Chapter 8: The Compass of Hollow Creek
The last traces of sunlight vanished as Kai and Jace trudged through the overgrown path leading to Hollow Creek. The woods surrounding the area were dense, the gnarled branches weaving into each other like skeletal fingers, blocking out what little moonlight managed to break through the heavy clouds.
Kai kept one hand on his backpack strap, feeling the comforting, pulsing warmth of the artifact inside. It seemed to hum in rhythm with his heartbeat, as though urging him forward.
"Are we really doing this?" Jace asked, his breath forming little clouds in the chilly air.
Kai nodded, eyes focused on the barely visible trail ahead. "We have to. My grandfather left the map for a reason. And if the Hunters are after us, then whatever's hidden here is important."
Jace exhaled slowly. "I was hoping for a normal weekend, you know? Maybe some video games. Not ancient artifacts and death cults."
Kai allowed a small smile. "Yeah. Me too."
They pressed on.
The map from the journal was surprisingly detailed for something hand-drawn. It showed Hollow Creek with a winding path leading to what looked like an old stone structure hidden deep in the woods. Kai didn't remember ever seeing it, and he'd played around these forests as a kid.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the sounds of the town behind them faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and distant hoots of owls. The air grew colder, heavier.
Finally, they reached the creek itself — a thin, winding stream that glistened faintly in the moonlight. The water bubbled softly, breaking the otherwise suffocating silence.
Kai checked the map again. The stone structure was supposed to be just beyond the creek.
He crossed carefully, hopping from stone to stone, with Jace following close behind.
On the other side, dense foliage greeted them. But the artifact in Kai's backpack began to vibrate gently, like a compass needle pulling him forward.
"We're close," Kai whispered.
They pushed through thick underbrush until, suddenly, the woods opened up into a small clearing.
And there it was.
An ancient stone archway, half-buried in vines and moss, standing in the center of the clearing like a forgotten monument. Strange symbols etched into the stone glowed faintly — the same runes from his grandfather's journal.
Jace let out a low whistle. "Dude… this is straight out of a movie."
Kai approached the arch slowly. The artifact in his backpack pulsed stronger with each step.
Beneath the arch was a stone pedestal, cracked with age. On top of it lay an ornate object: a brass and silver compass, its face covered with intricate designs and tiny gemstones set along the edges.
Kai reached out, hesitant for just a moment, then picked it up.
The instant his fingers touched the metal, the compass sprang to life. The needle spun wildly before settling, pointing not north — but toward the center of the clearing.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
A circle of ancient runes lit up around the archway, and the pedestal sank slowly into the earth, revealing a stone staircase spiraling down into darkness.
Jace took a cautious step back. "This just keeps getting better."
Kai looked at him. "You don't have to come."
Jace snorted. "After everything we've been through? You think I'm leaving you to go into a creepy underground dungeon alone? No way."
Kai smiled, grateful for his friend.
Together, they descended.
The stairs led deep underground, the only light coming from the compass in Kai's hand and the soft glow of the runes on the walls. The air was cold and damp, and the silence pressed in on them.
At the bottom, they found themselves in a vast underground chamber. The walls were lined with ancient carvings, depicting strange symbols and scenes of battles between beings that looked almost human — but not quite.
In the center of the chamber stood a stone pedestal, larger and more ornate than the one above ground. On it rested a second artifact — a crystalline orb, swirling with light and shadows.
The compass needle pointed directly to it.
Kai approached slowly. He could feel the energy in the room shift with every step he took. The orb pulsed, reacting to his presence.
He reached out, fingers trembling, and touched it.
In an instant, his vision blurred, and the world around him faded away.
He was no longer in the chamber.
Instead, he stood in a vast void, stars swirling all around him. Before him appeared a figure cloaked in light — neither man nor woman, its face hidden, but its presence overwhelming.
"Kai Greaveson," the figure spoke, its voice echoing inside his mind.
He couldn't speak.
"You have found the Compass. The first key."
Kai swallowed hard. "What is this? Who are you?"
"I am the Guardian of the Nexus. Your grandfather entrusted you with the path. But the path is perilous."
"I didn't ask for this," Kai said, his voice breaking.
"Destiny rarely asks. But it calls. And you have answered."
The figure raised a hand, and the orb in Kai's mind's eye shimmered.
"The Compass will guide you. But the journey will test you."
The vision began to fade.
"Beware the Order. Beware the Hunters. Trust your heart."
And then —
Darkness.
Kai blinked and found himself back in the chamber. The orb's glow faded until it was just a dull crystal.
Jace grabbed his arm. "You okay? You zoned out there."
"I… I saw something," Kai whispered. "The Guardian. It spoke to me."
Before they could process it further, the ground trembled again.
A grinding noise echoed through the chamber.
The far wall began to shift, revealing a hidden doorway.
Jace looked at Kai. "I'm starting to think your grandpa was into way more than just old books."
They stepped through the doorway and into a long corridor.
At the end was a stone altar.
On it rested a small wooden box.
Kai approached cautiously and opened it. Inside was a silver ring, inscribed with runes that shimmered faintly.
The moment he touched it, warmth spread through his hand, and for a brief moment, he felt connected to something vast and ancient.
Jace peered over his shoulder. "Looks like you just got promoted to wizard."
Kai slipped the ring onto his finger. It felt like it belonged there.
Suddenly, from behind them —
A hiss.
They spun around.
Out of the shadows emerged a creature — humanoid in shape, but with elongated limbs, pale, almost translucent skin, and glowing blue eyes.
The Hunters had found them.
"Kai…" Jace whispered, backing away slowly.
The creature bared sharp teeth and lunged.
Kai reacted instinctively, raising his hand. The ring on his finger pulsed — and a blast of energy erupted from his palm, slamming the creature back into the wall.
It screeched, writhing in pain.
Kai stared at his hand in shock.
Jace gawked. "Dude! You have powers!"
No time to celebrate. More hissing sounds echoed from the corridor.
More Hunters.
"Run!" Kai shouted.
They bolted back the way they came, racing up the spiral staircase. The ground shook violently now — the chamber collapsing behind them.
They burst out into the clearing just as the stone archway crumbled, sealing the underground structure forever.
They didn't stop running until they were far into the woods, gasping for breath.
Finally, they collapsed onto the forest floor.
Kai looked at the compass, the ring on his finger, and the closed journal in his bag.
They had the Compass. They had the first key.
But now… the real journey would begin.
Jace sat up, wiping sweat from his face. "So… what's next?"
Kai took a deep breath.
"We follow where the Compass leads."
He opened the compass. The needle spun wildly before settling — pointing east.
And beneath the needle, faintly etched into the compass glass, were new words:
"Seek the Shard of Aether."
Kai met Jace's gaze.
"We leave tomorrow."
Jace groaned. "I knew you were going to say that."
They got to their feet, the weight of their discovery settling on their shoulders.
As they made their way back to town, neither of them spoke.
They both knew — there was no going back to normal life.
And somewhere out there, the Hunters were still tracking them.
The hunt was far from over.
It had only just begun.