Chapter 9: Shadows of Betrayal

As the group rested, Zeryn sat apart, staring into the forest. Her thoughts churned with everything she had learned, the weight of her destiny pressing down on her.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” the green-eyed figure said, dropping onto a rock beside her.

Zeryn rolled her eyes. “What do you want?”

They smirked, tossing a small dagger into the air and catching it effortlessly. “Just checking to see if you’re going to run off and get yourself killed. Again.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” Zeryn snapped.

“And yet, here you are,” they retorted. “Face it—you’d be dead without us.”

Zeryn glared at them but didn’t respond. They weren’t entirely wrong.

The green-eyed figure studied her, their smirk fading. “Listen, I get it. This whole ‘chosen one’ thing sucks. But if you don’t figure it out, you’ll drag us all down with you.”

“I didn’t ask for this,” Zeryn said, her voice shaking. “I never wanted to be… whatever I am.”

“None of us did,” they said, their tone surprisingly soft. “But you don’t get to choose. You just survive. Or you don’t.”

They stood, sheathing their dagger. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be worse.”

Zeryn watched them walk away, her frustration and confusion boiling over. She clenched her fists, the shadows around her stirring in response.

“I’ll figure this out,” she whispered to herself. “I have to.”