The Shadowbound Prophecy

Chapter 10: The Search Begins

The moon hung heavy in the sky, its silver glow spilling across the shoreline where Harry and Seraphina sat, their fire burning low and casting long shadows over the rocks. The waves crashed rhythmically against the shore, and the distant storm continued to churn on the horizon. But the night felt still, almost peaceful, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the silence.

Harry watched the storm in the distance, its dark clouds flickering with faint flashes of lightning. There was a certain beauty to it, the raw power of nature clashing against the serene sea. But beneath that beauty was a sense of foreboding, a warning that things were about to get much more complicated.

It had been days since they had first started discussing the possibility of finding the Fallen God. Since then, everything seemed to be pointing them in one direction—the realization that the answer to unlocking Harry's sealed power lay with this mysterious figure from ancient lore. The gods had placed the seal on him for a reason, and now, only someone who had once opposed them directly could undo what had been done.

And yet, finding the Fallen God was no simple task. It was the stuff of legends and myths, with stories ranging from a god cast down from the heavens to a being so thoroughly erased from history that even their name was forgotten. Some whispered that this Fallen God might be none other than Lucifer, the first of the fallen, cast into Hell for defying the Creator. But Harry was beginning to doubt that narrative. It seemed too... obvious.

He turned the small obsidian stone over in his hand, its dark surface glistening in the firelight. It had been a strange discovery—half-hidden among the rocks, barely noticeable until it caught his eye. And yet, now that it was in his possession, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that it was important. The carvings on it were intricate, almost runic in design, and while he didn't recognize the symbols, something about them stirred a vague memory deep within him.

"What do you make of this?" Harry asked, holding up the stone so that Seraphina could see it more clearly.

Seraphina leaned closer, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied the object. She had seen her fair share of relics and ancient artifacts during their journey, but this one seemed different—more personal somehow. "It's old magic," she said, her voice thoughtful. "But I can't place it. The symbols are familiar, but they're not from any common tongue I know."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. He hadn't expected an easy answer, but part of him had hoped that Seraphina's knowledge would at least offer a clue. "Do you think it could be related to the Fallen God?"

Seraphina didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reached out and took the stone from Harry, holding it in her palm as she examined it more closely. The carvings were faint but deliberate, almost as if they were meant to be hidden. "It's possible," she said finally. "The gods often left markers for those they deemed worthy. This could be one of them. A signpost, leading us toward something."

Harry felt a flicker of hope at her words. It wasn't much, but it was a start. If this stone was a marker, then perhaps they were on the right track after all. "So, we keep following the signs?"

Seraphina handed the stone back to him, her expression serious. "If this is a sign, then it's likely that more will follow. But we should be cautious. The gods don't leave relics like this lying around without reason. If they're guiding us, it could be a test. Or worse, a trap."

Harry nodded, his mind racing. The gods had sealed his power to prevent him from becoming a threat, but if they were now leaving clues for him to follow, it could mean that something had shifted in the divine balance. Either they were testing his resolve, or they were preparing for a confrontation. Either way, Harry knew they had to be careful.