Into the Shroud

The air of Nólemundë was heavy with farewells. The healer who had tended Maeryn's wounds stepped forward, her hands clasping a small pendant of silver threaded with pale crystal. She placed it gently around Maeryn's neck.

"This will protect you and your child," the healer said softly, "from the darkness that lingers in the air beyond our barrier."

Maeryn touched the charm with trembling fingers, her voice low but steady. "Thank you—for everything."

Not far away, Caliondur turned to face his son. Rúmilion's eyes glistened as he spoke.

"Father… let me go instead."

Caliondur's tone was firm, though not unkind. "You must stay. The people need you here. I have already named you before all as their protector. Do not make me take back my word."

"But father—"

Caliondur silenced him by placing a hand on his shoulder, his face filled with love and sorrow. "No parent should ever bear the pain of their child's death. My duty as a father comes before my duty as a leader. Let me do for you what my father once did for me."

Rúmilion's composure broke, tears tracing down his face. "Then may the Gods guide you… and bring you back safely to us, father."

Caliondur pressed a kiss to his son's forehead, lingering for a moment before he turned away.

When the party finally departed, every elf in Nólemundë bowed their heads as they passed. Some wept, some whispered prayers. The companions waved, offering farewells until the barrier's edge loomed before them, its shimmering veil marking the end of safety.

There, Ardent raised a hand, halting their steps. "Before we cross, we need to settle something. Strategy first—resolve later."

Kazuki nodded. "Master Ardent is right. Out there, eyes and ears will be everywhere."

"We'll need the element of surprise," Gorran rumbled.

"Then we hide what they cannot suspect," Kazuki said. His gaze swept over them. "They don't know we carry weapons of the Gods. Keep them concealed. Let them underestimate us."

He turned to Caliondur. "And for you, Lord Caliondur—you should travel hooded, until the time is right."

Caliondur shook his head, adjusting the cloak at his shoulders. "You need not call me 'lord' any longer. Caliondur will do."

Kazuki's eyes lingered on the blade at Zephyr's side. Lightbringer. "That sword is more than a weapon," he said carefully. "It grants the power of the hero himself to Zephyr. Use it only when absolutely necessary."

"Because…" Kazuki hesitated then looked at others. "The goddess told me—the hero's lineage is the one destined to save this kingdom. Not me. Her."

The words struck like thunder. Every face turned toward Zephyr, then back to Kazuki.

Zephyr’s fingers brushed lightly over the hilt of Lightbringer at her side. She had known this was coming but hearing it spoken aloud still made her chest tighten.

Ardent narrowed his eyes. "And you chose not to tell us this until now?"

"I didn't know who she meant at first," Kazuki said quickly, bowing his head. "And once I did… I didn't want the weight of it to crush her before she was ready. I already told Zephyr in private. But I should have told all of you sooner. Forgive me."

Ardent placed a hand on his shoulder. "You told us now, before anything happened. That's enough. But remember—the burden is not hers alone. We all must know this to be ready."

Gorran spoke his agreement with a firm nod. "Destiny or no, you're still the same lad who's bled and fought beside us. You've earned my trust—and my weapon stays at your side." His gaze was steady, unwavering.

Maeryn agreed with Gorran, nodding.

"We will be there for you, but don't hide anything else from us, big brother Kazuki." The twins said with a smile.

Alvis's sharp gaze didn't waver. "Kazuki. Is there anything else you haven't told us?"

Kazuki met his eyes and said firmly, "No. Nothing."

Caliondur fixed his gaze on Kazuki, his tone steady but warm.

"You have companions who truly trust you. Don't ever take that for granted—don't let it go to waste."

"We have our plan. Cover your weapons, and protect Zephyr." Ardent said then looked at Zephyr, "Use your new power when it's necessary."

The companions exchanged glances, one by one. There was no turning back now.

Together, they stepped outside the barrier. Headed toward the Shroud.

Gorran's heavy boots crunched against the earth as he grumbled, "Hell, I didn't miss how this cursed land feels."

Caliondur's eyes swept the horizon, his voice low but steady. "This place has changed a great deal since I last set foot here."

They pressed on until the mist thickened into a living wall of green haze. The air turned damp, heavy with the scent of moss.

Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "So, this is… the Verdant Shroud."

From within the mist, a voice drifted out—gruff, unnerving, almost playful.

"Ah, you've finally come. We were worried you had lost your way, when you did not arrive sooner."

The party halted, weapons drawn, scanning the fog.

"Who are you?" Ardent demanded.

The voice chuckled softly, like rustling leaves.

"I am nature and nature is I. We are one. Come in, dear guests. Please… make yourselves at home."

Alvis tightened his grip on his staff. "Everyone, be on alert and ready."

And so, they crossed the veil of mist.

Inside was a world stolen from dreams. Towering trees bent at impossible angles, their bark slick with glowing moss. The ground breathed faintly beneath their boots, pulsing with a rhythm like a heartbeat.

Strange vines dangled from above, their tips dripping with luminous dew that hissed when it struck the soil.

And there, among the twisting plants, a lone gardener worked. Cloaked in green, his hands carefully tended to vines.

The party froze as the figure slowly rose. His head turned, and though his features were human for a heartbeat, they melted into shifting patterns of green. With a sudden shiver, he sank into the earth—gone.

The ground split.

Roots erupted from every direction, lashing out like serpents. In an instant, the party was engulfed, ensnared by countless tendrils.

"Hold fast!" Ardent roared, cutting through vines, but they came faster than steel could answer.

Alvis thrust out his staff, fire crackling at his fingertips. Maeryn followed suit, flames bursting from her palms. Together, they scorched the roots, burning a path free.

But even as relief washed over them, the ground gave way beneath their feet. Roots speared upward from below, seizing Alvis and Maeryn and yanking them into the soil before anyone could react.

"Maeryn!" Gorran's voice tore through the air. Rage ignited in his eyes as he raised Zam's hammer, ready to smash through the ground.

Before he could strike, the land itself convulsed. Thick walls of trunks and vines surged up, weaving together into a towering maze that cut off every escape.

The twins shouted in unison. "We'll find them!" They leapt skyward, ignoring Ardent's cry— "Stay close, you fools!"

The air turned treacherous. Roots lashed upward, coiling around each twin and separating each into different directions. Their screams echoed, one name shouted by Zephyr, the other whispered with clenched teeth by Kazuki, before both vanished into the labyrinth.

Ardent stood rigid, jaw tight, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Damn it… we walked right into his trap."

Gorran pounded the ground with his fist, voice shaking. "If I get my hands on that green bastard, I'll tear him apart root from root!"

"Calm yourself," Caliondur said firmly. His steady tone cut through the haze of anger.

Ardent nodded. "He's right. Focus. Stay close. He wants us scattered so he can pick us off one by one."

For a moment, only Gorran's ragged breathing filled the silence. He covered his eyes with one hand, trembling with rage and grief.

Zephyr stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her. We'll find them all."

Gorran drew a deep, shaky breath, then nodded. "Aye."

The group pressed forward, the labyrinth looming around them, its walls whispering with the sound of unseen roots slithering below. Each step drew them deeper into the Shroud—none knowing what other horrors this garden had prepared for them.

Their steps slowed as the labyrinth widened into a junction of multiple paths. Each trail whispered with unseen voices...