The Shadowbound Prophecy

Chapter 11: A Kingdom of Shadows

The journey had taken Harry and Seraphina far from the ocean, through dense forests, over jagged mountains, and across sprawling plains. Days blurred together, a march through unknown lands in pursuit of a nameless god. Yet, as they ventured further into the heart of the world, Harry's thoughts kept circling back to the same question—how long would it be before the gods noticed their movements?

Seraphina had been right; the gods wouldn't make it easy. They had already crossed a few obscure traps meant to deter seekers of forbidden knowledge. Forgotten temples, strange enchanted forests, and restless spirits bound to old oaths. But Harry sensed that the real tests lay ahead. And as they walked, he could feel the weight of the seal pressing heavier on him, like a force trying to remind him of its existence.

Then came the night the demons found them.

It was a cold, bitter evening when Harry first noticed the change in the air. The wind carried a strange scent, something metallic, like blood mingled with smoke. The trees around them were unnaturally still, their shadows elongated as the light of the setting sun filtered through the dense canopy. There was a palpable tension in the air, like the calm before a storm.

"We're being watched," Seraphina whispered, her hand instinctively moving to her sword.

Harry had sensed it too. His instincts—dormant for so long—were flaring up. His magic, though still bound, vibrated with the faintest echo of a warning. His eyes scanned the darkness between the trees, searching for any sign of movement, but there was nothing. Just shadows. Endless shadows.

Then the first strike came. From above.

A dark shape dropped from the canopy, moving with inhuman speed. Seraphina barely had time to raise her sword before it was upon them. She parried the blow, her sword clashing against the creature's jagged claws. It hissed, its red eyes glowing with malevolent hunger as it lunged for her throat.

"Demons," Harry growled, his voice low and sharp as he summoned what little magic he could still use. A quick incantation sent a bolt of energy flying toward the creature, forcing it back, but not before more shadows began to descend from the trees.

There were five of them in total—demons with dark, leathery wings, and twisted bodies that seemed to shimmer and writhe in the dim light. Their eyes glowed like embers, and their claws dripped with venomous ichor. They moved as one, their black wings beating in unison as they circled around Harry and Seraphina.

Seraphina wasted no time. She leaped into action, her sword a blur of steel as she struck at the nearest demon. The creature let out a guttural scream as her blade cleaved through its wing, sending it crashing to the ground. But the others were quick to close in, their claws flashing as they swarmed toward her.

Harry's heart raced, but the seal on his power held tight. He could feel his true strength, a wild, uncontrollable force, pushing against the boundaries of the gods' restraint. It begged to be unleashed, to burn these demons to ash. But the seal wouldn't budge, no matter how much he willed it to break. Frustration surged through him.

"I can't hold them all!" Seraphina shouted as she dodged another demon's swipe, countering with a brutal strike that severed its arm.

Harry gritted his teeth. He had to act quickly, or they'd be overwhelmed. He focused on the limited magic still accessible to him—shadow manipulation. It wasn't much, but it could buy them some time.

With a sharp breath, he reached out to the shadows around them, pulling them into his control. The darkness seemed to thicken, pooling beneath the demons like quicksand. One of them, caught off guard, was pulled down by the inky tendrils, letting out a furious shriek as it struggled to free itself.