Call of the Shadow Heart

Chapter 6

“Not here.”

Kael breathed low as the three of them pressed against the cold stone wall, hearts racing in the eerie silence of the goblin's base. Everything felt still, as if the air itself was holding its breath.

Deeper they moved into the dimly lit passages, the sounds of dripping water echoing ominously around them. Kael led the way, his footsteps quick and soundless, a stark contrast to the thumping of their hearts. Adrian and Elara followed closely, the tension palpable.

“Harrrgh, head boss quiet?” A couple of goblins passed just a few feet away, making the trio instinctively press further into the shadows.

“Head boss sleep?” one goblin asked, scratching its head in confusion.

“Fool! Head boss not sleep during dark!” the other goblin retorted, their laughter fading into the distance.

Kael exchanged a quick glance with Adrian, both men aware of how close they had come to discovery. Elara’s breath quickened as she held tightly to the wall, feeling the weight of their situation settle heavily on her shoulders.

How did I end up here? Elara's thoughts raced, a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. Am I still dreaming? The reality of another world—this strange, dangerous place—felt surreal. Is this what Grandma was so worried about?

"Let's keep moving." Kael whispered, barely heard. His breath touches Elara's skin which made the young woman shivered.

She looked up, trying to see him clearly in the dim light. What is this feeling? Ever since they met, there was something about him she couldn't shake—something she couldn't quite explain. Who is this man, really?

The stillness of the chamber didn't last long. A shrill cry echoed throughout the goblin's den, cutting through the silence like a blade. The sound was desperate, panicked—one of the goblins had discovered the corpse of the head goblin.

"They've found him," Adrian whispered, his eyes wide with alarm.

Elara felt her stomach drop as the echoing cries grew louder, more frantic. The goblins were coming, and soon the entire den would be alerted.

Kael's jaw tightened. "We need to move. Now."

The trio moved quickly yet cautiously through the dimly lit passages, every step calculated as they navigated the winding corridors of the goblin's den. The frantic cries and wails of the goblins grew louder, echoing off the stone walls, a chilling reminder that their time was running out.

Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to keep pace, her senses heightened by the impending danger. Adrian's breaths were labored, glancing over his shoulder, fully aware that the creatures were visibly nearing.

Kael pressed on ahead, his face steely and focused. "Keep moving," he urged, his voice barely above a whisper.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived back where most of the captives were held. A wave of relief washed over the imprisoned men and women as they caught sight of Adrian, who's clearly holding the key. Hope flickered in their eyes, like fragile flames long thought extinguished. Elara moved swiftly toward Sarah's cell, her heart racing as she turned to Adrian, who still held the key he had taken from the head goblin earlier.

"Let's help them!" Elara commanded, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. The cries of the captives echoed through the chamber, a mixture of desperation and newfound hope.

Her gaze drifted across the room, landing on a young girl clutching a worn-out doll, tears streaming down her face. The child sat beside her grandmother, who held her close, their frail bodies trembling in the dim light. A sharp pang struck Elara's heart, memories of her own grandmother flooding her mind. She couldn’t bear to imagine them in a similar situation.