Ally

Chapter 10: Ally

The creatures that stalked the edges of the clearing were unlike anything Lucian had seen before. Larger than wolves, their bodies were hunched and twisted, covered in thick, matted fur that seemed to absorb the dim light of the forest. Their limbs were long and sinewy, tipped with razor-sharp claws that scraped the earth as they moved silently through the underbrush. Their eyes, glowing with an eerie, unnatural light, locked onto Lucian and Alara, watching with an unsettling intelligence that sent a chill down his spine.

The creatures' faces were a grotesque mix of animal and something far more sinister. Their snouts were elongated like those of wolves, but their mouths were filled with jagged teeth, too sharp and numerous to belong to any natural beast. Thin, leathery ears twitched at the slightest sound, and their nostrils flared as they caught the scent of their prey.

What disturbed Lucian the most, however, was the way they moved—too fast, too fluid for their size. They slipped between the shadows like phantoms, never making a sound, their glowing eyes the only indication of their presence. There was something ancient and unnatural about them, as if they were creatures born not of the natural world, but of the dark magic that lingered deep within these cursed woods.

Lucian could feel the malevolent energy that surrounded them, a dark aura that radiated from their twisted forms. Lucian didn't like it.

They were out of immediate danger, but something felt unnatural about the way the creatures lingered, as though waiting for something. He scanned the treeline, but the beasts didn't move. They just stood there, silent sentinels, their eyes fixed on him and Alara.

Lucian wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing down at Alara, who was still slumped against a tree, struggling to catch her breath. Her face was pale, her skin glistening with sweat. Despite her bravery earlier, he could tell she was nearing her limit.

"You need to rest," he said, his voice low but firm.

Alara shook her head, though the movement was weak. "No... we can't stay here," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "They'll come back."

"They're not coming closer," Lucian replied, his eyes never leaving the treeline. "Something's keeping them from crossing into the clearing."

Alara's brow furrowed as she followed his gaze, her body tensing as she noticed the creatures watching them. "What... what are they?"

"I don't know," Lucian admitted, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "But they're not coming any closer for now. We're safe here, at least for a while."

Alara let out a shaky breath, her head falling back against the tree. Her body trembled with exhaustion, and Lucian knew that if they didn't stop soon, she wouldn't be able to keep going. He glanced around the clearing, searching for a safer place to rest, but the trees loomed thick and unwelcoming. They were too deep in the forest to find real safety.

Reluctantly, he made his decision. "We'll rest here. Just for a few hours."

Alara didn't argue. She closed her eyes, her breathing shallow but steady. Lucian watched her for a moment, his mind racing with questions. He couldn't deny that she had saved him during the fight, and he was grateful for it. She had been a reliable companion, but the ruins of Ildenor were close now, and he needed to focus on their goal.

Lucian sighed, setting his sword down beside him as he sat near Alara. His body ached from the battle, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins, but exhaustion was beginning to creep in. He leaned back against a nearby tree, closing his eyes for just a moment, though his hand never left the hilt of his blade.

The silence of the clearing settled around them, the tension slowly ebbing away as the creatures at the edge of the forest remained still. The flicker of unease that had been gnawing at Lucian's mind since the fight began to fade, replaced by the creeping fog of fatigue.

Hours passed, and when Lucian awoke, the light had changed. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the clearing. The beasts were gone.

Lucian blinked, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. His muscles protested the movement, but he forced himself to stand, checking the area around them. There was no sign of the creatures that had been stalking them earlier. Whatever had kept them at bay seemed to have worked, at least for now.

Alara stirred beside him, her eyes fluttering open as she groaned softly. She was still pale, but there was a bit more color in her cheeks now, and her breathing was less labored.

"How are you feeling?" Lucian asked, his voice gruff.

Alara gave a weak smile, though her eyes still held a hint of pain. "Better... I think."

Lucian nodded, though he didn't fully believe her. She was still weak, but they couldn't afford to stay in the clearing much longer. The creatures might return, or worse, something else might find them.

"We should move," he said. "The ruins aren't far now. If we keep going, we might make it before nightfall."

Alara pushed herself to her feet with some effort, wincing as she stood. Lucian offered her his arm, but she waved him off with a small smile, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She looked tired, but determined.

"I'll be fine," she said, her voice resolute. "We need to get to the ruins."

Lucian admired her determination but remained cautious. Together, they set off again, moving deeper into the forest. The trees grew closer together, their branches twisting overhead, blocking out the last rays of sunlight. The air was thick and heavy, the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filling their lungs as they trudged forward.

The silence between them was no longer awkward, but companionable. For the first time since they had met, Lucian found himself trusting her, if only a little. She had proven herself in the fight, and her will to keep moving despite her injuries was impressive. He had always been wary of trusting others, but Alara had earned some measure of respect.

They walked in silence for what felt like hours, the forest around them growing darker and more oppressive with each step. The shadows seemed to shift and move, the trees twisting in ways that made Lucian's skin crawl. But there was no sign of the creatures that had attacked them earlier, and for now, that was enough.

As they approached a narrow ridge, Alara suddenly stumbled, her foot catching on a root. Lucian reached out instinctively, grabbing her arm before she could fall.

"Careful," he muttered, steadying her.

Alara gave a small, embarrassed laugh, though her face flushed with exhaustion. "Thanks," she said, her voice soft.

Lucian didn't reply, but he didn't let go of her arm either. He could feel the tension in her body, the way her muscles trembled from the effort of keeping up the pace. She was strong, but she was reaching her limit.

They continued in silence, but after a few minutes, Alara spoke again, her voice quiet and hesitant. "Why are you doing this?"

Lucian glanced at her, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"Helping me," she said, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "You don't know me. You don't owe me anything. So why are you risking your life to help me?"

Lucian's grip on her arm tightened slightly, but he didn't answer right away. He had been asking himself the same question since the moment he had found her in the forest. He wasn't the type to go out of his way to help others—not anymore. But something about Alara had made him stay. Maybe it was her resilience, her determination. Or maybe it was because, deep down, he knew what it felt like to be alone, to be hunted.

"I don't know," he finally said, his voice low. "Maybe because I can."

Alara looked at him, her expression softening for a moment. For a brief second, there was a flicker of something in her eyes—gratitude, perhaps, or something deeper. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, and she turned her gaze back to the path.

"Well," she said after a moment, "I'm glad you did."

Lucian nodded, the conversation leaving him feeling unsettled. He had seen a side of Alara that felt more genuine than before, and it tugged at something within him—a feeling he had long since buried. Trust.

The ruins of Ildenor were close now—he could feel it. The air was charged with a strange energy, as if the very forest itself was holding its breath. Whatever secrets the ruins held, they were getting closer to them with every step.

Lucian glanced at Alara, feeling the weight of his decision to trust her. She had proven herself in the fight, and her words, though simple, had stirred something in him. He wasn't ready to admit it yet, but maybe, just maybe, she was someone worth trusting.

Because when the time came, he would need an ally.

And for now, Alara was the closest thing he had to one.