Chapter 8 Shadows and Sparks

-UNKNOWN LOCATION IN AETHERIA-

A solitary figure stood in the middle of a forest. He never knew how he got there but whenever his presence was required, he always seemed to be able to find his way there and back home but could never find this place otherwise.

The male Veridian stood at attention, his shoulders tense with fear and unease. As a Veridian, a fae capable of compelling the truth from anyone, he was accustomed to being the one in control of conversations, not the one trembling with uncertainty.

"What of the griffin?" a deep voice boomed from within the confines of the trees.

The Veridian looked around him, seeking out the voice. It wasn't the first time he had attempted to find its owner and just like before, he couldn't pinpoint it.

"We... we lost it," he replied, his voice faltering slightly. "Someone killed all of the men you sent and took the griffin, along with a wolf girl."

A guttural sound of rage echoed through the trees, causing leaves to tremble and fall around him. The Veridian flinched, his silver eyes widening with alarm.

"I know where they're headed," he quickly added, desperation finding its way into his voice. "I can intercept them, kill them, and bring the griffin back to you."

"Do not pursue them," the voice commanded, its tone dropping to a deadly whisper. "You would all die."

The Veridian swallowed hard, relief washing over him that he wouldn't have to face whoever had killed the voice's men so easily.

"Tell me of this wolf girl," the voice continued after a moment of heavy silence.

"She's dark-haired," the Veridian reported, grateful for the change in subject. "My sources say she's... unusual. A wolf who cannot shift. She was a prisoner of her pack but managed to escape."

The voice went quiet, and for a moment, the Veridian wondered if its owner had left. Then it spoke again, this time with an unsettling note of satisfaction.

"There is still redemption for you, Veridian. We will get more than a griffin this time."

Confusion furrowed the Veridian's brow, but he remained silent, knowing better than to question the cryptic statement. For all his ability to compel the truth, he couldn't do it without speaking directly to the owner of the voice.

A sudden heaviness filled his head, darkness encroaching on the edges of his vision. The Veridian felt his knees buckle as consciousness slipped away.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on the outskirts of Eldoria, the towering spires of the city visible in the distance. His head throbbed with a dull ache as he slowly pushed himself to his feet.

He was trapped. Forced to follow the bidding of an unknown person. The realization sat like a cold stone in his stomach as he brushed dirt from his clothes. The voice's words echoed in his mind, sending shivers down his spine. More than a griffin this time. What did that mean?

It was his life at stake. He had to protect himself. The Veridian glanced back at the dense forest behind him, a sense of dread building within him. Whatever game was being played, he was merely a pawn, a disposable piece in someone else's strategy. But the alternative to obedience was something he didn't dare contemplate.

With a deep breath, he turned toward Eldoria and began walking. Each step felt heavier than the last, weighed down by the knowledge that whatever he was being forced to do next would likely only deepen his entanglement with the mysterious voice from the trees.

******

-FORESTS SURROUNDING VALORIA-

Dante's eyes snapped open, his senses instantly alert despite the lingering haze of sleep. A silhouette loomed over him, blocking the sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Madeleine's face was inches from his own, her dark eyes wide with curiosity.

Startled by his sudden awakening, she let out a small yelp and toppled backward, landing ungracefully on the forest floor.

"What the hell are you doing?" Dante growled, pushing himself up to a sitting position. His hand instinctively conjured a dagger before he fully registered there was no threat.

Madeleine's cheeks flushed pink as she brushed leaves from her clothing. "I was watching you sleep," she admitted with surprising honesty. "You don't look so scary when you're asleep, you know. Almost peaceful."

Dante's expression hardened. "I wasn't sleeping. I was resting my eyes while remaining perfectly aware of my surroundings."

"Is that why you nearly stabbed me just now?" Madeleine countered, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Because you were 'perfectly aware'?"

"I knew it was you," he muttered.

Madeleine's soft laughter filled the clearing. "Your eyes were closed, your breathing was deep, and you were making these little rumbling noises." She attempted to imitate a gentle snore, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Dante scowled, but there was less heat in it than usual. "Fine," he conceded reluctantly. "I was asleep. All living things require sleep. It's not a weakness."

"I know that," Madeleine said, pulling her knees to her chest. "It's just, in the two weeks we've been traveling together, I've never seen you sleep. Not once. I kind of assumed you... didn't."

"Don't assume things," Dante said, standing and stretching muscles stiff from sleeping on the hard ground. "Next time, just ask me."

Madeleine threw her hands up in exasperation. "You never answer my questions! I've asked you dozens of things since we left Lunaria, and you either ignore me or give me some vague non-answer that leaves me with more questions than I started with!"

Dante turned away, busying himself with getting rid of the traces of their presence there. "Get your things together," he said, pointedly ignoring her accusation. "We should reach Valoria by midday if we make good time."

Madeleine sighed heavily. Under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear, she muttered, "And there it is. Classic Dante."

As they set off through the morning forest, Madeleine trailing a few steps behind, Dante found himself fighting an unfamiliar urge to smile.

He wouldn't admit it, not to her, not to anyone, but her curiosity and persistence were beginning to chip away at defenses he'd spent centuries building. He quickened his pace, the weight of responsibility for her safety settling once more on his shoulders like an old, familiar cloak.