. But something in his friend's eyes softened. He knew Kael too well. Knew that once he'd set his mind on something, nothing could dissuade him.
"I'm not letting you go alone," Tarin said darkly, loosening his grip but not stepping away. "But I swear, if she tries anything—"
"She won't," Kael said, though even he wasn't sure of that. Eryn smiled, the cold curve of her lips barely discernible in the dim light.
"You are wiser than most," she said softly, her words laced with a strange form of praise. "Follow me, and I will show you the truth."
With a slow, deliberate turn, Eryn moved deeper into the forest, her cloak billowing in the icy wind. Kael hesitated only for a second before following, his heart pounding in his chest. Tarin trailed close behind, his axe ready in hand, distrust oozing from his every movement.
The deeper they ventured into the woods, the darker the path became. The trees closed in around them like the jaws of a beast, the sky hidden beneath an oppressive canopy. Kael's breath came in shallow bursts, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. The whispers returned, faint and distant, like echoes of something ancient. They brushed against his mind, tugging at his thoughts, urging him to go further.
"We're walking into a trap," Tarin muttered, his voice barely audible over the soft crunch of leaves beneath their boots. "She's leading us straight to our deaths."
Kael wished he could dismiss his friend's concern, but deep down, the same fear gnawed at him. He had no reason to trust Eryn, no reason to believe her promises. Yet the visions… the pull of the Stone was undeniable. He couldn't turn back now.
Eryn led them to a clearing, one Kael hadn't seen before, though it felt strangely familiar. The moonlight barely pierced through the thick branches above, casting long, distorted shadows on the ground. At the center stood a stone altar, weathered and covered in strange symbols. The markings glowed faintly, like embers smoldering beneath the surface of the stone.
Kael's breath caught in his throat. This was it. The place from his dreams.
Eryn stood before the altar, her hands outstretched. "The Stone of Raelith is here. Buried beneath the earth, waiting for you."
Kael took a step forward, his heart hammering in his chest. The pull was stronger now, almost unbearable. He could feel it—an ancient, dark power resonating through the ground beneath his feet.
"What is this place?" Tarin's voice was tight with anger and suspicion. "What game are you playing?"
Eryn turned to him, her eyes gleaming in the darkness. "This is no game, hunter. This is fate. Kael's fate."
Kael's head swam as he stared at the altar, the symbols twisting and shifting in his vision. The voice from his dreams whispered in his ear, a low, insidious murmur that seemed to come from the very ground beneath him.
"Kael, stop!" Tarin's voice cut through the haze, pulling Kael back. "You're not thinking straight."
Kael blinked, his hand halfway to the altar. He hadn't even realized he'd moved. He stepped back, shaking his head to clear the fog that had settled over his thoughts.
"What is this Stone?" Kael demanded, his voice shaking with a mix of fear and anger. "Why does it call to me?"
Eryn's gaze softened, but her words were no less chilling. "The Stone of Raelith is ancient. It holds a power that predates kingdoms and empires. And your bloodline is tied to it, Kael. You were born to unlock its power, to awaken the forces that have been sealed for centuries."
Kael's mind reeled. His bloodline? His father had always warned him about their family's dark past, but he had never explained the full extent of it. He had never mentioned a cursed stone or ancient powers.
"What happens if I do?" Kael asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer, but something inside him demanded to understand.
Eryn's eyes darkened, her expression unreadable. "You will gain power beyond your imagination. But with it comes a terrible price. The forces that are sealed will awaken. And they will not be kind to this world."
Tarin took a step forward, his face pale with fury. "You're saying he'll unleash something that could destroy us all? Why the hell would he want that?"
Kael's stomach churned. He had come here for answers, but now he was faced with a terrible choice—one he wasn't prepared to make. The power of the Stone was pulling at him, promising strength, knowledge, and control. But at what cost?
Eryn stepped closer, her voice soft, almost coaxing. "You don't have to make the choice now. But soon, Kael… soon you will have no choice. The Stone has awakened, and so have the forces that seek it. If you do not claim it, they will."
Kael's blood ran cold. He had felt the darkness stirring in his dreams, but now it was clear. He wasn't the only one seeking the Stone. And whoever—or whatever—was out there wouldn't hesitate to use its power for destruction.
Tarin stepped between Kael and Eryn, his eyes blazing with fury. "We're leaving. Now. Before you drag us into something we can't escape."
But Kael didn't move. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind spinning with fear and uncertainty. The darkness was closing in, and no matter what he did, he knew one thing for certain.
There was no way to outrun his fate.
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