CROSSED PATHS
The sun was beginning to rise as Zyrion and Kyrahna emerged from the cave, exhausted but satisfied with their triumph. The fresh air was a welcome relief after the tension inside the shadowed passage. However, the calm of dawn was soon interrupted by the distant thunder of horse hooves echoing through the valley.
"Was that thunder or something worse?" Zyrion asked, looking toward the horizon with the newly acquired fragment tucked into a small pouch. "Please tell me it’s not more magical guardians."
Kyrahna squinted, observing the rapidly approaching cloud of dust from the east. "It doesn’t look natural. Those are riders. A lot of them. And they’re heading this way."
"Perfect," Zyrion sighed. "Can’t they give us a break? We literally just dealt with a murderous shadow monster."
Kyrahna shot him a quick look while adjusting the dagger at her belt. "Stay alert. We don’t know if they’re coming as allies or enemies."
"In my experience, when someone rides at you that fast, they rarely want to be your friend," Zyrion muttered.
A group of at least a dozen riders burst onto the path, stopping abruptly in front of them. Their black armor gleamed under the morning light, and the emblem of a red falcon adorned their cloaks. One of them—clearly the leader—dismounted and walked toward Zyrion and Kyrahna with a commanding posture.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in these lands?" he demanded, his voice firm and heavy with authority. His gaze fell on the pouch Zyrion carried. "That energy… you have something that does not belong to you."
Zyrion raised his hands with a nervous smile. "Ah, right! We were just passing through. Tourism, you know. Nothing important. And you? A hunting group? Tax collectors?"
Kyrahna cut in with a serious tone. "I am Kyrahna, bearer of a fragment and guardian of Kyrethron's secrets. This man is Zyrion, my companion. We have claimed what is rightfully ours, and we have no intention of giving it up."
The leader crossed his arms, studying them carefully. "So you know about the fragments. That makes you threats. We were sent by the Zykrath Nolthem to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands."
At the mention of that name, Zyrion frowned. "Zykrath Nolthem. Great, the same people who sent that shadow guardian, right? Do they have a club for deadly creatures or something?"
Kyrahna clenched her jaw. "You have no right to interfere. The fragments don’t belong to you. We’re on a mission to prevent them from being used for destruction."
The leader slowly drew his sword, and his men followed suit behind him. "That is irrelevant. Our mission is simple: retrieve the fragment, or eliminate those who possess it. You will not stand in our way."
Zyrion let out a long sigh. "Of course! Because resolving this peacefully would be too easy. Alright, Mr. Red Falcon, if you want trouble, you’ll get trouble."
Kyrahna shot a serious look at Zyrion. "I hope you know what you’re doing. We can’t afford to lose this fragment."
"Lose it? Please, Kyrahna, trust me. I’m a master of organized chaos. Well… mostly disorganized, but it still works."
The riders charged, and the battle erupted in an instant. Kyrahna moved like a swift shadow, dodging blows and countering with precise strikes from her dagger. Zyrion, on the other hand, swung his sword with wide, chaotic motions, creating space for both of them to maneuver among the soldiers.
"Kyrahna, to your left!" Zyrion shouted, blocking an attack aimed at her.
"I see it!" she replied, disarming her attacker with an elegant spin.
"How are you so graceful in the middle of all this?" Zyrion ducked under a spear, countering with a clumsy but effective strike. "I look like a fish out of water and you look like you’re dancing."
Kyrahna gave him a quick smile. "Practice helps. Though I’ll admit, your chaotic style is… effective, in its own disastrous way."
"Thanks, I guess."
The leader advanced on them, focusing his attacks on Kyrahna. Their blades clashed fiercely, and his skill quickly became evident. Every move was meant to corner her, searching for an opening.
"Zyrion, I need support," Kyrahna said, stepping back.
"I’m coming! But this guy just won’t quit," Zyrion replied, struggling with two soldiers trying to flank him. With an improvised twist and a hit from the pommel of his sword, he knocked them down and rushed to Kyrahna’s aid.
"Hey, Red Falcon! How about fighting someone your own size? Well, not literally, but you get me!" Zyrion yelled.
The man turned toward him, eyes filled with disdain. "You’re a clown, not a warrior. This will be quick."
Zyrion grinned defiantly. "That’s what they always say. Then bam! I’m in their head and they’re on the ground."
The leader attacked swiftly, but Zyrion managed to block—surprisingly well. The two exchanged blows, and although Zyrion struggled to keep up, his unpredictability gave him a slight advantage in keeping the man off balance.
"Kyrahna, do something useful while I entertain this lunatic!" he shouted as he dodged another strike.
"Already on it," she replied, rushing toward a riderless horse. She mounted it gracefully and charged toward the remaining soldiers. "Let’s end this!"
The tide of battle shifted. One by one, the riders were defeated or forced to flee, and the leader—seeing his forces overwhelmed—retreated with a curse.
"This isn’t over," he growled before disappearing into the horizon with the remnants of his group.
Zyrion collapsed to the ground, panting. "Tell me this isn’t a sign of what every day will be like from now on."
Kyrahna dismounted and approached him with a tired smile. "You’re doing well, Zyrion. But yes… it will probably be like this, or worse."
"Great. At least tell me we have a plan for what comes next."
Kyrahna glanced at the pouch holding the fragment. "The plan is to survive. And maybe—just maybe—find a way to stop all of this before it gets out of hand."
"Perfect. Because clearly, we’re experts at staying out of trouble," Zyrion said, standing up. "What could possibly go wrong?"
They began walking toward the nearby forest, unaware that in the shadows, watchful eyes were following them, planning their next move.
The forest ahead appeared peaceful, but Zyrion and Kyrahna knew better. Leaves crunched beneath their feet as they moved cautiously, senses sharpened after the recent encounter.
"This forest gives me chills," Zyrion muttered, glancing at the long shadows cast by the trees. "Not saying I’m scared, but… is it necessary to go through here? Can’t we pick a sunnier path?"
Kyrahna, walking a few steps ahead, looked back over her shoulder. "If you don’t like forests, wait until the mountains. No place to hide, and storms show no mercy."
"Fantastic," Zyrion replied sarcastically. "Between shadow guardians, murderous riders, and storms, I feel like nature itself is conspiring against me."
"Maybe it is," Kyrahna said with a faint smile before stopping abruptly. She raised a hand in warning. "Did you hear that?"
Zyrion froze, listening. At first, only wind whispered through the leaves. But then he heard it—low, guttural, coming from deep within the forest.
"Please tell me it’s a tiny adorable animal," he whispered, knowing full well it wouldn’t be.
Kyrahna drew her dagger, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Stay behind me."
"Behind you? And what about my pride as a warrior?" Zyrion protested, though he was already stepping behind her. "Not bragging, but I’m pretty good at running when necessary."
Before Kyrahna could respond, something emerged from the shadows. A massive creature—at least two meters tall—with dark fur and glowing yellow eyes stepped forward. Its fangs glistened under the faint light filtering through the trees, and its growl rumbled like distant thunder.
"That is definitely not a rabbit," Zyrion said, stepping back. "What is that?"
"A nocturnal draegorn," Kyrahna answered grimly. "Solitary hunters—fast and lethal. This forest must be its territory."
"Wonderful," Zyrion muttered, gripping his sword. "Does it have a weakness? Please tell me yes."
"The eyes," Kyrahna said, lowering her stance. "But hitting them won’t be easy."
The draegorn lunged without warning, its speed startling even Kyrahna. They barely dodged it before the creature spun with shocking agility.
"Plan B, Kyrahna! We need a plan B!" Zyrion shouted, rolling across the ground to avoid another attack.
"Plan B is don’t die!" she answered, throwing her dagger. It struck the beast’s side, drawing a roar—but not slowing it much.
"That doesn’t help!" Zyrion protested, deflecting a blow that sent him crashing into a tree.
Kyrahna moved quickly, aiming directly for the beast’s eyes with a second dagger pulled from her boot. The draegorn shifted too fast, knocking her to the ground.
"Kyrahna!" Zyrion yelled, pushing himself up. Driven by panic and determination, he charged the creature. "Hey, fur-face! Fight someone your own… energy level!"
The draegorn turned toward him. A chill ran down Zyrion’s back, but he didn’t retreat. Instead, he lifted his sword and sprinted forward.
"This is for all the breakfasts I’ve missed lately!" he shouted, stabbing the creature in the chest. The blade pierced its thick hide, making the draegorn howl and stumble.
Kyrahna rose instantly and struck again—this time her blade sank into one of its eyes. The creature screeched in agony.
With a final roar, the draegorn collapsed.
Zyrion fell to his knees, gasping. "Is it always this intense? Because, honestly, I’m considering a less dangerous career. Like farming. Or baking."
Kyrahna smirked as she retrieved her dagger. "You did well. Though your technique is still… chaotic."
"Thanks. I’ll take it as a compliment." Zyrion lay back on the ground. "Tell me there aren’t more draegorns in this forest."
"Probably not. They’re territorial," Kyrahna said, though she remained alert. "But we should keep moving. The noise might have attracted something worse."
"Something worse?" Zyrion jumped to his feet. "Perfect. I can’t wait."
They continued deeper into the forest, their steps quieter now. As the shadows grew longer, an unsettling feeling wrapped around them.
"Kyrahna," Zyrion whispered after a while. "What if we’re not the only ones after the fragments? What if there’s something bigger—someone who knows everything?"
She looked at him seriously. "Then we have to be ready. Because this mission isn’t just to protect ourselves. It’s to protect the entire world."
Zyrion nodded slowly. "Great. No pressure at all."
But neither could shake the feeling of being watched. Somewhere, hidden among the trees, someone—or something—was following them, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.
TO BE CONTINUED…