Chapter 8 – The Search for Secrets
The forest behind us had faded into shadows, but the danger was far from over. Selene's warning echoed in my mind: "They're not stopping for anyone." My chest tightened as we moved cautiously through the dense undergrowth, every step alert to the slightest movement.
"I need to find the information hidden in the enemy's fortress," Selene said quietly. "It's the only way to prevent the chaos they're planning."
I nodded, trying to keep up. "Then… we start now?"
"Yes. But it won't be easy," she said, eyes scanning the forest. "The path is filled with traps, beasts, and soldiers loyal to the enemy. One wrong move, and we die—or worse."
We moved silently, following the faint traces of an old path that twisted through the forest like a serpent. Strange runes glowed faintly along the trees, pulsing with a sinister energy. I could feel the forest itself watching us, alive with power.
Suddenly, a low growl emerged from the shadows. A massive creature with four glowing eyes and razor-sharp claws leapt from the trees. Its roar shook the ground beneath our feet.
"Stay behind me!" Selene shouted, throwing one dagger with deadly precision. The blade struck the beast's flank, making it roar in pain but not retreat.
I raised my energy blade, focusing on its movements. Sparks flew as steel met claw, and I realized the forest wasn't just testing me physically—it was testing my instincts, my courage, my control over the energy within me.
Minutes passed in a blur of dodges, strikes, and sheer desperation. Selene moved gracefully, covering my blind spots, while I unleashed every ounce of energy I had. Together, we managed to wound the beast enough for it to retreat, dissolving into glowing particles that vanished into the forest.
We took a brief moment to catch our breath, and I glanced at Selene. Her usually confident expression had softened, a flicker of fatigue crossing her features.
"The enemy's fortress isn't far," she said, pointing toward a faint silhouette in the distance. "But the closer we get, the more dangerous it becomes. And there's something else… a secret hidden within the fortress walls. Something they will kill to protect."
I nodded, feeling a strange mix of fear and anticipation. Every step forward was a step into the unknown, yet I couldn't turn back now. The secrets we sought could change everything—not just for me, but for this world.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently beneath our feet. Cracks split open, glowing with ominous red light. From the fissures, shadowy figures emerged, moving faster than anything I had seen before.
Selene's eyes widened. "These are the guardians… and they won't let us pass without a fight."
I raised my blade, energy surging around me. "Then we fight," I said, heart pounding. "We have no choice."
Cliffhanger: As the first guardian lunged at us, a second portal shimmered open behind it. From the portal, a figure emerged, cloaked in dark magic. Its presence alone warped the air, and a voice echoed, cold and commanding:"You've come far, human… but your journey ends here."