A Sudden Awakening
Jorath bolted upright, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His body was drenched in sweat, the echoes of the dream still clawing at the edges of his mind. The whispers from the void, the figure in the distance, the feeling that something had reached out to him—it felt too real.
The fire had burned low, casting flickering shadows against the gnarled trees surrounding their camp. His heartbeat thundered in his chest.
Then he realized—
Someone was watching him.
His eyes snapped to the side.
Thalos stood a few feet away, his golden gaze illuminated by the dying fire's glow. Unblinking. Unreadable.
Jorath swallowed hard. "You're awake."
It wasn't a question.
Thalos tilted his head slightly, as if considering something, before finally responding. "So are you."
A chill crawled down Jorath's spine.
Something about the way Thalos said it felt wrong.
Like he knew.
Jorath clenched his jaw. "I—"
A snap of a twig interrupted him.
Jorath's muscles tensed instinctively as he turned. His hand drifted toward his weapon.
A second later, Eryndra stepped into view. Her violet eyes flicked between them, her stance wary.
She had felt it too.
"What the hell is going on?" she whispered, voice tight.
Jorath exhaled sharply. He wasn't sure he had an answer.
---
The Fractured Dominion
Far above the mortal realm, the Eternal Dominion trembled.
The gods had not spoken in unison for centuries.
But now, their voices clashed like a storm of divine will, shaking the foundation of their realm.
"The Forsaken are stirring."
"This cannot be allowed."
"The Ashen King must be stopped."
Sovaren sat upon his radiant throne, silent amidst the chaos. The power radiating from him was immense, yet controlled. His silver gaze was unreadable as he listened.
Then, finally—he spoke.
"Send the Sentinels."
A hush fell over the chamber.
The decision had been made.
The hunt had begun.
---
A Warning in the Dark
Back at the camp, the tension was palpable.
Eryndra crossed her arms. "You both look like you've seen a ghost."
Jorath hesitated. His mind replayed the vision—the abyss, the whispers, the eyes that had recognized him.
He wasn't sure how to explain it.
Thalos, however, remained calm. Too calm.
Then, without warning, he spoke.
"We are being watched."
Jorath stiffened. "What?"
Eryndra's fingers twitched toward the dagger at her side.
Thalos exhaled. "Not here. Not directly." His golden eyes gleamed in the dim firelight. "But we are no longer unseen."
The words sent a chill through Jorath.
Eryndra narrowed her eyes. "And how the hell do you know that?"
For the first time, Thalos hesitated.
Then he said, simply—
"Because I felt it."
Silence.
The weight of his words settled over them like a suffocating fog.
Jorath exchanged a glance with Eryndra.
Neither of them believed Thalos was telling them the whole truth.
But one thing was certain.
They were no longer alone.
---
The Hunters' Arrival
Elsewhere…
A figure descended from the heavens, cloaked in divine light. His presence alone warped reality, bending the very air around him.
The first Sentinel had arrived.
His armor gleamed like the sun, yet his eyes held no warmth. Only purpose.
Behind him, more figures followed—silent, unwavering.
Their mission was clear.
Find the Ashen King.
Erase him.
And annihilate all who stood in their way.