The Path of Shadows

The night air was thick with an eerie silence as Evelyn and Soren continued their journey. The encounter with the crimson-eyed stranger had left a mark on her soul, one she couldn't shake. His words replayed in her mind over and over again.

You have already chosen.

The thought sent a chill down her spine. She didn't want to believe it, but deep down, she knew he wasn't lying. Something inside her had changed. The darkness wasn't just whispering anymore—it was calling.

Soren rode beside her, his expression tense. He hadn't said much since the encounter, but she knew his mind was running just as fast as hers. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer than she expected.

"Evelyn… if something happens, if this thing inside you tries to take over, promise me you'll fight it."

She hesitated. Could she promise that? Could she fight something that felt so… natural? Instead of answering, she looked away. "I don't know what's happening to me, Soren."

He sighed, frustration flickering in his eyes. "Then we'll figure it out together. But you have to let me in."

Before she could respond, a sharp cry pierced the night. Both of them pulled their horses to a stop, eyes scanning the dense forest.

The cry came again—this time, closer.

"Someone's in trouble," Evelyn said, already reaching for her dagger.

Soren nodded, and together they dismounted, moving toward the sound. As they stepped deeper into the trees, a faint glow pulsed in the distance. The air crackled with a strange energy, making the hairs on Evelyn's arms stand on end.

Then they saw it.

A woman, cloaked in rags, stood at the center of a glowing sigil carved into the earth. Her hands trembled as she tried to contain the swirling magic surrounding her. Her eyes darted to Evelyn, filled with a mixture of desperation and recognition.

"You… you are the one," the woman gasped. "You must stop it."

Evelyn felt the darkness inside her stir, reacting to whatever force the woman was wielding. "Stop what? Who are you?"

The woman shook her head violently. "No time. It is coming. They know you are awake!"

Before Evelyn could ask anything more, the sigil exploded with a burst of energy, throwing her and Soren backward. The woman let out a final scream before vanishing into thin air, leaving nothing but scorched earth where she had stood.

Evelyn groaned, pushing herself up. Soren was already on his feet, sword drawn.

"What the hell was that?" he demanded.

Evelyn stared at the empty space where the woman had been, her heart pounding. "I don't know… but I think we just got our warning."

Somewhere in the distance, a new sound rose.

The howling of creatures that did not belong in this world.

And they were coming for her.