The forest opened into wide rolling hills as Nolan and Kaelun traveled east. The trees thinned until the sunlight poured across the land without resistance. The blue mist that had guided Nolan earlier faded into small drifting trails that clung to Kaelun’s paws like loyal pets. Nolan felt lighter outside the dense woods but he also felt exposed like the forest walls had shielded him from more than predators.
Kaelun walked with long steady strides leaving deep prints in the soft soil. Nolan tried matching its pace but his legs complained. He pushed forward anyway determined not to slow them down.
Kaelun spoke into his mind with that calm river like voice it had.
We must reach the ridge before dusk
Why what happens at dusk
The shadow moves stronger when the light fades
Nolan frowned. This shadow thing you keep mentioning can you tell me what it actually is
Kaelun did not speak right away. Instead it lifted its head sniffing the wind like it tasted hidden messages carried across the plains. Finally it answered.
It is not a creature not in the way you understand life or form It is an influence a hunger that grows where worlds have rubbed against each other
Nolan blinked. Worlds rubbing against each other sounded too close to what happened when he slipped through the light in the shed.
So it is connected to me somehow
Kaelun lowered its head slightly.
Yes When you crossed the boundary between your world and this one the barrier thinned Where it thinned something slipped through
Nolan stopped walking his stomach tightening.
So something followed me
A fragment of an old hunger Kaelun said Something that once devoured forests like fire devours dry leaves
You could have mentioned this earlier Nolan mumbled
You had to face the Eldergrove first Kaelun replied Only then would you understand that fear cannot rule your steps
Nolan exhaled sharply.
Okay okay fine I faced my weird canyon of self doubt Now we deal with the shadow
Kaelun stepped closer placing its massive tail around Nolan like a reassuring hand.
You are not prey to it You are the one it watches
I do not know if that is comforting
Before Kaelun could answer a strong gust swept across the hill bending tall grasses toward the east. Nolan felt something cold inside that wind something that ran across his skin like icy fingers.
Kaelun’s eyes narrowed.
It senses you
Nolan swallowed. Does it know where we are
It knows your presence like heat on the horizon but not your exact steps
The ridge they walked toward rose ahead like a giant spine stretching across the plains. Its rocks shimmered faintly with the same soft glow as the forest mist.
Kaelun guided Nolan onto a thin path between two jagged stones. The wind howled as if warning them back. Nolan pressed his hand against the stone for balance.
Kaelun used its body to shield him from the stronger gusts its large frame blocking the wind like a wall.
The ridge narrowed until they reached a wide flat platform that overlooked the eastern lands. The sky beyond it darkened though the sun had not yet set. The horizon looked bruised like storm clouds gathering but Nolan saw no clouds only shifting shadows that crawled against the light.
What is that
Kaelun’s voice was low.
The first breath of the shadow
Nolan stepped closer to the edge. Far in the distance something pulsed like a heartbeat but slow and uneven like a dying fire trying to rise again.
Is it alive
Not like creatures Not like forests Kaelun said But it can grow
How do we stop it
Kaelun’s golden eyes reflected the strange eastern light.
We must find the rift that opened when you arrived and seal it before the shadow gathers strength
So we find a door and close it
Yes Kaelun said But the door does not sit still It shifts each time the shadow feeds
Nolan rubbed his forehead. Great
Kaelun lowered itself allowing Nolan to sit against its side.
Rest Nolan Graves We travel at dawn The shadow’s movement grows stronger with nightfall
Nolan leaned on Kaelun feeling the heat of its scaled body steady and grounding. He watched the eastern horizon tremble like a living canvas of darkness.
He whispered to himself.
I did not ask for any of this
Kaelun answered gently.
No path chooses the traveler but travelers can choose their strength
Nolan pulled his knees closer.
Then tomorrow we choose to fight
Kaelun bowed its head.
Yes keeper Tomorrow the world changes