The Infinity Curse

CHAPTER 3

The village stirred with the first light of dawn, a pale glow creeping over the horizon. In the training grounds, the five warriors gathered, their breaths forming small clouds in the chilly morning air. They sparred with wooden swords and practised defensive manoeuvres, each movement a testament to their dedication and skill.

Maele stood at the forefront, his movements fluid and precise, a stark contrast to the anger that often simmered just beneath his surface. He wore Kyron's armour, its polished surface gleaming in the soft light, and wielded Kyron's sword with a familiarity that spoke of reverence and determination.

Thalia watched from a distance, her expression unreadable. She moved with a silent grace, her movements calculated and deliberate. Her dislike for Maele was palpable, a simmering tension that coloured their interactions with unspoken animosity.

As the morning training session came to a close, the warriors gathered for a quick meal at the village tavern. The air inside was warm and fragrant with the smell of freshly baked bread and hearty stew. They took their usual seats around a sturdy wooden table, exhaustion and camaraderie mingling in equal measure.

Thalia's gaze lingered on Maele, her jaw clenched with a mixture of frustration and lingering hurt. Finally, unable to contain her emotions any longer, she spoke up. "Why do you wear his armour?" Her voice was quiet but laced with accusation.

Maele looked up, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Kyron's armour?" he repeated, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his tone. "I wear it because I feel closer to him."

Thalia scoffed, her eyes flashing with a mix of disbelief and anger. "Closer to him?" she retorted, her voice rising slightly. "Wearing his armour doesn't make you him, Maele. You act nothing like him."

The tension at the table grew palpable, the other warriors exchanging uneasy glances. Doran shifted uncomfortably in his seat, while Elysse quietly studied her meal, a picture of serene neutrality.

Maele's jaw tightened, his fingers tightening around his tankard of ale. "I know I'm not Kyron," he admitted gruffly, his voice edged with frustration. "But I'm doing my best to lead us."

Thalia leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "Your best isn't good enough," she countered sharply, her words cutting through the air like a knife. "Kyron wouldn't have tolerated your behaviour."

Maele's temper flared, his knuckles whitening around the tankard. Before he could respond, Oswin interjected calmly, his voice a soothing balm over the rising tension. "We're all under pressure," he said evenly, his gaze flickering between Maele and Thalia. "Let's not forget why we're here."

The moment hung suspended between them, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air. Eventually, Maele nodded curtly, his jaw clenched with unresolved frustration. Thalia leaned back in her chair, her expression guarded but begrudgingly acquiescent.

The rest of the meal passed in subdued silence, the camaraderie that usually bound them together overshadowed by the strains of their conflicting emotions.

As they finished their lunch and prepared to return to their duties, Thalia's gaze lingered on Maele once more. Her heart ached with the memory of Kyron, their lost leader who had captured her heart long before his disappearance. But now, in his absence, she struggled to reconcile her feelings with the harsh reality of Maele's leadership.

Outside the tavern, the village bustled with activity, oblivious to the internal conflicts that plagued the group of warriors. They walked in uneasy silence, each lost in their own thoughts and uncertainties.

In the quiet moments that followed, Thalia's thoughts returned to Kyron, the memory of his smile and the warmth of his touch a poignant reminder of what they had lost. She clenched her fists, vowing silently to honour his memory and to find a way to bridge the divide that threatened to tear them apart.

Deep in the heart of the wilderness, far from the village walls, the monstrous beast stirred from its restless slumber. It lay nestled within the shadows of a darkened cave, its massive form coiled like a serpent ready to strike.

The beast's eyes glowed with a feral hunger as it watched the distant flicker of human activity. It remembered the taste of battle, the thrill of the chase, and the intoxicating scent of fear that had fueled its rampage.

The creature's breath rattled in its chest, a low rumble of anticipation. It rested its head upon its massive claws, its mind consumed with memories of the village it had left behind.

But even in repose, the beast did not hesitate. Its hunger gnawed at its belly, driving it forward with a relentless urgency. It would return to the village sooner than anticipated, its hunger unsated and its fury burning bright.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, the beast stirred once more. Its muscles tensed, its eyes narrowing with predatory focus. With a final, earth-shaking roar, the creature emerged from the darkness of its lair.

The journey back to the village had begun.

Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed the third chapter. As you know, I release a chapter each week, so follow for updates! And again, this story is finished and all written up already, so I won't miss an update.

-Note, some chapters are shorter and some chapters are longer. Sorry for the botchy fluency.

Aurex7657 <3