Riven_Aster

In a world where fate is controlled by celestial forces, a lone warrior defies destiny. When Kai, a fallen knight, stumbles upon a mysterious artifact, he is thrust into a battle between warring factions, divine beings, and his own dark past. Alongside a fierce rogue princess and a reluctant sorceress, he must uncover the truth behind the artifact—before it reshapes the world.

Eclipse of Destiny

The forest swallowed them whole, its towering trees casting long, jagged shadows as Kai and his soldiers pushed forward. The sound of hooves behind them sent a pulse of urgency through his veins. They were being hunted.

"We need to lose them," Lyra whispered, moving swiftly beside him. "If they catch up now, we're finished."

Elira scanned the trees ahead, her mind working fast. "There's a ravine about a mile east. If we reach it, we can use the terrain to our advantage."

The soldiers quickened their pace, the scent of damp earth and pine filling their lungs as they weaved through the undergrowth. But the enemy was gaining. The thunder of hooves grew louder, closer.

A sharp whistle sliced through the air. An arrow struck a nearby tree, quivering from the impact. Then another.

"They're archers!" Solis barked. "Keep moving!"

Kai gritted his teeth. They couldn't outrun horses forever. They had to turn the fight to their favor.

"Elira," he said. "How steep is the ravine?"

"Sharp enough to be deadly," she replied. "If they chase us too fast, they won't be able to stop in time."

A plan formed in Kai's mind. Risky—but their best shot.

"We bait them," he decided. "Draw them into a full charge. Then, at the last moment, we split and let the ravine take them."

Lyra's eyes flickered with understanding. "It's dangerous."

No more words were needed. The soldiers pressed on, forcing their exhausted legs to move faster. The enemy was nearly upon them now, their shouts cutting through the air.

Then, the trees thinned—revealing the deep, rocky gorge ahead.

The soldiers split to both sides at the last possible moment. The enemy, caught in their own speed, realized too late.

The first riders tried to stop, but momentum betrayed them.

Horses screamed. Metal clashed against rock.

And then—bodies tumbled into the abyss.

Kai stood at the edge, chest heaving, watching as the survivors scrambled to regain control. He turned to his soldiers.

"We keep moving," he ordered. "This war is far from over."

And with that, they vanished into the trees once more.

The Hunt Begins