Echoes of the Forgotten
The forest seemed calmer after the destruction of the altar, yet an inexplicable tension lingered in the air. Lin Xuan and Li Fengxian moved swiftly, their senses heightened, wary of further dangers. The medallion Lin Xuan carried felt heavier with every step, as though it bore more than just its physical weight.
"This place isn't ordinary," Li Fengxian muttered, glancing at the twisted trees. "It feels like it's watching us."
Lin Xuan didn't respond immediately, his focus trained on their surroundings. Finally, he said, "That altar was a warning—or a trap. Whatever power was bound here wasn't meant to be disturbed."
Li Fengxian nodded. "The runes... they weren't just for containment. They were a gateway, tethered to something far more sinister."
They pressed on in silence, the faint rustle of leaves their only companion. The medallion pulsed faintly against Lin Xuan's side, its strange energy both alluring and unnerving.
---
As night fell, they reached the edge of the forest, where a narrow trail wound up a steep mountainside. The air grew colder, and the sky above darkened into an inky void, devoid of stars.
"We'll camp here," Lin Xuan said, gesturing to a sheltered spot beneath a rocky overhang.
Li Fengxian set to work gathering wood for a fire, while Lin Xuan scouted the area for any signs of danger. When he returned, the fire was crackling softly, its warmth a welcome respite from the chill.
"Anything?" she asked.
"Nothing nearby," he said, sitting down across from her. "But that doesn't mean we're safe. This place feels... wrong."
Li Fengxian sighed, her eyes fixed on the flames. "The medallion you found—it's not ordinary. I've seen symbols like that before, in the ancient archives of my sect. They're tied to the Forgotten Realm."
"The Forgotten Realm?" Lin Xuan frowned.
She nodded. "A place said to exist beyond our reality, where remnants of lost civilizations and ancient powers linger. Some believe it's a prison for beings too dangerous to roam free."
Lin Xuan's grip tightened around the medallion. "And you think this is connected to that?"
"It's possible," she admitted. "The energy from that altar wasn't natural. It felt... tainted, as though it didn't belong in this world."
---
The conversation was cut short as a low, mournful wail echoed through the mountains. Both of them jumped to their feet, their weapons drawn.
The wail grew louder, accompanied by the sound of footsteps—heavy, deliberate, and unnatural. A shadow emerged from the darkness, its form indistinct but radiating malice.
"What is that?" Li Fengxian whispered, her voice tense.
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. "I don't know. But it's not friendly."
The shadow moved closer, and as it stepped into the firelight, its form became clearer—a towering figure clad in tattered robes, its face obscured by a cracked mask. Its hollow eyes glowed with an eerie light, and its skeletal hands clutched a staff etched with runes similar to those on the medallion.
"You carry the mark of the condemned," it intoned, its voice like the grinding of stone. "Surrender it, or face annihilation."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his sword glowing faintly with energy. "If you want it, come and take it."
The figure let out a guttural laugh, raising its staff. The air around them shimmered as a surge of dark energy exploded outward, sending both Lin Xuan and Li Fengxian stumbling back.
---
The battle began in earnest. Lin Xuan darted forward, his blade slashing through the air with precision. The figure countered with surprising speed, its staff deflecting the attack effortlessly.
Li Fengxian circled to the side, her own sword striking at the figure's exposed flank. It twisted unnaturally, dodging her blow and retaliating with a wave of energy that knocked her off balance.
"Stay focused!" Lin Xuan shouted, pressing the attack.
The figure was relentless, its movements fluid and unpredictable. Every strike it made carried an unnatural force, and the runes on its staff pulsed with malevolent energy.
As the fight dragged on, Lin Xuan's frustration grew. The figure seemed impervious to their attacks, its form reforming every time it was struck.
"We can't keep this up," Li Fengxian said, her breath labored. "It's drawing power from the medallion!"
Lin Xuan's eyes widened as realization dawned. The medallion was glowing brighter, its energy feeding into the figure.
"Then we cut it off," he said, pulling the medallion from his pouch.
"No! You don't know what that will do!" Li Fengxian protested.
"We don't have a choice," Lin Xuan said, his voice firm.
---
Holding the medallion tightly, Lin Xuan channeled his energy into it, his sword glowing brighter with each passing moment. The figure let out a furious roar, its movements growing more erratic as it tried to stop him.
Li Fengxian moved to intercept, her blade clashing with the figure's staff as she bought Lin Xuan the time he needed.
With a final surge of energy, Lin Xuan slammed the medallion into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, and the medallion shattered into fragments.
The figure let out an earsplitting shriek as its form began to dissolve, the energy sustaining it dissipating into the night. Within moments, it was gone, leaving only silence in its wake.
---
Lin Xuan fell to his knees, his body trembling from the exertion. Li Fengxian rushed to his side, her expression a mix of concern and relief.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
He nodded weakly. "I'm fine. Just... drained."
She helped him to his feet, and they surveyed the clearing. The fragments of the medallion lay scattered, their glow fading.
"That was reckless," Li Fengxian said, though there was no anger in her voice.
Lin Xuan managed a faint smile. "It worked, didn't it?"
She shook her head but didn't argue. "Let's get some rest. We'll need our strength for whatever comes next."
As they settled back by the fire, Lin Xuan couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The shadows of the Forgotten Realm had reached out to him, and he knew they wouldn't stop until they had what they wanted.