Alphonso’s journey

The journey to Alphonso's last known location was a silent one. The weight of their encounter with the shadowy entities still lingered in the air, an unspoken tension settling over the group. The moon was high now, casting eerie silver light over the dense forest. The trees, once familiar, now seemed twisted—warped by the lingering darkness.

Kai walked at the front, his mind a storm of unanswered questions.

Why had the entity hesitated? Why had it smiled at him? And more importantly—why did he feel like he knew it somehow?

The thought gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. He needed answers, and if Alphonso truly held them, he wasn't going to waste time.

Behind him, Lyria walked in quiet contemplation, her usual fire subdued. Eryndra followed, her expression unreadable, while Sylara moved in practiced silence. Ryn kept a cautious eye on their surroundings, tension evident in his stance.

Finally, it was Lyria who broke the silence.

"Kai."

He glanced over.

She hesitated, then sighed. "You… didn't hesitate back there."

Kai frowned. "Should I have?"

"No, but…" She bit her lip, frustration flickering in her golden eyes. "It was watching you. It wasn't just testing us—it was testing you."

Kai exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I know."

Lyria studied him, then shook her head. "You're not going to tell me what you're thinking, are you?"

He smirked slightly. "You know me too well."

She scoffed, but the tension in her shoulders eased. "It's annoying."

Kai chuckled, but before he could respond, Sylara spoke.

"Something's up ahead."

They all stopped.

A flickering light in the distance, partially obscured by the trees. A fire.

Kai's eyes narrowed. "That's where Alphonso should be."

Eryndra stepped forward. "Then let's not waste time."

They moved swiftly, closing the distance with cautious steps.

As they neared the fire, the silhouette of a man became visible. He was seated on a rock, staring into the flames, his long coat draped over his shoulders. His silver hair caught the firelight, giving him an almost ghostly appearance.

Alphonso.

Kai stepped forward. "Long time, old man."

The man didn't react at first. Then, slowly, he turned his head, his sharp, piercing eyes meeting Kai's.

"You've seen them."

Kai tensed. He hadn't expected the first words out of Alphonso's mouth to be so direct.

Lyria inhaled sharply. "You know about them."

Alphonso let out a dry chuckle. "Of course I do."

Kai took another step forward. "Then start talking."

Alphonso sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're as impatient as ever." He gestured for them to sit. "Fine. I'll tell you what I know. But you won't like it."

Kai crossed his arms. "Try me."

Alphonso studied him for a long moment, then exhaled.

"Those creatures… they're not just mindless shadows. They were once people."

Silence.

Eryndra's eyes darkened. "Explain."

Alphonso leaned forward, his gaze distant. "Long ago, there were those who sought power beyond their limits. They delved into the forbidden, the unknown. And the darkness… it answered."

He turned to Kai. "You felt it, didn't you? The way it recognized you?"

Kai's jaw tightened. "Yeah."

Alphonso nodded. "Because it did recognize you."

Lyria's hands clenched. "What are you saying?"

Alphonso sighed. "I'm saying those entities weren't just testing Kai. They were waiting for him."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Kai clenched his fists. "Why?"

Alphonso met his gaze.

"Because you're the key to what they lost."

The fire crackled between them, but no one spoke.

Kai finally exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "You're saying they were once people. What happened to them?"

Alphonso's expression darkened. "They became the darkness."

Sylara's grip on her blade tightened. "So, they were consumed."

"No." Alphonso shook his head. "They surrendered to it. They let it shape them. And now, they exist in between—neither alive nor truly dead."

Kai felt a cold weight settle in his chest.

"So what do they want from me?"

Alphonso hesitated. "That… I don't know."

Kai cursed under his breath. "Of course."

Lyria reached out, placing a hand on his arm. He flinched slightly at the warmth but didn't pull away.

"Kai," she said softly. "We'll figure this out."

He met her eyes and, for a moment, the tension in his chest eased.

Ryn, however, wasn't as patient. "Alright, so what now? If they're after Kai, do we wait for them to make a move?"

"No." Eryndra's voice was firm. "We hunt them first."

Alphonso chuckled. "Bold. But you won't find them. Not unless they want you to."

Kai gritted his teeth. He hated feeling powerless.

But then Sylara spoke. "There is another way."

All eyes turned to her.

She hesitated, then met Kai's gaze. "We lure them out."

Kai arched a brow. "And how exactly do we do that?"

Sylara's lips curled into a faint smirk. "By giving them what they want."

The fire crackled. The weight of her words hung in the air.

Kai sighed. "You mean me."

Sylara nodded. "They're drawn to you. If we make it obvious that you're seeking them, they won't be able to resist."

Lyria tensed. "That's too dangerous."

Sylara shrugged. "You have a better idea?"

Lyria's hands clenched. "You're asking him to be bait."

Kai exhaled. "I don't like it either, but… it might be our only chance."

Lyria scowled but didn't argue.

Sylara turned to Alphonso. "Do you know where they gather?"

Alphonso studied her, then let out a slow sigh. "There's a ruin not far from here. A place once used for rituals."

Kai nodded. "Then that's where we go."

Lyria crossed her arms. "I still don't like this."

Kai smirked. "I know."

She glared at him. "Just… don't do anything stupid."

Kai chuckled. "No promises."

She huffed, but the concern in her eyes lingered.

Eryndra stood. "Then it's settled. We move at dawn."

The fire burned lower, shadows dancing in the flickering light.

Kai exhaled. He didn't know what awaited them in that ruin.

But he knew one thing for sure.

This was far from over.