Echoes of fallen stars

Whispers in the Dark

Back at the camp, Ezra felt both triumphant and drained. The Trial of Shadows had taken more out of her than she had anticipated, not just in physical energy, but in emotion. She had confronted memories and illusions that had clawed at her fears, and even now, echoes of those twisted visions lingered in her thoughts. She had barely slept, haunted by glimpses of her brother's face, the sinister reflection of herself.

The dawn broke softly, filtering through the trees, and Ezra found herself restless, her body still buzzing from the trials in the labyrinth. As she made her way through camp, Finn spotted her, a warm but concerned smile crossing his face.

"Couldn't sleep, huh?" he asked, handing her a mug of herbal tea. She accepted it gratefully, taking a small sip, savoring the warmth.

"Not exactly," she replied, managing a half-smile. "It's... everything I saw in there. It feels like the shadows are still with me somehow."

Finn's gaze grew serious. "That's understandable. The Trial of Shadows doesn't just test your strength—it forces you to carry the weight of your fears and confront your deepest doubts. Those impressions can linger. But you've proven that you're stronger than them."

Just then, Rowan joined them, looking even grimmer than usual. He motioned for them to follow him toward the center of the camp. "There's something you both need to see," he said quietly.

Ezra and Finn exchanged a look before following him. As they walked, the other members of their hidden community fell into step, murmuring in hushed voices. The camp was buzzing with an unusual tension.

Rowan led them to the edge of the clearing, where a few scouts stood guard, their faces pale. Ezra's heart sank as she caught sight of what they were looking at: deep, dark scorch marks on the forest floor, as if something had burned its way across the ground. The marks formed a trail leading from the dense woods and stopping just short of the camp's border.

"Shadow-born," Finn whispered, his voice tinged with dread. "They've found us."

Ezra's pulse quickened. She had heard of shadow-born creatures—beings forged from darkness itself, relentless in their pursuit of power and chaos. They were the very essence of shadows, twisted and given life.

Rowan looked at the gathered crowd, his face stern. "It seems the trial has stirred up more than we anticipated. Ezra's power has awakened something in the shadows, and they know she's here. This is only the beginning. If they sense the crystal's power within her, they'll stop at nothing to find her—and to find it."

Ezra swallowed, her resolve hardening. "So, what do we do?"

Rowan's gaze met hers, his eyes serious. "We need to move. But we also need to learn more about what's hunting us. The shadow-born are drawn to ancient places, to residual traces of the old power. There's a village nearby, tucked away in the mountains, where rumors say an old seer lives. She may know more about these creatures and how to stop them."

Finn nodded, turning to Ezra. "The journey will be dangerous, especially with the shadow-born nearby. But if anyone can find this seer and bring back answers, it's you."

Ezra didn't hesitate. The trials had shown her that she could stand against her own fears; now, she would stand against the shadows themselves. "I'll do it. If this seer has answers, I'll bring them back."

Rowan placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression both proud and worried. "Remember, the shadows will try to deceive you again. The closer you get to the truth, the harder they'll work to keep it from you. Keep your focus."

Finn pressed a small charm into her hand, a simple stone pendant engraved with a star. "It's a protection charm," he said, smiling faintly. "It may not be powerful, but it should help keep the worst of the shadows at bay."