Chapter 17: The Gathering Storm

The chamber buzzed with activity as the unbound prepared for their next move. Leo stood on the sidelines, trying to process everything that had just happened. His body ached from the trial, and his mind still reeled from the shadows' onslaught. But amidst the exhaustion, he felt a flicker of pride. He had survived.

Kaelara approached, her footsteps silent despite the rocky floor. She handed him a small flask. "Drink. It'll help with the fatigue."

Leo took it, uncapping the flask and taking a hesitant sip. The liquid inside was cool and bitter, but as it coursed through his body, a wave of energy surged through him.

"Thanks," he said, his voice steadier now.

Kaelara nodded, her gaze fixed on the rest of the group. "They respect you now. You passed the trial, and that means something to them."

Leo glanced around. The other unbound were busy—sharpening weapons, inspecting artifacts, and whispering in low voices. Eris stood at the center, giving orders with an air of authority that made it clear she wasn't to be questioned.

"She doesn't seem like the trusting type," Leo said, nodding toward Eris.

Kaelara's lips twitched in a faint smile. "Eris has her reasons. She's seen what happens when trust is misplaced. Give her time—she'll come around."

Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What's the plan now? We just wait for the shadows to come to us?"

"No," Kaelara said. "We're taking the fight to them. But first, we need information. There's an unbound nearby who can help us—someone with the ability to see beyond the veil."

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Beyond the veil?"

Kaelara hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "The veil separates our world from the realm of shadows. Most can't perceive it, but there are those who can see through it—see the connections, the movements of the darkness. If we find this seer, they can guide us to the fragments of light before the shadows claim them."

"And I'm guessing this seer isn't just going to hand over their help for free," Leo said.

Kaelara gave him a wry look. "Nothing worth having ever comes easy."

Before Leo could respond, Eris approached, her expression serious. "We move at dawn. The seer we're looking for is in the ruins of Askarith, about two days' journey from here. The shadows know of their existence, which means we need to get there before they do."

"Askarith?" Leo asked. "What's that?"

"A city that was swallowed by the darkness centuries ago," Eris said. "It's a cursed place, crawling with shadowspawn. If you thought the shadowcrawlers were bad, you're in for a treat."

Leo frowned. "Great. Sounds like a vacation spot."

Marcus chuckled, his scarred face splitting into a grin. "You'll get used to it, kid. Or you'll die. Either way, it won't matter much."

Eris shot Marcus a sharp look. "Enough. Prepare your gear. We leave at first light."

The group dispersed, each member moving with purpose. Leo stayed behind with Kaelara, his mind racing.

"So," he said, "what's the real story with this seer? Why are they hiding in a cursed city?"

Kaelara's expression darkened. "The seer didn't choose to be there. They were banished—exiled by the Council of Light for crimes they may or may not have committed. But regardless of their past, their abilities are unmatched. If anyone can help us, it's them."

Leo nodded, though unease settled in his chest. Something about the way Kaelara spoke made it clear there was more to the story, but he decided not to press her.

Instead, he focused on preparing for the journey ahead.

The group set out at dawn, the rising sun casting long shadows across the rugged landscape. The journey was grueling, the terrain unforgiving. As they approached Askarith, the air grew colder, and the sky took on an eerie, grayish hue.

The ruins loomed in the distance, a jagged silhouette against the horizon. Crumbled towers and broken walls jutted out like the bones of a long-dead beast. The land around the city was barren, devoid of life.

"This place is worse than I imagined," Leo muttered, gripping the Staff of Resonance tightly.

Eris led the group, her movements confident but cautious. "Stay close. The shadows here are different. They don't just attack—they corrupt."

Leo shivered at her words. He could feel the darkness in the air, pressing against his skin like an invisible weight.

As they entered the ruins, the silence was deafening. Every step echoed through the empty streets, the sound amplified by the oppressive stillness.

Kaelara walked beside Leo, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. "Stay alert. The shadows can take many forms here."

Leo nodded, his eyes scanning the area. The buildings were little more than hollow shells, their windows like empty eyes staring into nothingness. Faint whispers drifted on the wind, just loud enough to set his nerves on edge.

Suddenly, Eris raised a hand, signaling the group to stop. "We're not alone," she said, her voice low.

The ground trembled slightly, and a low growl rumbled through the air. Shadows began to coalesce around them, forming into twisted, humanoid figures with elongated limbs and glowing eyes.

"Shadowbound," Kaelara said, her voice grim. "Corrupted souls bound to the darkness."

Leo raised the staff, its light flaring to life. The shadowbound hissed, recoiling slightly, but they didn't retreat. Instead, they surged forward, their movements unnaturally fast.

The unbound sprang into action, weapons and powers flashing in the dim light. Marcus roared as he swung a massive axe, cleaving through the shadowbound with brutal efficiency. Eris moved like a whirlwind, her twin daggers carving through the enemy with deadly precision.

Leo focused on channeling the staff's light, its energy pushing back the shadows. But for every enemy they defeated, more seemed to take their place.

"This isn't working!" Leo shouted, sweat pouring down his face.

Kaelara sliced through a shadowbound, her blade glowing with runic energy. "We need to find the seer. They're our only chance."

Eris nodded, her voice sharp. "Kaelara, take Leo and find the seer. We'll hold them off."

Leo hesitated, torn between staying to fight and following Kaelara. She grabbed his arm, pulling him toward a crumbling building.

"Come on!" she said. "We don't have time to argue."

Reluctantly, Leo followed her into the building. The shadows seemed to press in around them, but the faint glow of the staff kept them at bay.

"This way," Kaelara said, leading him down a narrow staircase that descended into the depths of the ruins.

As they reached the bottom, a strange energy filled the air. A faint light flickered ahead, and a figure emerged from the darkness.

The seer.

They were tall and gaunt, their features obscured by a tattered hood and cloak. Their eyes glowed faintly, like embers in the dark.

"I've been expecting you," the seer said, their voice hollow and echoing.

Leo swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. This was it—their chance to turn the tide. But as the seer stepped closer, he couldn't shake the feeling that the real trial was only just beginning.