Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Senara
The twisted branches of the blighted forest clawed at a dull, grey sky as Kaelyn led us through the oppressive gloom. I trailed behind her, my steps light yet cautious as I navigated the gnarled roots that threatened to snag my feet. Thorn walked at my side in tense silence, his hand never straying far from his weapon.
As we advanced, something stirred in the shadows. I froze, my hand darting instinctively to the hilt of my blade. My ears strained in the eerie quiet that enveloped the woods, a stillness so complete that not even birdsong dared to break it.
"I don't like this," Kaelyn murmured, her voice edged with a palpable unease. "The corruption here runs deep."
Thorn grunted his agreement, his gaze sweeping the tangled undergrowth as if expecting danger to emerge at any moment. "We must stay on our guard," he warned in a low tone, every muscle taut with anticipation. "The shadows hide many dangers in a place such as this."
I nodded silently, knowing that his words were only said to soothe and not because he thought I needed the reminder. A prickling sensation crawled up the back of my neck, as if unseen eyes were watching our every move. The blight had a way of twisting all it touched, from the trees to the very creatures lurking nearby. I couldn't help but wonder what horrors might have spawned to assail us, not that I thought it was sentient enough to do that.
Shaking off the chilling thought, I kept pace with Kaelyn, carefully picking my way through the maze of knotted vines and jutting roots. Each deliberate step deepened our journey into the heart of the forest's malevolence. From Kaelyn's movements, it was obvious there must have been some kind of path here at some point, but it seemed to have vanished beneath the corruption that stained the forest.
Thorn moved closer as we proceeded, his steady presence both reassuring and resolute. "Stay close," he advised in a low voice, his eyes darting to every shadowed corner of the encroaching woods.
I caught the flicker of worry in his gaze, hidden beneath his outward resolve, and for an instant, I wanted to reach out, just to feel his presence more firmly, a simple touch to glean some strength. Yet, in that oppressive darkness, I couldn't allow myself any such vulnerability or distraction. Instead, I quietly replied, "Whatever comes, we'll be ready," even though my heart thudded with trepidation in my chest.
No sooner had I spoken than a distant, distorted cry shattered the silence, a wail of anguish and rage unlike anything I had ever heard. Both Thorn and Kaelyn turned toward the sound, their faces set in grim determination.
Forcing down a shudder, I squared my shoulders and kept going. The darkness pressed in around us, almost seeming alive with malice and sorrow, and I could only focus on following behind Kaelyn as we ventured deeper into the heart of the corrupted forest, and every step revealed more signs of decay.
My eyes caught the deep gouges on the bark of ancient trees, wounds that oozed a sickly black ichor. The air was thick with the stench of decay, practically coating my tongue as I struggled to breathe through it.
"Look," Kaelyn whispered as she pointed toward a nearby thicket. There, among the twisted branches, two glowing eyes watched us, unblinking, predatory, and filled with a silent menace. My hand tightened on the hilt of my sword, every instinct alerting me to the danger that lurked in the shadows.
Whatever creatures hid here were not of the natural world. Thorn stood ready with his weapon, his nod affirming our collective resolve. We all knew that this path was fraught with peril, yet turning back was not an option.
With the creatures not moving as they watched us, we did the only thing we could and pressed on, but as we moved, the number of watching eyes multiplied in the darkness. Their eerie glow seemed to track our every step. Kaelyn's brow furrowed as she scanned the area with increasing unease.
"There are too many," she breathed, her voice laced with worry. Her point was clear: a simultaneous attack would overwhelm us. Despite the gnawing fear, I knew retreat was not an option.
Steeling myself, I insisted, "We have no choice but to press on, but we must be cautious. Avoid engaging unless absolutely necessary."
No sooner had the words left my lips than a low, guttural growl echoed from the undergrowth. It sent a chill racing down my spine. I whipped around, my blade already unsheathed, yet the source remained hidden, teasing us from the shadows.
"Steady," Thorn advised, his calm tone a lifeline in the eerie stillness. I drew a shaky breath, forcing myself to focus amidst the forest's insidious influence. I could not let fear cloud my judgment when so much rested on our success.
"We keep moving," I declared with quiet determination, resolute against the fear that threatened to engulf us. Following Kaelyn's lead, our group advanced with measured, cautious steps. The eyes in the darkness continued their silent vigil, hungering for the moment we might falter.
I could barely process the sudden eruption of shrieks that shattered the tense silence. Nothing had triggered it that I could tell, but out of the darkness vaulted a horde of grotesque, blighted creatures, twisted, malformed abominations that embodied corruption and malice. I saw Thorn's sword catch the light as he rallied us with urgent commands.
"Senara, cover our flank! Kaelyn, stay close and watch for any stragglers!" he bellowed over the chaos.
No sooner had his words reached me than I sprang into action. My blade spun in a dazzling silver whirlwind as I charged headlong into the fray. The creatures closed in, their movements wild and unpredictable, their eyes lit with an almost unnatural hunger. I barely parried a savage swipe from a clawed limb; the shockwave of impact raced up my arm like fire.
I'd fought in plenty of battles before, but nothing like this. My previous battles, before Thorn had pushed me into the Veil, had all been against humans, and had only rarely used ambush tactics. I wasn't completely out of my comfort zone, but I had one foot over the figurative line, which made a sense of unease take root inside me that I hated.
Beside me, Thorn fought with the precision and grace of a veteran warrior, his sword dancing to a deadly beat that only he could hear. The drums of battle sounded different for everyone in my experience, but I could almost feel the rhythm of his battle echoing through our bond as I fought against my own opponents.
"Thorn, behind you!" I cried, throwing myself forward to block a creature that had wormed its way past Thorn's defenses. I struck the creature, silencing its savage shriek as it collapsed. But in that moment of diversion, I lost precious ground and soon found myself encircled; creatures pressed in from every direction. Their goal was obvious: separate the three of us so they could overwhelm us individually.
Desperation coursed through me. I couldn't let them overwhelm us. My heart began pounding maddeningly in my ears as one thought repeated over and over in my mind. I must protect Thorn, I must keep Kaelyn safe.
With a surge of defiance, I redoubled every ounce of strength, my blade now a tempest of retribution slicing through the relentless foes. I could feel Thorn's steadfast presence somewhere behind me, his sword a gleaming shield protecting Kaelyn as best it could. She wasn't a fighter; she was more of a scout, and as such, this kind of fight would not go in her favor unless one of us looked out for her.
Yet, for every creature I felled, another seemed to rise from the shadows, a never-ending tide of brutality. Pain radiated through my arms and every breath came in ragged gasps as I deflected blow after crushing blow. "Thorn, we can't keep this up much longer," I panted between strikes, my voice raw with exertion. "We need a plan!"
Though the clamor of battle swallowed his reply, I glimpsed unwavering determination in his eyes. I saw how he positioned himself between me and Kaelyn and the onslaught, his sword an unyielding barrier forged of steel and resolve. He was the tip of an arrow, trying to force the attackers to break before they got to me or Kaelyn.
In that chaotic moment, I saw something I never thought I would. His sword missed its mark. Another glance at the man I shared a soul bond with told me that his strength was clearly dwindling. I knew he would risk everything to keep me safe, and it was that thought which ignited in me a renewed fire, a fierce promise to stand by his side, to fight until my last breath, if needed. Together, Thorn and I would brave this storm, and together, we would emerge triumphant.
A sudden cry of pain cut through the chaos, and my heart seized as I watched Thorn stumble, his sword arm faltering under the weight of a vicious blow. The blighted creature seized the opportunity, its claws tearing across Thorn's chest, leaving bloody furrows in its wake.
In that moment, something inside me snapped, a dam of fear and self-doubt collapsing beneath the force of my resolve. Something surged within me, a wild, untamed force that threatened to consume me entirely.
I can't let this happen, I thought, my mind crystal clear despite the tumult of battle. I won't let them hurt him, not while I still draw breath.
A scream of defiance erupted out of me as I let loose this wild energy that was within me. It burst forth from me in a dazzling display of light and fury. It poured from my skin like liquid moonlight, engulfing the blighted creatures in a searing wave of destruction.
The creatures shrieked and writhed as the magic tore through them, their twisted forms dissolving into ash and shadow. The air crackled with the force of my power, the very fabric of reality seeming to warp and bend around me.
And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The forest fell silent once more, the only sound the ragged breathing of my companions as we stood amidst the carnage.
I swayed on my feet, the aftershocks of my magic still coursing through my veins. As I turned to Thorn, my eyes wide with concern, I found him staring at me with a mixture of awe and apprehension. Whether he was scared of me or not didn't matter. All I could see were the bloody gashes on his chest and arms. Before I could question whether or not he was okay, he spoke.
"Senara..." he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "What was that?"
Kaelyn stepped forward, her own face a mask of worry as she surveyed the destruction wrought by my power. "We need to keep moving," she said, her tone urgent. "There may be more of them out there."
But even as we gathered our weapons and set off once more, I could feel the weight of Thorn and Kaelyn's unspoken questions hanging in the air, their concern for my uncontrolled power palpable in the tense silence that stretched between us.
My heart pounded in my chest at the thought of the raw, tumultuous power that had surged through me, leaving me trembling with both exhilaration and dread. I stared at my hands as the last shimmering strands of ethereal energy dissolved into the air, and a sinking realization took hold. I could have hurt Thorn or Kaelyn.
The possibility that I could have let loose enough power to endanger those I care about made me shudder with regret. The very idea sent a fresh wave of terror through my body, and I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, trying in vain to contain the turmoil within.
The Moon Mark had always set me apart, but when I could never use magic, it had been a relief. At least I knew I wouldn't accidentally out myself. Now though? After having witnessed what the magic that had been lying dormant inside me could do? I wondered if I was truly destined to wield such power.
I wasn't a heroine in any sense of the word. All my life I'd fought, killed, stolen, lied, and done whatever it took to survive. Having this power at my fingertips, provided I could figure out how to use it on command, was a dangerous thing. Would I be tempted to use it selfishly?
When I saw Thorn approaching with cautious, determined steps, I realized that at some point I'd stopped walking and had just been standing there, staring at my hands. I could read the concern etched into his face, his normally bright eyes clouded with worry.
As he neared, he reached out. His hand hovered just inches from my shoulder, as though for a moment he was hesitant to make contact before the familiar weight settled on me. "Senara," he murmured softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, "are you alright?"
I longed to reassure him, to tell him that everything was fine, but the words snagged in my throat. Instead, I shook my head, and unshed tears shimmered in my eyes.
"I don't know," I admitted, my voice trembling. "I'm scared, Thorn. Scared of what I might become, scared of what I might do..."
His expression softened, and he stepped closer until his arms wrapped around me. The warmth of his touch seeped into me, a small anchor in the swirling chaos of my thoughts.
"Listen to me, Senara," he said in a gentle yet firm tone, "your powers do not define you. You are so much more than that. I have seen your courage, your compassion, and your unwavering dedication to those you love. That , that is who you truly are, not this magic."
I looked up into his eyes, searching there for any hint of doubt or fear, but found only unwavering trust, a belief in me so steadfast that my heart ached with bittersweet longing.
"But what if I lose control again?" I whispered, finally voicing my deepest fear. "What if I hurt someone, Thorn? What if I hurt you?"
Thorn's arms tightened around me as he pulled me closer, squeezing slightly before he pulled away so he could look down at me. I could feel the warmth of his breath mingling with my own, the steady beat of his heart resonating with mine.
"You won't," he promised, his voice thick with emotion. "I know you, Senara. I trust you with my life, with everything that I am. And I'll be right here by your side, no matter what comes our way."
A single tear escaped and trailed down my cheek as I leaned into his embrace. In that tender moment, I clung to his words and allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could learn to control this power. Maybe, with Thorn by my side, I could face whatever lay ahead.
Still, as I held onto that fragile hope, I knew uncertainty shrouded the road before us. The blighted forest loomed all around us, a stark reminder of the corruption threatening to engulf our world. And deep in my heart, I couldn't shake the nagging fear that the very power which set me apart might just be our downfall instead of our salvation.
Before I could voice that concern, Kaelyn's measured steps approached us, her presence as quiet as the rustle of leaves underfoot. Even amid the heavy tension of our surroundings, her arrival diffused some of the raw emotion swirling between us, though there was a cool, detached air about her that left me feeling both reassured and distant.
"Senara, Thorn," Kaelyn said, her voice calm and measured, yet edged with tension. "I hate to interrupt whatever is happening, but we really need to move. Staying still in this place is a death sentence and if we want to reach the clearing I use before dark, then we need to pick up the pace."
I raised my head from the comforting support of Thorn's shoulder to meet Kaelyn's gaze, a gaze that, while ancient and wise, betrayed only a fleeting understanding of the turmoil burning inside me. In that distant look, I sensed the acknowledgment of my internal struggle, the battle I fought to keep the darkness at bay.
A ragged, raw part of me decided I couldn't keep her in the dark when she was the one putting her life in danger to get us to the grove. "I don't know what that was. I don't know how to control whatever power is within me. How can I trust myself, Kaelyn?" I whispered, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "How can I be certain that I won't lose control again, that I won't hurt you or become the very thing we're fighting against?"
Kaelyn reached out, clasping my hand with a cool firmness, one that offered strength and self confidence. "Your powers do not define you, Senara. It's your choices that define you, by the strength of your heart, and the purity of your intentions. And as long as you hold fast to that truth, and allow yourself to lean on those who care for you, you will not lose your way."
Thorn rubbed a soothing circle on my back in silent support. "Kaelyn is right. We're in this together, Senara. Your burden is my burden, and we will face whatever comes side by side."
As I looked from Thorn's unwavering support to Kaelyn's distant yet determined assurance, a spark kindled within me, a quiet resolve born of necessity. I let my gaze drift to the twisted, scarred trees around us, and silently vowed to myself, "I will learn to control this power. I will master it, harness it, and use it to protect those I love. For Thorn, for Wyn, for Kaelyn, and for all who depend on us, I will not let this corruption win."
With a deep, steadying breath, I squared my shoulders until my determination felt unbreakable. "Let’s go," I said, my voice steady and clear despite the inner storm. "The forest won't wait for us, and we need to get somewhere we can stop so we can see to Thorn's wounds."
Thorn and Kaelyn exchanged a glance, a silent pact between them, before joining me in step. Our footsteps echoed through the haunted stillness of the blighted woods as we pressed forward once more.
As we journeyed together, I felt a clarity forming within me, a renewed sense of purpose that had eluded me in the battle's chaos. I knew that the challenges before us were immense, that the corruption plaguing our land would be a formidable foe. Yet, with Thorn's steadfast support, I knew we would heal our world, banishing the corruption, healing the blighted land, and restoring the light we had nearly lost.
As we ventured deeper into the heart of the blighted forest, I could feel the oppressive atmosphere thickening around us. The air was heavy, saturated with the taste of corruption that had long taken root. I watched the twisted branches stretch out like gnarled fingers, their leaves rustling with an eerie, unnatural whisper that sent shivers racing along my spine.
I stole a glance at Thorn as he moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword, ever ready to draw at a moment's notice. He fixed his gaze on the shadows, searching for any sign of the corrupted beasts we'd encountered or, worse, the feral fae likely lurking in these cursed woods.
Right beside him, I noticed Kaelyn's gaze darting about, her keen senses absorbing every subtle shift in the forest's energy, and I felt it too, a palpable corruption, a dark, insidious force that seemed poised to consume every living thing in its path. "We must be cautious," Kaelyn murmured, her voice low and urgent. "The corruption grows stronger with each passing moment. This is so much worse than the last time I was in these woods."
I nodded in agreement, though I couldn't deny that what had happened still distracted me. My hand reached for the Moon Mark that was etched upon my skin. It had been tingling since I'd let that energy loose. Its wild, untamed power thrummed within me. Yet, a storm of doubt churned inside, with one question looping around again and again. How long before this power consumes me?
Sensing the turmoil within me, Thorn gently reached out, his hand finding mine amid the gloom. "We will find a way," he said softly, his steady gaze meeting mine. "Together, we will learn to master your powers and use them for good." That moment of reassurance sparked a warm surge of gratitude inside me; his unwavering belief in me shone through even when I felt overwhelmed by my uncertainties.
With renewed determination, we pressed onward, each step measured and cautious as we navigated the treacherous paths of the cursed forest. The looming presence of corruption was a constant shadow all around us, yet as we walked, a flicker of hope burned within my heart. Maybe, just maybe, between Thorn and me, we could figure this whole magic thing out. And if not, I could always ask Wyn when we made it back, right? A small voice in my head corrected me. If we make it back. Nothing guaranteed our return.