Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 3: Fractured Worlds

Chapter 3: Whispers of the Rift

The passage grew darker as the group ventured deeper into the canyon. The oppressive weight of the rift seemed to press against them, its malevolent whispers brushing against their minds.

Eryth tried to block out the voices, but they slithered through his defenses like smoke, their words faint but insidious.

"You are weak… unworthy… they will leave you behind…"

He glanced at Nyx, who padded silently beside him. The creature's glowing eyes burned fiercely, and for a moment, the whispers quieted. Eryth took a deep breath, grounding himself in the steady presence of his companion.

Ahead, Tessa led the group, her sword drawn and her posture tense. Kaidan walked beside her, his expression unreadable. The two had formed an unspoken alliance, their leadership keeping the group together despite the mounting tension.

But cracks were beginning to show.

Fractured Trust

"We need to stop," one of Kaidan's allies said, his voice strained. "We can't keep pushing like this."

Tessa shot him a glare. "Stopping now isn't an option. That thing back there could break through the canyon walls at any moment."

"And if we keep going, we'll walk straight into another trap," the man retorted.

"Enough," Kaidan said sharply. He turned to Eryth. "You've been quiet. What do you think?"

Eryth hesitated, the weight of their gazes making his throat tighten. "We can't stop," he said finally. "The rift's energy is stronger here. If we linger, it'll wear us down even more."

Kaidan nodded, though his ally looked unconvinced. "Then we move."

Tessa's expression softened slightly. "Good call."

As they pressed on, Eryth couldn't help but notice the way Kaidan's ally glared at him, resentment simmering beneath the surface.

The Rift's Game

The passage eventually widened into a cavern, its walls lined with jagged crystals that pulsed faintly with light. The air was colder here, the whispers louder.

"We're close to something," Tessa said, her voice hushed.

"Something dangerous," Kaidan replied, his hand hovering over the hilt of his blade.

Nyx let out a low growl, its ears flattening. Eryth's heart sank as he felt a familiar tug—the shards in his pouch reacting to the energy around them.

Without warning, the ground beneath them began to shift. The crystals along the walls flickered violently, and the whispers turned into a deafening roar.

"Get ready!" Tessa shouted, raising her sword.

From the darkness emerged a swarm of Riftborn, their twisted forms illuminated by the glow of the crystals. But these creatures were different—they moved with unsettling coordination, their movements guided by an unseen force.

The group formed a defensive circle, their weapons drawn.

"Stay together!" Kaidan ordered.

The battle erupted in chaos.

The Cost of Survival

Eryth focused on the shards, summoning a barrier of light to protect the group. But the strain was immediate, the energy sapping his strength.

Nyx fought like a force of nature, its claws slicing through the Riftborn with brutal efficiency. Tessa and Kaidan held the line, their blades flashing as they cut down anything that got too close.

One of Kaidan's allies—a wiry man with a spear—broke formation, charging at the swarm in a desperate attempt to turn the tide.

"No! Stay back!" Tessa yelled, but it was too late.

The Riftborn overwhelmed him, their claws tearing into his body before he could react. His screams echoed through the cavern, and the group faltered.

Eryth's barrier flickered as his concentration wavered, and a Riftborn broke through, lunging at him. Nyx intercepted it, tearing the creature apart before it could reach him.

"We're losing ground!" Kaidan shouted.

Eryth gritted his teeth, forcing more energy into the shards. The barrier surged, pushing the Riftborn back momentarily.

"Move!" Tessa yelled, dragging one of Kaidan's allies with her as she led the group toward an opening on the other side of the cavern.

They fought their way through the swarm, each step harder than the last. By the time they reached the opening, two more of Kaidan's allies had fallen, their bodies left behind in the chaos.

A Bitter Victory

The group stumbled into another passage, their breaths ragged. The whispers had quieted, but the tension was palpable.

"We can't keep losing people like this," Kaidan said, his voice cold.

"You think I don't know that?" Tessa snapped.

Eryth leaned against the wall, his vision swimming. Nyx pressed against him, its presence a small comfort.

"We need to rest," Kaidan said finally.

Tessa nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But only for a few minutes."

As the group settled, the silence was heavy with unspoken words. The loss of their comrades hung over them, a stark reminder of how high the stakes had become.

Eryth closed his eyes, trying to block out the memories of the battle. But the whispers lingered, their words sharper now.

"You can't save them… you'll only drag them down…"

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Nyx. The creature stared back at him, its expression unreadable. For a moment, he thought he saw something in its eyes—something almost human.

The Path Forward

When the group finally moved again, their steps were slower, their resolve tested. The passage twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the rift's domain.

Eryth couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, though every time he turned, there was nothing there.

As they rounded a corner, the passage opened into a vast chamber, its walls lined with intricate carvings that glowed faintly with rift energy.

"What is this place?" Tessa murmured, her voice filled with awe.

Kaidan approached one of the carvings, his expression thoughtful. "A warning, maybe. Or a challenge."

Eryth frowned, his gaze drifting to the center of the chamber. A massive structure loomed there, its surface covered in glowing runes.

"This feels like a trap," Tessa said, gripping her sword.

"Everything here is a trap," Kaidan replied. "But we don't have a choice."

Eryth stepped forward, the shards in his pouch pulsing faintly. He could feel the energy radiating from the structure, its power both alluring and terrifying.

As the group approached, the runes began to glow brighter, and a deep, resonant voice filled the chamber.

"Prove your worth… or perish."

The ground beneath them trembled, and the air grew thick with energy.

"Here we go again," Tessa muttered, raising her blade.