But Tari knew they had no choice. The forest had chosen her for a reason. And if she didn't follow, whatever darkness was spreading would consume everything including her village.
With a deep breath, she stepped forward. Let's find out what it wants.
The trees groaned in approval as the shadows swallowed them whole.
The deeper they went, the heavier the air became thick with the scent of damp earth and something else, something old. The trees here were different twisted, their bark etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, like a slow heartbeat.
Tari kept moving, but her eyes kept flicking to Kael. He was too quiet. Too tense. His fingers kept brushing the hilt of his dagger, his jaw clenched like he was fighting a memory.
You've been here before, she said suddenly.
Kael froze. What?
You know this place. She stopped walking, turning to face him. You knew about the Hollows before anyone else did. You knew how to fight them. And now you're acting like the shadows themselves are watching you.
A muscle twitched in his cheek. For a long moment, he didn't answer. Then, with a sharp exhale, he muttered, Fine!
He reached into his tunic and pulled out a small, tarnished medallion. The symbol on it made Tari's breath catch a crescent moon wrapped in thorns.
The Order of the Dusk, she whispered. The name alone sent a chill through her. They were spoken of in hushed tones a secretive sect of warriors who served the Old Forest, long before the villages turned away from the ancient ways.
They weren't just stories, Kael said bitterly. I was trained by them. Raised by them.
Tari's mind reeled. But… the Order vanished years ago. They said the last of them died when...
When the Hollows first appeared, Kael finished, his voice hollow. Yeah I was there.
The truth hit her like a blow. You knew this would happen again.
Kael's grip tightened on the medallion. I warned them. But no one listens to a runaway orphan talking about monsters. His eyes flicked to the trees, wary. The Order believed the forest chose its protectors. And when it started dying… they thought they had failed.
A rustling in the undergrowth made them both tense. The voice from before whispered again, louder this time
The lost son returns… but does he stand with us… or against us?
Kael's face darkened. "We need to go. Now!!!
But before they could move, the ground beneath them shifted. Roots erupted, coiling around Kael's legs, dragging him down.
KAEL!!! Tari lunged for him, but the vines snatched her wrists, holding her back.
A figure emerged from the trees tall, cloaked in living shadow, its eyes burning like embers.
Kael of the Dusk , it intoned. The forest remembers your betrayal.
Tari struggled against the vines, horror dawning. Betrayal?
Kael met the figure's gaze, his voice raw. I didn't run away to abandon you. I ran to save them.
The figure tilted its head. Prove it.
Then the roots yanked Kael underground and he was gone.