Ashes of the Forbidden Kingdom.

The Shattered Peace

POV: Elysia

The dawn crept over the forest, casting muted gold across the clearing. Elysia stirred from her light sleep, the remnants of the fight lingering in her mind. Her frost magic had dulled the edge of her exhaustion, but it couldn’t thaw the heavy unease she carried.

Kieran was already awake, sitting on a large stone at the edge of their camp. The sword rested on his knees, its blade darkened and cold after its fiery display the night before.

“Do you ever sleep?” Elysia asked, her voice breaking the stillness.

Kieran glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Not when there’s a chance Rylen might come back.”

Elysia frowned, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. The air was damp and cold, and the forest seemed unnervingly silent, as if even the birds were wary of what lingered in the shadows.

“What was that thing he summoned?” she asked, sitting down across from Kieran.

Kieran’s jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “A shadow beast. It’s an extension of Rylen’s magic, but also something more. Those things don’t die easily. If we didn’t destroy it completely…”

Elysia’s breath caught. “You mean it could come back?”

Kieran nodded. “And stronger.”

The thought of facing that monstrous creature again made Elysia’s stomach churn. She had barely been able to hold her own during the last fight.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself,” Kieran said suddenly, as if reading her thoughts.

She looked at him, startled. “What?”

“You’re thinking you weren’t strong enough, that you were a liability.” His gaze softened, though his tone remained firm. “But you held your ground. You froze that thing long enough for me to destroy it. That’s strength, Elysia.”

His words warmed something deep within her, but she quickly pushed the feeling aside. “Don’t start being nice to me now, Kieran. It’s disorienting.”

He smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Don’t worry. It won’t last.”

Before Elysia could respond, a low rumble vibrated through the ground. Her heart leapt as she scrambled to her feet, staff in hand.

Kieran stood, his sword igniting with fire once more. “Stay close.”

The trees ahead swayed unnaturally, as if something massive was moving through the forest. The rumbling grew louder, accompanied by a strange, guttural growl that sent shivers down Elysia’s spine.

From the shadows emerged a hulking creature, its body a twisted amalgamation of stone and roots, its eyes glowing a sickly green. It was unlike anything she’d seen before, its very presence radiating malice.

“A Goleth,” Kieran muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.

“A what?” Elysia asked, her voice tinged with panic.

“A guardian of the forest. Someone must have awakened it—and I’d bet everything it was Rylen.”

The Goleth roared, shaking the earth beneath their feet. Without warning, it charged, its massive arms swinging toward them with terrifying speed.

Kieran pushed Elysia aside, the creature’s fist slamming into the ground where she had stood moments before. He retaliated with a blast of fire, but the flames barely scorched the creature’s stony hide.

“This thing is tougher than it looks!” Kieran yelled, dodging another swing.

Elysia raised her staff, summoning a shard of ice that flew toward the Goleth. It struck its chest, cracking the stone slightly, but the creature barely flinched.

“It’s resistant to magic,” Kieran said, frustration lacing his voice.

“Then how do we stop it?”

Kieran didn’t answer immediately. He seemed to be calculating something, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the creature’s movements. Finally, he turned to her, urgency in his voice.

“I’ll distract it. You aim for its core—the green light in its chest. That’s its weak spot.”

Elysia hesitated, fear clawing at her resolve. “Kieran, that’s suicide. You’ll be crushed!”

“Do you have a better idea?” he shot back, his tone leaving no room for argument.

She didn’t. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Just don’t die.”

Kieran gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Not planning to.”

He charged toward the Goleth, flames erupting around him as he slashed at its legs. The creature roared, swinging its massive arms in an attempt to swat him away. But Kieran was fast, his movements a blur as he dodged and struck with precision.

Elysia focused on the creature’s core, the green light pulsing like a heartbeat. Summoning all her magic, she formed a spear of ice, its surface shimmering with frost.

“Come on, Elysia,” she whispered to herself, her hands trembling as she aimed.

Kieran leapt onto the Goleth’s back, driving his sword into its shoulder. The creature bellowed in pain, its movements growing more erratic.

“Now, Elysia!” Kieran shouted.

With a shout of determination, Elysia hurled the ice spear toward the Goleth’s chest. The spear struck true, piercing the core with a deafening crack. The green light flickered and then extinguished, the Goleth’s body crumbling into a pile of rubble.

Kieran jumped clear just before the creature collapsed, landing heavily but on his feet.

Elysia ran to him, her heart pounding. “Are you okay?”

He nodded, though his breaths came in gasps. “Nice shot.”

She allowed herself a small smile, relief flooding through her. But that relief was short-lived as a familiar, mocking voice echoed through the clearing.

“Well done,” Rylen said, stepping out from the shadows. “I see I underestimated you two.”

Kieran’s flames reignited, his sword ready. “Not enough to stay away, apparently.”

Rylen smirked, his gaze flickering between them. “This was just the beginning. Enjoy your victory while you can—it won’t last.”

With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind an unsettling silence.

Elysia turned to Kieran, her voice barely above a whisper. “What do we do now?”

Kieran sheathed his sword, his expression grim. “We keep moving. Rylen won’t stop until he gets what he wants. And neither will I.”