It was dusk, and the air outside the inn felt heavy with sorrow. Inside, the four remaining companions sat in silence, the weight of loss thick between them. The faint light from a lantern flickered across their faces, showing exhaustion and grief that words couldn’t mend.Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Duke looked up, still hollow-eyed, while Arden remained seated with his head lowered. Maya rose quietly and opened the door. Standing there was one of the villagers, bowing slightly.“The Chief wishes to see you,” the man said softly. “He comes with a token of gratitude for saving Virelia from destruction.”Arden exchanged a glance with Lina, whose eyes were still swollen from crying. They all knew the victory had come at a great cost, but refusing the Chief’s visit would be disrespectful. Slowly, Duke stood and said, “Let him in.”Moments later, the village Chief entered, an elderly man with kind eyes and a face marked by time. In his hands was a small chest. “Heroes,” he

The sun had barely risen when the four set out toward Wraith Mountain. The forest path ahead was rough, covered in fog that crept between the trees. Duke led the way, holding the map the village chief had given them, his eyes scanning every turn.“According to the map, if we follow this route, we should reach the mountain’s base by nightfall,” Duke said calmly.Arden nodded, walking beside him. “Good. Let’s stay together. We can’t afford any surprises this time.”Lina smiled softly, walking close to Arden’s right. “Don’t worry. As long as we stay alert, we’ll be fine.”But behind them, Maya trailed in silence, her eyes cold and distant. She barely heard their voices; her thoughts were consumed by what she’d seen the night before. The image of Arden and Lina together replayed over and over, twisting her chest.Then, a whisper slithered through her mind. A familiar voice, dark, smooth, and commanding.“Maya,” it said, “you saw how he looked at her. You’re fading from his heart. But yo

The night was quiet, the air still and heavy with unease. The soft crackle of the dying campfire flickered against the shadows of the forest. Everyone was asleep, except Maya. She sat alone, trembling slightly as she gripped her head, her breath uneven. Her eyes glowed faintly green, and the faint trace of serpent-like scales crept across her cheek. Inside her mind, the ancient serpent hissed, “You can’t hide it anymore, Maya. I live within you. You and I are one.” Maya whispered through clenched teeth, “No… stop bothering me .” Her body tensed, her hands digging into the ground. The serpent’s voice grew darker. “You’ve already begun to change. Your jealousy, your pain… It feeds me. You crave Arden’s attention, don’t you?” Maya’s face twisted in frustration. “Shut up!” she muttered, her voice shaking. Arden, who was nearby, stirred from his sleep. He noticed the faint glow and the strange sound of Maya’s voice. Concerned, he stood and walked quietly toward her. “Maya?” he

In Eldervale village, the golden rays of dusk bathed the small huts in a gentle glow. Inside one of them, Shina, Arden’s mother, sat by the fire weaving a mat. The quiet crackle of the flames filled the room while her two daughters, Fira and Leina, sat beside her.Fira glanced up at her mother with worried eyes. “Mother, do you think brother Arden is safe out there?”Shina’s hands paused mid-weave. She looked at the flickering flame before replying softly, “Your brother has always been strong, my dear. Wherever he is, the spirits are surely guiding him.”Leina frowned as she hugged her knees. “But it’s been moons since he left. What if he doesn’t come back?”Shina reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair from her youngest daughter’s face. “Arden made a promise to us, remember? He said he would return once his purpose was fulfilled. I believe in that promise.”The fire crackled louder, filling the silence that followed. Outside, the wind whispered through the tall trees, ca

Moments later, they stepped into the ancient temple, the air shifted thick, heavy, and humming with energy that made every breath feel like smoke. The captors pushed Arden, Lina, and Maya forward until they fell to their knees. Chains made from glowing runes wrapped around their wrists and ankles, binding them tightly to the cold stone floor.The faint light from the torches flickered as if struggling to stay alive. Strange markings pulsed on the walls, whispering in a forgotten tongue. The deeper they went, the more Arden’s body began to tremble. His heartbeat quickened, and the color in his eyes darkened.Lina, bound beside him, turned her head toward him and asked softly, "Arden, what’s happening to you?"He didn’t respond. His breathing grew ragged, and his fingers dug into the ground as if trying to fight something inside. A voice low and monstrous echoed from deep within him."Arden," the voice growled, "he’s here, the one who hunted me long ago."Maya glanced between them, h