12. Whispers in the shadows

Chapter Twelve: Whispers in the Shadows

The night was still, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. The fire crackled softly, its glow casting flickering light over Marvis's face as he stared into the flames. Sleep eluded him, his mind racing with thoughts of the Hunter, the Council, and the weight of the key hidden in his pocket.

Across the fire, Liora sat with her knees drawn to her chest, her green eyes scanning the darkness beyond the camp. She was a mystery, her motives unclear, and while her information about the Council had been invaluable, Marvis couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't telling them everything.

Elias was a silent sentinel, his back against a tree, sword resting across his lap. His amber eyes flicked to Marvis, and for a moment, they shared a look of understanding.

"You should try to sleep," Elias said quietly, his voice cutting through the night like a soft blade.

Marvis shook his head. "I can't. Too much on my mind."

Elias nodded, his gaze returning to the trees. "The road ahead won't get any easier. You'll need your strength."

"Neither of you are sleeping," Marvis countered.

Elias smirked faintly but didn't respond.

---

Liora finally broke the silence, her voice low and wary. "We're not alone."

Both Elias and Marvis stiffened, their hands going to their weapons.

"What do you mean?" Elias asked, his voice sharp.

Liora gestured toward the trees. "There's something out there. I can feel it."

Marvis strained his ears, his pulse quickening. At first, he heard nothing but the distant rustle of leaves in the wind. Then, faintly, came the sound of movement—soft, deliberate, and too rhythmic to be the wind.

Elias was already on his feet, his sword gleaming in the firelight. "Stay close to the fire," he said, his tone commanding.

Marvis drew his dagger, his heart pounding. "Do you think it's the Hunter?"

"No," Liora said, her eyes narrowing. "This is something else."

Elias stepped forward, his posture tense. "Show yourself!" he called into the darkness.

For a moment, there was no response. Then, from the shadows, emerged a figure cloaked in black, their face obscured by a deep hood.

"You've wandered far from safety," the figure said, their voice low and distorted, as though it echoed from somewhere deep and hollow.

Elias raised his sword. "Who are you?"

The figure tilted their head, their movements unnervingly smooth. "A messenger," they said. "The Council sends its regards."

---

Before anyone could react, the figure raised their hand, and a wave of dark energy rippled outward. The fire sputtered and died, plunging the camp into darkness.

"Marvis, get down!" Elias shouted, lunging forward to intercept the attack.

Marvis dropped to the ground, the force of the energy passing over him like a cold wind. He scrambled backward, his dagger clutched tightly in his hand.

Elias engaged the figure, their blades clashing in the moonlight. The stranger moved with an eerie fluidity, their strikes swift and precise.

Marvis's eyes darted to Liora, who was chanting under her breath, her hands glowing with a faint green light. A moment later, she released the energy, sending a blast of light toward the figure.

The attack hit its mark, and the figure stumbled, their hood falling back to reveal a face that seemed to shift and shimmer, as though it couldn't decide on a single form.

"What is that?" Marvis whispered, horrified.

"A Shade," Liora said, her voice grim. "An assassin conjured from shadow and malice. The Council must be desperate if they've sent one after us."

---

The Shade recovered quickly, its form coalescing into something sharper, more humanoid. It lunged at Liora, its blade slicing through the air with unnatural speed.

Marvis reacted on instinct, throwing himself between them. He brought his dagger up just in time to deflect the strike, though the force of the blow sent him sprawling.

"Marvis!" Elias shouted, his voice tinged with panic.

Liora took advantage of the opening, her hands glowing brightly as she unleashed another blast of energy. The Shade let out an unearthly screech, its form flickering like a dying flame.

Elias charged forward, his sword plunging into the creature's chest. The Shade froze, its body shuddering before it dissolved into a cloud of black smoke.

The forest fell silent once more, the oppressive energy dissipating with the Shade's demise.

---

Marvis sat up, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. "What was that thing?"

"A weapon," Elias said, his voice tight. "The Council's way of reminding us they're always watching."

Liora knelt beside Marvis, her expression uncharacteristically soft. "Are you hurt?"

Marvis shook his head, though his hands were trembling. "I'm fine. Just… shaken."

Elias sheathed his sword, his amber eyes hard. "This changes things. The Council isn't waiting for us to come to them. They're bringing the fight to us."

Marvis looked up at him, his fear giving way to determination. "Then we'll fight back."

Elias's gaze softened slightly, and he nodded. "We'll need to reach the fortress quickly. If the Council is sending Shades, it won't be long before they come in force."

Liora stood, brushing dirt from her hands. "We'll need more than just speed. The Shade was just a warning. The next attack will be far worse."

Marvis rose to his feet, his hand brushing against the key in his pocket. The weight of it felt heavier than ever, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

"Then we'll be ready," he said, his voice steady.

Elias placed a hand on Marvis's shoulder, a rare gesture of reassurance. "You're stronger than you know," he said quietly.

Marvis met his gaze, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he felt like he wasn't facing it alone.