Astrid's steps fell into rhythm with Lucien's as they pressed further into the forest. The silence between them wasn't companionable—it was watchful, tense, charged. Her hands tingled faintly, a lingering effect of her magic flaring earlier, and the faint hum in her chest told her the energy wasn't entirely spent.
"They're circling," Lucien muttered, his voice low but steady.
Astrid glanced at him, then scanned the dense trees. The shadows seemed alive, twisting and shifting just beyond her vision. Her heart raced, but she let her smirk bloom. "Let them. I could use the practice."
Lucien didn't reply. He didn't need to. The sharpness in his eyes said enough.
The shadowbeasts came at once, their forms darting from the darkness with terrifying speed. Astrid didn't wait. Her hands lit with energy, and she thrust them forward. Light burst outward, striking the nearest beast and scattering it into nothing.
"More to your right!" Lucien barked, his sword slicing cleanly through another.
Astrid turned just in time to catch the movement. A second beast lunged at her, jaws snapping, and she threw herself sideways, landing in a crouch before firing another blast. The creature disintegrated mid-air.
"Still alive, Valehart?" Lucien asked, his voice tight but calm.
"Barely breaking a sweat," she shot back, rising quickly.
The attacks came faster, the beasts relentless. For every one they destroyed, two more seemed to take its place. Astrid's magic flared again, wild and untamed. The more she used it, the harder it became to control.
A blast of light went wide, hitting a tree and leaving scorch marks. She winced.
"Focus," Lucien snapped, cutting down another beast.
"I'm trying," she said through gritted teeth, sending another bolt at a charging shadow.
Lucien's movements were precise, almost mechanical. He moved like he'd fought these creatures a hundred times, his blade always finding its mark. Astrid envied his control.
But then she noticed it—the way he staggered slightly as he finished off another beast. The faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.
"You're tiring," she said, dodging a swipe from a beast.
"Don't worry about me," Lucien replied, his voice sharp.
"Too late for that," Astrid muttered, her energy flaring again.
Just as the last beast dissolved, a low growl filled the clearing. Lucien froze, his eyes narrowing.
Astrid turned, her breath catching as a massive shadowbeast stepped into view. Its red eyes burned brighter, its form more solid than the others. This one moved with purpose, each step deliberate, calculated.
"An alpha," Lucien said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Lovely," Astrid said, her magic sparking in her hands. "What's the plan?"
"Stay alive," Lucien replied, his sword already raised.
The beast didn't wait. It charged, and the clearing erupted into chaos.
Lucien moved first, his blade meeting the alpha mid-charge. The clash sent sparks flying, the beast's claws scraping against his sword. Astrid didn't hesitate. She summoned her magic, sending a burst of energy at its side.
The light struck true, but the beast barely flinched. It turned its glowing eyes toward her, growling low.
"Careful!" Lucien shouted, positioning himself between her and the beast.
"I'm not the one in its face," Astrid replied, stepping to the side and readying another attack.
The beast lunged at Lucien, its massive claws sweeping wide. He dodged, his movements precise but slower than before.
"Switch!" Astrid called, darting forward.
Lucien hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping aside. Astrid raised her hands, channeling every ounce of magic she had into a concentrated blast. The light struck the beast head-on, forcing it back several paces.
It roared, shaking the ground beneath them.
"Not enough," Astrid muttered, her chest heaving.
Lucien was back at her side, his sword gleaming as he prepared to strike. "We need to end this. Now."
The alpha reared back, its form shifting and expanding, the shadows around it growing darker, denser.
Astrid's breath caught. "That's... not normal."
"Stay behind me," Lucien ordered, his voice tight.
Astrid ignored him, her hands glowing brighter. "If we're going down, we're going down swinging."
The beast roared again, its red eyes locked on them. Then it charged.
Astrid braced herself as the alpha charged, its massive form moving with a speed that seemed impossible for something its size. The ground trembled under its weight, and every instinct screamed at her to run. But she planted her feet, hands glowing fiercely as she prepared for the impact.
Lucien moved first, his sword flashing in the dim light as he intercepted the beast. The clash sent a shockwave through the clearing, forcing Astrid to shield her eyes. Sparks flew as Lucien's blade connected with the alpha's claws, their struggle a brutal dance of steel and shadow.
"Anytime you want to jump in," Lucien called over his shoulder, his voice strained.
Astrid's lips quirked upward. "Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world."
She focused her energy, letting the hum of her magic fill her senses. The pressure in her chest built quickly, threatening to spill over. She aimed her palms at the beast, and with a sharp exhale, released a concentrated beam of light.
The blast struck the alpha's side, forcing it to stagger. Lucien seized the moment, slashing upward and landing a deep cut along its shoulder. The beast howled in fury, its red eyes blazing as it turned on Astrid.
The alpha lunged toward her, and Astrid barely had time to dive out of the way. She rolled to her feet, her heart pounding as the beast closed in. Another burst of light flared from her hands, catching it in the chest and halting its charge.
"Not so tough now, are you?" she muttered, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her nerves.
The beast growled, its form rippling as if struggling to hold itself together. Astrid spared a glance at Lucien, who was circling back, his sword at the ready.
"We need to strike it together," he said, his tone commanding.
Astrid smirked. "What, you're finally admitting you need my help?"
"Less talking," Lucien snapped.
Astrid suppressed a laugh, focusing instead on the alpha. Its movements were slower now, but it wasn't retreating. If anything, it seemed more determined.
Lucien moved first, charging at the beast with deadly precision. Astrid followed his lead, her magic sparking as she readied another attack. The alpha roared, its massive claws swinging wide. Lucien ducked under the blow, slashing at its legs to throw it off balance.
Astrid saw her opening. She raised her hands, channeling all her remaining energy into a single, blinding attack. The light shot forward, striking the beast square in the chest. The force of the blast sent it crashing to the ground, its form flickering like a dying flame.
For a moment, everything was still. Astrid's chest heaved, her hands trembling as the glow faded.
"Is it...?" she began, but her words died as the alpha began to rise.
Its form shifted violently, shadows twisting and writhing as it pulled itself back together. Its eyes burned brighter than ever, and its growl was deeper, more menacing.
Lucien cursed under his breath. "It's adapting."
"Of course it is," Astrid muttered.
The alpha charged again, its speed and strength even more overwhelming than before. Astrid and Lucien were forced to separate, each dodging in opposite directions as the beast tore through the space between them.
"We can't keep this up," Astrid called out, her voice edged with frustration.
Lucien's gaze flicked to her, his jaw tightening. "We don't have a choice."
Astrid gritted her teeth, her mind racing. She could feel her magic stirring again, but it wasn't enough. The power she needed was just out of reach, like a spark waiting to ignite.
"Cover me," she said suddenly, her voice steady.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?"
"Trust me," Astrid replied, already moving.
She stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she concentrated. The alpha turned toward her, its eyes locking onto the light.
"Come on," Astrid muttered under her breath, her voice low but firm. "Let's see what you've got."
The beast lunged, and Astrid raised her hands, releasing everything she had left.
The light exploded outward, flooding the clearing in a brilliant flash. Astrid felt the energy surge through her, wild and uncontrollable, as it collided with the alpha. The beast roared, its form shattering into pieces, but the force of the blast knocked her off her feet.
She hit the ground hard, the world spinning around her. Dimly, she heard Lucien calling her name, his voice distant and frantic.
Astrid tried to sit up, but her body refused to move. Darkness crept at the edges of her vision, and the last thing she saw was Lucien's silhouette moving toward her before everything went black.