The Shadowbound Prophecy

Chapter 17: The First Clue

The dawn broke with a soft, golden light, filtering through the leaves of the forest as Harry and Seraphina packed their gear by the riverbank. The small seal had long since disappeared into the water, leaving behind only the quiet murmur of the flowing stream. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that the encounter with the creature had meant something—though what, exactly, remained unclear. The peace it had brought was short-lived, and the weight of their quest settled back on his shoulders the moment they started moving again.

The air was cooler as they made their way through the dense forest, a chill that seemed to seep into Harry's bones despite the exertion of the hike. They had been walking for hours, their conversation sparse, but it wasn't the silence that weighed on them—it was the anticipation. The fight with the demigod had rattled them both. Even as they pressed forward, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that something even more dangerous awaited them ahead.

Seraphina, as always, walked with purpose. Her focus was unyielding, her eyes scanning the path ahead as though she could see the threats lurking just beyond the trees. But every so often, Harry caught her glancing at him from the corner of her eye, her expression unreadable.

She was worried.

He couldn't blame her. The surge of power during the battle had left them both shaken, and while they hadn't spoken of it since, the tension between them was palpable. The seal that held his power in check was weakening—that much was certain. But how long it would hold, and what would happen when it finally broke, was a mystery neither of them could answer.

As they continued deeper into the forest, the terrain began to shift. The trees grew taller and closer together, their branches twisting overhead in a tangled canopy that blocked out much of the sunlight. The ground underfoot became softer, almost marsh-like, and the scent of damp earth filled the air.

"We're getting closer," Seraphina said quietly, her voice barely more than a breath.

Harry glanced at her. "Closer to what?"

She hesitated, then looked around, as if sensing something just beyond their perception. "I don't know. But I can feel it—there's something... ancient about this place."

Harry nodded, though he wasn't sure what she meant. His own senses were heightened since the fight with the demigod, the weakening of the seal making him more aware of the energies around him. And there was something off about this part of the forest—a presence that felt old and powerful, lurking just beneath the surface.

They pressed on in silence, the oppressive weight of the forest growing with each step. The deeper they went, the more Harry's skin prickled with unease. The trees seemed to close in around them, their gnarled branches twisting like claws reaching out to ensnare them. The air grew colder still, and Harry's breath misted in front of him, despite the early morning sun.

After what felt like hours, they came to a small clearing. At its center stood a towering stone structure, partially hidden by the dense foliage that had overtaken it. Vines climbed its cracked walls, and moss clung to every surface, giving the ancient stone an almost otherworldly glow in the soft light filtering through the trees.

Seraphina stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the structure. "This is it," she whispered. "I'm sure of it."

Harry stared at the building, trying to make sense of it. It looked like an old shrine or temple, forgotten by time and swallowed by the forest. But there was something about it—something that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"How do you know?" Harry asked, keeping his voice low.

Seraphina took a deep breath, her gaze never leaving the structure. "I don't know how. I just... feel it. There's something here—something tied to the Fallen God."