SHADOWS WITHIN THE BLOODLINE
The night air hung heavy, charged with residual energy from the previous battle. Nara’s hands still glowed faintly from the bloodline magic she had unleashed, her muscles trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. Yet, despite her fatigue, she couldn’t rest. Not with the ancient creature lurking in the darkness, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.
Kael stood beside her, shadow tendrils curling around his body like living armor. His amber eyes scanned the forest with calculated intensity. The curse that plagued him pulsed intermittently, shadows writhing along his limbs as if testing the limits of his control.
“We survived the first trial,” Kael said, voice low but steady. “But it’s only the beginning. That creature… it’s learning from us. Adapting. Ne
