Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Journey Begins

The council's decree had set in motion a flurry of activity. Messengers were dispatched to the far corners of Aethelgard, carrying the urgent call for aid. Scouts slipped into the treacherous Scarlands, risking their lives to gather information about the Shadow Blight. And the Weavers themselves prepared for the battles to come, honing their skills and strengthening their connection to the earth's magic.

Kael felt a restless energy within him. He was eager to contribute, to do more than just listen to the council's discussions. He wanted to be on the front lines, fighting against the Blight, protecting the innocent.

He approached Elara, his heart filled with determination. "I want to go with the scouts," he said. "I want to see the Blight for myself, to understand their tactics, their weaknesses."

Elara looked at him, her eyes filled with concern. "It's too dangerous, Kael," she said gently. "The Scarlands are a desolate and treacherous place. The Blight creatures are many, and their power is growing."

"But I have to do something," Kael insisted. "I can't just sit here and wait. I'm a Weaver, and I have a duty to protect Aethelgard."

Elara sighed. She understood his eagerness, his desire to prove himself. But she also knew the risks. "Very well," she said finally. "But you won't go alone. I'll send Lyra with you. Her water magic will be invaluable in the Scarlands."

Kael's heart leaped with gratitude. He knew that traveling with Lyra would be a great opportunity to learn from her experience and to further develop his own abilities.

The next morning, Kael and Lyra set off on their journey. They rode on horseback, following a winding path that led them towards the Scarlands. The landscape changed as they traveled, the lush green fields giving way to barren, rocky terrain. The air grew colder, and a sense of unease settled upon them.

Lyra, despite her calm demeanor, shared Kael's apprehension. "The Scarlands are a cursed place," she said, her voice low. "The Shattering left deep scars on this land, and the Blight has only amplified the darkness."

As they entered the Scarlands, the land became even more desolate. Twisted trees clawed at the sky, their branches bare and lifeless. The ground was cracked and dry, and a thick fog hung in the air, obscuring their vision.

They traveled for days, following the whispers of the earth, searching for any sign of the Blight's presence. They encountered small groups of Blight creatures, shadowy figures that seemed to melt in and out of the fog. Lyra used her water magic to create barriers, pushing back the creatures and giving them time to escape.

Kael, too, used his earth magic to defend themselves, summoning rocks and vines to ensnare the creatures. He found that his connection to the earth was stronger here, in this desolate land. The earth seemed to be crying out in pain, and he could feel its anguish.

One evening, as they camped under a sky shrouded in fog, they heard a faint sound in the distance. It was a low, mournful wail, a sound that sent chills down Kael's spine.

"What is that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lyra's face was grim. "It's the Blight's song," she said. "It's a call, a summons. It means they're gathering."

They followed the sound, cautiously moving through the fog. As they got closer, the wail grew louder, and they could see a faint glow in the distance. They reached a large clearing, and the sight that greeted them made their blood run cold.

Thousands of Blight creatures were gathered in the clearing, their shadowy forms swirling and shifting. In the center of the clearing, they saw a towering figure, a being of pure darkness that seemed to radiate malevolent energy.

"The Blight Lord," Lyra whispered, her voice filled with fear.

Kael felt a surge of terror, but also a flicker of anger. He knew that they had to retreat, that they were no match for such a vast army. But he also knew that they couldn't leave without gathering more information.

He looked at Lyra, his eyes filled with determination. "We need to get closer," he said. "We need to see what they're planning."

Lyra hesitated, but she knew that he was right. They had to take the risk. They were Weavers, and they had a duty to protect Aethelgard, even if it meant facing unimaginable danger.

They crept closer, using the fog as cover. They hid behind rocks and trees, observing the Blight Lord and his army. They saw that the creatures were not just mindless monsters. They were organized, disciplined, following the Blight Lord's commands.

They also saw something else, something that made their hearts sink. The Blight creatures were carrying large stones, strange, dark stones that seemed to pulse with an unholy energy.

"What are those?" Kael whispered.

Lyra shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "But I fear they're something dangerous."

They knew that they had to get back to Oakhaven, to warn the council about what they had seen. They had to tell them about the Blight Lord, the army, and the strange stones.

They retreated from the clearing, moving as quickly and quietly as possible. They knew that the Blight Lord would not let them escape easily.

As they made their way back through the Scarlands, they were pursued by Blight creatures. They fought them off, using their magic to create diversions and escape. They were exhausted, injured, and terrified, but they didn't give up. They knew that the fate of Aethelgard depended on them.

Finally, they reached the edge of the Scarlands and rode towards Oakhaven, carrying the grim news of the Blight's growing power and the ominous presence of the Blight Lord. The journey had just begun, and it was clear that the battles to come would be unlike an

y Aethelgard had ever seen.