The wind howled through the trees, carrying with it a chill that seeped into the bones. Adrian sat cross-legged at the edge of the courtyard, the ancient scroll resting on his lap. Its runes pulsed faintly, glowing like embers waiting to ignite.
Every night since its awakening, he had felt the weight of unseen eyes. At first, he dismissed it as paranoia. But tonight, the silence was too heavy, the darkness too still.
Selena sat nearby, pretending to tidy her robe, but her eyes kept darting to the treeline. Her lips trembled before she finally whispered, "Adrian… do you feel it too?"
Adrian opened his eyes, sharp and unyielding. "Yes. Someone is watching us."
Her heart skipped. "Then why do you sit so calmly?"
"Because fear is what they want," he replied, standing slowly. His blade slid free of its sheath with a soft hiss. "If shadows are closing in, then let them know I'm not afraid of the dark."
Selena clenched her fists, torn between admiration and dread. "It's them, isn't it? The Rael family… or worse."
Adrian didn't answer. His instincts screamed louder than her words. He moved to the center of the courtyard, the faint glow of the scroll bathing him in pale light. The silence shattered—branches cracked in the distance, a whisper of steel glinted beneath the moonlight.
Shadows shifted among the trees. Figures cloaked in black emerged, one by one, their movements too smooth, too precise. Their eyes glimmered like predators who had finally cornered their prey.
The air turned suffocating. Selena's breath hitched as she stepped back. "There's… too many of them."
Adrian raised his blade, energy sparking at its edge. His voice cut through the night like steel.
"Then let them come."
A mocking laugh rose from the shadows, chilling and familiar.
"Arrogant boy. Did you think power would save you? Tonight, it will bury you."
The figures closed in, circling like wolves. Adrian's knuckles whitened on his hilt as the scroll at his side pulsed brighter—reacting, almost alive.
For a heartbeat, the world stood still.
Then the shadows lunged.
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✨ Author's Note:
The hunt has begun! Do you think Adrian can hold his ground, or are these shadows too much for him alone? Thank you all for 7 collections and over 5.5k views 🙌 — your support keeps this story alive. Don't forget to drop a comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this battle!