The forest was quieter than usual that morning. The sunlight barely reached the ground through thick leaves, and even the moss underfoot seemed to pulse with life. I could feel it—something was… off.
Kristina walked beside me, fingers brushing the moss as if trying to feel its heartbeat. "Kris… it feels different today, doesn't it?"
I nodded slowly, squinting. "Yeah… like it knows we're here."
She shivered, but smirked. "Good thing we're the Bouie siblings, huh? Shadows don't stand a chance."
Grandma appeared behind us, arms crossed, watching silently. "The shadows will test more than your powers today. They will test your bond, your creativity, and your patience."
Mom appeared from the treeline, holding a small bag of fruit. "Breakfast first, warriors. You'll need strength for what's coming."
Kristina groaned. "Mom! The shadows are waiting, and you're holding breakfast hostage!"
I nudged her. "She's right. Let's go, commander of chaos."
Kristina rolled her eyes but laughed. "Knight Kristopher, lead the way. Don't trip on the first step this time!"
The First Wave
As soon as we stepped into the clearing, shadows twisted out of the corners. Unlike before, they didn't attack blindly—they circled, probed, and retreated, learning our patterns.
Kristina raised her hands, summoning a glowing dome of light. "Ready, Knight?"
"Always," I said, twisting the branches and roots into barriers and traps.
One shadow lunged at Kristina. She reflected it back, but it split into two smaller shadows, attacking from different angles. Her hands trembled slightly.
"Kristina!" I called, worry tightening my chest.
She blinked rapidly, forcing a laugh. "I… I'm fine! Just… thinking."
Grandma's voice echoed through the forest. "The curse is subtle. You must notice it and act if it grows. Protect her, Kristopher."
I gritted my teeth. "I won't let it hurt her."
Kristina squeezed my hand. "I know. Together."
Synergy in Action
The shadows attacked in relentless waves. I twisted the forest with everything I had, guiding them into Kristina's reflective dome. She laughed mid-battle.
"Knight Kristopher! You look like a statue! Shadows hate statues!"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, statues that almost get eaten, got it."
Kristina smirked. "Exactly why you're my favorite knight."
Even in danger, even with the forest shaking around us, we joked. That was our bond—our strength.
A Subtle Tremor
Then a massive shadow lunged directly at Kristina. She raised her hands to reflect it, but her body jolted slightly, eyes fluttering.
"I… I'm fine!" she said, forcing a smile.
Grandma's eyes narrowed. "The curse is stirring. Small tremors, brief hesitation—notice it, Kristopher. This is only the beginning."
I felt a chill run down my spine. Malachor's shadow was somewhere, watching, patient. I tightened my grip on Kristina's hand. "I won't let anything hurt you."
Kristina squeezed back. "I know. We're stronger together."
The Shadows' Final Test
The shadows grew bolder. Smaller forms darted around, avoiding traps, merging into larger beasts, and testing our defenses.
Kristina's dome glowed brighter than ever, reflecting attacks back at them. I twisted the environment, creating impossible paths and barriers, forcing the shadows into corners.
"Knight Kristopher! You're too serious! Shadows hate serious knights!" Kristina laughed mid-battle.
I groaned. "Yeah, I'm totally terrified… of your jokes!"
Even with danger closing in, even with the curse beginning to stir, we joked. That laughter, that bond, was our true strength.
Finally, the shadows dissolved into harmless smoke. Kristina and I collapsed onto the moss, breathing heavily.
Kristina smiled faintly. "That was… intense. But fun."
I glanced at her hands. Tremors. Subtle, but real.
Grandma approached. "This was only a small trial. Shadows are learning, and Malachor is aware now. Soon, the challenges will grow, and the curse will make itself known more clearly."
Mom handed us water. "You did well. But your training isn't over yet."
Kristina smirked at me. "See, Knight Kristopher? Even mom knows we're unstoppable."
I laughed. "Unstoppable… with snacks."
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, far away, Malachor's shadow stirred, silent and calculating.