Watchers of the Pass I

The next morning arrived with the cold, biting wind still howling through the pass. The group stirred early, their breath visible in the crisp, frosty air. Lyra sat up, her body stiff from the cold and lack of proper sleep. She wasn’t the only one; the entire group moved slower than usual, the fatigue of their journey and the battle with the serpent evident in every motion.

Despite the exhaustion, there was no time to rest further. The pass was still treacherous, and the Core’s pull grew stronger with every step. They needed to press on. Thalor stood at the edge of the plateau, his eyes scanning the horizon, always alert for danger. The towering cliffs loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the narrow path they would soon traverse.

As Lyra packed up her gear, she caught Soraya staring out into the distance, her face drawn with worry. “Something on your mind?” Lyra asked, approaching her.

Soraya nodded slowly, her expression grim. “I’ve been feeling uneasy since last night. I don’t know what it is, but something doesn’t feel right. It’s like… we’re being watched.”

Lyra frowned, following Soraya’s gaze. “Watched? By who? Or what?”

“I don’t know,” Soraya said, her voice barely a whisper. “But the feeling is getting stronger the closer we get to the pass. It’s not just the creatures or the Core. There’s something else here, something older… watching us.”

Lyra shivered. She had felt it too, a sense of unseen eyes lurking in the shadows, waiting. Whatever was out there, it was more than just the corrupted creatures or the influence of the Core. There was something ancient in these mountains, something that had been lying dormant for a long time.

“We need to stay sharp,” Lyra said quietly. “We’re getting closer to the Core, and things are only going to get more dangerous.”

As they gathered their belongings and prepared to move, Thalor motioned for Lyra to join him. His face was set in a hard, determined expression, his gaze never straying from the path ahead.

“We’re being followed,” he said in a low voice.

Lyra’s heart skipped a beat. “You’ve seen them?”

Thalor nodded. “Shadows, moving along the cliffs. They’re keeping their distance, but they’re there. I don’t know what they are yet, but they’re watching us.”

Lyra’s grip tightened on her sword hilt, her pulse quickening. “Do you think they’ll attack?”

“I don’t know,” Thalor replied. “But we can’t take any chances. We need to be ready for anything.”

With that grim warning hanging over them, the group resumed their march through the pass. The narrow path wound its way between towering cliffs, the jagged rocks pressing in on either side. The air was thin, making every breath a struggle, and the wind howled like a living thing, its mournful wail echoing off the cliffs.

As they moved deeper into the mountains, the sense of being watched grew stronger. Lyra could feel it—a prickling at the back of her neck, the unmistakable sensation of eyes on her. Every now and then, she thought she caught glimpses of movement out of the corner of her eye—shadows flickering along the cliffside, disappearing the moment she tried to focus on them.

The path grew steeper, the terrain more treacherous. Loose rocks shifted beneath their feet, and the drop on either side of the path became more pronounced. One wrong step, and they would plummet into the jagged ravine below. The wind picked up, fierce and biting, and the group huddled closer together as they pressed on.

Hours passed, and still, the watchers remained hidden. Lyra couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap, that these unseen figures were waiting for the right moment to strike. She kept her hand on her sword, ready to draw it at a moment’s notice.

Just as the tension became almost unbearable, Thalor raised a hand, signaling for the group to stop. He knelt down, examining the ground closely.

“What is it?” Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Thalor’s face was grim as he pointed to the ground. “Tracks. Fresh ones.”

Lyra’s heart pounded as she knelt beside him. The tracks were unlike anything she had ever seen. They were long and narrow, with sharp, claw-like indentations in the earth. Whatever had made them was no ordinary creature.

“They’re close,” Thalor murmured, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the surrounding cliffs. “Too close.”

Soraya appeared at their side, her face pale as she studied the tracks. “These aren’t from the corrupted creatures, are they?”

“No,” Thalor replied, his voice hard. “These are something else.”

Before Lyra could respond, a chilling sound echoed through the pass—a low, guttural growl that seemed to come from all around them. The group froze, their eyes darting to the cliffs above. The growl grew louder, and with it came the unmistakable sound of movement—many feet, scrabbling across the rocks.

“They’re coming,” Soraya whispered, her voice filled with dread.

Lyra’s heart raced as she drew her sword, the familiar weight of it in her hand both comforting and terrifying. She could feel the bond with Thalor pulsing faintly, the power just beneath the surface, ready to be called upon if needed. But would it be enough?

The first of the creatures appeared atop the cliff, its form barely visible in the shadows. It was tall, its body covered in sleek, black fur that blended seamlessly with the dark rocks. Its eyes gleamed a bright, unnatural yellow, and its long claws scraped against the stone as it crouched, watching them with predatory intent.

More of the creatures appeared, moving with terrifying speed and agility as they scrambled along the cliffs. There were at least a dozen of them, their glowing eyes fixed on the group below.

“We’re surrounded,” Thalor muttered, his sword drawn and ready. “Get into formation! Now!”

The group quickly formed a defensive circle, the warriors in the front with weapons drawn, the civilians and injured in the center. Lyra stood beside Thalor, her heart pounding in her chest as the creatures above began to move.

Without warning, the first of the creatures leaped from the cliff, landing with a thud just a few feet from the group. Its body was lean and muscular, its movements unnervingly fluid as it prowled toward them. It growled low in its throat, baring sharp, gleaming teeth.

Before it could attack, Thalor stepped forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. He struck with lightning speed, aiming for the creature’s neck. But the creature was faster. It dodged the blow with ease, its claws slashing toward Thalor with blinding speed.

Thalor barely managed to block the attack, the force of the blow nearly knocking him off balance. Lyra moved in, her sword cutting through the air as she struck at the creature from the side. This time, her blade connected, slicing through the creature’s arm. Black blood sprayed from the wound, and the creature let out a furious snarl, retreating for a moment.

But it wasn’t done.

The other creatures began to descend from the cliffs, their movements swift and deadly. They circled the group, their glowing eyes filled with hunger.

“Stay together!” Thalor called out, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. “Don’t let them separate us!”

The battle erupted in a blur of flashing blades, growling creatures, and desperate shouts. Lyra moved with precision, her sword cutting through the air as she fought off one of the creatures that lunged at her. The bond with Thalor flared to life, the golden light pulsing in the corners of her vision, lending her strength and speed beyond what she thought possible.

But the creatures were relentless. For every one they managed to wound or kill, another took its place. Lyra could feel the fatigue creeping in, her muscles burning as she fought to keep the creatures at bay. The group was holding its ground, but just barely.

Out of the corner of her eye, Lyra saw one of the creatures break through their defenses, heading straight for the civilians in the center of the circle. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she called on the power of the bond.

A brilliant flash of golden light erupted from her, engulfing the creature in a searing blaze. The creature let out a bone-chilling scream as the light consumed it, its body disintegrating into ash.

The others hesitated, momentarily stunned by the display of power. But it was only a momentary reprieve. With renewed fury, the creatures attacked again, their growls and shrieks filling the air.

Lyra and Thalor fought side by side, their bond pulsing with every strike. But the creatures were too many, and exhaustion was beginning to take its toll. Lyra’s breath came in ragged gasps, her movements slowing as the weight of the battle pressed down on her.

Just when it seemed they might be overwhelmed, a deafening roar echoed through the pass—a roar that sent the creatures scattering in fear.

Lyra’s heart pounded as she looked up, her eyes widening in disbelief.

A massive figure stood at the edge of the cliff, its form shrouded in shadow. Its eyes gleamed with an eerie, otherworldly light, and its presence radiated an overwhelming power.