Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Chapter 5: The Veil of Forgotten Light

The creature emerged from the labyrinth into an expanse unlike anything it had seen before. Where shadows once reigned, pale light bathed the world in a muted glow. The air was different here—lighter, colder, almost… fragile.

Ahead stretched a vast plateau, its surface covered in silvery grass that shimmered as though lit from within. Towering spires of crystal jutted from the ground, humming faintly with an energy that felt both alien and ancient.

The pull within the creature's chest had grown into a steady ache, a sensation that urged it forward. The thread connecting it to something—someone—was taut now, guiding it across the plateau.

But this place was not empty.

As the creature moved, the silence was broken by a distant wail, a sound that grew louder with each step. It wasn't a scream of pain or fear, but something more primal—a warning, perhaps.

The source of the sound soon revealed itself. A figure emerged from the mist ahead, its form twisted and shifting, as though it struggled to maintain a solid shape. It was smaller than the creature but no less dangerous, its movements erratic and unnatural.

The wailing stopped abruptly, and the figure lunged.

The fight was brief but vicious. The creature's talons tore through its assailant's insubstantial form, ripping it apart in a burst of smoke and ash. But as the figure faded, more shapes began to materialize from the mist, their wailing chorus filling the air.

Dozens of them.

The creature crouched low, shadows pooling around it like a second skin. The attackers came all at once, a storm of claws and teeth. But it did not falter. It moved like liquid shadow, weaving between strikes and delivering deadly blows with precision.

One by one, the creatures fell, their bodies disintegrating into nothingness. When the last of them was gone, the plateau fell silent once more.

The creature stood still, its golden eyes scanning the mist for any remaining threats. But the pull within its chest urged it forward, demanding that it continue.

—

Hours passed, or perhaps days—time was meaningless here. The creature wandered deeper into the expanse, following the unseen thread. The further it went, the stronger the ache became, until it was almost unbearable.

Finally, it reached the edge of the plateau. A narrow bridge of crystal spanned a chasm so deep that even the faint glow of the plateau couldn't illuminate its depths. On the other side, a massive gate loomed, its surface carved with intricate patterns that glowed faintly with golden light.

The creature stepped onto the bridge, its claws clicking against the crystalline surface. The air grew colder, and the pull within its chest became overwhelming, as though whatever was on the other side was calling to it directly.

When it reached the gate, the carvings began to shift, rearranging themselves into a language the creature couldn't comprehend. But it didn't need to. The meaning was clear.

Enter.

The gate groaned as it began to open, light spilling through the widening crack. The creature hesitated for a moment, its golden eyes narrowing. Beyond the gate was something unknown, something that felt dangerous in a way it couldn't describe.

But the pull was irresistible.

It stepped through.

—

On the other side of the gate, the world changed again. The light was brighter here, but it wasn't the harsh, sterile glow of the plateau. This light was warm, almost comforting, though the creature couldn't understand why.

It stood in a vast hall, its walls lined with columns of glowing crystal. At the center of the hall was a pool of liquid light, its surface rippling as though stirred by an unseen breeze.

And standing at the edge of the pool was a figure.

Human.

The creature froze, its glowing eyes fixed on the figure. They were tall, their silhouette sharp against the light. Their features were obscured, but their presence was undeniable.

The thread within the creature's chest pulled tight, connecting it to this person in a way that defied explanation.

The figure turned slowly, their gaze meeting the creature's. For a long moment, neither of them moved.

And then the figure spoke, their voice calm but laced with something deeper.

"So, you're the one I've been feeling."

The creature tilted its head, confused but alert. It didn't understand the words, but the tone carried a weight that it couldn't ignore.

The figure stepped closer, their movements measured. They stopped a few paces away, studying the creature with an intensity that bordered on fascination.

"You're not like the others," they said softly. "You don't belong to the Dream Realm, do you?"

The creature remained silent, its gaze unblinking.

The figure sighed, their expression shifting to something unreadable. "You've been wandering for a long time, haven't you? Searching for something."

They extended a hand, the gesture cautious but deliberate. "Come with me. I think we're both looking for answers."

The creature hesitated. The pull within its chest was almost painful now, urging it to close the distance.

And so, it took a step forward.