THE GUARDIANS' PATH
The group advanced across rugged terrain toward a mountain pass that connected the southern lands to the heart of Kyrethron. The atmosphere was more tense than usual, as the presence of Velkran, the new ally, continued to breed distrust. Although his skills were undeniable, his carefree attitude and unpredictable personality unsettled some, especially Gravon.
"Do you always walk this slowly, or am I just used to being faster than everyone else?" Velkran asked with a mocking smile as he walked backward in front of the group.
"Perhaps because we don't have a fragment that allows us to move like lightning," Gravon replied sarcastically, gritting his teeth.
"Relax, my friend. There's no need to be jealous," Velkran said as he nimbly leaped onto a nearby rock. "Besides, I thought we were a team now. Aren't we, Zyrion?"
" Zyrion, who was in front, stopped and looked over his shoulder. "It is. But if you keep provoking Gravon, I doubt we'll reach the end of this path in peace."
Kario chuckled. "Gravon is always so serious! A little humor wouldn't hurt him."
"Perhaps you and Velkran should make a comedy duo," Caelithra remarked coldly. "You could entertain us while we face death."
Velkran snapped his fingers as if he'd just had a brilliant idea. "Caelithra, I love your sense of humor! Even if it's as cold as you are." She ignored him and continued walking.
Sylphra sighed, fluttering her wings slightly as she stayed close to Zyrion. "Can we focus on what's important? This mountain pass is known for being dangerous. And I don't just mean the terrain. There are rumors that ancient porters passed through here and left... scars."
Zyrion frowned. "What kind of scars?"
Sylphra paused, as if choosing her words carefully. Remnants of their powers. Echoes. Residual fragments of energy that can be activated if we're not careful.
"Echoes?" Quindarion asked, intrigued. "That sounds more like a challenge than a problem. Perhaps we can learn something from them."
"Always thinking about magic, huh, Quindarion?" Karion teased. "I just hope there aren't any Echoes trying to crush me."
The group reached a narrow path flanked by towering rock walls. As they moved forward, a strange energy began to vibrate in the air. The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly, and the rocks glowed with a faint purple light.
"This doesn't feel right," Gravon muttered, placing a hand on the hilt of his weapon.
"Easy, pal," Velkran said, examining the walls. "Perhaps it's just the local welcome."
Suddenly, a spectral figure appeared in the middle of the path. It was tall and hooded, with eyes that glowed like embers. Though it lacked a physical body, its presence was overwhelming.
"Who dares disturb the passage of the forgotten?" the figure demanded in a deep voice that boomed like thunder.
Zyrion stepped forward. "We are travelers seeking the shards. We do not seek a fight, but we will not surrender."
"Shards?" The figure tilted its head, as if assessing them. "What makes you think you are worthy of them?"
Before Zyrion could reply, Velkran intervened. "And who are you to question us, mysterious shadow? If you are going to challenge us, at least make them interesting."
The figure seemed to rage. Its form expanded, and the air grew denser. "Very well! If you seek the shards, you will first face the test of the echoes. Only the strong may advance."
The figure vanished, but in its place emerged creatures made of pure energy. Their forms were amorphous, but their movements were swift and deadly. They attacked the group without warning. "Prepare yourselves!" Zyrion shouted, drawing his sword.
Velkran moved instantly, using his speed to strike the creatures before they could get too close. "Now this is fun!" he exclaimed, taking one down with a swift blow.
"Don't get too carried away, Velkran!" Sylphra shouted from the air, sending gusts of wind to deflect enemy attacks.
Gravon slammed his fist into the ground, creating a shockwave that staggered several creatures. "Stop playing around and focus on finishing them off!"
Meanwhile, Caelithra used her ability to analyze the creatures' attack patterns, guiding the others with precision. "Zyrion, three to your left. Quindarion, create a barrier behind Karion. Now."
"Understood," Quindarion replied, raising his staff to form a magical barrier that protected Karion just in time.
Karion, somewhat overwhelmed, used his agility to dodge attacks and strike when he could. "This is chaos! But I admit it's exciting."
After an intense fight, the creatures began to vanish one by one until the path was clear. The group breathed a sigh of relief, though exhaustion was evident on their faces.
Zyrion Don't let your guard down. We'll keep watching you.
"Same here, friend," Velkran said, triumphing.
Sylphra landed beside them, her expression serious. "This was only the first challenge. If the echoes of the ancient bearers are so powerful, the path ahead will be far more perilous than we imagined."
"Then let's press on," Zyrion said with determination. "We've come here, and we can work together. And we will continue to do so until the very end."
The group agreed, strengthened by the battle. Though the shadows of the past still loomed, their unity was beginning to solidify, and each step brought them closer to their destination.
Silence reigned in the makeshift camp they had established after the encounter with the echoes. The fire crackled weakly, casting dancing shadows across the group's weary faces. Zyrion sat by the fire, carving a small wooden figure with his dagger, lost in thought.
Velkran, Gravon, Sylphra, and the other porters had decided to leave at dawn, arguing that their paths led them to specific missions related to the shards. Although the farewell had been cordial, the tension of parting lingered in the air.
Caelithra sat silently in the distance, sharpening her knife with methodical movements. Kyrahna gazed at the stars from a high rock, her expression distant. Karion, meanwhile, sat beside Zyrion, trying to break the heavy atmosphere with one of his usual sarcastic remarks.
"You know what's good about all those porters leaving?" Karion said, biting into a piece of dry bread. "Less competition for rations. Gravon ate like every meal was his last."
Zyrion chuckled, though his gaze remained fixed on the figure he was sculpting. "I can't blame them for wanting to go their own way," he murmured. "Everyone has their own reasons for being in this fight." "Sure, sure," Karion rolled his eyes. "But honestly, the fight between Gravon and Velkran was just gratuitous entertainment. Now all I can do is try to get Caelithra to talk to me without her wanting to kill me."
"Maybe if you stopped acting like a clown…" Caelithra remarked without looking up from her knife.
" "Oh! The Ice Maiden speaks!" Karion exclaimed, clutching his chest theatrically. "It's a miracle." Kyrahna stepped down from the rock, crossing her arms as she approached the fire. "We should focus on what comes next. This place isn't safe, and you know it, Zyrion. The energy left by the echoes is still here, and staying too long could attract something worse." Zyrion nodded, setting the wooden figure aside. "You're right. We'll leave at dawn. But… there's something I don't understand. All of them… the porters… they seemed to know something I didn't. Something that prompted them to leave so suddenly." Caelithra looked up, her cold eyes locked onto Zyrion's. "It's because not all of us are meant to follow orders. Some of us prefer to act on our own."
"Does that include you?" Zyrion asked, tilting his head. "Are you leaving too?" Karion shook his head quickly. "Leave this group? No way. This is where the best action is, the best jokes, and, well, I won't lie, the food isn't too bad."
Kyrahna smiled slightly, an unusual expression for her. "I'm staying too. But not because I think it's safer. There's something about this group... something about you, Zyrion. I don't know what it is, but I want to find out."
Caelithra was silent for a moment before sheathing her knife. "I'm staying too," she said finally. "But not for you, but for what we're protecting." "This is bigger than any of us."
Zyrion frowned, confused. "What are we protecting?"
Kyrahna looked at Caelithra, and they seemed to understand each other with a single gesture. Karion broke the awkward silence with a laugh. "Ah, secrets! I love it when everyone knows something except Zyrion. It makes him feel like a true leader."
Zyrion crossed his arms, eyeing them suspiciously. "What are you hiding? If there's something I should know, now's the time."
"There are things that are best kept secret... for now," Caelithra replied sharply. "Trust that what we're doing is for the good of the group. When the time is right, you'll know everything."
Zyrion sighed in frustration. "Fine. I won't push it. But I hope we're not hiding anything that could put us in danger."
"The only thing in danger here is my patience," Karion muttered, receiving a punch on the arm from Kyrahna. "Fine, fine, I'll shut up. For now."
With the first light of day, the group packed up and left the camp. Zyrion led the way, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his three remaining companions shared a secret bond from which he was excluded.
As they trudged across the rocky terrain, Zyrion broke the silence. "Caelithra, Kyrahna, Karion... thank you for staying." Of We share a goal, we'll be with you.
Zyrion smiled slightly. "That's enough for me. Let's prove we can face whatever comes, together."
As they moved forward, Caelithra's words echoed in Zyrion's mind. "This is bigger than any of us." Although he didn't fully grasp their meaning, he knew the path ahead would be decisive, not only for their mission, but for each of them.
TO BE CONTINUED…