Chapter 4 The Confrontation

Frantic energy flooded the forest, as both Kaida and Kellan dashed through foliage - darkness encompassing them like a fluid organism. The very shadows themselves danced and curled in terror, attempting to engulf them into despair. Kaida's heart pounded furiously in her chest as she tried to put on a burst of speed, blood rushing under her skin.

"We mustn't let it catch us!" yelled Kellan looking back. "It's getting closer!"

"Which way?" Kaida asked, breathless and panicked. "We cannot just keep on running like headless chickens!"

"We need to find a place for a time out – a tactical pause," Kellan said with fierce resolve in his gaze. "There's an ancient cave not far off. It should buy us some time."

"Go ahead!" Kaida said, feeling her muscles preparing for action due to her lineage. One of the shadows appeared to be quite agitated, wanting her back.

Kaida also felt that being hunted applied to her as she threaded her way through the trees. The words spoken by the figure resounded back in her; the prophecy that came along with her being and an ancient evil. She could not pretend it would go away any longer; it was about time she figured what it was.

Kellan, a few steps ahead of her, saw a large hole in the hill – the entrance to the cave. "There! In!"

They ducked in, the breeze coming in almost like an attack as they paused for breath. The cave's interior was shrouded in darkness, particularly thick, however; Kaida experienced an odd sense of comfort. As if the shadows out there were incapable of reaching her in this place.

Kaida inquired shakily; "What present number do we do anything now?".

Kellan leaned against the walls of the cave and took in deep breaths so as not to dramatize the situation. "We need to formulate a strategy. That silhouetted figure will seek us out again and this time we have to be on guard."

Kaida who enjoy running societies, calmed her mind. "I can't just keep on running away forever. I have to be able to control my power. I need to stop hiding from this evil."

Kellan's gaze became tender. "Are you really ready for this? I mean it's a threat. The evil is very smart and it is strong."

"I know," said Kaida inwardly feeling more strength growing within her. "But it would not rule my life forever. I will face it, learn it."

"Fine," Kellan said and try to relax his tone. "But we will have to train. You must be able to shift without any help, to call your inner wolf. This is where your true strengths lies.''

Kaida took a deep breath, knowing how heavy his declarations were. "What if I cannot do it? What if I don't manage?"

"It is a normal step at the stage of growth," Kellan said hoping to calm her down. " But the thing is you will never find out how far you can go until you go beyond that."

Contemplating his statements, hope sparked inside Kaida. "Then Let us do this. Let us start preparation."

"No. First, we remember to attune ourselves to the energy within and without," Kellan commanded. "Shut your eyes and concentrate. Picture the ground upon you, feel the forests pulse, let it take over you."

Kaida complied by shutting her eyes and finding her equilibrium She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the cold air of the cave. Gradually, she let go of her confinement and reached out for the shifting energies within and around her, sensing the hum of the ground and the life flowing around her.

'Good,' Kellan's voice came gently. 'Now, picture your wolf. Picture the power and the force that is inside of you.'

As she continued to concentrate, the heat generated by her wolf was unmistakably rising once again within her. This feeling was much more intense than it had been before, almost as if the darkness beyond the walls was compelling her to let go and just be. She could feel her wolf as if it were stretching, ready to make its way out with every inhalation.

"Now, shift!" Kellan barked.

Kaida focused, directing her efforts and trying to visualize her wolf. She felt the bones cracking and folding, muscles elongating and contracting, as well as the itch of fur growing as she shape shifted. When she opened her eyes, she was in her transformed wolf body and could feel all the energy raging in her.

"Absolutely amazing!" Kellan voiced, his face lighted with contentment. "So, let's work on yet another task – shifting back and forth. With time, it will become more natural."

Kaida agreed, ready for the challenge. She shifted back to her human form and then to her wolf form again, the process getting easier each time.

"Experience the cadence of your body," Kellan cheered. "Use your natural ability."

They trained for what seemed hours, Kaida growing more confident as she learned to wield her wolf. But there was a lingering dread somewhere inside her-what if she were unable to contain it the moment it was needed?

A sudden low growl emerged from the mouth of the cave and echoed around making Kaida shiver. "What was that?" she squeaked, transforming back into her original human form.

Kellan's face fell. "It's here."

Shadows gathered at the entrance of the cave, writhing, twisting, and contorting, and then a familiar dark form appeared again. Its eyes were glowing like a beast, with an evil smirk plastered across its face.

"Do you really think you can run away from me?" it spat, its voice laced with venom. "You cannot run away from your fate, Kaida Dhera."

Kaida's heart fluttered with anticipation as she took a step forward, a fierce purpose coursing through her. "I will not let myself be taken!"

The silhouetted character finds amusement and even lets out a disconcerting the shriek aroused in the cave, sounding rather ridiculous. "My, my, how did you underestimate this? You have not the slightest bit of an idea of what you are dealing with."

Kellan stepped in front of Kaida as a shield, his posture one ready to pounce on the opponent, with every fiber in him bracing for a fight. "We will not be intimidated by you."

"Oh, but you should be indeed," the figure was hissing growing wilder scratching its palm. The shadows that were behind and around Kaidan and Kellan jutted forward, intertwining around them and seemingly attempting to take them into the void.

"Kaida! Change!" Kellan yelled, anguish evident in his tone.

Kaida's heart thudded in her chest as she zeroed in onto her wolf, the bond striking back within her. The intimidating shapes approached her, and she shifted just in time, her robust body bursting out of the confines.

"Don't let her go!" Kellan pleaded joining her. "Focus!"

Kellan and Kaida leapt at the dark figure together, all vengeance towards conquering the capture. The power of the wolf was invigorating within her and as fast as she could contain it, the power was flowing through her.

But the dark figure was alert and prepared. It reached out its hand and summoned a wall of shadows to shield their advance. "Weaklings! Do you really think you can defeat me? I am the very embodiment of darkness!"

The vision of her enemy began to incite an anger just below the surface. Kaida grunted menacingly, "Don't you dare even think of winning!"

She in turn, pushed herself forwards, making sure to target the wall of blackness directly ahead, her body hitting the shadows. Her impact on the wall triggered small waves of movement within the inky focal point of her struggle and for one fleeting instant, she sensed the waves even quivering.

"Now, Kellan!" She shouted further.

Kellan rushed as well, his quite generous supply of strength lending Kaida the power to buttress the wall. The shadows inside thrashed, as if to keep their shape, Kaida was glad as the shift of energy was in her direction.

"Keep going!" Kellan encouraged fiercely. "I know we can go through that as well!"

Kaida focused, putting all her force out. Together they moved, the barrier splitting up due to the pressure they created together.

With a final, bone-jarring roar, they surged forward, the world of shadows parting around them. But just when they thought they had managed to get the better of the situation, the dark figure stepped back grinning wickedly.

"You may have succeeded in dispelling my shield," it sneered, "but you have experienced only the slightest fraction of the true scope of your abilities. This isn't finished, Kaida Dhera. I am coming back!"

The figure melted away into the darkness and caused Kaida and Kellan to breathe heavily in the wake.

"What on earth just happened?" Kaida asked breathlessly, her heart functioning amok.

"It is alright," Kellan's facial expression changed to that of shock. "We managed to push it back. But it is not over. This is just the start."

Kaida experienced conflicting feelings of victory and despair. No such battles had yet concluded, and she had to brace herself for the oncoming tempest.

"Then we'll be ready," Kaida declared, determination steeling her resolve. "I won't allow it to take me. I will accept my abilities and fight."

They caught their breath in the cave, but the reality of their situation was omnipresent. The void was more oppressive than ever but so was Kaida's will.

"Let's train more," Kaida stated with unflinching resolve. "I want to become stronger."

Kellan responded with a nod, a look of admiration on his face. "We will get through this together. You're not by yourself."

Already when they were busy making provisions for the impending battles, Kaida was aware that her mission was only just starting. There may be a persistent shadow cast to her side, but she was ready to face whatever fears were in front of her.