The village appeared like a mirage as the first rays of dawn filtered through the trees. Small thatched-roof cottages formed a circle around a stone well, their chimneys releasing soft tendrils of smoke into the crisp morning air. Arianne's legs ached from the relentless journey, but the sight of people—normal, ordinary people—filled her with a brief sense of relief.
"We can rest here," Kael said, scanning the area. His hand remained close to the hilt of his sword, his silver eyes sharp. "But not for long."
The villagers paused their morning routines to gawk at the strangers. Their eyes lingered on Arianne, who instinctively pulled her cloak tighter to hide the faint glow of the shard beneath it.
"They know," she whispered.
"They suspect," Kael corrected. "And they're not wrong to be wary. News of the Veil's collapse spreads fast, and they'll connect that mark on your hand to the old stories."
He led her to the largest building—a simple hall where an elderly man with a gnarled staff stood waiting. His milky eyes suggested blindness, but as Arianne approached, he tilted his head as if he could see straight through her.
"You carry the mark," the elder said, his voice trembling yet firm. "The Moon Bearer has returned."
A murmur swept through the gathering villagers, and Arianne stiffened under their gazes. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said quickly.
"Don't deny it, child," the elder said, stepping closer. He pointed a bony finger at her hand, where the faint glow of the shard escaped through the fabric. "The Veil speaks through you. The prophecy is in motion."
"What prophecy?" Arianne demanded, glancing at Kael, who looked equally tense.
The elder raised his staff, pointing toward the horizon where the forest stretched endlessly. "Long ago, it was foretold that when the Veil faltered, the Moon Bearer and the Guardian of Blades would rise. Together, they would restore balance—or doom both realms."
Arianne's breath hitched. She looked at Kael, whose jaw tightened. "You knew about this?" she asked, her voice rising.
"I knew pieces," Kael admitted. "But prophecy is a dangerous thing. It can guide you—or trap you. I didn't want you weighed down by it."
The elder ignored their exchange, reaching into his robes to pull out a worn scroll. He handed it to Arianne, who unrolled it to reveal a faded illustration. The drawing depicted a figure with a glowing crescent mark standing beside a warrior wielding a blade of light. The resemblance to herself and Kael was uncanny.
Before Arianne could question further, a distant howl pierced the air. The elder's face darkened. "They've followed you."
Kael's hand flew to his sword. "Shadow creatures."
Panic rippled through the villagers, and Arianne felt the weight of their fear. The elder grasped her arm, his milky eyes wide. "You must protect the shard. Without it, the Veil will collapse completely."
"But I don't know how to fight them!" Arianne protested, her voice trembling.
"You don't have to fight alone," Kael said firmly, stepping beside her. "We'll defend this village together."
The next few moments were a blur of preparation. Kael barked orders to the villagers, rallying those brave enough to fight. Arianne stood frozen, clutching the shard as its glow intensified. The warmth spread through her chest, filling her with both fear and resolve.
The first wave of shadow creatures burst into the village with terrifying speed, their glowing red eyes blazing. Kael met them head-on, his sword cutting through the darkness like a beacon. The villagers fought valiantly, wielding whatever weapons they could find.
Arianne stood at the center of the chaos, the shard pulsating in her hand. She felt its power begging to be unleashed, but doubt gnawed at her. What if she couldn't control it? What if she hurt someone?
"Arianne!" Kael's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He was surrounded, his movements slowing under the onslaught of shadow beasts.
Without thinking, Arianne raised the shard high and closed her eyes. She focused on the warmth, letting it flow through her. When she opened her eyes, a wave of blinding light erupted from the shard, sweeping across the battlefield. The shadow creatures recoiled, their forms disintegrating under the force of the light.
The villagers stared in awe as the last of the beasts vanished. Arianne lowered the shard, her body trembling with exhaustion.
"You did it," Kael said, his voice filled with equal parts pride and concern.
"I… I didn't mean to," she stammered.
The elder stepped forward, his expression solemn. "The shard responds to your will, Moon Bearer. You are its keeper now, and its power will grow with you."
Arianne looked at the villagers, their faces filled with gratitude and fear. She realized the weight of her responsibility, the lives depending on her.
Kael placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "We need to move. The shard's light will draw more than just shadow creatures."
Arianne nodded, casting one last glance at the village. As they set off toward the Mage's Tower, she couldn't shake the feeling that their journey had only just begun—and that the worst was yet to come.