Seraphine's breath came in ragged gasps. Her arms trembled as she clutched her staff, standing protectively in front of Kalen's unconscious body. Her cloak was tattered, her body bruised, yet she refused to back down. They had been traveling through these desolate lands for what felt like an eternity, constantly harassed by beasts and unseen threats. She had fought and endured, but exhaustion was setting in.
A monstrous beast, its eyes glowing like molten fire, emerged from the bushes. It was larger than any they had encountered before, its fangs glistening with venom. The ground trembled beneath its massive paws, and its snarl sent a chill down Seraphine's spine.
She adjusted her grip on her staff, summoning what little strength she had left. "Come on, then."
The beast lunged.
Seraphine raised her staff to counter, but her movements were sluggish. The creature's claws slashed toward her, too fast to dodge—
A blur of motion. A flash of steel.
The beast recoiled, howling in pain as a blade tore through its side.
Seraphine staggered back, her vision swimming. A group of travelers had appeared out of nowhere, their weapons gleaming under the eerie light. There were four of them—battle-hardened warriors, their presence exuding strength and discipline. Their leader, a tall man with dark eyes and a heavy cloak, stepped forward, raising his bloodied sword.
"We'll take it from here."
The battle was swift. The travelers moved with calculated precision, overwhelming the beast with coordinated strikes. The creature fought fiercely, but it was no match for their combined strength. Within minutes, it lay lifeless on the ground, dark blood pooling around it.
Seraphine let out a shaky breath, gripping her staff to stay upright. "You saved us…"
The leader sheathed his sword and turned to her. "More like you saved yourself. You put up a hell of a fight." His gaze flickered to Kalen, still unconscious. "But I have to ask—how did you two end up here?"
Seraphine hesitated. She couldn't reveal the truth—not about Kalen's bloodline, nor the Council of Shadows hunting them. "We were attacked," she finally said, keeping her voice steady. "We got lost. He hasn't woken up since."
The travelers exchanged glances. They weren't convinced, but they didn't press further.
"This place isn't safe. You're lucky we found you when we did." The leader gestured for his group to move. "Come on. We'll get you out of here."
Seraphine hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She bent down, brushing Kalen's hair from his face. "Just hold on a little longer."
With their help, she lifted Kalen onto one of the traveler's horses. They moved swiftly through the treacherous terrain, guided by warriors who seemed to know every path and hidden danger. Along the way, they spoke of dark tidings—rumors of warlocks stirring, of growing unrest across the land.
Seraphine listened in silence, gripping Kalen's hand tightly.
By the time they reached safer lands, dawn was breaking. The travelers stopped at a crossroads. "This is as far as we go," the leader said. "Be careful, girl. Your journey is far from over."
Seraphine bowed her head. "Thank you."
With Kalen still unconscious, she pressed forward alone. Finding shelter in a quiet town, she laid him down on a bed and sat beside him, watching over him as he slept.
The world was shifting. War was coming.
And Kalen had yet to wake.