Chapter four

I had to drop four chapters straight to know how serious I am

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Chapter 4: Shadows Stir

Weeks turned into months, and Kael's training with Elara intensified. He spent his days in the garden, honing his control over the earth's magic, learning to sense the subtle nuances of its flow. He practiced manipulating the other elements, coaxing flames from a candle, summoning a gentle breeze, even attempting to sense the elusive spirit energy that connected all things.

His progress was remarkable. Elara was astonished by his natural talent and his unwavering dedication. He seemed to possess an innate understanding of the magic, a deep connection to the earth that she had rarely seen in other Weavers.

But their peaceful routine was shattered one evening as a chilling message arrived in Oakhaven. A rider, haggard and dust-covered, galloped into the village square, his voice hoarse as he delivered the grim news.

"Shadow Blight," he gasped, clutching a bloodstained bandage on his arm. "Attack on Willow Creek. They've breached the border."

A collective gasp arose from the villagers gathered in the square. Willow Creek was a small farming community just a day's ride from Oakhaven, nestled on the edge of the Scarlands, the desolate region bordering the Shadow Blight's territory. An attack there meant the Blight was pushing further into Aethelgard than it had in decades.

Fear gripped Kael's heart. He had heard stories of the Shadow Blight, tales whispered around campfires to frighten children. Creatures of darkness, they were called, beings of pure shadow that consumed all light and life in their path. He had always dismissed them as folklore, but the rider's panicked arrival and the terror in the villagers' eyes painted a different picture.

Elara, her face grim, immediately went into action. She dispatched messengers to the neighboring villages, urging them to prepare their defenses. She rallied the able-bodied men of Oakhaven, organizing them into a makeshift militia. And she called Kael to her side.

"This is it, Kael," she said, her voice grave. "The time has come for you to put your training to the test."

He felt a surge of fear, but also a strange sense of purpose. He had been preparing for this, hadn't he? This was what it meant to be a Weaver, to protect Aethelgard from the forces of darkness. He nodded, his resolve hardening.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

Elara handed him a small leather pouch. "Take this," she said. "It contains herbs and crystals that will amplify your powers. Go to Willow Creek. Help them defend their village. And Kael..." she paused, her eyes searching his. "...be careful."

He nodded, his heart pounding. He knew this was a dangerous mission, but he wouldn't back down. He was a Weaver, and he had a duty to fulfill.

He mounted one of the village horses, a sturdy brown mare named Hazel, and rode out of Oakhaven, the setting sun casting long shadows behind him. He had never been to Willow Creek, but he knew the way. He could feel the earth guiding him, urging him onward.

As he rode, he thought about the Shadow Blight. What were they? Where did they come from? And why were they attacking Aethelgard? He had so many questions, but no answers. He only knew that he had to stop them.

He rode through the night, the moon his only companion. The air grew colder as he approached the Scarlands, a desolate region of twisted trees and barren land. He could feel the presence of the Shadow Blight, a creeping darkness that sent shivers down his spine.

He reached Willow Creek just before dawn. The village was in chaos. Houses were burning, and the air was thick with smoke and the smell of blood. He saw villagers fighting desperately against shadowy figures, their weapons flashing in the dim light.

He dismounted Hazel and rushed into the fray, his senses heightened. He could see the Shadow Blight creatures now, their forms shifting and swirling, their eyes burning with malevolent intent. They were fast, agile, and deadly.

He drew upon the earth's magic, channeling it through his hands. He summoned vines from the ground, ensnaring the creatures, giving the villagers a chance to strike. He hurled rocks with amplified force, knocking the creatures off balance. He even managed to conjure a small wall of earth, providing a temporary barrier against the onslaught.

But the Shadow Blight creatures were relentless. They seemed to multiply with every fallen comrade, their numbers overwhelming. Kael fought with all his might, but he was just one Weaver against a legion of darkness.

He realized that they couldn't win this fight. They had to retreat. He shouted to the villagers, urging them to fall back. He used his magic to create a diversion, conjuring a wave of earth that sent the creatures scattering.

He gathered the surviving villagers and led them to the relative safety of the forest. As they fled, he looked back at Willow Creek, his heart heavy with sorrow. The village was lost. He had failed to protect it.

But he knew he couldn't give up. This was just the beginning. The Shadow Blight was a threat to all of Aethelgard, and he was one of the few who could stand against them. He had a long road ahead of him, a dangerous and uncertain path. But he would not falter. He would fight for his world, for his people, for his destiny as a Weaver.