SKATH: The Awakening Of Power

chapter 6

The silence of the night slowly descended as Skath and Lyra walked side by side, lost in their thoughts. Jonah's abduction had deeply shaken them, and every step felt heavy, laden with frustration and worry.

"We have to find a way to follow them," Skath said softly, breaking the silence. "Malakar can't be that far away."

Lyra nodded, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the cold that grew stronger as the sun set. "I know... but for now, we don't know where he's gone. We need to rest and come up with a plan."

After hours of walking, Lyra recognized the familiar outline of her village emerging from the shadows of the trees. The small wooden houses were scattered at the foot of the hills, and a faint light glowed from a few windows, a sign that some villagers hadn't gone to bed yet.

"We're here," Lyra said with a mix of relief and concern. "We've reached my village."

Skath stopped next to her, observing the place with curiosity. "Are you going back here?" he asked, uncertainty in his voice.

"We have to. We don't have a choice. We can't wander through the forest without knowing where to look for Jonah. And besides, it's already night. It would be dangerous to keep going."

Skath nodded, accepting her logic. The journey had been exhausting, and although he was worried about Jonah, he knew some rest would be useful. "Alright. But only for tonight. Tomorrow, we resume the search."

As they approached the village houses, Skath noticed the villagers watching them with suspicious eyes. People retreated into their homes, shutting their doors behind them. It was clear that Lyra's presence wasn't welcome, and Skath could hear the murmurs of disdain following their path.

"They don't look kindly on you, do they?" Skath asked, noticing the tense atmosphere.

Lyra scoffed. "No. Around here, if you're not married by twenty and don't conform to expectations, you're a 'witch.' Doesn't matter if you're just trying to live your life."

Skath looked at her with understanding. "Ignorant. They know nothing about you."

They finally reached Lyra's house, a small, modest wooden structure with a thatched roof. The door was ajar, and a dim light illuminated the interior. Lyra gently pushed it open, gesturing for Skath to follow her.

"Well, welcome to my home," Lyra said with a slightly sarcastic tone as she closed the door behind them. "It's not much, but it's mine."

The interior was simple but cozy. A small fire crackled in the hearth, and a straw bed was set up in one corner. On the wooden table stood a vase of dried flowers and a few unlit candles. The house was clearly modest but cared for with love.

"It's cozy," Skath commented, glancing around the room. "Thanks for letting me stay here."

Lyra nodded without responding, heading toward a small stool and sitting heavily. The journey had drained her, but another concern weighed on her mind. She needed to check on her brother Tobin.

"I have to check on Tobin," Lyra said, a shadow of worry in her voice. "He's asleep, but I want to make sure he's alright."

Skath nodded, sitting in a chair by the fire. "Of course, go ahead. I'll be here."

Lyra stood and approached a small side door leading to a smaller room. Tobin, her younger brother, was sleeping soundly under a worn blanket, his face pale but peaceful. His breathing was steady, but his fragility was evident. Lyra bent over him, gently adjusting the blanket and brushing his face with a loving caress.

"Hold on, Tobin. I'll do everything to protect you," she whispered.

After ensuring everything was in order, she returned to the main room and sat down across from Skath. The silence between them was filled with unspoken thoughts.

"Tomorrow, we'll look for Malakar," Lyra said finally, breaking the silence. "But I also need to think about my brother. I can't leave him alone for too long."

Skath nodded, understanding her situation. "We'll make sure to find Jonah as quickly as possible. And when we do, Malakar won't have any power over us."

Lyra looked at him, trying to hide the sense of gratitude she felt. She wasn't used to sharing her worries with anyone, especially not a stranger like Skath. But in that moment, knowing she wasn't alone in this battle gave her a bit of comfort.

"Thank you," Lyra murmured, lowering her gaze. It was a quiet, almost embarrassed thank you, but sincere.

Skath raised an eyebrow, surprised by the change in tone. "For what?"

"For... not judging me like the others do. For being here, helping me, even though we don't know each other well." Lyra clasped her hands, nervous. "I'm not used to having allies."

Skath stared at her for a moment, then shook his head with a slight smile. "No need to thank me. I'm just doing what's right." He paused, his dark eyes reflecting the fire's light. "After all, I have my own demons too. Maybe more than you can imagine."

Lyra studied him with some curiosity but decided not to press. She had already noticed a certain darkness in Skath's eyes, something that seemed to weigh on him like an invisible burden.

As the silence returned between them, the only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire and the wind blowing outside the window. The night seemed to grow colder, and the elongated shadows danced on the walls of the small house.

"You should rest," Lyra said after a while, trying to break the tension that had been building.

"We both should rest," Skath replied, looking at her seriously. "Tomorrow will be a long day, and we need to be ready for whatever awaits us."

Lyra nodded and stood up, wearily heading toward Tobin's room. She paused for a moment at the doorway, casting a glance back at Skath. He was an enigmatic man, but for some reason, she felt strangely safe in his presence, despite everything.

"Good night," she murmured before closing the door behind her.

Skath remained seated by the fire, his thoughts racing. The image of Jonah in Malakar's clutches constantly haunted him. His friend-or what Jonah had once been-was in danger, and the thought of not recognizing him immediately tormented Skath. But beyond the guilt, there was an unshakable determination to save him.

He leaned back in the chair, his gaze lost in the flames. Rest was necessary, but sleep seemed distant.

The next morning arrived with a gray sky, heavy clouds threatening rain. Lyra woke early and checked on Tobin, who was still peacefully asleep, his breathing steady. For a moment, her heart filled with hope. Maybe she could keep everything together, at least for a little while.

In the main room, Skath was already up, ready to go. When Lyra came out of the room, he gave her a determined look.

"Are we ready?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

Lyra nodded. "Yes, I am. Tobin will be fine for a few hours." She approached the fireplace, lighting it to keep the house warm while they were away. "But we can't waste time."

"We won't," Skath replied. "Today, we'll find him."

Without further words, they prepared to leave. The village was still asleep, and the few people they passed on the street cast cold, judgmental glances at Lyra. But she no longer cared. She had much more important concerns than their prejudices.

As they left the village, venturing once again into the forest, the silence between them was less tense, as if, despite everything, a mutual understanding had formed. They both knew that time was of the essence and that they had to act quickly.

"Where do you think Malakar could have taken him?" Lyra asked, breaking the silence.

Skath shook his head. "I don't know. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that Malakar feeds on pain and despair. He'll seek a place where he can completely bend Jonah to his will."

Lyra shuddered at the thought. "Then we can't let that happen."

"No, we can't," Skath confirmed, gripping his ethereal blade at his side. "No matter how hard it will be, we have to save him. And we have to stop Malakar once and for all."

The journey had just begun, but both of them knew they were about to face a battle far greater than they could imagine.