9. The Watcher in the Shadows

Chapter 9: The Watcher in the Shadows

The wind howled as Elena and Ardyn climbed higher into the Ashen Peaks, the rocky trail narrowing with every step. The figure in black had vanished into the shadows, but the uneasy feeling of being watched lingered.

Elena’s fingers brushed against the hilt of her dagger, her senses on high alert. “Do you think they’re still following us?”

Ardyn glanced back, his eyes scanning the rugged terrain. “Without a doubt. Whoever they are, they’re skilled. But they haven’t attacked yet, which means they’re waiting for something.”

“For what?” Elena asked, her voice tight.

He shook his head. “We’ll find out soon enough. Just stay close and be ready.”

As night fell, they came to a small clearing nestled against the side of a cliff. Ardyn stopped, gesturing for Elena to rest.

“We’ll camp here for the night,” he said, his tone wary. “The temple is still a day’s journey away, and we’ll need our strength if we’re ambushed.”

Elena hesitated. “Is stopping a good idea? What if they attack while we’re vulnerable?”

“They’ll attack whether we’re moving or not,” he replied, gathering wood for a fire. “At least here, we can control the terrain.”

Elena helped him set up camp, her hands trembling as she struck flint against steel. A spark caught, and a small flame flickered to life. She stared at it for a moment, her connection to the fire deepening.

“Good,” Ardyn said, watching her. “But remember, the flame is a tool. It listens to you, not the other way around.”

She nodded, adding a few branches to the fire. The warmth was comforting, but the shadows beyond the circle of light felt heavier than ever.

The first attack came just before midnight.

Elena was jolted awake by the sound of steel clashing against steel. She scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding as she spotted Ardyn locked in combat with a masked assailant.

“Ardyn!” she cried, reaching for her dagger.

“Stay back!” he shouted, parrying a blow.

More figures emerged from the darkness, their movements silent and coordinated. Elena counted four, each dressed in dark armor and armed with curved blades.

Her fear threatened to overwhelm her, but the fire inside her flared, pushing the fear back. She took a deep breath, summoning a small flame to her palm.

One of the attackers lunged at her, their blade aimed for her chest. She reacted instinctively, thrusting her hand forward. The flame surged, engulfing the assailant in a burst of heat and light. They fell to the ground, writhing before going still.

“Elena!” Ardyn called, cutting down another attacker. “Behind you!”

She spun just in time to see a second figure closing in. This time, she didn’t hesitate. She let the fire flow through her, forming a shield that deflected their strike. With a flick of her wrist, she turned the shield into a wave of fire that sent the attacker sprawling.

Ardyn finished off the last of their foes, his blade slick with blood. He turned to her, breathing heavily. “Are you alright?”

She nodded, though her hands were shaking. “Who are they?”

Ardyn knelt beside one of the fallen assailants, pulling off their mask. The face beneath was pale and expressionless, their eyes glassy and lifeless.

“King Malric’s shadow guards,” he said grimly. “Elite assassins bound by dark magic. He must have sent them to capture you.”

Elena swallowed hard, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. “What do we do now?”

“We keep moving,” Ardyn said, rising to his feet. “The temple is our only hope. But we need to be careful. If Malric knows where we are, he won’t stop sending his forces.”

As they packed up camp, Elena couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The battle had been too easy, the shadow guards falling faster than she had expected.

“They weren’t here to kill us,” she said aloud, her voice tinged with realization.

Ardyn frowned. “What do you mean?”

“They were testing me,” she said, her stomach twisting. “Malric wanted to see how strong I am. This was just the beginning.”

Ardyn’s expression darkened. “If that’s true, then he’s more dangerous than I thought.”

They exchanged a grim look before continuing their journey. The path ahead was treacherous, but Elena’s resolve burned brighter than ever.

She would face whatever came her way. And when the time came to confront Malric, she would be ready.

To Be Continued...

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