The journey to the capital had begun.
Amara rode quietly beside the soldiers as the village of Hollowmere slowly disappeared behind them. The dirt road stretched far ahead, winding through forests and hills she had never seen before.
Everything felt strange.
For the first time in her life, she was leaving home.
Captain Roderic rode at the front of the group, his silver armor reflecting the sunlight. The other soldiers stayed alert, their eyes constantly scanning the forest around them.
"Is it always this quiet?" Amara asked nervously.
Roderic glanced back at her.
"The road to the capital is usually peaceful," he said. "But these days… things have been different."
Amara felt a small chill.
"Different how?"
Before the captain could answer, a soldier suddenly raised his hand.
"Captain," he said. "Movement in the trees."
Everyone stopped.
The forest around them was still.
Too still.
Then suddenly—
A shadow dropped from the trees.
BOOM!
One of the soldiers was knocked off his horse.
Dark figures began emerging from the forest.
Bandits.
But something about them looked wrong.
Their eyes glowed faintly red.
"Ambush!" a soldier shouted.
The bandits rushed forward with weapons drawn.
Amara's heart started pounding.
The soldiers quickly formed a defensive line, swords clashing against the attackers.
Steel rang through the forest.
Captain Roderic drew his sword and fought fiercely, pushing two attackers back at once.
"Stay behind us!" he shouted to Amara.
But one of the attackers slipped past the soldiers and ran straight toward her.
Amara froze.
The man's eyes were glowing red like burning embers.
It reminded her of the shadow creature.
"Your power…" the attacker growled. "The Shadow Lord wants it.
Amara's eyes widened.
Shadow Lord?
Before the attacker could reach her, a sudden wave of darkness swept across the ground.
The bandit was thrown backward as shadows wrapped around his legs.
A familiar voice whispered behind her.
"I told you… I would follow."
Amara turned quickly.
The Shadow Prince stepped out from the darkness, his eyes glowing faintly.
He raised one hand and the shadows around the forest began to move like living creatures.
The attackers panicked.
Within seconds, the shadows wrapped around them and forced them to the ground.
Captain Roderic stared in shock.
"What… what kind of magic is this?"
The Shadow Prince ignored him and looked at the captured bandit.
"Who sent you?" he asked coldly.
The man laughed weakly.
"You're too late… the Shadow Lord is already rising."
The bandit suddenly collapsed unconscious.
The forest became quiet again.
Amara looked at the Shadow Prince.
"Shadow Lord?" she asked.
The Prince's face became serious.
"It seems our enemy has a new name."
Far away in a hidden fortress, a massive throne of shadows stood in a dark chamber.
A deep voice echoed through the room.
"The girl has begun her journey."
The shadow figure slowly stood up.
"Good."
"Bring the Lightbound to me."