Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 16: Threads of Deception

The Wildbloods' stronghold, a sprawling network of living structures woven into the massive trees of the Verdant Labyrinth, hummed with quiet activity. Warriors sharpened their weapons, healers tended to injured beasts, and scouts darted between shadowy paths. Yet, amidst the bustle, tension lingered like an unspoken threat.

Eryth stood on one of the upper platforms, gazing out over the labyrinth. The shard hung at their side, its golden glow muted but steady. Nyx rested nearby, its sleek form coiled like a predator on watch.

Kael approached, his expression uncharacteristically grim. "I just finished speaking with some of their scouts. The Sovereign isn't just moving—they're already here."

Eryth's stomach sank. "How many?"

Kael shook his head. "Enough to make this jungle a battlefield. And worse, they've brought one of their Ascendants."

Eryth's grip on the shard tightened. Ascendants—beings elevated by the Sovereign's dark power—were nightmares in their own right. "Do we know who?"

"Not yet. But whoever it is, they're not just here to subjugate the Wildbloods. They're hunting us."

An Uneasy Alliance

The Wildblood leader, Kaelen, stood at the center of a gathering of warriors. His presence commanded respect, but his eyes betrayed his concern.

"This jungle is our home," Kaelen said, his voice resonating through the clearing. "We've defended it for generations, and we will not yield to invaders."

Eryth stepped forward, the shard glinting in the dim light. "The Sovereign won't stop at your borders. If they take this place, they'll use it as a base to destroy everything we've fought for. You can't face them alone."

Kaelen's gaze swept over the gathered Wildbloods before landing on Eryth. "And you believe your… band of misfits can change the tide?"

"Not alone," Eryth admitted. "But together, we can turn their strength against them. We've seen what the Sovereign does to those who resist—they won't just conquer your jungle. They'll erase it."

A tense silence followed. The Wildbloods exchanged uneasy glances, their mistrust of outsiders still evident.

Finally, Kaelen nodded. "We'll fight alongside you—for now. But if your plan fails, don't expect us to risk everything to save you."

The Sovereign's Shadow

Hours later, Eryth, Solas, Kael, and Nyx met in a secluded glade to discuss their next move. A map of the jungle, etched into bark, lay spread out before them.

"The Sovereign's forces are moving through these chokepoints," Solas said, pointing to key locations. "They're using the jungle's natural pathways against us. If we don't cut them off, they'll surround the stronghold within a day."

"And the Ascendant?" Eryth asked.

Kael grimaced. "No word yet. But we can't ignore the possibility that they're already here, watching."

Nyx growled softly, its ears flicking toward the dense undergrowth. Eryth followed its gaze, their instincts prickling. "We're being watched."

The others tensed, weapons drawn, as a figure stepped into the clearing.

She was tall and lean, her dark armor marked with the sigil of the Sovereign. Her pale hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes gleamed with an unsettling light. In one hand, she carried a blade wreathed in crackling energy; in the other, a jagged crystal pulsed with malevolent power.

"Found you," the Ascendant said, her voice smooth and taunting.

The First Encounter

Eryth didn't hesitate. The shard flared to life in their hand as they stepped in front of their team. Nyx leaped forward, snarling, its golden eyes locked onto the Ascendant.

The woman smirked. "How charming. But you'll need more than a pet to stop me."

Kael hurled a fireball, the flames roaring toward her, but she raised the crystal, absorbing the attack effortlessly. "Is that all?"

Solas darted forward, their blade aimed for her heart, but the Ascendant moved with unnatural speed, parrying the strike with ease. Her counterattack sent Solas stumbling back, their armor sparking from the impact.

Eryth lunged, the shard's golden energy clashing with her dark blade. The force of the collision sent shockwaves through the clearing, the ground trembling beneath their feet.

"You're stronger than I expected," the Ascendant said, her eyes narrowing. "But strength won't save you."

The shard pulsed, its light flaring brighter as Eryth pushed back against her. "We'll see about that."

The Ascendant grinned, a cold, predatory expression. "Let's make this interesting."

With a flick of her wrist, the crystal unleashed a wave of dark energy that slammed into Eryth, throwing them back into a tree. Nyx roared, leaping at her, but she swatted the creature aside with a blast of raw power.

Kael and Solas rushed to Eryth's side as they struggled to their feet. Blood trickled from a cut above Eryth's eye, but their grip on the shard never wavered.

"She's toying with us," Solas said, their voice tight with frustration.

Eryth nodded grimly. "We can't beat her—not here. Fall back."

A Desperate Retreat

The team retreated into the jungle, the Ascendant's laughter echoing behind them. She didn't pursue, content to let them run—for now.

They regrouped at the edge of the Wildblood stronghold, their breaths ragged and their bodies battered.

"She could have killed us," Kael said, his voice shaking. "Why didn't she?"

"She wants us to suffer," Solas said. "To break us before she strikes the final blow."

Eryth clenched their fists, their mind racing. "We need to change the plan. If we don't find a way to counter her power, this alliance won't matter. She'll tear through all of us."

Kaelen appeared, his expression grim. "You've brought more trouble than you're worth. But if this Ascendant is as powerful as you say, we'll need to act quickly."

Eryth met his gaze. "Then we fight together. We set traps, fortify the jungle, and hit them before they hit us."

Kaelen hesitated, then nodded. "You have until dawn. After that, it's war."

Rising Stakes

As night fell, the group worked tirelessly to prepare. Traps were laid, pathways were blocked, and the Wildbloods' beasts patrolled the perimeter. But the unease lingered, and the shadow of the Ascendant loomed over their every move.

Eryth stood at the edge of the camp, staring into the darkness. Nyx sat beside them, its golden eyes watching the jungle.

"We're not ready," Eryth murmured, their voice barely audible.

Nyx pressed against them, a silent reminder that they weren't alone.

The battle ahead would test them in ways they couldn't yet imagine. And as the Sovereign's forces closed in, Eryth could only hope their fragile alliance would hold.