Chapter 2: The Weight of the Mark

Revan crouched low, his breath visible in the frigid night air. The faint rustle of leaves and the distant calls of night creatures filled the silence, but every shadow seemed alive, every flicker of moonlight a potential enemy. Behind him, the small village of Kaldora loomed, its darkened houses huddled together like conspirators. The escape had been easier than expected—too easy, perhaps. No guards patrolled the prison, and the gate leading into the forest was unlocked.

Kael's words echoed in his mind: "Meet me in the woods by dusk."

The strange man's confidence had unsettled him. There was no promise of safety, no reassurance. Just the casual implication that Revan was already neck-deep in a world he didn't understand. His chest ached, and he absently touched the mark through his torn shirt. The sensation of its pulsing energy hadn't left him since his awakening.

A branch snapped somewhere to his left. Revan froze, every muscle taut as he scanned the shadows. Another crack, closer this time, followed by a low, guttural growl. The shadows ahead shifted unnaturally, coiling and stretching as if alive.

Then, it emerged—a hulking creature cloaked in darkness. Its form was indistinct, as though it were made of the very shadows surrounding it. Twin pinpricks of glowing crimson burned where its eyes should have been, locked onto Revan with an unnatural intensity.

Revan staggered back, his heart hammering in his chest. "What the hell is that?"

The creature didn't answer, of course. Instead, it lunged, moving with an unnatural fluidity. Instinct took over. Revan raised his hands defensively, and something deep within him responded. The mark on his chest flared to life, burning with icy fire. Shadows writhed around him, forming a protective barrier just as the creature's claws raked the air where he had been.

The force of the impact sent him sprawling, but the shadow barrier held. For a moment, the creature hesitated, its crimson eyes narrowing as it observed its prey. Revan scrambled to his feet, his breathing ragged. His mind raced, searching for answers. How do I fight this thing?

The creature struck again, its movements faster than he could follow. This time, Revan didn't try to block. He dodged to the side, his body reacting on instinct. His hands moved of their own accord, and tendrils of shadow lashed out from the barrier, striking the creature's flank. The impact sent it skidding across the forest floor, but it rose almost immediately, unscathed.

Panic welled up inside him. The power he wielded felt vast, but it was foreign, uncontrollable. He clenched his fists, willing the shadows to obey him. They twisted and coiled, responding sluggishly to his commands. Another strike from the creature came, this time faster, more ferocious. Revan barely managed to evade, the creature's claws grazing his arm.

The pain was sharp, hot, and real. Blood seeped from the shallow wound, staining his sleeve. The sight of it ignited something within him—a surge of desperation, anger, and fear. The mark on his chest pulsed again, stronger this time, and the shadows around him surged forward like a tidal wave.

The creature let out a guttural shriek as the shadows enveloped it, binding its limbs and dragging it to the ground. Revan didn't stop. He couldn't. The power coursing through him demanded release, and he obliged. The shadows constricted, crushing the creature with a force that sent cracks echoing through the forest.

When it was over, the creature dissolved into a pool of darkness, evaporating into the night like mist under the sun. Revan collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. The mark on his chest had gone still, but he could feel it lingering, like a predator waiting for its moment to strike.

---

The faint sound of clapping broke the silence. Revan's head snapped up, and there, leaning casually against a tree, was Kael.

"Well done," Kael said, his tone laced with amusement. "I wasn't sure you'd survive your first encounter with a Shadeborn. Guess I underestimated you."

Revan glared at him, his chest heaving. "You knew that thing was out here?"

Kael shrugged, pushing off the tree and approaching him. "They're drawn to power, especially the kind you're radiating like a bonfire. I figured you'd encounter one sooner or later. Consider it a trial by fire—or shadows, in your case."

"Trial?" Revan spat, climbing to his feet. His legs felt like lead, but his anger propelled him forward. "I could've died."

"But you didn't." Kael's grin widened. "And now you've learned something important: the power inside you isn't just for show. It's real, it's dangerous, and it's yours to control—if you survive long enough to master it."

Revan took a step back, wary of the man's confidence. "What do you want from me?"

Kael tilted his head, studying him. "You're marked by a Shadow Seal, and not just any Shadow Seal—an Abyssal one. That kind of power doesn't come without a price. The Eclipse Covenant will hunt you, the Dominions will brand you a heretic, and every two-bit practitioner with a chip on their shoulder will want a piece of you. But..." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "If you stick with me, I can teach you how to survive. Maybe even thrive."

Revan's jaw tightened. "Why help me? What's in it for you?"

Kael's grin faltered for a moment, replaced by a calculating look. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting to see the Covenant and their ilk taken down a notch. You're a weapon, Revan. A damn powerful one. But a weapon without a wielder is just a lump of metal. Stick with me, and we both get what we want."

The offer was tempting, but Revan's instincts warned him to be cautious. Kael's motivations were far from clear, and his easy confidence suggested a man accustomed to manipulation. Still, the alternative was going it alone, without knowledge, resources, or allies in a hostile world.

Revan hesitated for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. But if you cross me—"

Kael held up a hand, cutting him off. "I know, I know. You'll unleash those fancy shadows of yours and turn me into a smear on the ground. Got it." His grin returned, full of mischief. "Now, let's get moving. The forest isn't safe at night, and I'd rather not be around when the Shadeborn's buddies come looking for it."

---

The pair set off into the forest, Kael leading the way with the confidence of someone who knew every twist and turn of the terrain. Revan followed in silence, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

The encounter with the Shadeborn had revealed more questions than answers. Where had that creature come from? What did Kael mean about the Eclipse Covenant? And, most importantly, what was the true nature of the mark on his chest?

As they moved deeper into the woods, the shadows seemed to press closer, as if watching. Revan couldn't shake the feeling that the forest itself was alive, whispering secrets he wasn't yet ready to hear. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: his journey was only beginning.

And the shadows would be his constant companion.