The forest lay in silence. Only the wind whispered through shattered trees, carrying the acrid scent of smoke and scorched earth. Ragnar's boots crunched over broken branches as he led the group deeper into the ruins. Each step pressed weight on his chest—not the physical kind, but the shadow of responsibility. Every life nearby depended, in some way, on him.
Selene walked slightly behind, her silver chains faintly glowing with every movement. Her breaths were shallow, her body still wracked from the Purge Unit battle. Yet her eyes held a quiet determination, unyielding and sharp. She didn't speak much, only glanced at him now and then, as if measuring whether he would falter under the burden they carried together.
Kael's silhouette followed silently, shadow blending with shadow. His gaze swept the ruins like a predator scanning prey. Even Dax and Ruin, usually loud and reckless, moved with careful steps now, each aware that one misstep could spell death.
Ragnar paused, raising his hand. Black fire bloomed, curling around his fingers. "We stop here. Rest, regroup. Something's not right." His voice was low, yet it carried authority, the kind that demanded silence.
The group halted. Sparks from the fire he lit danced across the broken stone walls, illuminating the tension etched into every face. Ragnar's shadow flickered, stretching like living ink across the ground, feeding on his rising unease.
"You feel it too," Selene murmured. Her chains hummed faintly as if echoing her words. "Something watches us. Waiting."
Ragnar nodded, his crimson-black eyes scanning the darkness. "I've seen enough death tonight to know when it's coming. Keep your senses sharp."
A sudden crack split the air—like a bone breaking under immense weight. Dax's eyes widened. "What—?"
BOOM. The ground beneath the ruins quaked violently. Dust fell from the ceilings as if the forest itself screamed in alarm. Shadows danced unnaturally, twisting toward them.
"Get ready," Ragnar warned. His voice was calm, but every muscle tensed. He didn't need to say it; his aura alone warned the others.
From the darkness emerged a figure—tall, robed in black and crimson. His presence pressed like a storm, heavy and consuming. Even Kael's shadow recoiled slightly, an instinctual recognition of power.
The figure's voice was soft, almost casual. Yet every syllable carried a deadly edge. "Ragnar. So many whispers about you… Trash turned shadow devourer, and now you lead others?"
Ragnar's shadow writhed, responding before he even did. "Go back." His words were sharp, a command more than a plea. "No one steps closer."
The figure smiled faintly. "Ah, but power attracts attention. And attention… demands interaction."
Selene's chains pulsed. She moved closer to Ragnar, silent but ready, eyes blazing. "Who are you?"
"Call me just a passerby," the man said, tilting his head. "But for now, consider me… your test."
Dax's hand tightened on his weapon. "A test? Seriously? After everything we've gone through?"
Ruin scoffed, "I've fought worse. Maybe." But even he sounded uncertain.
Kael's lips curved into a faint, chilling smile. "I was wondering when someone strong enough would actually notice us. This will be interesting."
The stranger stepped forward, shadows following like obedient wolves. Each step seemed to pull at the forest itself, twisting and stretching it unnaturally.
Ragnar's claws ignited, black flames licking the air. His shadow surged, forming tendrils ready to strike. "If you step closer… you'll regret it."
"Good," the man said lightly, eyes glinting. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
A tense silence fell, broken only by the distant cries of unseen beasts. And then, without warning, the stranger's hand shot forward, releasing a burst of Law—a storm of force that shattered the ground before them.
The group scattered instinctively. Black fire met raw power. Dust and smoke swallowed the ruins. Ragnar's heart hammered, every sense alive.
Selene moved like a whisper, chains wrapping around incoming attacks, her eyes glinting with precision and fear combined. "Ragnar! Don't underestimate him!"
"I never do," he replied. His flames flared, devouring the first wave of assault. His shadow pulsed like a heartbeat, extending to protect the others.
Kael's strike was silent, surgical. Dax and Ruin supported from different angles. Together, they formed a fragile shield against the unknown.
But Ragnar could feel it—this battle was only the beginning. The figure before them was not here for mere testing. This was a prelude, a warning of something far greater.
Ragnar's lips curled slightly, a shadow of a smile. "Then let them come. Whatever follows… we'll face it together."
Selene's hand brushed against his arm briefly. A silent reassurance. Words weren't needed. They had survived worse.
The stranger paused, as if sensing their unity. "Interesting… very interesting." Then, with a soundless motion, he disappeared into the darkness.
The forest fell silent again. Dust settled. The fire sputtered. The air was heavy, tense, but alive.
Ragnar exhaled slowly, letting the shadow retract. His eyes scanned his companions. "We need to keep moving. This was just the first echo. More are coming. And we can't wait for them to strike."
Selene's chains dimmed but still glimmered faintly. "Then we move together… monster."
Ragnar's shadow pulsed once, a dark heartbeat that matched his own. Together, they stepped deeper into the ruins, unaware of the eyes still watching from afar.
Every step forward carried weight, every bond strengthened. And somewhere in the silence, a new whisper promised that the storm was only beginning.