Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Alliances in darkness **

The forest of whispers swallows Kael deeper, each step on the damp soil and covered with fallen leaves echoing like a sigh. The shadows danced more aggressively, whispering names of loved ones he had lost, doubting his strength, mocking his hope. The air weighed as lead, full of sweet and sweet smell that Caiden had mentioned, a sensory trap. It was then that he heard a different sound: the metallic tinkling of an arc being tensed, followed by the characteristic tinnitus of an arrow flying through the air. Kael jumped to the side, the scraping sword from his holster, seeing the arrow stuck in a nearby tree where a grotesque shadow, with red eyes, exploded in smoke. "Who's there?" A female, rough and alert voice, echoed by the clearing. From behind a twisted tree, a figure emerged. ** elara **. She had black hair, braided rigidly, that fell on muscular shoulders. His gray eyes, Like Storm Clouds (like storm clouds), fixed in Kael with intensity. She held a long, ornate bow, made of dark wood and leather ropes, pointed directly to him. "Identify yourself," she ordered, her voice firm, no concessions. "You do not seem to be an inhabitant of these woods." Kael raised his hands slowly, showing that he did not carry arms beyond his sword. "My name is Kael. I'm from Arkan. My village ... it was destroyed." Elara lowered the bow a little, but did not relax the guard. "Arkan. So you're one of their 'brilliant' warriors. Why are you here, alone in the forest of whispers?" "I seek the shadow talisman," Kael said, his voice low. "To destroy it, it's the only way to end this war." Elara frowned. "Talisman ... many seek him. Few survive. And you think you can destroy you alone?" Before Kael could answer, another sound echoed: the bang of an ax reaching wood, followed by a grunt of effort. Elara immediately returned her bow to the new direction, but Kael has already moved, his sword ready. "Do not shoot!" A thick and friendly voice called. "We're friends!" From behind a robust bush, a huge man emerged. ** brom **. He had the stature of an ogre, but the expression of a gentle bear. His huge arms, covered with forge tattoos, held a two-hand ax, not as a weapon, but as a tool. His brown hair was short and shaggy, and a thick mustache covered his upper lip. "Calm, girl," Brom said, approaching heavy, but careful footsteps. "I saw the arrow to fly and I came to check. We do not want problems." Elara lowered the bow completely, but remained vigilant. "Brom ... You're right. But this ... this boy says to be Arkan and get the talisman." Brom looked at Kael, his seemingly cutting look through Elara's outer hardness. "Maybe he's right, Elara. The talisman ... He's the root of all our evils. If he can destroy him ..." He held out a huge hand. "My name is Brom. I'm a blacksmith. This forest is my house, just like yours, girl cow. And this boy ... He seems to have a noble purpose, even if full of anger." Elara hesitated, looking from Kael to Brom and back. Finally, she lowered the bow, but did not put him back to the shoulder. "Elara. Canteira. My village ... It was burned by Notx's magicians. They killed my parents before me." A sharp pain crossed his face, but she suppressed her quickly. "I look for revenge, like you, Kael, but I also know that destroying the talisman is more important." Brom nodded. "Exactly, revenge is a bitter poison, but destroy the source of evil ... this is justice." He looked at Kael seriously. "You will need more than anger, boy. You will need allies. And we can help. I know the hidden paths of these woods. Elara knows hunting and trace. Together, we have a chance." Kael was silent for a moment, considering. The loneliness of the forest, the weight of your mission, the presence of two strangers who shared their suffering and their goal. It was an unexpected relief. "Come on," Kael said finally, his tone steady. "Together, maybe we can." Elara frowned, but a slight relaxation appeared on her face. Brom smiled widely, knocking Kael gently on his back with one hand that almost knocked him down. "Excellent! Now let's move. The forest of whispers is no place to take. There are ... Things ... who watch us." They gathered, forming an unlikely group: the vengeful warrior of Arkan, the traumatic archer, and the good blacksmith. His steps echoed together by the forest, a stronger sound than the whisper of the shadows. The bond between them, still tenuous, was already stronger than steel, forged in the fire of loss and flame of hope. As they walked, Kael felt Rorik's spirit whisper in his ear, not with instructions, but with approval. "You are not alone, my son. The journey continues." * And so, the trio advanced deeper into the forest of whispers, each carrying their own scars, but united by a common destination: find the shadow talisman and tear it From the claws of the darkness, it costs what to cost.