Chapter 4 The Awakening

The heavy stone door slammed shut behind them with a deep thud, like the final noise of a tomb being sealed. The air outside felt colder, almost thick, like the whole world had noticed something was off. Vaela stumbled back from the door, trying to catch her breath. Her hand still tingled where it had brushed against the box. That strange humming sensation she'd felt inside the tomb hadn't faded-if anything, it felt stronger now.

Kael stood a few feet away, sword drawn, his gaze focused on the mist-shrouded forest around them. "Something's moving out there," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Shadowbeasts again?" Vaela asked, her hand instinctively reaching for her dagger.

"No," he replied, shaking his head. "Worse."

Those words sent a chill through her that cut deeper than the cold air ever could. Before she could respond, the ground shifted under them-a slight tremor, like the forest itself was taking a deep breath. Suddenly, energy crackled in the air, and a low, vibrating hum spread out from the tomb behind them, sending ripples through the trees.

"What did I wake up?" Vaela whispered, dread pooling in her stomach.

Kael didn't need to answer. A deafening scream sliced through the trees-sharp, inhuman, brimming with rage.

They both turned toward the sound. Something was coming, and it was coming fast.

Kael grabbed her wrist, urgency in his voice. "We run. Now."

No disagreements were offered. They took off through the dense forest together, branches whipping against their arms and faces. Behind them, something crashed through the trees-massive, relentless, and hunting. Whatever had been asleep in that tomb was now awake and seeking blood.

The forest twisted as they ran. Trees that once stood tall now bent strangely, almost like they were dodging the force that was coming after them. The ground cracked in places, dark tendrils of shadow creeping up from below.

"Left!" Kael shouted.

Vaela swerved off the trail just in time as a giant root burst from the ground, thrashing like a snake before settling back to stillness. Magic. Old and furious.

They didn't stop running until they reached a jagged outcropping of rocks, hidden behind a tangle of ivy. Kael pulled her down, his chest heaving, both of them gasping for air.

For a long moment, they sat in silence, listening hard. No sounds of pursuit. No growls. No whispers.

Then Kael turned to her, his eyes faintly glowing in the dim light. "You touched something that shouldn't exist."

"I know," Vaela replied quietly. "But I saw something. A throne. A man with silver eyes. And shadows. So many shadows."

For the first time, Kael looked shaken. "The Shadowborn Alpha."

Vaela's heart sank. "You know that name?"

He hesitated, then nodded. "Only in whispers. A creature of shadow and power, sealed away centuries ago by magic that's so old no one even remembers how it came to be."

"But now it's waking," she said, realization settling in. "Because of me."

Kael's look turned serious, no longer guarded. Instead, it was fear. "No," he said. "Because someone wanted you to."

They spent the night on edge, unable to sleep. Whatever was stalking them was still out there, lurking, waiting for the right moment.

By morning, the forest had changed once more. The mist was thicker than it had been, and all the birds had vanished. Even the insects were silent, like the very world was holding its breath.

Moving cautiously, they didn't say much. Kael led the way, always on the lookout for traps and listening to the forest. Vaela followed closely behind, her mind racing with questions. Why her? What was it about the box that made it respond to her touch?

No answers came, only the strange hum that lingered beneath her skin.

After hours of winding through the forest, they stumbled upon a clearing where a fast-flowing stream sliced through the middle. Vaela knelt, splashing cold water on her face, hoping it would ease the tension coiling in her chest. It didn't help.

"We're being followed," Kael said suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

Vaela stood, wiping her face, her heart racing again. "How many?"

"One," he answered, "but not a beast. Something else."

Then a soft voice floated through the trees. "You're hard to find, Stormriven."

Vaela turned, raising her dagger, ready for whatever was coming.

A young man stepped from the shadows-dark-haired, with a scar running down his cheek. But it was his eyes that struck her-deep gold, with a familiarity that made her heart skip.

"Rowan," she breathed, a mix of surprise and relief washing over her.

Kael stiffened next to her. "Who?"

"A friend," she said quickly, lowering her dagger. "An old friend."

Rowan's smile was tinged with sadness. "I'm not sure I can call myself that anymore."

Rowan's sudden presence shifted the dynamics between them. They set up camp not far from the stream, and as Vaela sat across from him, she tried to gauge the boy she had once trusted completely. He had changed-stronger, colder.

"Why are you here, Rowan?" she asked.

"I felt something shift," he replied, his gaze intense. "Something dark woke up. It echoed through the wild. I had to follow it."

Caution flickered in Kael's eyes. "You're tied to the shadows."

Rowan met his gaze without flinching. "And so are you. I can feel it."

The air felt charged with tension.

Vaela stood, refusing to let this turn into a fight. "Enough. We're all involved in this now. We need to work together."

Rowan's eyes stayed on Kael. "He hasn't told you what he really is."

"And you have?" Kael snapped back.

Without hesitation, Vaela stepped between them, hands up. "Stop."

The fire crackled, and a heavy silence fell over them for a moment.

As Vaela's gaze fell to the flames, her thoughts drifted back to Draven-his rejection, that cruel voice, the humiliation he put her through. It was a fresh ache she couldn't shake.

She hated him.

He had tossed her aside without a second thought. She had begged him for answers, and he gave her nothing but silence.

Clenching her jaw, she steeled herself. "I'm done being weak. I will never be that girl again."

Kael's voice was calm but firm. "Then don't be."

She locked eyes with him, and in that moment, something unspoken passed between them. Whatever came next, Vaela understood one crucial thing: she would find a way to get stronger.

Strong enough to survive. Strong enough to not be discarded again.

And if Draven Kaelith crossed her path again...She would make him regret it.

As night fell once more, the shadows moved with purpose. Far behind them, deep within the tomb, something awakened.

The Shadowborn Alpha was stirring, and it remembered her name.