Call of the Shadow Heart

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Elara's eyes fluttered open, and she bolted upright, coughing violently as water spewed from her lungs. The burning sensation in her chest felt like fire, each breath a painful reminder of whatever had dragged her under. She gasped, trying to fill her lungs with air, her hands clutching her chest and the other one at the damp earth beneath her.

Disoriented, she glanced around, confusion settling in as she took in her surroundings. This wasn't the forest she knew. Towering, ancient trees stretched above her, their thick canopies casting eerie shadows. A crystal clear lake near her glistens as a ray of light coming through the canopies, made the water sparkling like thousands of gemstones. The air was heavy, dense with the scent of moss and something... quite familiar.

"Where... am I?" she muttered, her voice trembling. If I remember, I was dragged by something, a shadow-like creature that came out from the lake!

Before she could fully understand what actually happened, a rustling from the dense underbrush broke the stillness. Elara's heart leapt into her throat. She turned just in time to see several small, green-skinned figures emerge from the trees. Goblins—grinning, their sharp teeth glinting in the dim light, eyes gleaming with malice.

"Harrrgh, human," one of them hissed, its voice like nails scraping against a stone.

"Human, human!" another sneered, rubbing his gnarled hands together. "Makes lots of gold-lots!"

Panic surged through Elara’s veins. Goblins. She'd heard stories of them straight from a fairytale, which her grandma used to tell her about—cruel creatures driven by greed, always looking to sell slaves for a quick fortune. Elara never thought she'd see them in her entire life.

Is this a dream? Am I having a nightmare? Panic surged through her as quickly as those goblins walked towards her direction.

Elara scrambled back, her palms slick with mud as she searched frantically for an escape, but they were already closing in.

Her heart pounded.

Two goblins from behind clutched Elara's both arms. She let out a shrieked, echoing through the forest, the wind howled, as if crying for her misfortune.

"H-help!-"

A single pound behind her head knocked out the young lady instantly. Her consciousness fades while being dragged by the goblins.

"Harrrgh, human.. different, head boss happy!" the chief ranking goblin exclaimed. Unusual looking humans cost a lot compared to normal ones. Elara's knitted sweater, which her grandmother gave her at her seventeenth birthday, her dark-bluish pants, and a pair of boots gave her away, making her look like an unusual kind of human for the goblins.

---

A soft glow from the lamp illuminated the dark walls of Kael's room, casting flickering shadows that danced across the surface. The space was modest yet distinctly his, with glistening swords and daggers hanging on the walls like trophies of past conquests. Each blade reflected the warm light, their edges honed to perfection, whispering of battles fought and victories earned.

The air was heavy with the scent of oil and leather, remnants of the training sessions that had taken place within these walls. A simple wooden table sat in one corner, cluttered with parchment covered in sketches and notes—a testament to his strategic mind.

Despite its lack of conventional walls, the room felt enclosed, as if the very darkness outside respected his solitude. A large window framed the view of the night sky, the stars twinkling like distant memories. Not a single breeze disturbed the stillness, amplifying the weight of his thoughts. Here, in this sanctuary of shadows, his mind wandered back to the Dreadleaf Woods, recalling the eerie encounter that had left him unsettled.

The door swung open with a creak, and in stepped Freya, her silhouette framed by the dim light. She moved with a grace that drew the eye, her presence filling the room like an intoxicating perfume. Her long, red wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the fitted attire of the Shadow Tribe accentuated her curves, leaving little to the imagination.

“Kael,” she said, her voice smooth and alluring, pulling him from his thoughts. “The Duke has summoned you. He’s waiting for you at the Chapel.”

Kael looked up, intrigue mixing with concern. “What does he want?”

Freya stepped closer, her confidence radiating like a warm glow. “I think the Duke will give you the answer. Head to the Chapel; he's waiting for you there.” She leaned against the wall with an effortless ease, her expression encouraging.

He straightened, setting his dagger aside. “Understood.”

The Chapel was an imposing structure, its dark stone walls etched with ancient runes that seemed to shimmer faintly in the low light. As Kael approached, the heavy wooden door swung open, revealing the Duke standing at the altar, draped in rich fabrics that spoke of power and authority. His piercing gaze met Kael's, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“Ah, Kael,” the Duke said, his voice deep and commanding. “I’ve been expecting you. Come, we have much to discuss.”

Kael stepped inside, the door closing behind him with a resounding thud. The atmosphere in the Chapel felt charged, as if the very air was pregnant with secrets. The flickering candlelight casts long shadows across the room, highlighting the Duke’s regal presence.

“I have a mission for you,” the Duke continued, gesturing for Kael to approach. “Head to the base camp of the goblins, the necklace needed for your uniform to infiltrate the knights is the head goblin's prized possession.”

"Understood, Sir."

“It’s not just an ornament. Hand the necklace to Freya after you retrieve it. It’s essential for your uniform so  Duke Barone wouldn’t suspect anything.” The Duke’s expression darkened. “You must stay vigilant. Of all people, he must never know about our tribe."

Kael nodded. “Where is the goblin's base?"

The Duke smiled, his eyes glinting with strategy. “Head to the Crimson Dunes, north of Eldorath. Freya will accompany you, but the task of retrieving the necklace from the goblin chief falls to you alone.”

“I understand,” Kael said, gripping his dagger tightly. "I won't let you down."

“Good,” the Duke replied, his voice low and steady. “Time is of the essence.”

With a final nod, Kael turned to leave. As soon as Kael disappeared into the darkness, the shadows inside the Chapel seemed to stir. High Priest Zalom materialized, his form almost blending with the dim surroundings.

"Seems like our virtuoso can be relied upon, Thalos," Zalom’s voice dripped with satisfaction.

The Duke—Thalos—turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "He is, my lord."

"Good. Keep him as he is. Kael must never discover what we’re truly after." Zalom’s eyes gleamed with malice. “He’s valuable to the tribe, but his usefulness has limits.”

Thalos hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. “Understood, my lord.”

Zalom’s gaze hardened. "He may be loyal to the mission now, but what will he do when he finds out the truth?"

The question lingered, heavy and unanswered, as the shadows of the Chapel seemed to grow darker still.