A Fairytale...

Chapter 14:Shadows of the past

The further Kristin, Marieke, and Farrah ventured into the borderlands, the more intense the atmosphere became. The amulet Farrah had found pulsed rhythmically, guiding them through the dense forest and towards the source of the magical disturbances.

Despite the tension, Kristin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. The forest around them was unnervingly silent, save for the rustling of leaves underfoot. The magic in the air seemed to hum with an almost predatory energy, and Kristin’s thoughts kept drifting back to the mysterious witch they were hunting.

“How far do you think we are?” Marieke asked, her voice low as if afraid to disturb the oppressive silence.

Farrah, who was closely monitoring the amulet, replied, “Not far. The readings are getting stronger. But something’s strange—the aura seems... off. It’s like it’s being disrupted by another force.”

Kristin shot her a concerned look. “What do you mean? Another force?”

Farrah hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “It’s as if there’s more than one source of powerful magic in this area. The witch’s aura is definitely here, but there’s something else—something equally strong, but it’s almost... hidden.”

Marieke frowned, her mind racing. “Could it be that the witch isn’t working alone? Or perhaps there’s another powerful entity involved?”

Kristin didn’t respond immediately. Her thoughts flashed back to their earlier conversation—about the witch potentially hiding from someone or something else. Could it be that this other force was an ally? Or a rival?

They pressed on, following the amulet’s guidance until they reached a small clearing. The trees here were twisted and gnarled, their branches intertwining to form a natural barrier around the area. At the center of the clearing stood an ancient stone structure, half-buried in the earth. The structure exuded a faint magical glow, its surface etched with runes and symbols long forgotten.

Farrah knelt beside the structure, examining the markings. “This must be the source of the disturbance. The witch’s magic is all over this place.”

Kristin approached the structure, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “But what is it? Some kind of altar?”

“It looks like a relic from an ancient civilization,” Farrah said, running her fingers over the runes. “These symbols are used to channel and store magical energy. If the witch has been using this place, she might be drawing power from it—or hiding something within.”

Marieke stood guard, her eyes scanning the surrounding forest for any signs of movement. The oppressive silence was beginning to get to her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

As Farrah continued to study the structure, Kristin’s thoughts drifted back to their earlier mission briefings. The witch they were pursuing was no ordinary adversary—her power was unparalleled, and the threat she posed to the balance of magic was too great to ignore. But something about this whole situation didn’t add up. Why would someone so powerful need to rely on ancient artifacts like this one? And who—or what—was the other force they were sensing?

Suddenly, a shadow flickered at the edge of Kristin’s vision. She turned sharply, her hand gripping her sword. “Did you see that?”

Marieke and Farrah both looked up, their senses on high alert. “See what?” Marieke asked, her voice tense.

Kristin scanned the treeline, but the shadow was gone. “I’m not sure... but I think we’re being watched.”

Farrah stood, her expression serious. “We need to be careful. If there’s another force at play here, we could be walking into a trap.”

Kristin nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. “We’ll proceed with caution. But we can’t afford to leave without understanding what’s going on here.”

As they prepared to delve deeper into the mystery, the sense of being watched grew stronger. Unbeknownst to them, Anih observed their every move from the shadows, her presence cloaked by powerful magic. The dark twin was patient, waiting for the right moment to strike, or perhaps simply to observe how far these intruders would go in their quest to find the witch.

The Royal Guard was getting closer to the truth, but with every step, they were also drawing nearer to a confrontation that could change everything. The balance of power was shifting, and the forces at play were far more complex than they could have imagined.

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