↢ 2 ↣

Leaves crunch underfoot as we depart from the softened dirt path. We’d left the city walls behind us once more, not that we’d be gone for long… I hope…

A shallow breath leaves me as I follow directly behind Karter. He’d not spoken a word since we left. My chest tightens as I want to reach out to him, but fall short of his armour.

An irritated sigh leaves my lungs and I growl at myself. My fists curl as I look to the rays of light etching through the foliage above us. Is it always going to be like this?

“We are here,” Karter’s voice cuts through the silence with little resistance.

He points towards an overgrown, crumbled fort. It looks oddly foreign to the area, not matching the same kind of architecture of anything surrounding Terindal. Most had tall square towers with ashen stone, where this one seemed to take a more circular approach with its dull yellowed stone ones.

“Be mindful. This place has seen many days,” Karter speaks as we pass under its dilapidated gateway.

Before I could give a response, the sun’s glare blinds me as we step into the clearing. An unkempt courtyard greets us with decaying shrubs and browned grass.

“Rot?” Karter lightly grabs a branch, breaking it under his touch.

Without an answer, he turns to me. Worry graces his eyes before he quickly looks away. He grabs the hilt of his sword before turning towards the entrance of the ruined building.

“It is best for me to continue alone. Stay here until I lure it out.”

A gasp stuck in my throat as I want to immediately decline the thought. However, I let it simmer as I knew that was the plan from the beginning. He is bait, and I am the trap.

Another deeper breath escapes me before I nod in agreement.

“Good.” Karter turns away before pulling his weapon. “Be ready.”

My jaw tightens as I watch him disappear down the corridor. I should get to work then.

I walk a few paces away from the entrance before pulling several stones free from my belt pouches. Careful not to let them touch one another while placing them individually in a circle. Though before I place the last one, I enter the circle. All five flash white for a moment before I place my open palms in the centre of the ring.

Flames crawl under my skin as the etchings under my sleeves pulse an icy blue. The stones vibrate an orange upon receiving the order. Then with little else to do, I sit in the centre gazing deep into the darkened hallway.

Although before I can actually get comfortable, a low rumble reverberates out from the darkness. A gasp holds firm as a gust of wind erupts from the corridor. With no hesitation, I rise to my feet and wait for something to appear.

My hand rests on the hilt of my dagger as the silence stretches on. Come on, Karter… Where are you?

As soon as the thought passes an explosion hurls something out from the side of the fort! I take a step towards the cloud of dust but restraint myself from touching the circle.

Light glints off of Karter’s armour as the dust dissipates around him. His chest piece carried three parallel cuts as he twirls his blade, seemingly readying himself. I pier over to the newly formed hole, another figure stood just as tall as Karter. However, all its exposed skin was blackened and smoke seemed to freely drift off of its surface.

So, this is a Shade? More like a walking shadow…

Before I could blink, it lunges through the glaring sun and collides with Karter! He slices through it but to no avail as it reforms almost instantly!

It swings long, blade-like fingers wildly creating small scratches across his armour! Harrowing screeches echo from a featureless face as it pounces for the kill!

However, before it can grasp Karter, ice spikes emerge from beneath its feet. A roar emanates from it as I halt it just centimetres from him.

A second passes before Karter raises his blade. He slices through the creature’s neck with a single swipe. It spasms for a moment before going limp and beginning to dissolve.

Was that it? I thought it would have been harder…

As if on cue, Karter begins to walk towards me, without resheathing his blade. His eyes burn as he stares intently into me.

“Stay within this circle. Whatever happens. Got it?”

I nod on instinct though my heart sinks as I watch him turn towards the darkened corridor. He stands just before me and the hall.

“The other was just a spawn. Its guard. That is what we came for.”

Pointing his blade to the darkness, my shoulders droop as my eyes widen. Seemingly at the end of the hall, a pair of red eyes stare back at us.

Its gaze crawls under my skin.

Then with a low howl vibrating the ground under my feet, they begin to move. In response, Karter readies his guard. And with shaky hands, I try to follow suit.

“Ice shards! Now!” Karter demands and I twirl my wrist out towards him.

Needles form around him as my arms begin to burn. Then, on command, they fling towards the creature!

Screams ring out as new spawn leap out from the darkness to block each shard! Allowing none to pass by them and strike their master. Their bodies fall before us, melting like ink upon the entrance.

A subtle tightness creeps within my gut as I string together another attack. Are these even affecting them?

Yet, before I can even release the next valley, the red eyes reach the entrance.

The sun fails to penetrate through its blackened, smoke-like surface. Stone pathing crumbles underneath its feet as it slinks towards us. And only a piercing gaze was left to float within its abyssal figure.

My body solidifies at its presence.

Then without notice, it lunges for Karter. However, he doesn’t waver. Striking only just before the creature reaches him!

A sizzling sound is the only thing to break the sudden silence as the two stare each other down. Though my gaze isn’t on them as four severed fingers burn into the ground.

The moment passes as the creature rises in stature, reaching easily over Karter’s height. It stands no less than three meters tall, and if it weren’t for Karter being in its way, it would be towering over me.

A gulp holds in my throat. This is what we have to fight…?

Without hesitation, Karter swings for the creature’s abdomen! However, before it can connect, it jams into its wrist.

It grabs his blade then flexes its spare hand and claw-like fingers spring out from the wounded nubs! A pleased gesture erupts in its eyes. In a clean motion, it pierces Karter’s gut!

Blood leaks from the bottom of his helm before the creature pulls itself free.

His body hits the ground as my heart begins to race! My mind eats at me as I watch the pair of crimson orbs flick to me. A subtle hunch in its posture is the only response it gives before it flings itself forward.

The barrier pulses as he connects with it! A facture shoots across the gem below the creature as a low growl emanates from it.

The creature begins to repetitively pounds upon the invisible wall! Forcing it to flicker violently.

I instinctively raise my arms as my brain beings to run rampant. Then with one breath, I swipe my arms in front of me. On impulse, a sheet of ice launches free!

The Shade’s eyes bulge as it falls in two!

A low groan erupts as it pulls itself away from its deteriorating half. However, as it pulls away I ready my next cast.

I fling both hands upwards. Ice spikes burst forth from the ground, impaling the creature several times over!

It howls as it slams a freed arm against the ice! A smirk cuts across my face as I see the once thought terrifying creature squirm. Yet, it’s short-lived as the sound of Karter’s shifting armour forces my attention.

He pushes himself to wobbly feet as he turns to meet me. His eyes look distant before he looks down to the hole in his stomach. A sigh of relief washes over me as he whips the blood from his chin and turns towards the now slowly reforming Shade.

No more hesitation. I breathe before forming the next cast.

However, before my mind can grasp it, I cover my ears as a screech pierces them. I watch as the Shade points to me, stopping both me and Karter in our tracks.

With quiet hisses, spawn dart out from any and all shadows within the courtyard! They leap at me but are only met by the barrier. The stones gradually brighten with every collision they make.

Is this it? A single string of thoughts begin to pass within an instant as my enclosure slowly blackens. How naive of me…

I close my eyes for a second before pulling free a priceless blue gem. A shred of resentment claws at the back of my mind as I place it in the centre of the circle. And as soon as it flashes with the other five crystals, I stomp it.

The barrier explodes outwards! A glistening light dissolves the shadows surrounding me. And I take a moment to breathe.

Then with a single motion, I click the next gem into the pommel of my dagger. Its runes pulse along its blade with the gem’s blue glow. I can do this… I can do this.

As the dust clears, I slice towards the closest spawn! Its head and an arm fall cleanly off before it crumples. Though as soon as the strike is made, the gem breaks.

Two left…

Before I can reach for my next gem, a spawn tackles me to the ground. A mouth splits across its featureless face before it bites down into my shoulder!

Its jagged teeth dig deep as a choked scream erupts from me! My throat burns as I raise the dagger and jam it deep into the creature’s skull! However, it refuses to let go.

I begin to stab it again and again!

“Remove the head!” Karter shouts over his sword clashes.

I take his advice with a huff and dig the blade into its neck! And with a quick pull, I sever it. It became weightless as I quickly shove the creature’s body, and head, off myself.

I grab my shoulder before slowly getting back to a stand. My feet wobbly as I try to focus through the pain. Trying my best to find where Karter and that damned creature were.

Thankfully, the spawn had all dived straight into my fail-safe. Now all that stood before us was the Shade.

I hold my breath as I point out my non-wounded arm. Making sure to aim solely at the creature. Then without a second thought, I rip my arm back!

The Shade abruptly stops as invisible tethers hold it in place. It pulls hard causing my lungs to burn!

Karter nods as he moves in for the kill. He puts the blade over its heart before gently sliding it through. It jerks and screeches but Karter doesn’t stop. Then as soon as his blade reaches its core, it seizes up.

“We have only a short time before it gets up again,” Karter states as he removes the blade.

I wince as I push myself to walk towards him. Though as soon as the sound leaves my lips, he turns to meet my bloodied state.

He freezes for just a moment before rushing over to me. Dropping his blade in the process. Without so much as a word, he pulls back my cloak and exposing the, what-use-to-be, elegant shirt underneath. Another wince frees itself as he tears the bloodied cloth to get to the wound.

“This will hurt,” his words are quiet and laced with worry. Though my mind has little time to reflect on it as he pours a vial straight onto the wound.

A scream erupts from within me as I turn away from the pain.

“It will help with the rot,” his quiet voice reaches me as he begins to wrap the wound, “this will have to do for now.”

Tears stream down my face as I look back at him. He gives a single smile before rising to a stand, and I’m taken aback as he lifts me up.

“We still have a job to finish,” he states as he helps me over to the Shade’s slightly withered corpse.

My breaths are still shaky as I pull free the catalyst. At a slight surprise, not even a scratch lay present on the glass case. Must be some strong material…

I twist the handle and pull the crystal from within the container. It hummed as I brought it over to the shade and kneel before it.

The etchings on my arms begin to glow, hopefully for one last time. The catalyst responds with a flash before the smoke begins to swirl into its runes. And as soon as it flashes once more, the ritual was complete.

So too was our job.

I turn to Karter with a smile on my face and tears still in my eyes. We-we did it… we really did it…

A light giggle leaves me as I watch Karter brush off our weapons. I didn’t even realise I’d dropped mine.

“We should leave here now.”

My head tilts slightly in confusion as this seemed pretty safe now with the Shade gone.

“It’s the rot. Even with the Shade gone it will spread like any other disease.”

My brows furrow as I look out to the gate where the brown stopped and the green started. If that were true, why hasn’t it spread out there?

“The Shade must have never set foot outside this fort. And seeing as how it has so many spawn… it must have been a commander. A leader of some sort when it was still human.”

“H-hu-man…?” The word comes out of me faster than I can catch.

He looks at me for a moment before speaking again, “yes. They were once human. Then they were turned Undead. And…”

Karter turns away, almost wanting to not speak another word. I stand up without a clear thought in mind. Ignoring the pain and tightness in my chest…

I hug him.

“I–I un-der… stand.”

He looks down at me with a blank expression before a subtle smile begins to form. “Thank you.”

↢ To be continued ↣