The Immortal Legacy of the Mortal Archer 🏹

Chapter Four: Shadows of the Past 🏹

Chapter Four: Shadows of the Past

The morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of Sherwood Forest, dappling the ground in golden hues. Despite the serene beauty of the woods, an air of tension blanketed the camp. The demigods moved with purpose, their usual joviality replaced by wary glances and hushed conversations. Robin stood atop a small rise overlooking the camp, his sharp eyes scanning every face, every movement.

The weight of the forest spirit’s warning pressed heavily on his shoulders. A mortal vessel. The phrase echoed in his mind, a chilling reminder of the danger they faced. If the ancient power could possess someone, it would be nearly impossible to trust anyone.

Marian approached, her soft footfalls barely audible over the rustling leaves. “You didn’t sleep last night.” Her tone was gentle, but her eyes betrayed her worry.

Robin shook his head, his gaze fixed on the glowing gateway in the distance. “How could I? That thing…” He gestured toward the faint light. “It’s not just a danger to us. It’s a threat to everything. And I don’t even know where to start.”

Marian placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “You’re not alone in this, Robin. We’ll figure it out together.”

He turned to her, his expression hardening. “That’s just it, Marian. This isn’t something we can fight with bows and swords. It’s ancient, older than the gods themselves. What if it’s something we can’t stop?”

She held his gaze, her voice steady. “You’ve faced impossible odds before. You’ve always found a way. And you’ll find a way now.”

Robin wanted to believe her. But the gnawing doubt in his heart refused to be silenced.

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The First Signs

As the day wore on, the camp settled into a tense routine. Guards were posted around the gateway, their orders clear: no one was to approach it under any circumstances. The demigods who weren’t on guard duty worked on reinforcing the camp’s defenses, though many questioned how walls and traps could stop an ancient power.

It wasn’t long before the first signs of trouble appeared.

“Robin!” A young demigod named Will came running into the camp, his face pale and his breathing ragged. “It’s… it’s Thomas. Something’s wrong with him.”

Robin and Marian exchanged a glance before hurrying after Will. He led them to a small clearing on the edge of the camp, where a group of demigods had gathered. In the center of the crowd lay Thomas, one of the newer recruits. His body was rigid, his eyes wide open but unseeing. A faint glow emanated from his skin, the same eerie light as the gateway.

“Everyone, back!” Robin ordered, pushing his way through the crowd. He knelt beside Thomas, careful not to touch him. “Thomas? Can you hear me?”

The young man didn’t respond. His lips moved, but the words were inaudible, like a faint whisper carried on the wind. Robin leaned closer, straining to make out the sound.

“…the vessel… must… be found…”

Robin recoiled as Thomas’s voice grew louder, the words no longer his own. The glow around him intensified, and the ground beneath him began to crack, as if rejecting his presence. Before Robin could react, a pulse of energy burst from Thomas’s body, sending the onlookers stumbling backward.

When the light faded, Thomas was still. His eyes closed, his breathing shallow but steady.

“What just happened?” Marian asked, her voice trembling.

Robin stood, his jaw tight. “The power… it’s already reaching out. It’s trying to find a vessel.”

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A Desperate Plan

Back at the camp, Robin called another meeting. The urgency in his voice left no room for debate.

“The gateway isn’t just a bridge,” he began, pacing in front of the gathered demigods. “It’s a beacon. Whatever’s on the other side is looking for a way through, and it’s using us to do it. Thomas was just the first. It’ll happen again, and next time, it might not let go.”

Marian stepped forward. “So what do we do? We can’t just sit here and wait for it to pick us off one by one.”

Robin nodded. “We need to seal the gateway. If we can cut off its connection to this world, we might be able to stop it from finding a vessel.”

Little John frowned. “Seal it? How? The gods couldn’t even explain where it came from. What makes you think we can close it?”

Robin hesitated. He hadn’t shared everything the forest spirit had told him, partly because he didn’t fully understand it himself. But now, he had no choice.

“The forest spirit mentioned something about a key,” he said finally. “A relic from the time before the gods. It’s hidden somewhere in Sherwood, and it’s the only thing that can close the gateway.”

The demigods murmured among themselves, their expressions ranging from skepticism to hope. Marian silenced them with a raised hand. “Then we find the key. If it’s the only way, we don’t have a choice.”

Robin met her gaze, gratitude flickering in his eyes. “We’ll split into teams. Search every inch of the forest, every cave, every tree hollow. The spirit said the key would recognize the one worthy to wield it.”

“Worthy?” Little John scoffed. “What does that even mean?”

Robin sighed. “I don’t know. But if we don’t find it, the gateway will open, and we won’t stand a chance.”

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The Search Begins

The camp buzzed with activity as the demigods prepared for the search. Robin led the first team, accompanied by Marian and a handful of skilled trackers. They ventured deep into the forest, following the faint whispers of the spirit that seemed to guide them.

Hours turned into days as the teams combed through Sherwood, their efforts yielding little more than frustration. The forest seemed to stretch endlessly, its secrets hidden beneath layers of ancient magic. But Robin refused to give up. He could feel the gateway’s influence growing stronger, its light visible even from miles away.

One night, as his team rested by a small stream, Robin sat apart from the others, his thoughts consumed by doubt. What if they couldn’t find the key? What if they were already too late?

Marian joined him, her presence a comforting balm against his turmoil. “You’re doing everything you can,” she said softly. “The forest chose you for a reason.”

Robin shook his head. “What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t protect them?”

She placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. “You don’t have to do it alone. We’re with you, Robin. No matter what happens.”

He looked at her, his resolve hardening. “Then we’ll find the key. And we’ll stop whatever’s coming.”

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A Discovery

It was on the seventh day of their search that Robin’s team stumbled upon an ancient ruin hidden deep within the forest. Vines and moss covered its crumbling stone walls, but the air around it pulsed with an unmistakable energy. At its center stood a pedestal, and atop it rested a small, intricately carved object—a key unlike any Robin had ever seen.

As he approached, the key began to glow, its light resonating with the power of the forest. Robin reached out, his hand trembling. The moment his fingers touched the key, a wave of warmth washed over him, and the whispers of the spirit filled his mind.

“You are worthy,” it said. “But the battle has only just begun.”

Robin turned to his team, the key clutched tightly in his hand. “We have what we need. Now, we end this.”

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