SHADOWS IN THE HEART
The fire crackled at the center of the camp, casting flickering light across the group's tired faces. The night had grown colder than usual, and though everyone sat together, an emptiness lingered—one no one dared to mention.
Karion was seated on a rock, his gaze lost in the darkness. Before, at any moment of tension, he would've cracked a joke, a witty comment, or even something wildly inappropriate just to lighten the mood. But now… nothing.
Caelithra noticed first.
"Karion."
The young man lifted his gaze slowly, his eyes reflecting the fire.
"What is it, Caelithra?"
"I should be asking you that."
Karion sighed, looking away. "It's nothing. Just... too many things happening at once. How am I supposed to joke when Zyrion is in that state? When we don't know if he'll wake up as himself or as a monster?"
Caelithra crossed her arms. "You always joke, no matter the situation. But now you're silent, and that means something's wrong."
Karion clenched his fists, exhaling slowly. "Maybe I'm just tired of pretending everything's fine when it isn't."
Silence spread between them. Caelithra watched him closely, seeing something in his eyes she'd never noticed before.
It was pain.
While Karion and Caelithra spoke, Velkran and Quindarion stayed on the perimeter of the camp, making sure nothing caught them by surprise.
That's when they felt it.
A presence.
Not an immediate threat, but not something ordinary either.
Velkran tensed, placing a hand on the hilt of his weapon. "Do you feel that?"
Quindarion nodded. "Yes. Someone's close."
Before they could react, a silhouette emerged from the trees. It moved with elegance, yet with a confidence that made it clear she was no lost traveler.
A woman dressed in dark garments and a long cloak that danced with the night breeze. Her silver hair reflected the moonlight, and her amber eyes seemed to analyze every detail of the camp with unsettling calm.
"Well, well…" she said with a soft yet firm voice. "So this is Zyrion's famous group."
Velkran stepped forward without lowering his guard. "Who are you?"
The woman formed a faint smile. "Taliena."
Quindarion narrowed his eyes. "That name doesn't sound familiar."
"That's because you've never heard of me. But believe me, I've heard plenty about all of you."
Caelithra and Karion approached upon hearing the voices. Kyrahna also took position, hand near her weapon.
"Why were you watching us?" Caelithra asked.
Taliena tilted her head slightly. "Because I'm interested in what you're doing. Especially your situation with Zyrion."
Karion frowned. "How do you know about him?"
"Because I'm not as distant from this conflict as you think."
The tension in the air thickened. Everyone waited for Taliena to reveal her true intentions, but she only observed them with serene expression.
Finally, Taliena sighed and crossed her arms.
"Listen, I didn't come to fight. I came to offer my help. And if you don't trust me, that's fine. But I want you to at least consider my proposal."
Caelithra eyed her with suspicion. "And why would we want your help?"
"Because Zyrion needs more than just hope and good intentions to survive that curse."
Those simple words froze everyone.
Velkran stepped forward. "You know how to break the curse?"
Taliena smiled faintly. "Let's say I know enough to be useful."
There was a moment of silence. Everyone looked at Quindarion, who always had a clear opinion in situations like this.
He exhaled slowly and stared intently at Taliena.
"If you're lying or planning to betray us, we'll know. And trust me, none of us are easy to fool."
Taliena let out a soft laugh. "I like your caution. But don't worry, I've no reason to harm you. If anything, I want to make sure Zyrion lives long enough to do what he must."
Karion, who had remained quiet, finally spoke.
"And what exactly is he 'supposed to do'?"
Taliena smiled mysteriously. "That remains to be seen."
Caelithra frowned. She hated when people spoke in riddles—especially now.
"Fine," Quindarion said at last. "For now, we'll keep an eye on you. But if you do anything suspicious..."
Taliena raised her hands peacefully. "I understand. I don't expect immediate trust, only the chance to prove my worth."
Velkran crossed his arms. "You'd better."
As the night continued, the group gradually dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts.
Karion stayed by the fire, watching the flames dance. Caelithra sat beside him, silent for a while.
Finally, she spoke. "Do you still feel the same?"
Karion glanced at her. "About what?"
"About everything. About Zyrion, this mission, what we're doing."
Karion sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know. I feel like everything used to be simpler. Joking, laughing, moving forward without thinking too much. But now…"
Caelithra listened quietly.
"Now I feel like if I stop being serious, if I lower my guard even for a second, everything will fall apart."
Caelithra gave him a small, gentle smile. "That means you care. That you understand the weight of this."
Karion let out a humorless laugh. "Yeah, I guess."
She nudged his shoulder lightly. "But that doesn't mean you have to change completely. You're part of this group, Karion. And even though your jokes sometimes drive me crazy, it's good to have someone who can make us laugh. Don't lose that."
Karion looked at her, surprised. Then, for the first time in a long while, he smiled.
"I'll try."
Caelithra nodded. "Good."
And for a moment, amid the chaos and uncertainty, everything felt just a little more balanced.
The night stretched on slowly, with the sound of wind rustling the leaves and the faint crackle of the fire. Despite everything that had happened, the camp felt calm—but within each heart, emotions were far from peaceful.
Kyrahna knelt beside Zyrion, who lay near the fire. His breathing was heavy, and the white iron mask covering his face made each breath seem even more suffocating.
"How is he?" Caelithra asked, arms crossed as she approached.
Kyrahna sighed. "His pulse is steady, but he's still unconscious. I don't know what kind of curse they used on him, but his energy feels different… like he's not entirely himself."
Caelithra frowned at the mask. "I hate this. We can't do anything but wait, and waiting is not something I'm good at."
Kyrahna brushed Zyrion's hair with a worried look. "He must be fighting. If anyone can survive this, it's him."
Caelithra didn't respond right away. She simply stared at Zyrion with a strange tightness in her chest.
A few meters away, Taliena and Karion sat on a large rock, watching the night.
Karion let out a tired sigh. "So, Taliena, tell me something… why are you really here?"
Taliena raised an eyebrow. "I already told you. I want to help."
"Yeah, yeah. But that sounds like something someone says when they want us to trust them without giving a real reason."
Taliena chuckled softly. "You're more perceptive than you look."
Karion shrugged. "I've learned that in this world, no one does anything without a hidden motive."
Taliena looked at him for a long moment, seeming to decide whether to speak honestly. Finally, she said:
"Let's just say I have my own history with the fragments… and with the people who want to control them."
Karion stared at her, intrigued. "So it's not just Zyrion you're interested in?"
Taliena smirked. "Not exactly. But he's part of something much bigger, and I want to be there when that 'something' finally reveals itself."
Karion was silent for a moment, then let out a short laugh.
"Well, I can't argue with that. But if you ever betray us, I just want you to know I'll personally make you regret it."
Taliena smiled with amusement. "I like your spirit, Karion."
Meanwhile, Velkran and Quindarion were in a nearby clearing, practicing their skills.
Velkran launched forward with impressive speed, leaving a trail of energy as his blade clashed against Quindarion's. The impact cracked the ground beneath them.
"You rely too much on your speed, Velkran," Quindarion said, blocking another strike.
"And you rely too much on teleportation," Velkran replied with a cocky grin.
Quindarion vanished in a blue flash and reappeared behind him, attacking without warning. But Velkran dodged at the last second.
"Good," Quindarion admitted. "But still not enough."
Velkran laughed. "We're just warming up."
They continued fighting, pushing their limits—preparing for what was coming.
Caelithra remained beside Zyrion after everyone else had gone to rest.
She looked at his masked face and felt a sting in her chest.
She would never admit it aloud, but the idea of losing him… of never seeing the real Zyrion again… terrified her.
Making sure no one was awake, she carefully moved closer and lay down beside him. Slowly, she slid her arm around his torso and rested her head on his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat beneath the armor—slow but steady.
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling his warmth.
Then, in a whisper barely audible, she said:
"Don't ever leave, Zyrion… I don't care what happens. I don't care what that mask has done to you. I don't care how long it takes. I don't care about anything… just stay."
A knot formed in her throat, but she forced herself to stay strong.
She held him tighter, as if that alone could keep him from slipping away.
And in the cold night, while the others slept, Caelithra allowed herself that small moment of vulnerability, clinging to the one person she never thought would mean so much to her.
TO BE CONTINUED…