Eclipsed

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: A Descent into Shadows

The cool night air rushed past Ren and Valen as they soared high above the kingdom on Rhaegar's back. The distant glow of lanterns dotted the town below, flickering like scattered stars. Ren took a deep breath, still reeling from their narrow escape.

“That was a very close one,” Ren said, breaking the silence.

“Indeed,” Valen replied curtly, his gaze fixed ahead, the tension still etched across his face.

The two were about to settle into the rhythm of the flight when a piercing scream shattered the stillness of the night.

“Somebody help me, please!” a woman’s voice echoed, raw with desperation and fear.

Ren’s head snapped toward the direction of the cry. He scanned the darkened streets below, his instincts sharpening. “We have to help her,” he said immediately, his voice laced with urgency.

Valen shot him a glance, his tone practical but firm. “Hey, man, we’ve got to get going. We don’t have time for this.”

Before either of them could act, Rhaegar roared, the deep rumble vibrating through their bodies. The dragon angled downward, his massive wings folding slightly as he began a swift descent.

“Rhaegar! No!” Valen shouted, gripping the dragon’s scales tightly. Ren clung on as well, both of them trying to wrest control of the situation, but Rhaegar remained unmoved.

The dragon landed gracefully near a large tree at the edge of the kingdom, not far from where the scream had come. His claws dug into the earth, and he let out another low growl as if to signal them to act.

With no choice, Ren and Valen slid off Rhaegar’s back, their boots hitting the ground. Valen sighed in exasperation, brushing himself off. “Great. Just great. This better not get us killed.”

Ren ignored him, already moving toward the source of the scream. His pulse quickened as he pushed through the dense shadows of the night. Valen reluctantly followed, muttering under his breath.

Ren and Valen quickly made their way through the quiet streets, the sound of a woman's desperate cries growing louder with each step. The night was dark, and the atmosphere was thick with tension.

“There she is!” Ren exclaimed, spotting the woman huddled near a stone wall, her face filled with fear and distress. She looked up, her eyes wide with panic.

Ren and Valen rushed toward her, but before they could reach her, a dark figure stepped out from the shadows. Cloaked in black and holding a scythe-like staff, the figure blocked their path with a menacing presence.

Without warning, the figure swung the staff, sending a burst of dark energy toward them.

“Look out!” Ren shouted, and both he and Valen jumped to the side, narrowly dodging the attack.

Valen quickly got to his feet, holding up his hands. “Whoa, alright, calm down!” he said, trying to defuse the situation.

Ren’s expression hardened, and he took a step forward. “Stay away from her,” he commanded, his voice firm.

The cloaked figure laughed, the sound cold and unfeeling. “Do you really want to challenge me?”

Valen glanced at Ren, an uneasy look crossing his face. “Ren, maybe we should just go... We don’t need to fight.”

Ren ignored him, eyes still locked on the cloaked figure. He turned his attention to the woman, who was now crouched against the wall, trembling in fear. “What do you want with her?” he demanded.