The Shadow Compass
November 26, 2024
The full moon hung high above the cliffs, casting silver light over the rugged landscape. Ava and Sam stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the entrance to a crumbling lighthouse that jutted up from the rocks like a skeletal finger. The wind howled through its shattered windows, carrying an eerie melody.
“This place is giving me serious nope vibes,” Sam muttered, clutching his backpack straps. “Why do you need this compass so badly, again?”
“It’s not just a compass,” Ava said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “The Shadow Compass is supposed to point to hidden worlds, places that no one else can find. It’s the key to everything.” She pulled out the map, its faded ink glowing faintly in the moonlight. “And it’s in there.”
Sam groaned. “Why does ‘hidden worlds’ always sound like ‘horrible death’ to me?”
Ignoring him, Ava led the way to the lighthouse. The heavy door creaked open under her push, revealing a spiral staircase that wound up into darkness. The air inside was damp, thick with the scent of salt and decay.
“Stay close,” she said, her flashlight cutting through the gloom.
“Not a problem,” Sam muttered, his voice echoing faintly.
They climbed in silence, the stairs groaning under their weight. Strange symbols were carved into the walls, glowing faintly blue. Ava paused to examine them.
“Runes,” she whispered. “They’re old. Maybe Norse?”
“Or creepy warnings saying ‘Get out,’” Sam quipped, glancing nervously over his shoulder.
At the top of the stairs, they entered a circular room. Moonlight streamed through broken windows, illuminating a pedestal in the center. On it sat the Shadow Compass, its black casing gleaming. The needle spun lazily, as if it were alive.
“There it is,” Ava breathed, stepping forward.
Sam grabbed her arm. “Wait. You know this is a trap, right?”
“Of course,” Ava said with a grin. “Why do you think I brought you?”
Before Sam could protest, Ava reached for the compass. The moment her fingers closed around it, the room went cold, and the symbols on the walls flared bright blue. A deep rumble shook the lighthouse, and from the shadows, figures began to emerge—tall, featureless shapes with glowing eyes.
“I told you this was a bad idea!” Sam shouted, pulling out a flare and lighting it.
The creatures hissed, recoiling from the bright light. Ava stuffed the compass into her bag and bolted for the stairs. “Come on!”
They raced down the spiral staircase, the shadow creatures in pursuit. One reached out, its claw-like hand grazing Sam’s backpack and leaving a streak of frost. He yelped but kept running.
As they burst out of the lighthouse, Ava turned and pulled the compass from her bag. The needle spun wildly, then pointed toward the forest.
“What are you doing?” Sam yelled, panting.
“Trust me!” Ava twisted the compass. A pulse of dark energy radiated outward, and the shadow creatures froze mid-step before disintegrating into mist.
Silence fell.
Sam collapsed onto the grass. “I officially retire from adventuring.”
Ava laughed, holding up the compass as its needle spun again, pointing somewhere distant. “But think about it, Sam. If this is what’s guarding the compass, imagine what it’ll lead us to.”
Sam groaned. “You’re going to get me killed.”
“Probably,” Ava said with a grin, already heading into the forest.