The whispers of power

The fire crackled softly, its glow casting flickering shadows across the trees. The night air was cold, but the warmth of the flames pressed against my skin. I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders and glanced at Kael, who sat across from me, gazing into the fire with a deep, unreadable expression.

"What's on your mind?" I asked.

Kael exhaled, rubbing his hands together. "The Dagger of Ilmora."

The name alone sent a shiver through me. I had heard whispers of it before, buried in old war stories and forgotten legends. A weapon crafted not to kill armies but to slay kings.

"The dagger is real?" I leaned forward.

Kael nodded. "It is. And it is the only weapon that can end Vaelric. His throne's power makes him untouchable, but the dagger was made to sever his bond to it. Without it, we have no chance of killing him."

A sharp breath left me. This was it. This was the answer. The key to everything.

"Where is it?"

Kael's jaw tightened. "The Shrouded Wastes. It's hidden within the ruins of an ancient temple, guarded by magic and creatures that no man has ever returned from."

The firewood snapped, sending sparks into the air. I barely noticed. My mind was already racing ahead, mapping out the journey, calculating the risk. If this dagger was real, then I would find it.

"We leave at dawn," I said.

A sharp sound broke through the night—a soft crack of a branch snapping. Instinct took over. My fingers curled around the dagger at my waist as I turned, eyes scanning the darkness.

A shadow shifted behind the trees. Then, stepping into the firelight, Roran emerged.

I narrowed my eyes. "You were listening."

Roran smirked, crossing his arms. "Not my fault you two weren't exactly quiet."

Kael shot him a sharp look, but Roran only stepped closer. "You're planning to go after a legendary dagger, into a cursed land, facing gods-know-what. And you were going to do it without me?"

I hesitated.

"I'm coming," Roran said firmly. "You'll need me."

Kael sighed, rubbing his temple. "Fine. But if you slow us down—"

Roran grinned. "Please. I'd bet my sword arm I'll save your ass first."

I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I was relieved.

We would need all the help we could get.

---

The Journey Begins

Dawn was still stretching across the sky when we prepared to leave. Horses were saddled, supplies packed, and weapons checked. Kael and I stood by our mounts, but before we could ride off, a familiar voice cut through the morning air.

"Well, you're all up early."

I turned sharply. Marlik stood a few paces away, his arms crossed, his ever-present smirk playing on his lips.

Roran let out a laugh. "And what are you doing here?"

Marlik shrugged. "Saw you sneaking off like criminals. Thought I'd come watch you make bad decisions."

Roran raised a brow. "You don't even know where we're going."

Marlik's smirk widened. "Doesn't mean I won't enjoy the trip."

Roran scoffed. "You just hate being left out."

Before I could refuse, Kael stepped forward, his gaze steady. "Let him come."

Roran frowned. "Are you serious?"

Kael nodded. "We don't know what's waiting for us beyond the camp. He's a good fighter. We'll need him."

Marlik's smirk turned smug, and Roran groaned. "Great. Now I'm stuck with him."

I mounted my horse, gripping the reins. Whatever tensions lay between us, there was no turning back now.

"Let's move."

And with that, we rode into the unknown.

---

The Throne Spirit's Voice

Hours passed. The deeper we traveled, the more the landscape shifted. The air thickened, the wind whispering in a voice only I could hear.

"Come back to me, Elaris."

I clenched my jaw, pressing my fingers into the saddle.

"You are wasting time."

The voice curled around my mind, pressing against my thoughts like cold fingers. The Throne Spirit. It had been growing louder ever since I left the capital.

"You cannot escape me."

My grip on the reins tightened.

"You are mine."

I shook my head, pushing the voice away, refusing to let it sink its claws into my mind.

I barely noticed Kael riding closer until his voice cut through my thoughts. "Elaris. Focus."

I blinked, my breathing uneven.

Then, suddenly—we were surrounded.

Shadows shifted between the trees, forming into tall, humanoid figures with glowing violet eyes. Their presence drained the air of warmth, leaving only an unnatural cold.

Kael's voice was sharp. "These aren't ordinary creatures."

The figures moved closer. My hand went to my weapon, but Kael suddenly shouted—

"Elaris, remove your necklace!"

I froze. "What?"

"Now!"

I hesitated. My fingers brushed the silver chain at my throat. My father had warned me never to take it off.

The creatures inched closer. Kael's voice grew desperate. "Do it, now!"

A deep part of me screamed not to.

But something else—something older, buried deep in my blood— told me to listen.

I ripped the necklace off.

A shockwave of power exploded from me.

The creatures let out shrieks as the force knocked everyone to the ground—even the horses.

I gasped, my body trembling. My skin tingled, my pulse roaring in my ears.

Kael pushed himself up, brushing off dust. His expression was unreadable as he looked at me and muttered—

"You have a lot to learn about yourself, child."

A chill ran through me.

But the journey wasn't over yet.

---

The Guardian Spirit's Gift

Night had fallen by the time we stopped to camp. The others gathered around the fire, but I needed space. My mind was still reeling from what had happened.

So I went to the river, stripping off my boots and stepping into the cold water.

The air around me shifted.

Then—a voice.

"You are close, but not ready."

I turned sharply. A figure stood at the water's edge—a woman cloaked in mist, her features half-hidden, yet hauntingly familiar.

My breath caught. "Who are you?"

The spirit extended her hand, revealing a small glass vial filled with transparent liquid.

"This will help you," she said. "Do not throw it away."

I hesitated, then reached out and took it. The moment my fingers touched the glass, the spirit vanished.

I stared at the vial, my pulse racing.

Who was she? And why did she feel like… she knew me?

I had no answers. Only more questions.

I returned to the fire, slipping the vial into my pocket.

Marlik, now relaxed, leaned back against a log, smirking lazily. "So, what did I miss?"

Roran gave him a look. "You've been talking all night. Shut up."

Marlik grinned, looking unbothered. "Maybe I talk when I'm nervous."

I sat down, silent, the weight of the vial pressing against me.

What had I just been given?

And more importantly—what would it cost me?