The storm rolled in like a beast unleashed, snarling across the sky with thunderclaps that shook the stone beneath Aria's feet. She and Kael stood at the mouth of the cliff path, cloaks billowing, faces stung by sharp wind and rain.
Behind them, the seer's hut was dark—its door shut, its presence vanished like smoke. She had given her warning, and now they were on their own.
"The Hollowed could be hours away… or less," Kael said, his voice barely audible over the wind.
Aria's hand gripped the obsidian dagger tightly. The runes on its blade were glowing faintly now, resonating with something she didn't yet understand. Her chest felt tight—not with fear, but with anticipation. A fire inside her had been lit, and it was only growing stronger.
They descended into the valley as the first drops of rain turned into sheets. Trees bent under the force of the wind, and strange howls echoed from beyond the ridges.
"Do you hear that?" Kael asked, drawing his sword.
Aria nodded. "They're close."
As if summoned by the word, shapes emerged through the mist—twisted silhouettes cloaked in shadow. Their movements were unnatural, like marionettes pulled by invisible strings. Eyes glowed white in the dark, and from their throats came whispers in a forgotten tongue.
Kael stepped in front of Aria, blades at the ready. "Get behind me—"
"No," Aria said firmly. "I can feel them. They're drawn to me… but they fear me too."
She stepped forward, the dagger pulsing in her hand. The Hollowed halted.
A ripple passed through them—uncertainty. Then, one stepped ahead, taller than the others, and its form became more solid. Its face was hidden behind a mask of bone, and from beneath its robes flowed dark mist.
"You are the Vessel," it spoke, voice like gravel and ice. "You carry the light that should have died."
"I carry the Queen's will," Aria replied, her voice louder than she thought possible. "And I will not let you take it."
The creature hissed, and the Hollowed charged.
Kael met them first, blades flashing. He moved with deadly grace, but they came from all sides. Aria raised the dagger, and instinct took over—light erupted from it in a shockwave that knocked the creatures back, sending several crashing into trees.
She didn't stop. She ran into the center of them, blade glowing, eyes wide with power. Each time she struck, darkness recoiled. Each time she whispered the words that came unbidden to her mind, more of them turned to ash.
Kael shouted her name. She spun—and saw the leader of the Hollowed raising a black spear, aimed straight for Kael's heart.
"No!"
Aria raised her hand—too late.
But the dagger moved on its own.
It flew from her grip, a streak of violet fire, and struck the creature square in the chest. A scream ripped through the air, splitting clouds and shaking the sky. The Hollowed disintegrated in a burst of shadow.
Silence followed. Utter, aching silence.
Kael dropped to one knee, breath ragged. Aria stumbled toward him, her hands glowing faintly, eyes wide with disbelief.
"I didn't… mean to…"
He looked up at her, awe written across his face. "You saved me."
Behind them, the sky began to clear. Light broke through the storm clouds—thin and golden—and somewhere far above, a raven called.
But Aria didn't feel relief.
She felt watched.
And in the stillness, a single word whispered through her mind.
"Chosen."