Forbidden Enchantment

Chapter 16

The endless expanses of grass stretched to the horizon, as if the world itself wanted to mock them. Every step became a painful ordeal, every breath was heavier. Blake struggled forward, each step a stabbing reminder of his vulnerability, but he gritted his teeth against the pain. Alara felt his burden acutely, her worry deepening with every faltering step he took. The sky stretched above them like a Gray, oppressive blanket, smothering any hope of sunlight. A cool breeze whispered through the grass, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant, unseen threats.

As they climbed a small hill, Alara caught a glimpse of the grass that piqued her curiosity. A metallic shimmer that was like a spark in the darkness. "Blake, look! There's something!" Her voice sounded excited and at the same time anxious as she hurriedly ran ahead. Her fingers dug into the earth to reveal the object, which turned out to be an ornate amulet that glowed in a strange blue light.

Blake followed her as fast as he could, but his body ached with every movement. Alara knelt down and began to expose the object. It was an ornately decorated amulet that shone in a strange blue light.

"What's that?" Blake asked when he arrived at her place. "It seems... old."

Alara held the amulet in her hands and felt a strange energy emanating from it. "This amulet... it feels somehow... confided," she murmured.

Blake reached for the amulet, but when he touched it, a sudden pain swept through him, and visions flooded his mind. Images of another world, of powerful beings and dark secrets. He saw himself as a child, surrounded by shadow figures, and heard a familiar voice calling his name.

"Blake! Let it go!" Alara's voice broke with panic as she yanked the amulet from his grasp. The visions ceased instantly, leaving Blake gasping as he collapsed to the ground. "What was that?" Alara asked, her voice trembling with fear and worry.

Blake shook his head, his eyes wide open. "I... I don't know. But I've seen things... Memories I had forgotten." He looked at Alara seriously. His blue eyes had lost their spark of light now. They seemed empty.

"We should take it with us," Alara said resolutely. "Maybe we'll find out what it means later."

They packed up the amulet and walked on. But the visions and the oppressive feeling did not let Blake go. He felt observed, pursued by invisible eyes. Every step was accompanied by a feeling of restlessness, and the grass seemed to close darker and denser around them.

Blake leaned more and more on Alara and soon demanded the next break. Alara looked around for a suitable place for it, which was quickly found.

But, as if out of nowhere, the Lumis appeared in the small gorge in front of them. The leader of the Lumis, Elyon, laughed out loud when he saw her. "I didn't expect you to be able to defend yourself against the poison for so long, Blake."

Blake and Alara froze as the Lumis appeared in front of them, their ghostly figures looking even more menacing in the dusky canyon. A cold shiver ran down their spines, while fear lay on them like a heavy burden. Blake felt anger and despair rising inside him, like a fire that burned him from the inside out. Alara, her voice trembling, took a step forward and begged for help. "Please, we need an antidote. Blake will die if we don't do anything!"

Elyon looked at her with cold, sparkling eyes. "An antidote? You want us to help you after you've escaped our trials? How amusing." His voice was dripping with mockery, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

Alara felt despair rising in him but struggled to stay calm. "Please," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I'll do anything you want. Just give me the herbs I need to brew a potion."

Elyon let his gaze glide slowly and dismissively over Alara, as if he wanted to soak up each of her weaknesses. "Everything, you say? Anything we want? You have no idea what you're promised, girl." His voice was dripping with contempt, and a crooked smile played about his lips.