The world seemed to be healing. The sky, once torn by streaks of crimson lightning, was now painted in soft shades of blue and gold. The land, once ravaged by the corruption of the Shadow, was beginning to pulsate with life once more. Yet beneath the surface, there was a lingering anxiety coiling like a snake, waiting for the right moment to emerge.
Jacob stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Valley of Zarth—the site that had been the center of the final battle against the Shadow entity. His dark green cloak fluttered gently in the wind, revealing the faint glow of the pendant resting on his chest. The valley below, now covered in wildflowers and greenery, seemed peaceful, but Jacob's sharp green eyes caught something unnatural.
A patch of earth, dark and cracked, pulsed faintly. The sight sent a shiver down his spine. He had felt it before—the lingering energy of darkness.
"It's not over yet," he muttered, gripping the hilt of his dagger.
Behind him, the sound of approaching footsteps broke his concentration. He turned to see Liara ascending the rocky path. Her chestnut curls framed her face, which looked a mix of determined and worried. She held her bow slung over her back, her hazel eyes scanning the horizon.
"I knew I'd find you here," she said, dusting off her leather armor. "You felt it too, didn't you?"
Jacob nodded. "The darkness... is still here."
Liara looked at the pulsating patch in the valley. "I thought we'd destroyed it... completely."
"We thought so," Jacob replied. "But darkness like that doesn't just go away. It lingers, waiting for a chance to return."
The two stood in silence, the weight of their victory now less joyful. Liara broke the silence with her voice. "We need Zara. Maybe she knows more."
Jacob nodded. "And Almar. If anyone understands what's happening, it's him."
---
The journey to Zara's settlement took them through dense forests that whispered songs of life. Birds chirped and streams gurgled, yet Jacob couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. His hand didn't leave the hilt of his dagger.
When they arrived, Zara was training with a group of her warriors. Her golden eyes shone as she looked at them as they entered the arena. She gestured for the warriors to leave, and she advanced toward them, her staff glowing dimly with engraved patterns. Her strands of hair swayed with each step, beads and feathers glinting in the sunlight.
"You two look worried," Zara said in her deep, authoritative voice. "What brings you here?"
"The darkness is still alive," Liara said quickly, her words sharp and urgent. "We felt it in Zarth."
Zara's expression darkened, and she gripped her staff tighter. "Then we must move quickly. If he is moving, it is only a matter of time before he becomes strong enough to strike again."
"We will need Almar," Jacob added. "His knowledge of the origins of the Shadow might help us understand what we are dealing with."
Zara nodded. "He is expecting you. Follow me."
---
Almar's sanctuary was a place of quiet wisdom, nestled in the heart of an ancient grove. The seer greeted them with his usual calm, his pale blue eyes reflecting a knowledge that belonged beyond this world.
"You came because you sensed it," Almar said in a soft but firm voice. "The remnants of the darkness are restless."
"What does that mean?" Jacob asked, taking a step forward.
Almar gestured for them to sit around a glowing crystal in the center of the room. "The Shadow entity was just part of a much greater force. What you defeated was not the source, but merely an extension of it."
Liara's eyes widened. "You mean... there is more?"
Almar nodded seriously. "The true darkness resides outside this world, in a place where light has never reached. The remnants you feel are its attempt to create a bridge. If we don't move, it will succeed."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words weighing on them. Zara broke the silence. "What should we do?"
Almar fixed his gaze on Jacob. "The pendant you hold is the key. It can lead us to the source, but only if you are willing to face what lies beyond."
Jacob gripped the pendant tightly. "I have arrived here. I will do whatever it takes."
Almar nodded, his expression a mixture of pride and sadness. "Then prepare. The journey ahead will test you in ways you cannot imagine."
As everyone stood up, a sense of resolve filled the room. The battle was not over, and the real fight had only just begun. Together, they would face the remnants of darkness and the forces seeking to engulf their world.
ns 15.158.61.197da2
