Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 39: The Ties That Bind

The group rested on the outskirts of the ruins, the crumbled remains of the ancient structure still smoldering behind them. The sky above, a perpetual haze of gray, seemed heavier than before, as if mourning the destruction of the rift.

Eryth sat on a fallen pillar, absently turning the shard over in his hands. Its glow had faded to a faint ember, but he could feel the dormant power within it, like a heart waiting to beat again. Nyx sat beside him, its sleek form radiating quiet vigilance.

"You seem lost in thought," the armored woman said, approaching him. Her voice was softer now, the usual edge replaced with exhaustion.

Eryth looked up, his expression grim. "The rift was more than just a source of power. I think it was a connection—a gateway, maybe. And destroying it… it felt wrong, like we've severed something important."

She frowned, her gaze distant. "If it was a gateway, then what was on the other side?"

"That's what I'm afraid of," Eryth said.

Revelations

As they spoke, Nyx suddenly tensed, its head snapping toward the horizon. A low growl rumbled in its throat.

"What is it?" the woman asked, gripping her sword.

Eryth followed Nyx's gaze and saw a figure approaching—a lone silhouette moving steadily through the desolate wasteland. The figure's movements were slow but deliberate, their form obscured by a tattered cloak.

"Stay back," the woman ordered, stepping in front of Eryth.

The figure stopped a few paces away, lowering their hood to reveal a face worn by time and hardship. Their eyes glowed faintly, an unsettling reflection of the shard's light.

"I mean no harm," the stranger said, their voice rough but calm. "I felt the rift's destruction. You're the ones responsible, aren't you?"

Eryth exchanged a wary glance with the woman. "Who are you?"

The stranger's lips curved into a faint smile. "A survivor, like you. The rift wasn't just a gateway—it was a prison. And now that it's gone, you've unleashed what was kept within."

A New Threat

Eryth's blood ran cold. "Unleashed? What do you mean?"

The stranger stepped closer, their expression grim. "The guardians you fought were only the beginning. The rift was holding back something far worse—an ancient force that seeks to reclaim what it lost. By destroying the rift, you've given it a way back into this world."

The armored woman's grip tightened on her sword. "And how do we stop it?"

The stranger shook their head. "You can't. Not yet. But there are others who can help—others who understand the shards and the relics better than any of us. You need to find them before it's too late."

"Others?" Eryth asked, his mind racing. "Who are they? Where do we find them?"

The stranger's gaze flicked to the shard in Eryth's hand. "The shard will guide you. It's more than a weapon—it's a map, a key to the places where their power lingers. But be warned: the path ahead will test you in ways you can't imagine."

Nyx growled softly, as if sensing the weight of the stranger's words.

A Fateful Decision

Eryth stood, his grip on the shard tightening. "We didn't ask for this, but we're not going to run from it either. If there's a way to stop this force, we'll find it."

The stranger nodded, a glimmer of respect in their eyes. "Good. Then you'll need to move quickly. The ones you seek are scattered across this land, and time is not on your side."

The armored woman stepped forward, her gaze hard. "What about you? Are you coming with us?"

The stranger shook their head. "My part in this is over. I've done all I can to hold the line. Now, it's your turn."

Before anyone could respond, the stranger turned and began walking away, their form fading into the haze.

Eryth felt a mixture of determination and dread. The rift was gone, but its destruction had only set the stage for a greater challenge.

He looked at Nyx, whose glowing eyes reflected his own resolve. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

To Be Continued…