The Shadow of Emberwood

The forest was alive with its usual symphony: the chirping of crickets, the rustling of leaves, and the occasional hoot of an owl. But deep within Emberwood, a far older, darker rhythm pulsed—something that only brave souls like Calla dared to confront.

“You’re sure about this?” Finn asked, his lantern casting long shadows on the dirt path. His knuckles were white around the handle of his sword.

“No,” Calla admitted, her voice steady despite the fear tightening in her chest. “But the villagers say the Shadow only grows stronger. If we don’t stop it now…”

Finn sighed. “I knew you’d say that.” He glanced behind them nervously. “I just wish you didn’t drag me along.”

“You volunteered,” Calla reminded him with a faint smirk.

“Did I? Or was it more like, ‘Finn, you’ll come, or I’ll tell the innkeeper about the time you—’”

“Shh,” Calla interrupted, holding up a hand. The forest had gone silent.

In the stillness, they heard it—a low, guttural sound, like the growl of a beast. Finn’s lantern flickered, and the temperature dropped.

“There,” Calla whispered, pointing ahead. A dark figure loomed among the trees, its form shifting like smoke. Two glowing eyes peered out, cold and unblinking.

Finn swallowed hard. “Well, that’s… encouraging.”

The Shadow surged toward them with a bone-chilling screech. Calla threw up her hand, a pulse of light erupting from her palm. The creature recoiled, its smoky form dissipating slightly.

“It hates light!” Finn yelled, slashing his lantern toward it.

“I can see that!” Calla shouted back, focusing her energy. Her magic was limited, and the Shadow seemed endless. She needed a plan—fast.

“It’s reforming!” Finn shouted, retreating toward her.

Calla’s eyes darted around the clearing. Her gaze landed on an old stone circle etched with runes. “There—those stones might contain it!”

The Shadow lunged, and Calla dove out of the way, rolling to her feet. “Finn, draw it toward the circle!”

“Easier said than done!” Finn retorted, dodging a tendril of smoke that lashed out at him. He waved the lantern wildly. “Come on, you ugly—uh, shadowy thing!”

The creature hissed and followed Finn, its movements jerky but unnervingly fast. Calla sprinted to the stone circle, her hands glowing as she muttered an incantation she’d only half-remembered from her grandmother’s stories.

“Finn, now!” she yelled.

Finn leapt into the circle just as Calla slammed her hands to the ground. The runes lit up, and a dome of light erupted around them. The Shadow collided with the barrier, shrieking and thrashing as its form began to dissolve.

The light intensified, forcing them to shield their eyes. When it faded, the Shadow was gone, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke in the air.

Finn collapsed onto the grass, panting. “Next time, let’s fight something smaller. Like a grumpy raccoon.”

Calla laughed, her relief palpable. “I’ll consider it.”

As they walked back to the village, Finn nudged her. “You were amazing back there. How did you know that would work?”

“I didn’t,” Calla admitted with a grin. “But I figured you’d make a great distraction either way.”

Finn groaned. “I’m never volunteering again.”