The morning light filtered through the trees, but it didn't feel like morning. The forest was… watching. Every rustle, every shadow seemed alive.
Kristina walked beside me, hands clenched tightly. Her eyes darted from tree to tree. "Kris… do you feel it too?"
I nodded. "Yeah… like the shadows aren't just shadows anymore. They're thinking."
She shivered slightly but smirked. "Good thing they have to deal with the Bouie siblings, huh?"
Grandma appeared behind us, stepping lightly over the mossy floor. "You are correct. Today will test not just your power, but your bond. The shadows learn. They adapt. And they observe."
Mom peeked from behind a tree, holding a small basket. "Breakfast first, warriors. You'll need strength before the real test."
Kristina groaned. "Mom! Breakfast later! Shadows are waiting!"
I nudged her. "She's right. Let's move before she changes her mind."
As soon as we entered the clearing, shadows appeared—small at first, twisting unnaturally between the trees. Unlike before, they weren't mindless. They circled, probed, and watched our movements carefully.
Kristina raised her hands, summoning her glowing reflective dome. "Ready, Knight Kristopher?"
"Always," I said, twisting branches and roots with my imagination, forming walls, traps, and pathways.
One shadow lunged toward Kristina. She reflected it back, but it split into two smaller shadows, attacking from different angles. Her hands trembled slightly, though she tried to hide it.
"Kristina!" I called. "Stay focused!"
She blinked rapidly, forcing a laugh. "I'm fine! Just… thinking."
Grandma's voice echoed from the sidelines. "The curse is subtle. Observe it. Protect her."
I gritted my teeth. "I won't let anything happen to her."
Kristina squeezed my hand. "I know. Together."
The shadows attacked in waves, smarter and faster than before. I twisted the forest to form traps, guiding them into Kristina's reflective dome. She laughed mid-battle.
"Knight Kristopher! You're too serious! Shadows hate fun!"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, fun while almost getting eaten!"
She elbowed me. "Exactly why you're my favorite knight!"
Even in danger, we laughed. Even as the forest shook around us, we joked. That was our bond—our strength.
Then a shadow lunged directly at Kristina. She raised her hands, but for a moment, her body jolted, her eyes fluttering.
"I… I'm fine!" she said, forcing a smile.
Grandma's eyes narrowed. "The curse is awakening. Small tremors, brief hesitation. It will grow stronger. Malachor's shadow watches."
I felt a chill. My heart clenched. "I won't let it hurt you, Kristina."
She squeezed my hand back. "I know. We're stronger together."
The final shadows dissolved into harmless smoke, leaving us exhausted and panting.
Kristina lay on the moss, smiling faintly. "That… was intense. But fun."
I glanced at her hands. Tremors. Subtle, but real.
Grandma approached. "This was only a small test. Shadows are learning, and Malachor is aware of your existence. Soon, the challenges will grow, and the curse will begin to show more clearly."
Mom handed us water and food. "You did well. But the day isn't over yet, and your training continues."
Kristina smirked. "See, Knight Kristopher? Even mom knows we're unstoppable."
I laughed. "Unstoppable with snacks. That's our style."
Grandma's eyes darkened as she stared beyond the trees. "Malachor is patient. He does not yet understand Kristopher Bouie, the bigger threat. But he will."
Somewhere in the shadows, unseen, Malachor stirred, smiling silently.