Blade Of The Dragon

Chapter 6

The darkness wrapped around them like a heavy shroud, the dimming twilight suffocating their hopes. Daniel stood frozen for a moment, grappling with the sharp sting of anger now mingled with fear. "We should strategize," he finally said, breaking the oppressive silence between them.

 Xavier and Benjamin exchanged anxious glances, the weight of the cloaked figure's words echoing in their minds. The air thrummed with tension, alive with the potential for danger that lurked just beyond the edges of their perception. "What do we do now?" Benjamin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Daniel turned to face the valley, where shadows danced beneath the trees, a deceptive calm hiding the chaos within. "We need to remember Lira's warnings," he urged. "Whatever that figure was, it's connected to the Blade and its history. We can't turn back now. We need to find out what it wants."

Feeling the knot of fear in his stomach, Xavier stepped closer to Daniel, determination etched on his face. "If we can uncover what binds us to this darkness, then maybe we can turn it against him," he said, trying to summon courage from the depths of his uncertainty.

As they moved cautiously along the water's edge, each footfall whispered against the unyielding silence. The forest around them felt alive, yet haunted. Daniel took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Look for anything unusual—symbols, markings, or anything that could be linked to the Blade," he instructed.

The trio pressed deeper into the valley, scanning the ground and trunk of every tree. The soft sounds of the waterfall turned into a deafening roar, competing with the churning thoughts in Daniel's mind. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something glimmering beneath the surface of the water—a flash of silver entwined with the rocks.

"Over here!" Daniel shouted, breaking the tension as he rushed toward the water. Kneeling, he leaned forward, peering into the crystalline depths. His heart raced as he recognized the form: it was the hilt of a dagger, half-buried in the sediment.

Xavier and Benjamin joined him, their curiosity piqued. "What is it?" Benjamin asked, squinting through the reflections dancing on the water.

"I think it's a dagger," Daniel replied, reaching into the water. The cold shock pierced his skin but sent a thrill up his spine as his fingers finally grasped the hilt. With a swift pull, he liberated the blade from its slumber, revealing an ornate inscription etched on the silver.

"Look at these markings," Xavier said, squinting at the intricate designs. "They look familiar... but I don't know where from."

"They look familiar to me as well," Benjamin said, intrigued.Daniel turned the dagger, revealing a depiction of intertwining vines that coiled around a depiction of the Blade in its full form. "I think this dagger is a key."

Xavier's brow furrowed. "But if that cloaked figure spoke of pain, should we find where it goes or do we leave while we still can?"

Benjamin sighed, the tension in his shoulders palpable. "Whatever it is, it'll bring us answers—or more questions," he said, his voice strained.

"Let's keep it safe," Daniel decided, carefully tucking the dagger into his belt. "We have to find out more about this place and how it relates to the Blade."

They moved further into the valley, the forest growing denser. With every step, shadows elongated as the sun set behind the hills, casting an eerie glow through the trees. Time felt illusive, and with it, threats lurked in the gathering dark.

As they reached a clearing, they stumbled upon a large stone mural, partly obscured by tendrils of moss. The artwork depicted a battle between warriors wielding blades, their forms twisting in ethereal shapes that seemed to come alive as they approached.

"Look!" Benjamin exclaimed, pointing at a figure enshrined in the center.

"That light......it must be connected to the blade!" Xavier exclaimed.

"A sacrifice to protect the valley," Daniel read aloud.

"What are you talking about Daniel?" Benjamin says with slight hesitation.

The air thickened with a rhythmic pulse, resonating with the energy of the mural. Daniel felt the weight of the dagger at his side, sensing an amplification of something ancient and relentless. "What if the cloaked figure is drawn to this power?" he speculated, his fear melding with resolve. "We need to understand this connection. It might be the key to confronting him."

"Daniel you're starting to freak me out what are you talking about," Benjamin says taking one small step toward Daniel before Xavier stops him.

Suddenly, a low hum vibrated through the ground, deepening in resonance. In an instant, shadows began to swirl around the clearing, an ominous funnel pulling at the edges of their perception.

"Daniel whatever you are seeing, whatever you are feeling please tell us. You're kinda freaking us out." Xavier says with concern in his words.

Daniel stayed still feeling the darkness and the power around him. As Xavier and Benjamin desperately tried to get Daniel to speak his gaze stayed on the glow. The storm brewing around them was about to start poring them in rain roaring louder and louder almost deafeningly loud."Daniel!" Xavier shuts trying to pull Daniel away but Daniel only moves closer his eyes stuck on the sight of the glow.

"Xavier we need to get out of here before it starts raining!" Benjamin shouts but it only sounds close to a whisper through the storm.

Xavier looks at Daniel then back at Benjamin and yells "We can't leave him! Not in a storm like this!" Xavier continues to attempt to move Daniel.

Daniel's gaze is still and on the glow, his body locked in place like it is being held, all while Xavier and Benjamin yell for him and try to snap him out of it. All attempts failed Benjamin and Xavier chose to force him out of it. The two decide to knock him out to unlock his gaze and get to shelter.

Xavier grabs a rock and gets ready to knock him out. "I'm sorry Daniel!"