Chapter 6: The River of Glass

The river wound through the forest like a silver serpent, its surface smooth and reflective as glass. Elara and Daelin stood at its edge, the water whispering secrets as it slipped over smooth stones. The evening sun cast long shadows, painting the world in shades of amber and violet.

Elara knelt, cupping her hands to drink. The water was cool and sweet, a brief respite from the weight of their journey. She splashed some on her face, letting the chill chase away the lingering fatigue. "We should rest here," she said, her voice soft. "The cultists won't follow us this far."

Daelin didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on the treeline, every muscle in his body taut as a drawn bowstring. "We can't be sure of that. They're more organized than I expected. Fanaticism makes them dangerous."

She couldn't argue with that. The cultists had moved with purpose, their rituals precise and their power tangible. The Void wasn't just a force of nature—it had followers, people willing to sacrifice everything to see its darkness spread.

Elara reached into her pack, pulling out a strip of dried meat. She chewed thoughtfully, her mind turning over the events of the day. "What do you think they want?"

Daelin sat beside her, his axe resting across his knees. "Power, most likely. The Void corrupts, twists desires into obsessions. Whatever promises it makes, it delivers only ruin."

"I don't understand how anyone could look at Windhaven and think that's what they want."

"Not everyone sees the world the way we do," he said. "Some crave chaos, others control. The Void offers both."

A shiver ran through her, and she wrapped her cloak tighter around her shoulders. The temperature was dropping, the forest settling into the cool embrace of night. She watched the river, the current pulling gently toward the horizon. "My mother used to tell me stories about this river. She said if you looked into the water at sunset, you could see the future."

Daelin raised an eyebrow. "Did you ever try?"

Elara's lips curved into a faint smile. "All the time. I never saw anything, though. Just my own reflection staring back at me."

He chuckled, a rare sound that softened the sharp lines of his face. "Maybe that was the lesson. The future is what we make of it."

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds the babbling of the river and the soft rustle of leaves. Elara felt the weight of exhaustion settle over her, a blanket of lead pulling at her limbs. Her eyelids drooped, and for a moment, she let herself drift.

The world shifted. The forest around her grew darker, the trees twisting into shapes that clawed at the sky. The river turned black, its surface rippling with shadows. She stood at the edge, her reflection staring back—eyes hollow, skin pale as bone.

Her mirrored self smiled, a slow, unsettling curve of the lips. "It's coming, Elara," it whispered. "You cannot stop it."

She stumbled back, her foot slipping on wet stone. Cold hands grasped at her ankles, pulling her down. The ground gave way, and she fell into the dark, the river swallowing her whole.

Elara gasped, jerking awake. Her hand shot to her dagger, the blade halfway free before she realized where she was. The forest remained still, the river gentle and clear. Daelin was on his feet, his axe at the ready, eyes sharp with concern.

"Nightmare?" he asked.

She nodded, forcing her breathing to steady. "It felt... real. Like the Void was reaching for me."

Daelin knelt beside her, his presence a solid, grounding force. "You've been pushing yourself too hard. The magic, the fighting—it's wearing on you."

"I can't afford to stop," she said, her voice trembling despite her resolve. "If we slow down, if we falter, the Void wins."

"We can't fight it if we're dead on our feet," he countered. "We rest tonight. No arguments."

Elara bit back a retort. She knew he was right, but admitting it felt like surrender. "Fine. But only until dawn."

"Agreed." Daelin relaxed, but only slightly. He moved to set up a small camp, his movements efficient and practiced. Within minutes, he had a fire crackling, its warmth pushing back the chill of evening.

Elara sat close to the flames, her hands extended to soak in the heat. She forced herself to eat, chewing slowly, methodically. Her stomach churned, the remnants of her nightmare coiling like smoke in her mind.

"Tell me about your mother," Daelin said quietly.

The question caught her off guard. She glanced at him, finding his gaze fixed on the fire, his expression unreadable. "She was strong. Brave. She could make anyone feel safe, no matter how bad things were."

"She taught you magic?"

"Yes. She said it was in our blood, a gift from our ancestors. She believed magic was meant to protect, to heal. Not to destroy."

Daelin's jaw tightened. "The cultists use it for the opposite."

"I know. That's why I have to stop them."

He looked at her then, his blue eyes clear and steady. "We'll stop them. Together."

The weight of his words settled over her, a promise as solid as stone. She nodded, a spark of hope flaring to life within her. "Thank you, Daelin."

They sat in silence after that, the fire crackling softly. Elara's eyelids grew heavy, and this time, when sleep claimed her, it was gentle and dreamless.

Morning Light

The dawn broke in shades of gold and rose, the first light filtering through the trees. Elara woke to the smell of fresh water and the sound of birds greeting the day. Daelin was already awake, sharpening his axe with a whetstone, his expression calm and focused.

She stretched, the stiffness in her muscles a reminder of the battles they had fought. "Did you sleep at all?"

"A little. Enough."

She didn't press him. She had learned early on that Daelin carried his burdens in silence, his strength a wall between him and the world. She admired it, even if it meant he rarely let anyone in.

They broke camp quickly, their movements synchronized by necessity. The road ahead was uncertain, but the urgency in Elara's chest had settled into a steady rhythm. The nightmare had shaken her, but it had also strengthened her resolve.

As they moved deeper into the forest, the river guided them, its waters a constant companion. Elara couldn't help but glance at its surface, searching for glimpses of the future.

All she saw was the present—the here and now, each step a choice against the dark.

And for the first time in a long while, that was enough.