Cursed By Fate

shadow of the Beast

Chapter 15:Shadow of the Beasts

The forest was thick with mist, the air heavy with an unsettling stillness as Aria and her fellow students ventured deeper, the silence amplifying every crack of a twig beneath their feet. The training was meant to test their endurance and ability to navigate the wilderness, but something felt off, even to Aria. Her expressionless face remained unchanged, yet she sensed a presence lurking beyond the trees.

Suddenly, the ground trembled. From the shadows emerged monstrous beasts, eyes glowing red, their jaws snapping with terrifying precision. The students were immediately on high alert, drawing their weapons as the beasts charged at them.

Aria unsheathed her sword without hesitation, moving swiftly as the first beast lunged toward her. Its claws raked the air, but she sidestepped with practiced ease, her sword cutting through the creature's thick hide. Around her, the other students struggled to fend off the relentless attacks.

Kael, who had been close to Aria, noticed how effortlessly she fought, her movements sharp and calculated. For a moment, he hesitated, his gaze lingering on her in fascination. There was something about her, the way she remained unfazed, cold, and detached, even in the face of danger.

“She’s incredible…” he muttered under his breath.

The eldest prince, standing nearby, noticed Kael’s distracted gaze. He scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Don’t be a fool, Kael. She’s not worth your interest.”

Kael snapped his focus back to the battle, but the words of his older brother lingered. Even amidst the chaos, he couldn’t shake his curiosity about Aria, her power, and the mystery that surrounded her.

Just as they started to gain ground against the beasts, a deep, malevolent voice echoed through the forest.

“Well, well… what have we here?”

From the shadows emerged a cloaked figure, his presence dark and commanding. Behind him, a swirling mass of darkness formed, and from it, a servant stepped forward—a shadowy figure with glowing eyes, silently watching the battle unfold.

The beasts seemed to obey the cloaked figure, their attacks becoming more coordinated and vicious. The students were being pushed back, their defenses faltering under the sheer brutality of the onslaught.

Aria’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her sword. She could feel the cursed power inside her stirring, waiting for release. But she held back, unsure if this was the moment to reveal the full extent of her abilities.

The eldest prince drew his sword, his expression cold and unyielding as he stepped forward. “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice filled with authority.

The cloaked figure chuckled darkly. “That’s not important. What matters is that you’ll all fall before me… and my shadows.”

The beasts surged forward once more, their bloodlust fueled by their master’s command. The battle was far from over, and Aria could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her.
With a sudden command, the beasts surged forward once more, their bloodlust palpable as they charged. The air filled with the clashing of weapons and the growls of the creatures, drowning out the cries of battle.

Aria, steeling herself, felt the weight of the moment pressing down upon her. She knew that she couldn’t wait any longer; the time to fight was now. With a fierce resolve, she stepped forward, the dark energy within her awakening.

“Stand firm!” she shouted to her classmates, her voice cutting through the chaos. “We can’t let them overwhelm us!”

With renewed determination, she launched herself at the nearest beast, her sword striking with precision. The battle intensified around her, a whirlwind of fury and desperation as the cloaked figure watched with amusement, his servant lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.