Darkness in the Shadows

Chapter 6

As they walked, Alana's thoughts drifted back to the binder from the House of Knowledge. It was filled with ancient texts and diagrams, detailing rituals and spells that seemed incomprehensible to her.

She had spent countless hours poring over the pages, trying to decipher their meaning and find a clue to her way back home.

Perie's silent company served as a constant reminder of her predicament, amplifying her frustration. Despite her inner turmoil, he remained unresponsive, his stoic demeanour revealing nothing of his thoughts or intentions.

Alana couldn't shake the feeling that he held more knowledge than he let on, yet his reluctance to share only deepened the mystery surrounding their journey.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the dense foliage obscured any sense of direction, leaving Alana feeling adrift in a sea of purple and orange. The path they followed meandered aimlessly, twisting and turning without apparent purpose.

It seemed as though Perie led them on a journey without a clear destination, his actions leaving Alana questioning their true purpose.

In the midst of their tense journey, a voice sliced through the ambient sounds of the forest, unmistakably rough yet oddly familiar.

"Lady of Darkness," it addressed her, its tone carrying a mix of reverence and intrigue. Alana's lips curled into a subtle smile, recognizing the distinctive voice of the enigmatic blue creature that had found her when she first arrived.

She glanced upward, knowing it was perched in the trees above, the sound of its movements a subtle yet familiar scratching against the bark.

Perie halted in front of her, his reluctance to pause evident in the slight furrow of his brow. Alana, however, was undeterred by his silent disapproval.

Driven by her curiosity to talk with this creature, she made a spontaneous decision, prioritizing her need for information over any apprehensions about Perie's reaction.

"You go ahead, I need a moment," Alana declared, dropping her bag to the ground and settling beside it, leaning against the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree. Perie's response was a resigned eye-roll, his impatience palpable as he turned away from her, resuming his brisk stride forward.

His determination to forge ahead seemed to echo in the hastening rhythm of his steps, signalling a clear intent to put distance between them, regardless of Alana's temporary halt.

After a few moments, Alana's attention was drawn upward by the scraping sound continuing from above. To her surprise, she found herself face to face once more with the enigmatic blue creature. As it descended gracefully from the branches above, her intrigue grew.

The creature's reference to her as the 'Lady of Darkness' stirred a mix of curiosity and uncertainty within her. Unable to contain her curiosity, Alana leaned in slightly, her gaze locked on the creature. "What did you call me?" she inquired, her voice a blend of fascination and apprehension.

The creature's smile persisted, shrouded in mystery as it spoke in a cryptic tone. "You are a Lady of Darkness. You wield the darkness, a strength that instils fear," the creature said, its gaze fixed on Alana with a look of both amusement and seriousness.

"But beware, for this power is coveted. The darkness you command is but a fraction of what lies within you," it explained, casting an intriguing aura around Alana.

Slightly puzzled, Alana clarified her abilities. "I can manipulate shadows," she stated. The creature's smile remained unwavering. "The shade cast by a tree is but a surface manifestation. Have you noticed the absence of shadows since your arrival?" it inquired, its voice soft yet carrying an air of wisdom.