51. Hints of Greater Force.

Micheal laid on the ground, his body aching from the battle. his breath still heavy and mind racing from what just happened. The morning air was buzzing with cold breeze all round the forest.

Kai groaned as he pushed himself up "So What's the next task?" He asked.

"We need a little rest for now...we are not in a rush" Micheal answered pulling himself up as he scanned the area. The Battlefield was different now. Everything has vanished, the darkness that threatened to consume everything is no where

to be found.

The Remaining Dreadborn knight stood frozen as if the life has been drained from them.

"But it feels to quite here" Selene muttered. "I think we need to get going, to find a good place to rest as we journey further."

"Or what do u think" her eyes fixed at Micheal.

Before Micheal could say a word, Riven burst into the conversation "I don't think we'll find a place to rest if we move further, we rather stay here for a while before we end up fighting some kind of monsterous beast"

"I agree with riven" Kai muttered. "We better stay here. It feels safe"

Jade stepped forward swingling her sword, her gaze locked on the motionless knights laid on the ground "They're not attacking....but I still don't trust it"

"They are dead. Why are you still doubting" Kai's voice low but steady.

"I just don't trust it" Jade whispered.

Micheal approached the nearest Dreadborn knight. The knight remained still, it's armor cracked and lifeless. He reached out carefully, but the moment his fingers brushed the armor

Crack!

The knights body shattered like glass,breaking apart into dark shards before vanishing into nothing. The rest knights began to break apart as well one after the other before dissolving into dust.

"Okay, I wasn't expecting that" Kai shouted as he took a step back a little.

"Told you I couldn't trust them" Jade gasped.

"Are we finally free?" Riven sighed.

"No. Not sure...But I hope so, I'm tired."Selene groaned.

"We are not free, not yet. But soon all these will come to an end." Micheal exhaled.

There was a heavy silence that settled over the group. the battle had been brutal— but at what cost?

The ground beneath them began to open up before they could process anything. Looking like another attack is about to happen—but it isn't. It was just something shifting beneath the earth.

"Take cover" Micheal reached out immediately.

Everything wasn't in order, the battlefield once broken started to change. The cracks in the ground began to seal themselves—it was as if the land itself was repairing.

"Micheal, What's happening" Selene shouted.

"Are you sure we all are going to survive these" Kai grumbled.

"Magic" jade muttered. Her eyes fixed on Micheal.

"But whose?"

A pulse of energy rippled through the air, warm and oddly familiar.

And then, they all heard a slow and steady heartbeat.

Micheal's eyes widened. "No… it can't be."

Kai looked confused. "What? What's happening?"

Before anyone could response, the dark clouds already revealing the giant glow of golden light. They began to hear whispers they weren't familiar with—whispers with strange languages they couldn't understood.

"Do u hear that" Selene whispered to Michael taking a step closer to him.

"Yeah...I do" Micheal nodded.

The whispers grew more louder trying to form words

"He who walks between the flame and shadow...awaken." The voice was echoing from every angles, carrying an undeniable power.

Micheal's heart pounded. Seems he recognized that voice. He has heard that voice long time ago.

Jade's gripped her sword "Who's there?" She called out.

A light appeared from the sky and suddenly a figure appeared in the distance. It was made up of golden energy, shifting like fire.

"No....No way" Micheal breath hard.

The figure coming towards them, it's body filled with so much energy. "You are not ready"

The light exploded outward.

A sudden force hits them all, pushing them backwards. Micheal instinctively raised his hand, protecting his eyes from the sudden burst of light.

Then silence.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the figure was gone.

"Can someone just explain to me what just happened" Kai groaned.

Jade was already scanning around. "It didn't attack us...but seems he left something behind."

Micheal turned to where the figure had been standing. He saw something new.

A symbol, glowing faintly with energy.

"Here...look" he said his voice calm.

Everyone gaze fixed on Micheal as he walked towards the glowing symbol. The closer he got,the more he could feel the energy radiating.

"what's that" Selene murmured coming forward

"Ancient symbol" Micheal muttered. "But I feel it's calling me"

"Then answer it" jade said crossing her arms.

Micheal reached out. The moment his fingers touched the symbol—

Visions flashed before eyes. Images of wars, fire, ancient powers long forgotten. He saw glimpse of the temple hidden deep in an unknown land. A voice echoed in his mind

"Find the place where flames was first born."

Then, the vision disappeared.

Micheal heart's raced hard, stumbling backwards. His body still tingling with power.

"What the hell just happened" riven looked concerned.

Micheal steadied himself, his golden flames sparking at this fingertips. He looked at his team with a sense of determination burning in his eyes.

"I know where we have to go next"

"Oh yeah, our Captain has spoken" Kai smirked.

Jade adjusted her sword. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Selene smirked. "Another journey, huh? Can't say I'm surprised."

Riven sighed. "Fine. Just as long as we don't run into another nightmare monster the second we get there."

The battle of the Dreadborn Knight is now over. Something far greater had just begun

The message was clear— there was something waiting for them, something tied to Micheal's past.

Micheal looked at the sky one last time, where the mysterious figure had appeared.

Then, with renewed resolve, he turned to his team.

"Let's go."