The Beninging

Chapter 10

She stood alone in the clearing, the tension of the encounter slowly ebbing away as the hunters vanished into the shadows. Her breath steadied, but her heart pounded with the energy that still coursed through her body, a reminder of the power she now possessed. The stones had protected her, absorbed the attack, and given her the strength to push back.

But with that strength came a weight—a responsibility. The stones had chosen her, but she was still just beginning to understand what they truly were and what they wanted from her.

She touched the amulet hanging around her neck. It was cool to the touch, its surface engraved with symbols she hadn't fully deciphered. The amulet had been with her for a long time, and she had sensed from the start that it was more than just a simple ornament. Now, with the power of the stones growing inside her, she understood its purpose. When the power became too much, when the stones threatened to overwhelm her, the amulet would help her channel it, contain it.

She wasn't sure how long she could hold out without its help. The stones were growing stronger, faster than she had anticipated. Already, her skin buzzed with their energy, and the faint glow around her hands had become brighter, more noticeable. She couldn't risk attracting more enemies—or worse, losing control entirely.

But for now, the amulet remained silent, its power dormant. The stones were still patient, still waiting.

Her gaze drifted toward the mountains. The temple was somewhere within those jagged peaks, hidden and ancient, the final destination that the stones seemed to be guiding her toward. She had no idea what awaited her there, only that it was tied to the power she now carried—and to the mysterious forces that sought to take it from her.

As she began to walk again, her steps steady and determined, she kept her senses alert. She knew the hunters wouldn't give up so easily. Others would come—those more desperate, more dangerous than the ones she had just faced. The stones were a prize coveted by many, and she had barely scratched the surface of the danger that surrounded them.

It didn't take long before she felt another presence. It was subtle at first—a faint rustling in the trees, a shadow that seemed out of place. She slowed her pace, her hand instinctively moving toward her dagger, her senses on high alert.

Suddenly, a figure stepped into view. It wasn't the leader, nor was it one of the hunters she had encountered earlier. This man was different—taller, leaner, his dark hair swept back in a way that gave him a sharp, almost regal appearance. His eyes glowed faintly, not with the sinister light of the hunters but with something else. A calm power.

"I see you've made it this far," he said, his voice smooth, almost disarmingly casual. He wasn't holding a weapon, but there was a dangerous confidence in the way he stood, as if he didn't need one. "I was wondering how long it would take for someone like you to surface."

Her grip tightened on her dagger. "Who are you?"

He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Someone who's been watching this play out for a long time. You're not the first to seek the stones, and you won't be the last."

"I don't care about the stones," she replied, her voice steady but laced with tension. "I just want to survive."

"Ah, but the stones care about you," he said, taking a step closer. "You're carrying them now, and that makes you part of something much bigger than just survival."

She took a step back, her mind racing. This man wasn't just another hunter. He knew too much, and the way he spoke sent a chill down her spine.

"What do you want?" she asked, keeping her distance.