Chapter 15

Chapter 15: A Mysterious Encounter

The air in the mountains grew colder as Kor and Zira pressed onward, the sun beginning its descent behind the jagged peaks that loomed ever closer. For days, they had been walking through rough terrain, navigating narrow paths cut into steep cliffs and weaving through thick forests that blocked out most of the sunlight. The journey was becoming more treacherous with each passing hour, but Kor felt a pull urging him forward, deeper into the unknown.

His thoughts drifted constantly to the red gem in his pocket. It had become a constant presence in his mind, sometimes pulsing with energy, sometimes lying dormant, but always there, as if it were alive and aware of their surroundings. The gem held a mysterious power, one that Kor barely understood. He wondered if it was somehow tied to the Lords and whether it would help him in his quest to find his parents.

Zira remained ever vigilant, her eyes scanning the landscape with a watchful gaze. She had been unusually quiet during their journey through the mountains, speaking only when necessary, and always with a sense of urgency.

As the sky darkened, they reached a small, secluded valley nestled between two towering cliffs. The valley was surrounded by thick trees, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind. It felt strangely isolated, like a place forgotten by time.

"This will do for the night," Zira said, her voice breaking the silence. "We should set up camp here before it gets too dark."

Kor nodded, though the sense of unease that had been building inside him was hard to shake. The valley felt too quiet, almost as if the land itself was holding its breath, waiting for something. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but the air around him felt charged, as if the world had suddenly grown heavier.

As they worked together to gather firewood and set up a small camp, Kor found himself glancing around constantly, expecting something—or someone—to appear. Zira must have sensed his unease, for she paused in her work and gave him a long look.

"I'm going to scout the area," she said, her tone serious. "Stay by the fire and keep your eyes open. If anything seems unusual, call for me."

Kor nodded, trying to steady his nerves. He trusted Zira, but her caution only made his own unease grow. Something about this place was different, and Kor couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't alone.

As Zira disappeared into the trees, Kor sat by the fire, feeding more wood into the flames. The light from the fire flickered and danced, casting long shadows around the camp. He pulled the red gem from his pocket, holding it up to the light. The stone glowed faintly, its deep crimson color swirling as if alive. Its power intrigued and unsettled him in equal measure.

Suddenly, a soft rustling sound came from the shadows at the edge of the valley. Kor's head snapped up, his heart pounding in his chest. He stood slowly, his hand tightening around the gem, ready to defend himself if necessary.

A figure emerged from the darkness, moving with quiet grace. Kor's breath caught in his throat. It was a man, tall and cloaked in dark robes, with a presence that seemed to fill the space around him. His face was partially hidden beneath the hood of his cloak, but Kor could make out the sharp lines of his jaw and the glint of his eyes reflecting the firelight.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The man stopped a few paces away from the fire, just outside the circle of light. His posture was relaxed, as though he had been expecting Kor.

Kor's grip tightened on the gem. "Who are you?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The man smiled faintly, though his expression remained unreadable. "I could ask you the same question," he said, his voice calm and smooth. "It's not often I find travelers in these parts. Especially ones carrying... such a unique artifact."

Kor's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't mentioned the gem, but the man seemed to know about it already. "We're just passing through," Kor replied, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"

The man took a step closer, his movements slow and deliberate. "I am someone who is... interested in the power you carry. That gem—where did you find it?"

Kor hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It doesn't belong to you."

The man chuckled softly, though there was no malice in his voice. "No, it does not. But it is not something to be taken lightly. That stone has a history—a deep and ancient one. And it calls to those who understand its true nature."

Kor's hand instinctively closed tighter around the gem. The man's words sent a chill down his spine. "What do you want with it?"

"I don't want the gem," the man said, his gaze never leaving Kor's. "I simply wish to understand what you intend to do with it. Power such as this has a tendency to attract... attention. Not all of it welcome."

Kor swallowed, his mind racing. This man clearly knew more than he was letting on, but Kor couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him. "It's none of your concern what I do with it."

The man raised an eyebrow, his smile widening slightly. "You are braver than most. But bravery alone won't protect you from what lies ahead."

Kor's pulse quickened. He didn't like the way the man spoke, as if he knew more about Kor's journey than even Kor did. "What do you know about the gem?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The man tilted his head slightly, as if considering Kor's question. "The gem is not merely an artifact. It is a conduit—a link to forces beyond this world. It seeks those who are destined to wield its power, but power always comes at a price. The question is... are you willing to pay it?"

Kor felt a wave of unease wash over him. He had always known the gem was special, but the way this man spoke made it sound far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. "I don't seek power," Kor said firmly. "I'm trying to find my parents."

The man's expression softened slightly, though his eyes still gleamed with a strange intensity. "Ah, the search for family. A noble cause. But the path you are on is not one that leads to simple answers. The Lords will not give up their secrets easily."

Kor's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the Lords. How did this man know about them? "Who are you?" Kor demanded again, his voice rising with frustration.

The man smiled again, but this time there was something almost sad in his expression. "I am but a traveler, like you. And yet, not like you at all."

Before Kor could respond, the man turned and began walking away, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had come. His form seemed to melt into the darkness, and within moments, he was gone, leaving Kor standing alone by the fire.

Kor stared into the empty space where the man had stood, his mind racing. Who was he? How had he known so much about the gem—and the Lords? Kor had always imagined the Lords as distant, powerful beings, but this man... he had spoken of them as if they were just within reach. As if he knew them personally.

When Zira returned to the camp a short while later, Kor was still sitting by the fire, lost in thought. She immediately noticed the tension in his posture and the way his eyes darted around the clearing.

"Something's wrong," she said, crouching beside him. "What happened?"

Kor hesitated for a moment before explaining what had occurred—the man, his cryptic words about the gem, and his strange disappearance. Zira listened intently, her expression growing more serious with every word.

"Did he threaten you?" she asked, her voice low and sharp.

"No," Kor said slowly. "But he knew things—about the gem, about the Lords. He wasn't like anyone I've ever met."

Zira's eyes narrowed, and she placed a hand on Kor's shoulder. "Whoever he was, we can't trust him. If he knows about the gem, he may know more about your parents than he let on."

Kor nodded, though his mind was still spinning. The encounter had shaken him more than he wanted to admit. The man hadn't been openly hostile, but his presence had been unnerving, like a shadow that loomed too close for comfort.

As the night deepened and the fire began to die down, Kor lay awake, staring up at the stars. The man's words echoed in his mind, and for the first time, he felt truly uncertain about the path he was on. The search for his parents had always been his guiding purpose, but now... now there were other forces at play. Forces he barely understood.

The Lords, the gem, the man in the shadows—it was all connected. And Kor knew that whatever lay ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

But no matter what, he couldn't turn back now. Not when he was so close to uncovering the truth.