Chapter 5 Five

The Hunt Begins

Lira's heart pounded in her chest as the Hollowborn closed in from all sides, their grotesque forms emerging from the shadows like nightmares made flesh. The air was thick with the scent of blood and decay, and the sounds of snarling, vicious growls filled the space around them. It was a battle they couldn't win in their current position, surrounded and vastly outnumbered. But she wouldn't surrender not now, not when the fate of her people and the world hung in the balance.

"Form a circle!" Lira shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos, "Keep the weaker ones in the center!"

The Circle's warriors moved quickly, instinctively obeying her orders. They spread out, forming a tight defense, with their weapons drawn and ready. Kade stood at her side, his eyes sharp as he scanned the incoming threat. His body was a blur of motion as he struck down a Hollowborn that lunged toward them, his blade slicing through the air with precision.

But the Hollowborn were relentless. They came at them from every angle, their dark forms swarming like a pack of wolves hunting their prey. Lira's sword was a blur as she swung it with deadly accuracy, cutting through flesh, but no matter how many she struck down, more appeared to take their place.

"We can't hold them off forever," Kade grunted as he parried a blow. He was breathing heavily, as the strain of the fight is taking its toll.

"We don't have to," Lira replied grimly, "We need to retreat. Now!"

But as soon as the word left her lips, the ground beneath their feet shifted. The earth trembled with an ominous vibration, and the wind picked up, whipping through the trees with unnatural force. A deep, rumbling growl echoed from the distance, reverberating through the air like the growl of some ancient slumbering beast.

"What in the gods' names is that?" Maelen shouted, her voice rising over the chaos.

Lira's eyes narrowed as she turned toward the source of the sound. There, just beyond the trees, something large was moving. Something that dwarfed even the fiercest of the Hollowborn. The ground shook with each step it took, and the air seemed to warp around it.

"No," Lira whispered, her blood running cold, "It can't be."

But it was, Emerging from the darkened forest, the creature stepped into view massive, towering over them with eyes glowing with malevolent red light. It was a Hollowborn like no other, It was far larger, and its body twisted in a grotesque fusion of man and beast. Its muscles rippled under its dark skin, and its claws gleamed with deadly intent.

"The Warden," Lira breathed, "It's the one they sent to guard the Gate."

The Hollowborn Warden was a creature of legend, whispered about in the darkest corners of the world. A guardian of the Hollow Gate, it was said to be nearly invincible, a beast forged from the darkest magic to prevent anyone from reaching the rift between worlds. No one had seen one in centuries until now.

"We need to get out of here," Kade urged, his voice tight with fear. "We're not equipped to fight that thing."

Lira's gaze never left the Warden as it took another step, its massive foot crashing into the earth with a force that sent tremors through the ground. Her heart raced, but she knew Kade was right. No one had ever been able to defeat a Warden, Not even the strongest warriors had ever stood a chance.

But retreat wasn't an option anymore, not when the Hollowborn had the Warden on their side. And not when the fate of the world hung in the balance.

"No," Lira said again, more forcefully this time. "We fight, and we push through. If we let that thing keep us from reaching the Hollow Gate, everything will be lost."

The others hesitated, fear and doubt flashing in their eyes. The Warden was a creature beyond anything they had ever faced, Its power was unparalleled but Lira's words carried weight, and the Circle trusted her. They had no choice but to follow her lead.

"We fight," Maelen said, her voice a grim whisper. "For the Circle! For the world!"

And with that, the Circle rallied together, ready to face the Warden and the Hollowborn. But the Warden wasn't the only danger they faced. The Hollowborn were still closing in, relentless in their pursuit.

Lira gripped her sword tighter, her resolve hardening. She could feel the power of the earth beneath her, the force of the magic that was keeping the Hollow Gate sealed. She couldn't afford to let the Warden or the Hollowborn stop her now.

The Warden let out a roar that shook the very air, a sound that seemed to echo through the forest like a death knell. It charged toward them, its enormous form moving with terrifying speed. The Circle stood firm, with their weapons raised, preparing for the battle of their lives.

Kade stepped forward, his stance steady. "Stay close to me," he said, with his voice low. "We fight together, or we die alone."

Lira nodded, her focus razor-sharp. She couldn't afford to hesitate, The Warden's claws were already reaching for them, a glint of death in its eyes. But she would not let it claim victory, not today.

With a roar, Lira charged toward the Warden, her blade flashing in the moonlight. She was faster than it, more agile, and she knew that the Warden's size would be its weakness. She aimed for its legs, hoping to take it down piece by piece.

Kade was right behind her, his blade cutting through the air as he struck at the Warden's side. But the Warden was not ordinary creature. It swung its massive arm, knocking Kade back with a single blow and he crashed into the ground, groaning in pain, but he quickly pushed himself back up, with determination burning in his eyes.

The others fought valiantly, but the Warden's power was overwhelming. Its claws slashed through the Circle's defenses, and every strike sent the warriors flying. Lira gritted her teeth, refusing to give up. They couldn't afford to lose this battle, Not now.

With a deep breath, Lira summoned the magic within her, the power of the earth and the wind. She called upon the spirits of the land, and the ancient forces that had once protected the world from destruction. She could feel the energy coursing through her veins, the power that was within her.

But as she reached for the magic, something unexpected happened. The Warden's eyes locked onto her, and she felt a surge of dark energy rip through her mind. The creature's gaze was like a knife, cutting into her thoughts, twisting her will. She gasped, her knees buckling beneath her as she struggled to maintain control.

"Lira!" Kade shouted, his voice frantic as he fought to reach her.

The Warden's power was like nothing she had ever felt. It was the magic of the Hollow Gate itself, ancient, twisted, and powerful. She could feel it clawing at her mind, trying to drag her into the darkness.

But Lira refused to give in, She couldn't, not when so much was at stake.

With a final, desperate cry, she pushed back, summoning every ounce of strength and magic she had left. She broke free of the Warden's hold, her mind clearing as she rose to her feet. The world around her seemed to slow as she focused on the task at hand.

She raised her sword, her voice ringing out across the battlefield, "We're not done yet!"

The Circle rallied behind her, their resolve reignited. Together, they pressed forward, fighting with everything they had. The Warden's roar filled the air, but it was no longer the sound of victory. It was a cry of fury as it realized that the Circle was not going to back down.

Lira's heart raced, but she felt the magic of the earth flowing through her once more. She had to stop the Warden, and she had to stop the Hollowborn.

With a final, desperate thrust of her sword, Lira aimed for the Warden's heart. Her blade pierced through the darkness, but the creature's thick and monstrous skin seemed impervious to her strike. The Warden's roar intensified, but it was not a sound of victory. It was one of pain, a screech that echoed through the trees.

Kade, despite his injuries, was back on his feet, striking with renewed fury. "Lira, we need to end this now!"

She nodded, her face tight with concentration, The time for hesitation was over and the Warden had to fall.

With the full force of the Circle's strength, Lira and her warriors pushed forward. Their combined might, fuelled by desperation and sheer will, pressed the Warden back.

A final strike precise, powerful and shattered the Warden's defenses. It staggered, and its enormous frame lurching as it stumbled backward. Lira saw the opportunity, and without a moment she hesitate, and she drove her blade deep into the Warden's chest.

The world seemed to pause, The ground shook one last time as the Warden let out a horrific, earth-shattering scream. Then, like a collapsing mountain, the creature fell and its dark magic fading away into the night.

But as it fell, Lira couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. Their victory had come at a cost, and the true war, the one far darker than they could have imagined had only just begun.