The forest was quieter than usual—too quiet, almost as if it were holding its breath. Arlen felt it first, like a thin blade of cold sliding down his spine. He slowed his steps, one hand instinctively reaching for Lira's wrist.
"Don't move," he whispered.
Lira froze. Her heartbeat thudded so loudly it felt like the whole forest could hear it. "Is it them again?" she asked, her voice barely a breath.
Arlen didn't answer, but the tension in his shoulders told her everything she needed to know.
The shadows around them twisted with the fading light. Every tree looked the same—tall, silent, and watching. Lira hated this part of the forest. She hated the feeling that something was following her, waiting for her, calling to her.
Ever since she awakened that strange connection—ever since she'd felt the pull of something ancient—nothing had been the same.
Arlen stepped forward slightly, placing himself between her and the darkness. "Stay behind me," he said.
Lira wanted to argue, wanted to tell him she wasn't weak, but the truth pressed heavily on her chest. Whatever was out there… it wasn't something she could fight with words or stubbornness.
A faint whisper drifted through the trees.
Lira stiffened. "Did you hear that?"
Arlen nodded once. "It's not human."
The whisper came again—soft, long, drawn out, like someone calling her name from underwater.
"Liraaa…"
Her breath hitched. "Arlen… it's the same voice from before."
Arlen grabbed her hand tightly. "Don't answer it. Don't even look toward it."
But it was too late. Lira could feel her mind tugged in a direction, as if invisible fingers were pulling at her thoughts. A strange warmth spread across her chest—a warmth that felt familiar, welcoming, almost comforting.
She didn't realize she was stepping forward until Arlen yanked her back.
"Lira!" he snapped. "Stay with me."
His voice cut through the fog in her head like a sharp blade. She blinked hard, pulling in a shaky breath. "I—I didn't mean to move. It's like something grabbed me."
Arlen's jaw clenched. "It wants you. And it's getting stronger."
Lira didn't want to ask the question, but she had to. "What happens when it finds me?"
Arlen's eyes softened—just for a moment—revealing fear he rarely showed. "Then I might lose you," he said quietly. "And I'm not letting that happen."
A branch snapped behind them.
Arlen spun around, shielding Lira with his body. His hand tightened around the hilt of his blade, muscles coiled and ready.
Something moved between the trees—fast, shifting, formless.
A silhouette appeared, then dissolved like smoke. Another appeared on the opposite side.
Lira grabbed onto Arlen's coat. "They're surrounding us."
"I know." Arlen's voice was steady, but his pulse hammered at his neck.
A dark figure stepped forward at last—half-shadow, half-human shape. It tilted its head slowly, like a predator studying prey.
And then, in a voice that scraped like stone, it spoke.
"Return… what does not belong to you."
Lira's breath trembled. "I don't have anything."
"Yes," the shadow hissed. "You do."
Arlen stepped forward, blocking the creature's view of her. "If you want something, you go through me."
The shadow's mouth stretched into something that might have been a smile. "We will."
Arlen swung his blade in a swift arc—but the creature dissolved into mist. A cold wind burst outward, knocking both Lira and Arlen back.
Lira hit the ground hard. Pain shot through her shoulders. Before she could regain her breath, fingers of darkness wrapped around her ankle, pulling her toward the trees.
"Arlen!" she screamed.
Arlen lunged, grabbing her hand just in time. "Hold on!"
The shadow tightened its grip. Lira felt her body being dragged, felt the cold creeping up her leg. Panic surged inside her—raw, uncontrollable.
"Arlen, it's pulling me—"
"I won't let go!" Arlen roared, muscles straining as he fought against the shadow.
For a moment, it felt like they were losing. The darkness was strong—too strong.
And then something inside Lira snapped awake.
A surge of light—warm, fierce—burst from her chest. The shadow shrieked and withdrew as if burned, fading into the trees.
The forest went silent.
Lira lay trembling, her breath shaking. Arlen dropped beside her, pulling her into his arms without hesitation.
"You scared me," he whispered, his voice rough.
Lira pressed her forehead against his shoulder. "It wasn't me. Something inside me—reacted."
Arlen held her tighter. "That power… it's waking up."
Lira swallowed hard. "But why now?"
"Because," Arlen said quietly, "the thing that wants you is getting closer."