Chapter 43: Unseen Forces

The world was quiet, but Zeryn knew better than to believe it was peaceful. The skies were still, but the storm was building somewhere, hidden beneath the surface. Her shadows shifted uneasily as they traveled, a reminder of the growing power she had yet to fully understand.

They had reached a small village by dusk, the first sign of civilization they had seen in days. The air here felt thick, heavy with an energy she couldn’t place.

The villagers were quiet, their eyes downcast as the group passed through. Zeryn felt the weight of their gazes on her back, but when she turned to look, they quickly looked away. It was as though they were afraid—of her, or something else.

"Something’s not right here," the green-eyed figure whispered, scanning the village. "Have you noticed it?"

Zeryn nodded, her heart heavy. "The villagers... they’re afraid, but they don’t seem to know why. It’s like they’re hiding something."

The leader approached one of the villagers, an older woman with graying hair, and gently asked, "Is everything alright here?"

The woman flinched at the question, her eyes darting nervously. "There’s nothing for you here. Go back. The Eclipse is gone, but its shadow still lingers." She spoke in a hushed tone, almost as if afraid to speak too loudly.

Zeryn stepped forward, the shadows around her twitching as though reacting to the woman's words. "What do you mean by 'the shadow still lingers'?"

The woman looked over her shoulder, as if checking to see if anyone was listening. "I can’t say more. It’s not safe. There are forces here—dark forces—things beyond the Eclipse. They’re waking up. And when they do, this village will be the first to fall."

The green-eyed figure stepped forward, their voice low and intense. "We’ve dealt with the Eclipse. What else could be out there?"

The woman shook her head, stepping back. "I can’t say. You must leave."

Before anyone could respond, a sudden roar split the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Zeryn’s heart raced as the shadows reacted to the sound, swirling around her in a frenzy.

From the forest beyond the village, a monstrous figure emerged. Its massive form was shrouded in shadow, its eyes glowing with an eerie red light. It was unlike anything they had faced before, a creature of pure darkness, its body composed of swirling shadows that shifted and writhed.

The leader drew his sword, and the group instinctively fell into formation. "Prepare yourselves," he said, his voice cold. "We’ve got another fight on our hands."

Zeryn felt the shadows inside her flare up, as if they too were eager for the confrontation. But this time, she didn’t feel the same fear. Instead, a surge of power washed over her, steady and sure. She could feel the energy, a pulse that flowed through her veins, resonating with the creature before her.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I have to."

The creature let out another roar, and with a swift movement, it lunged at them.