Dawn broke, pale and weak, filtering through the clouds that still hung heavy over the ruins. The four—Shadow, Lyra, Kaelen, and Aryn—along with the beast, set out. The air was thick with ash, the ground soft and blackened from the god's fire. Silence dominated their steps, each lost in thought.
Lyra led, scanning the horizon for danger. Her arm had been bandaged overnight, but she still favored it. Kaelen followed closely, spear ready, her eyes darting to every movement in the forest. Aryn walked near Shadow, keeping a careful distance, watching him more than the terrain.
Shadow moved silently, almost floating, his shadow mark faintly glowing with each step. The beast padded beside him, muscles coiled, senses sharp. Every sound—the snapping of a twig, the rustle of leaves—made it tense, ready.
They had not gone far before the first threat emerged. A pack of dark wolves, eyes gleaming unnaturally in the morning fog, stepped onto the path ahead. Their fur bristled, black as midnight, and their teeth glinted like knives.
Kaelen crouched, ready to strike. Lyra pulled a throwing knife, her hand steady. Aryn drew a short blade from his satchel, watching the pack carefully. Shadow didn't move immediately, but the shadow at his neck pulsed, spreading down his arms as if preparing.
The wolves lunged. Kaelen thrust her spear, piercing one before it could bite her. Lyra's knife flew, striking another in the throat. Aryn slashed at the nearest, narrowly avoiding a snapping jaw. The beast leapt, taking down two wolves in one swipe of its massive paws.
Shadow's hand rose slowly, the tendrils of shadow extending outward. They wrapped around the remaining wolves, constricting, crushing, binding them in darkness. A low hiss escaped his lips, the shadows pulsing as the wolves' eyes rolled back. One by one, they collapsed, still, consumed by the void.
The forest fell silent again. The beast sniffed the ground, growling low. Shadow exhaled, and the shadows retracted to his body, the mark dimming.
Lyra wiped her blade clean. "He's… unstoppable," she murmured.
Kaelen's jaw tightened. "And dangerous. Never forget that."
Aryn nodded. "But he saved us. Again."
They continued, the path winding through blackened woods and scorched fields. Along the way, they shared brief words—Lyra giving instructions, Kaelen complaining, Aryn reminding them of their need for rest. Shadow listened, mostly silent, occasionally speaking when necessary. Each step drew them closer together, their bond solidifying in the crucible of survival.
As night fell, they made camp near a small stream, the water dark but flowing. The beast curled around Shadow, who knelt at the edge of the water, dipping his hands in and letting the cold wash over them. The mark pulsed faintly, almost as if sensing the faint stirrings of power in the land.
"We'll need to travel further," Aryn said, looking at the stars, though many were hidden behind clouds. "And the gods won't let this journey be easy. There's more ahead."
Kaelen slammed her fist into the earth. "Then let them come. We'll face it together."
Shadow's eyes glimmered in the darkness. The shadow whispered, promising strength, vengeance, and destiny. And he knew that whatever lay ahead, he would face it—not as a child anymore, but as something far more dangerous.
The forest grew darker as they delved deeper, the twisted trees blotting out the pale light of dawn. Shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally, curling around the group, whispering with voices that were not there. Even the beast, normally confident and alert, padded carefully, ears flattened.
Lyra led with a steady pace, though her eyes darted to every rustle and movement. Kaelen followed, hand on her broken spear, the tension in her muscles visible. Aryn kept close to Shadow, watching him closely, still wary of the power radiating from the cursed boy.
Hours passed in silence, broken only by the occasional snapping twig or distant screech. Then the trial began.
From the trees emerged a swarm of small, shadowy creatures, no taller than a child, but with claws sharp as razors and eyes that glimmered with malevolence. They moved in packs, circling, chittering, and emitting a strange, echoing sound that seemed to rattle the mind.
Kaelen reacted first, swinging her spear with practiced precision. Several creatures fell, their forms dissipating into ash upon death. Lyra threw her knives, striking with lethal accuracy. Aryn slashed at those approaching, protecting Shadow from being overwhelmed.
Shadow stood still, letting the shadow around him swirl and pulse. The creatures hesitated, sensing the power emanating from him. Then, as one lunged at him, the shadows lashed out. Tendrils struck, wrapping around the creatures, crushing, binding, dragging them into darkness. The shadows moved like water, flowing with precision, swallowing the enemy with a silent hunger.
The beast leapt into the fray, tearing through the pack with swift, lethal strikes. Its growls reverberated through the forest, warning the remaining creatures to retreat. But the shadows pursued, leaving none alive.
After the battle, silence fell once more. The group was unharmed but exhausted. Shadow's chest rose and fell rapidly; the shadows around him quivered as though hungry for more.
Lyra knelt beside him, checking for injuries. "You're incredible," she whispered. "But this power… it scares me."
Kaelen cleaned her spear, her face pale. "I said it before and I'll say it again: don't trust it. Don't trust him. He's a weapon, nothing more."
Aryn placed a hand on Kaelen's shoulder, steadying her. "He's our weapon too, but we're still a team. That's what matters. If we survive this journey, it'll be together."
Shadow looked at them, the shadow around his neck dimming slightly. He wanted to speak but found no words yet. Instead, he extended his hand toward the forest, sensing the lingering presence of the creatures they had fought. They were gone for now, but the whispers in the trees promised more trials ahead.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of blood and ash, they set camp near an ancient oak, its roots twisted like the coils of a giant serpent. The fire they lit was small, barely pushing back the shadows, but it provided enough warmth for the night.
The beast lay near Shadow, its eyes scanning the darkness. Lyra and Kaelen took turns keeping watch, while Aryn tended to the small fire. Despite exhaustion, none dared close their eyes fully. The forest around them was alive, and it watched.
Shadow knelt quietly, letting the shadows curl around him protectively. He did not speak, but the others could feel his presence, a growing force that was both comforting and terrifying.
And in the dark, beyond the reach of their fire, more eyes glimmered, watching, waiting for the cursed boy and his companions to falter.
Dawn broke over the Blackwood with a dull, gray light, filtering through twisted branches. The four travelers moved cautiously, the forest pressing in from all sides, its shadows long and almost sentient. The beast padded silently beside Shadow, muscles coiled and senses alert.
Hours passed before they encountered anyone—or anything—that wasn't a creature of the darkness. From behind a thicket stepped a figure, cloaked and hooded, carrying a staff tipped with faintly glowing crystals. The stranger's presence was calm but commanding, and the forest seemed to hush around him.
Lyra was the first to react, drawing a blade and stepping forward. Kaelen followed, spear ready. Aryn held up a hand. "Wait," he said softly. "Let's see what he wants."
The hooded figure raised both hands in a gesture of peace. "I mean no harm," a deep voice said, resonant and calm. "I have been watching the cursed boy." His gaze fell on Shadow, who instinctively took a step back, the shadow around him stirring but not attacking.
"Who are you?" Lyra demanded, her voice sharp. "If you want us dead, now's your chance."
"I am Eryndor," the stranger replied, "a traveler and guide. I know what lies ahead."
Kaelen narrowed her eyes. "Ahead to what? More trouble?"
Eryndor shook his head. "Ahead to the first god. The path is perilous. The cursed boy must learn to control his powers, or he and those around him will perish. I can help. But only if you trust me."
Shadow watched him silently, the shadow at his neck curling slightly as if probing the stranger. There was no immediate threat. The others, however, hesitated. Trust did not come easily, especially in the shadow of gods and death.
Aryn stepped forward. "If he can guide us, we have no choice. But we'll be watching."
Eryndor nodded. "I expected nothing less. Your journey will test you all, but with guidance, the boy may survive what others cannot."
The stranger gestured to a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. "Follow me. But beware—creatures and tests are around every bend. Do not underestimate what you face."
They followed, cautious but curious. Shadow stayed close to the beast, his senses heightened. The forest seemed alive with movement—leaves rustled though no wind blew, distant cries echoed, warning or welcoming, they could not tell.
As they walked, Eryndor spoke softly, "The first god is not merely a test of strength. It is a test of will, of unity. Only if your hearts and minds are aligned can you hope to survive."
Kaelen grunted. "Then we better start getting along."
Lyra gave a faint smile, a rare moment of light breaking through her usual tension. "Or start paying attention to each other. Lives depend on it."
Hours into the trek, the shadows grew thicker, almost tangible. The whispering of the forest became louder, pressing against their minds. But the stranger walked calmly, staff glowing faintly, leading the way through the darkness. Shadow followed, the shadows around him mirroring the stranger's calm control, learning, absorbing, preparing.
When night fell, they reached a clearing. A small spring reflected the moonlight, the only calm in the oppressive darkness. Eryndor finally spoke to Shadow alone. "Your power is raw, uncontrolled. You must learn to focus it, to shape it. Otherwise, the first god will not hesitate to destroy you."
Shadow listened, silent but attentive. He felt the shadow mark pulse, as though understanding the stranger's words without need for speech. For the first time, he considered that his power could be wielded, not just survive.
The others watched from a distance, uneasy but silently acknowledging the guidance offered. The first step had been taken, and the journey toward the first god's trial had begun in earnest.
Dawn broke over the Blackwood with a dull, gray light, filtering through twisted branches. The four travelers moved cautiously, the forest pressing in from all sides, its shadows long and almost sentient. The beast padded silently beside Shadow, muscles coiled and senses alert.
Hours passed before they encountered anyone—or anything—that wasn't a creature of the darkness. From behind a thicket stepped a figure, cloaked and hooded, carrying a staff tipped with faintly glowing crystals. The stranger's presence was calm but commanding, and the forest seemed to hush around him.
Lyra was the first to react, drawing a blade and stepping forward. Kaelen followed, spear ready. Aryn held up a hand. "Wait," he said softly. "Let's see what he wants."
The hooded figure raised both hands in a gesture of peace. "I mean no harm," a deep voice said, resonant and calm. "I have been watching the cursed boy." His gaze fell on Shadow, who instinctively took a step back, the shadow around him stirring but not attacking.
"Who are you?" Lyra demanded, her voice sharp. "If you want us dead, now's your chance."
"I am Eryndor," the stranger replied, "a traveler and guide. I know what lies ahead."
Kaelen narrowed her eyes. "Ahead to what? More trouble?"
Eryndor shook his head. "Ahead to the first god. The path is perilous. The cursed boy must learn to control his powers, or he and those around him will perish. I can help. But only if you trust me."
Shadow watched him silently, the shadow at his neck curling slightly as if probing the stranger. There was no immediate threat. The others, however, hesitated. Trust did not come easily, especially in the shadow of gods and death.
Aryn stepped forward. "If he can guide us, we have no choice. But we'll be watching."
Eryndor nodded. "I expected nothing less. Your journey will test you all, but with guidance, the boy may survive what others cannot."
The stranger gestured to a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. "Follow me. But beware—creatures and tests are around every bend. Do not underestimate what you face."
They followed, cautious but curious. Shadow stayed close to the beast, his senses heightened. The forest seemed alive with movement—leaves rustled though no wind blew, distant cries echoed, warning or welcoming, they could not tell.
As they walked, Eryndor spoke softly, "The first god is not merely a test of strength. It is a test of will, of unity. Only if your hearts and minds are aligned can you hope to survive."
Kaelen grunted. "Then we better start getting along."
Lyra gave a faint smile, a rare moment of light breaking through her usual tension. "Or start paying attention to each other. Lives depend on it."
Hours into the trek, the shadows grew thicker, almost tangible. The whispering of the forest became louder, pressing against their minds. But the stranger walked calmly, staff glowing faintly, leading the way through the darkness. Shadow followed, the shadows around him mirroring the stranger's calm control, learning, absorbing, preparing.
When night fell, they reached a clearing. A small spring reflected the moonlight, the only calm in the oppressive darkness. Eryndor finally spoke to Shadow alone. "Your power is raw, uncontrolled. You must learn to focus it, to shape it. Otherwise, the first god will not hesitate to destroy you."
Shadow listened, silent but attentive. He felt the shadow mark pulse, as though understanding the stranger's words without need for speech. For the first time, he considered that his power could be wielded, not just survive.
The others watched from a distance, uneasy but silently acknowledging the guidance offered. The first step had been taken, and the journey toward the first god's trial had begun in earnest.