Shadows in the Forest

Chapter 3: Shadows in the Forest

Sylass's three guards followed the hooded merchant through the narrow alleys of Lor, their steps muffled by the village's early morning mist.

Shadows swallowed their faces beneath the hoods of their cloaks as they tailed their target, a silent pursuit they thought would soon end in blood.

The merchant strolled as though unaware of the hunters, his gait unhurried, almost careless.

Karn, the burliest of the trio with a jagged scar that cut across his face, snickered. "Did you see the look on that brat's face when we stepped forward? I could smell the fear on him."

Rolan, tall and gaunt with a smile that barely reached his eyes, chuckled darkly. "Working for Sylass has its perks, doesn't it? We get to enjoy these little games. No pesky consequences."

Garv, a brute of few words, grunted, his fingers tightening on the hilt of his sword. His bloodlust was evident in the way he stalked the merchant, ready to pounce.

As they followed, the alleys thinned, and the towering trees of the forest loomed ahead. The mist clung to the branches, adding a foreboding chill to the air. The guards exchanged eager glances—once inside the woods, their prey would have no escape.

But then, the merchant vanished.

"What the—" Karn's confidence faltered as he stared at the empty path ahead.

"Where the hell did he go?" Rolan hissed, his pulse quickening. The earlier arrogance began to drain from his voice as they scanned the woods.

The forest, once filled with the distant chirps of birds, now stood unnaturally silent.

A voice, calm and mocking, drifted from the shadows. "Looking for me?"

"What in the seven gods??!!" They spun around. The merchant stood behind them, a sinister smile spreading beneath the hood, his eyes glowing a deep, blood-red.

"How—" Karn barked, unsheathing his sword. "You think you can mess with us?"

"Oh, I'm not messing with you," the merchant licked his lips as he said, his voice low and dripping with disdain. "I'm simply ending this little charade."

Rage twisted their faces. "We'll show you what happens when you insult us!" Rolan felt embarrassed , this merchant was clearing not putting them in his eyes at all. He snarled in anger prepared to attack.

The guards drew their weapons, their fear masked by bravado.

But the merchant's body began to shift, bones cracking, limbs elongating, skin darkening as his human form twisted into something grotesque.

The cloak fell away, revealing the hulking, nightmarish abomination that had slaughtered Li Wei and Mei Lin.

Its voice echoed in a terrifying rasp, "I'm not the one who will die today..."

The guards froze, dread clawing at their insides.

Then the creature lunged. Karn barely had time to raise his sword before razor-sharp claws tore through his throat, his blood spraying the trees.

Rolan's scream barely left his lips before the monster snapped his arm like a twig, the sound of bones splintering filling the air. His scream was cut short as the creature ripped him apart.

Garv, trembling, fell to his knees, his voice cracking, "Please… spare me…"

The creature's blood-red eyes gleamed with mockery. For a moment, the forest held its breath.

Then, with a sickening crunch, the monster's jaws closed around Garv's head. Silence returned.

The abomination reverted to its former form, the monstrous features melting away.

The merchant adjusted his hood, wiping the blood from his hands with a sigh of satisfaction. From beneath his cloak, he retrieved a small jar covered in glowing runes and approached the corpses.

From each body, ghostly figures began to rise—their souls, torn from their bodies. The merchant grinned as he captured them in the jar.

"And here I thought I'd have to wait for new ingredients but these one basically threw themselves at me," he murmured, holding the jar to the light. "Sylass, I'll have to thank you. And that boy…"

His crimson eyes gleamed as his thoughts wandered to Lucian Ashwood, who had unknowingly crossed his path. "He's not off the hook yet. Sylass will be coming for him too. Too bad I won't be here to see it."

The merchant glanced around the forest, his expression darkening for the first time since he got here as if sensing something. "Those damn hunters are already closing in on me. I've overstayed my welcome. Too bad, I was just getting started here."

He sighed, twirling the jar between his fingers. "Next time, Lor. You haven't seen the last of me."

With one last look at the village, the merchant vanished into the shadows, leaving nothing but death in his wake.

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Meanwhile, Around the Ashwood mansion:

Lucian rushed back, the vial of Moon Shadow Syrum clutched tightly in his hand, his breath ragged from excitement. Beside him, Littlefinger was practically skipping with joy.

"Can you believe we actually did it?" Littlefinger grinned, his laughter echoing down the empty road. "I thought for sure we would be goners , that annoying Toby only knows how to hide behind that monster of a man he calls his father"

Lucian's heart pounded with anticipation. "Yeah, it's like a dream. I can't believe we pulled it off, as for Toby I'll be geting my revenge one of these days"

Littlefinger smirked. "A dream? More like a nightmare! I nearly pissed myself back there, when you do that annoying pest in i will be there"Little Finger raised his fist in support his sixth finger dangling by the side of his fist in an awkward manner

Lucian laughed, throwing an arm around Littlefinger's shoulders. "Thanks for helping i know you are not one for thanks, but I couldn't have done it without you."

Littlefinger pushed him off with a grin, hiding his satisfaction. "Alright, enough of that. You heading home?"

"Yeah, I've got to get back. I need to… well, you know." Lucian's eyes flicked to the vial in his hand, its dark liquid swirling inside. It was the key to his future, the hope he had been searching for.

"You're not seriously thinking of using that tonight, are you?" Littlefinger raised an eyebrow.

Lucian's grip tightened on the vial. "Of course I am. I've waited too long for this chance. If this works... I can finally awaken my powers."

Littlefinger sighed but smiled. "Alright. Don't blow yourself up, alright?"

"I won't." Lucian chuckled. "Thanks again. See you later."

With that, Lucian turned and hurried back to the mansion, his mind racing with possibilities.

For the first time in what felt like forever, hope surged within him. The Moon Shadow Syrum could be the breakthrough he desperately needed, the key to finally awakening his abilities and becoming strong enough to protect himself—strong enough to find out what had happened to his parents.

He pushed open the grand doors of the mansion, the familiar cold air hitting him, but this time he barely noticed. All he could think about was the vial in his hand and the power it promised.

Rushing upstairs to his room, Lucian's thoughts were consumed with visions of his potential future. He could feel it—the power just beyond his grasp. His hands trembled with excitement as he reached for the syrum.

"I can't wait any longer…" he whispered to himself, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared at the swirling liquid inside the vial, its dark glow captivating his every thought. This could be it. His chance to finally stop being helpless.

As Lucian prepared to drink it, the shadows in the room seemed to creep closer, but he paid them no mind. All he could think about was the power that would soon course through his veins.

But in the back of his mind, a whisper of doubt lingered. What if it didn't work? What if something went wrong?

He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. No. It has to work. It has to.