Chapter 3 The hidden path

Chapter 3: The Hidden Path

Eira stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the creature that was approaching them. She had never seen anything like it before, and she didn't know what to expect.

Arin, on the other hand, seemed calm and collected. He stood tall, his sword at the ready, and his eyes fixed on the creature.

"Don't worry, Eira," he said, his voice steady. "I'll protect you."

But Eira wasn't so sure. She felt a sense of unease, a sense that something was very wrong.

As the creature drew closer, Eira saw that it was huge, its wingspan stretching across the sky. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and she could feel its power emanating from it.

Suddenly, the creature spoke, its voice like thunder in Eira's mind.

"You shouldn't be here," it said, its voice dripping with malice. "This is not your world."

Eira felt a surge of fear, but Arin stood tall, his sword still at the ready.

"We mean no harm," he said, his voice calm. "We're just passing through."

The creature regarded them for a moment, its eyes narrowing.

"I'll let you pass," it said finally, "but only if you can answer my riddle."

Eira felt a sense of trepidation. She didn't like riddles, and she wasn't sure she was ready for this.

But Arin nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"We'll play your game," he said. "What's the riddle?"

The creature smiled, its eyes glinting with amusement.

"Here's the riddle," it said. "What can be broken, but never held? What can be given, but never sold?"

Eira thought for a moment, her mind racing. She didn't know the answer, and she wasn't sure she was ready for this.

But Arin seemed confident. He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

"The answer is a promise," he said.

The creature regarded them for a moment, its eyes narrowing.

"You are correct," it said finally. "A promise is indeed something that can be broken, but never held. And it is something that can be given, but never sold."

Eira felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been worried that they would fail, but Arin had saved the day.

The creature nodded, its eyes gleaming with approval.

"Well done," it said. "You may pass."

As the creature stepped aside, Eira saw that there was a hidden path behind it. The path was narrow and winding, and it seemed to stretch on forever.

Arin nodded, his eyes fixed on the path.

"Let's go," he said. "We have a long journey ahead of us."

Eira nodded, following Arin onto the path. She felt a sense of excitement and trepidation. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she was ready for whatever came next.

As they walked, the path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the unknown. Eira felt a sense of wonder wash over her. She had never seen anything like this before.

The trees were taller and the air was thick with an otherworldly energy. Eira could feel the magic emanating from the path, and she knew that they were getting close to their destination.

Suddenly, Arin stopped, his eyes fixed on something in the distance.

"What is it?" Eira asked, following his gaze.

Arin didn't answer. Instead, he drew his sword, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Eira's heart skipped a beat. What was happening?

And then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it. A dark shape moving towards them, its presence seeming to fill the air with an eerie energy.

Eira felt a sense of fear wash over her. What was this thing, and what did it want?

Arin stood tall, his sword at the ready. "Don't worry, Eira," he said. "I'll protect you."

But Eira wasn't so sure. She felt a sense of unease, a sense that something was very wrong.

As the dark shape drew closer, Eira saw that it was a creature unlike any she had ever seen. It had wings, but they were not like the wings of a bird. They were dark and twisted, seeming to absorb the light around them.

The creature's eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, and Eira felt a sense of fear wash over her.

"What is that thing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arin didn't answer. Instead, he charged forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight.

Eira watched in amazement as Arin battled the creature. She had never seen anyone fight like that before, and she didn't know what to expect.

As the battle raged on, Eira felt a sense of excitement and her face sparkle