Wings Of Destiny

seemed to press closer, like a phantom force wrapping its cold fingers around their throats. The once-vibrant trees, no

softly, their voice carrying a no

g through sharp rocks and uneven ground, but there was something more unsettling than just

t speaking much, each lost in their own

ed to them in conc

the forest, their senses ale

spine, her grip tightenin

Kaelen muttered. "

snap of a twig, seemed magnified. The feeling of being watched lingered like a cloud overhead. She

t have to

figure emerged from the trees. A shadow fae, tall and cloaked in dark magic, stepped into th

ed, their voice cold and smooth. "It'

narrowing. "Tethar," they s

heart drop. "

har was one of the most dangerous among the shadow fae. He's a

. "I'm loyal to power, not to causes. And speaking of causes, I've been

awing a dagger from their belt

widened. "Oh, I do

ir around them thickened with a dark, swirling magic. Elira felt it tu

ic is when it's twisted," Teth

orce of the forest around them. She could feel the tendrils of the corruption trying to encroach on her, b

aid, positioning themselve

you can protect her, Kaelen

od tall, unflinching. "I don't care what you thi

s faster. The shadow fae disappeared into the

ed. "You've always

lt into the air before it could reach its target. Tethar's mag

, "but you'll need more

Gathering her magic, she closed her eyes, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath her feet, the beat

ind surged forward, pushing Tethar back jus

ancing over their shoulder.

s eyes burning with fury

nd shift. The trees bent unnaturally, their branches curling toward the ground, their

are. The trees, once beautiful and ancient, were now m

move," Elira urged

an't fight him here.

he advanced. "You can't r

Kaelen raised their hand, and a sharp whistle split the air. The trees

Tethar

, a figure emerged from the shadows-a tall, cloaked figure

ew figure said, their voice ec

ly regained his composure. "You don't scar

ira. "I don't care for your games, Tethar. But I won't let y

're too late, Theris. The Heart is alre

to Kaelen and Elira. "

their body, striking the corrupted trees and banishing the shadow magic surrounding them.

t realize she was holding. "Than

ou, garden fairy." They turned to Kaelen, their gaze h

r eyes hard with re

ion settling upon her. The path ahead was even more dangerous than she had imagined. And now, wit

her as they walked

ily they moved against us. There's something more to

ou always think too much. Just st

e the weight of the situation. "I'm n

as no real amusement in it.

whatever awaited them. She could feel the weight of the corruption pressing i