ECHOES OF OBSIDIAN

CHAPTER4

Unraveling Threads

Elena's POV

The roar came from the clearing and made my spine shiver. Adrian's body grew taut next to me, every muscle poised for battle. My heart thumping in my chest, the pulse of terror blending with exhilaration. Conversely, Tessa appeared frozen, her big eyes fixed on the shadow rising from the shadows.

"What is that?" asked Whispering, I tried to keep my voice steady.

"An enforcer of the Obsidian Circle," Adrian said sharply, his hold on the knife tightening. "We have to move right now.

The figure surged, a flash of black fur and shining eyes, just as he turned to lead the way. Before Adrian was in front of me, knife outstretched, I hardly had time to react. The creature slid to stop, showing a huge wolf-like form with rippling dark fur.

"Stay back!" Adrian yelled and waved the knife.

Once more, the thing snared low and menacingly. I had a wave of anxiety but also a strange kind of wonder. This was no common animal. It was a creature born out of the dark shadows of the stories around the amulet.

" Wait!," Tessa moved forward, tears welling up. Not here to attack is what I mean.

Adrian cast her a disbelieving gaze. Are you out of your mind?

Tessa, though, stayed in her position, staring at the thing. "It's a guardian." None of them are unfriendly exactly.

The creature lowered its head slightly, eyes narrowing in what looked like recognition as if it understood her words. I looked at Adrian, obviously divided.

"Trust her," I said, not sure why I trusted Tessa. It seemed like a faith leap.

The monster kept staring at Tessa, its attitude changing from hostile to interested, and the rumbling stopped. Tessa bent slowly and held out her hand. "I won't inflict damage on you."

The guardian stopped, then moved carefully closer, smelling her outstretched palm.

"This is insane," Adrian said, but I could feel the strain in his shoulders starting to relax.

"Just give it a moment," I responded, speaking deliberately. Tessa is doing what she knows.

Unexpectedly, the beast turned toward Tessa's touch and its snarl softened into a low rumbling. She connected with the guardian, something deep and primal, and I marveled at her.

Tessa softly murmured, "It's here to guide us," getting to her feet. "It will enable our arrival to the Keeper."

Though Adrian's mistrust persisted, he lowered his knife, his body still taut. And what should happen if it traps us?

Then we'll handle it together, I said, sensing a flutter of will. "We are stronger collectively, right?."

He looked at me, and at that instant I sensed a sliver of something—a break in his stern façade. "Okay. I am not, however, playing any chances.

Turning, the guardian started to proceed, looking back at us as if exhorting us to follow. I inhaled deeply, nodded at Adrian. "Let's travel."

I felt as though this was only the beginning as we trailed the thing into the dark forest. The weight of the amulet around my neck felt more weight with every stride; its power tormented my head.

The guardian walked us farther into the jungle, and I concentrated on Tessa. When we initially met, she had been so terrified; yet now she exuded a subdued confidence. She connected with this creature in a way that I thought was interesting. What she had gone through to get this position begged questions for me.

"Have you seen these guardians elsewhere before? Trying to shatter the stillness, I asked.

Tessa turned back to me, a tiny smile emerging from her previous stiffness. More than I would want to confess. They sense intent as well as being ferocious defenders. They understand who doesn't mean damage and who does.

Impressed, I said, "That's a quite remarkable ability." "Do you think they can sense the power of the amulet too?"

Absolutely. For this reason, they are sometimes employed as guardians of holy locations, she said. "Should we be able to reach the Keeper, he could assist in releasing its potential."

"Why is it so necessary?" Adrian asked from behind, his voice dubious yet intrigued. "What's in it for the keeper?"

Tessa stopped, her face turning grave. "The Keeper knows the real intent of the amulet. We're blind without that knowledge. The amulet will be used by The Circle for their own warped objectives, therefore compromising the balance of power.

The air grew colder as we persisted, the sounds of the woodland around us like a shroud. Every step seemed weighty with expectation. I looked at Adrian; he was still wary, but I detected a change in him. He was beginning to realize that we might not be fighting alone.

The guardian halted suddenly, ears alert. Realizing anything was off set me into a flash of dread.

"What is it?," I muttered, looking around.

Before Tessa could reply, the woods rang with a great c***k. The guardian snarled, positioned in front of us to defend.

"Come back!" Adrian instructed, dragging me after him while he looked about.

Figures from the darkness emerged, black and their faces covered. As I identified the obvious aura of the Obsidian Circle, my heart surged.

One of the figures smirked, then stepped forward. "There they are." We have been searching for you.

run! Shoving me away as Adrian yelled toward the attackers, he turned.

I hesitated, terror starting to blossom. " What about you?"

"I'll hold off on them! You have to get Tessa and the guardian to safety!

NO! I objected, not ready to part from him behind. But the reality of the matter settled in even as I was speaking. Our count was less than that.

Tessa grabbed my arm and looked urgently. "We cannot assist him now. We have to depart!

Though I knew we had no choice, the idea of leaving Adrian to confront them alone broke my heart. I nodded then turned and ran after Tessa, the guardian guiding her.

I could hear Adrian's voice behind us yelling defiance as the shrouded men passed through the woods. We were running fast. A scuffle sounded across the woodland, every sound serving as a reminder of the great weight involved.

Adrenaline propelled Tessa and I ahead. We ran hard. I turned to check Adrian from behind. Shadows were right here. I reminded myself, attempting to stifle the anxiety: "He's okay."

We came to a little area where the guardian stopped to sniff the air. " What now?" I was in pain, weighed down with our situation.

Tessa said, her face set with determination: "We need to find the Keeper fast." "He is the only hope we have."

The guardian turned before I could answer, guiding us down a little road hidden behind plants. Hope and hopelessness mixed together, the anxiety for Adrian still weighing in my chest.

I found myself thinking back on everything as we descended farther into the future. My life had turned in directions I never would have anticipated, and now I was on a road I had no say over. Still, I also sensed a building power inside me with every stride.

This went beyond a struggle for survival. It was a struggle toward the future.

Before it was too late, we needed to go to the Keeper.