Chapter 71: Shadow Fen Meshes Mission 3
The Tide’s Crest, Kelvin, Lyra and Darius—stood as one, their bonds with their beasts was a lifeline in the face of the unknown. The mission was clear: reach the den at the heart of the Shadowfen Marshes, destroy the dark magic fueling an undead plague, and save the villages beyond.
As they stopped to check their pack, to ensure everything is intact Kelvin felt a shiver crawl up his spine. This was not a training drill. This was real, and the weight of lives rested on their shoulders.
"We need to reach the den," Kelvin said, his voice cutting through the oppressive silence. "But this place... it’s alive with threats. Stay sharp."
Lyra nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "The marshes won’t give us any breaks. We need to be ready for anything."
Darius clapped Kelvin on the back, the force nearly knocked him forward. "We’ve got this, Kelvin. Zombies don’t stand a chance against the Crest." His grin was wide, but Kelvin caught the tension in his jaw, the way his hand lingered on his soulstone gauntlet, ready to draw power at a moment’s notice.
The journey to the Shadowfen would take a day’s trek, a test of endurance before they even faced their true enemy.
The Sanctum’s monitoring system, a rune-covered device was tucked in Kelvin’s pack and it hummed faintly, a reminder that their every move was being watched, their vitals and positions were tracked.
It was meant to be a lifeline, but to Kelvin, it felt like a leash, a constant judgment from unseen eyes.
The path moved through grassy hills, the terrain was deceptively gentle at first. Wildflowers dotted the slopes and their colors muted under the overcast sky, and a cool breeze carried the scent of earth and pine.