Chapter four

How did you do that?" Kael asked, still amazed.

"It's an old trick I learned from my grandfather," Rian explained. "He was a powerful mage, and he taught me everything he knew."

Kael nodded, still trying to process everything that had happened. "So, what now?"

"Now, we continue on the path your father left for you," Rian said. "The next clue should be somewhere around here."

They spent the next few hours searching for the next clue, following the instructions left by Kael's father. Eventually, they came across a hidden cave, tucked away in the side of a mountain.

"This must be it," Kael said, peering inside the dark cavern.

Rian nodded. "Let's go in."

As they made their way through the cave, Kael felt a sense of unease wash over him. It was as if they were being watched, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.

Suddenly, a group of dark figures appeared out of nowhere, surrounding them on all sides.

"Well, well, well," a sinister voice said. "Look what we have here."

Kael recognized the voice immediately. It was the same one that had attacked him in the forest.

"Who are you?" Kael demanded.

"We are the Dark Brotherhood," the figure said. "And you, Kael, are standing in the way of our plans."

Kael felt a surge of anger. He had had enough of these people trying to hurt him and those he cared about.

"I won't let you get away with this," Kael said, his voice shaking with rage.

The figures laughed. "You think you can stop us? You're nothing but a boy with a bit of magic."

Kael took a step forward, ready to fight. But before he could even lift a finger, Rian was already in motion.

With a fierce battle cry, Rian charged at the figures, his hands crackling with magic. Kael watched in awe as Rian unleashed a powerful spell, blasting the figures back and sending them flying across the cave.

"Let's go," Rian said, grabbing Kael's arm. "We don't have much time."

Kael nodded, still in shock from the fight. As they continued through the cave, he couldn't help but wonder what other dangers lay ahead. He knew that he had to be prepared for anything, no matter how powerful his enemies might be.

As they exited the cave, Kael saw something that made his heart sink. The sun was setting, and they were running out of time.

"We have to hurry," Kael said, his voice urgent.

Rian nodded, and they set off at a brisk pace, following the path that Kael's father had left for him. As they ran, Kael couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him. He knew that they were running out of time, and that they had to find the allies that his father had spoken of before it was too late

Rian nodded, and they set off at a brisk pace, following the path that Kael's father had left for him. As they ran, Kael couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him. He knew that they were running out of time, and that they had to find the allies that his father had spoken of before it was too late.

Kael's breathing became labored as they pushed deeper into the dense forest. Sweat dripped down his face, and his heart pounded in his chest. Rian kept a steady pace beside him, her eyes scanning the surrounding trees for any signs of danger.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Kael nodded, trying to push away the feeling of panic that was threatening to consume him. "I'm fine," he said, though he knew he wasn't.

They ran for what felt like hours, the path winding through the trees, up hills, and down valleys. Kael's legs ached, and his feet throbbed with each step. But he couldn't stop. He had to keep going.

Finally, they emerged from the forest into a clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a small group of people, huddled together and talking in hushed tones. Kael recognized them from his father's descriptions. They were the allies they had been searching for.

As they approached, one of the people, a middle-aged woman with greying hair, stepped forward. "You must be Kael," she said, her voice kind. "Your father spoke of you often. We're glad to see you've made it."

Kael nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Thank you," he said. "We're running out of time. We have to find the others before it's too late."

The woman nodded. "We know," she said. "We've been gathering information, trying to track down the others. But it's not easy. They've gone into hiding, and they're scared. They know what's at stake."

Kael's heart sank. He had hoped that the allies would have more information, that they would have found the others by now. But it seemed that they were no closer to their goal than they had been before.

"What can we do?" he asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

The woman looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "We need to be patient," she said. "We need to keep searching, keep gathering information. And we need to be ready for when the time comes. When the others are found, we'll need to move quickly, before the enemy can strike."

Kael nodded, feeling a sense of determination rise up within him. He knew that they couldn't give up, that they had to keep searching until they found the others.

As they talked, the group began to disperse, each person going off to continue their search. Rian stayed by Kael's side, her hand on his shoulder.

"We'll find them," she said, her voice firm. "We won't give up."

Kael smiled weakly, grateful for her support. "Thank you," he said. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

They set off again, running through the forest, searching for any signs of the others. Kael's mind raced, trying to think of any leads they could follow. But every path seemed to lead to a dead end.

As they ran, Kael's thoughts turned to his father. He wondered where he was, what he was doing. He missed him terribly, and he wished that he was here to help them.

Suddenly, Rian came to a stop, her hand on Kael's arm. "Look," she said, pointing ahead.

Kael squinted, trying to see what she was pointing at. And then he saw it. A small trail of smoke, rising up from a nearby hill.

"Let's go," he said, his heart racing with excitement.

They ran towards the smoke, their pace quickening as they drew closer. And then they saw it a small village, engulfed in flames. Kael and Rian skidded to a halt as they took in the destruction before them.

"Oh, no," Kael whispered, his heart sinking in his chest. "This is terrible. We have to help them."

Rian nodded. "Let's go," she said, and they charged towards the village.

As they approached, they could hear the screams of the villagers, the crackling of the fire, and the splintering of wood as the buildings burned. Kael felt a lump form in his throat. He had never seen anything like

this before. The destruction was so complete, so absolute, that it was almost overwhelming.