I found myself running for my life, my heart racing. Light faded as darkness closed in around me. Even without looking back, I could sense the evil forces still pursuing me. The atmosphere grew heavy, filled with danger.
Scared and desperate to escape, I ran on without clear direction until I spotted a glimmer of light in the distance. As the light grew closer, I saw a small cottage nestled in the woods. Immediately, I ran toward it.
"Please!" I cried, knocking on the door with all my might. "Let me in!"
A moment passed, and then the door creaked open, revealing a woman with wild gray hair and dull eyes.
"Come in, child," the woman said, softly but firmly.
Without a second thought, I rushed inside. The cottage was filled with books, herbs, and potions, as if owned by a sorceress. Despite the mysterious surroundings, the woman seemed kind and gentle.
I collapsed onto a chair, breathing heavily. The woman brought me a cup of tea and asked, "What happened to you?"
I took a shaky sip and began my story. "My father and I were gathering herbs for my sick mother when I felt a chill. Just then, dark hooded figures emerged, circling us and chanting in a language I didn't understand. My father told me to run without looking back, then stood to fight them alone to protect me. Some of them chased me, though I couldn't count how many. Their footsteps grew closer until I saw your light and came here."
The woman nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "You've encountered dark magic, child. Those creatures were made by powerful sorcerers with evil intentions. But you're safe here, under my protection."
"They aren't human, are they? I saw them in human form," I asked.
"They took human form, but they aren't human," the woman replied.
Relief and gratitude washed over me. "Thank you. I don't know how to repay you."
The woman smiled. "You can help me with a task, if you're willing."
"Please, save my father," I pleaded. "I don't want him to get hurt because of me."
"If you want to know what happened to him, you'll have to complete the task first," the woman said.
"What do you need me to do?" I asked.
"I need someone to fetch a rare herb called Shadowbane from the deepest part of the forest. It has the power to banish dark magic, but it's in a dangerous area."
I hesitated.
"She seems powerful but wants someone to take on the dangerous task for her" I pondered. But determination won out. To save my father, I didn't need to think hard about the request.
"I'll do it. I'll fetch the Shadowbane."
The woman handed me a small silver knife. "Good. Take this witch's knife—it will protect you from harm. But be careful, the dark magic can corrupt even the strongest hearts."
I took the knife and promised to be careful. "I'll be back soon. Please keep your promise—my parents should be safe and sound."
"You can rest assured, my child," the woman replied confidently.
With that, I gathered my courage and set off into the woods, determined to fetch the Shadowbane. I held the knife tightly, the cool metal reassuring against my palm.
I walked for what felt like hours, the trees growing taller around me. Shadows seemed to close in, and I could feel darkness pressing upon me. Still, I kept walking, my grip tight on the silver knife.
Finally, I reached the center of the forest. There, in a small clearing, I saw it—a single, small plant with inky black leaves that looked like petals.
"Shadowbane?" I whispered. "It wasn't hard to find. It looks just as the old woman described." I breathed a sigh of relief before cautiously approaching the plant.
My heart beat fast with excitement at having found it. I reached out to pluck the leaves, but as my fingers brushed against the plant, a deep, booming voice filled the air.
"What do you seek, mortal?" it asked.
I jumped back, my heart pounding. "I... I am here to gather Shadowbane," I stammered. "I mean no harm. I only wish to help the woman who lives in the cottage."
The voice rumbled again. "You are brave, mortal, to come to this place. But you must prove yourself worthy of Shadowbane. Answer three of my riddles, and you may take what you seek."
I hesitated, but took a deep breath and nodded. "I will answer your riddles."
"Very well," the voice said. "What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?"
I thought carefully, my heart beating fast. "What if I don't get this right?" I considered each clue methodically.
"It runs but never walks... has a mouth but never talks... has a head but never weeps... has a bed but never sleeps..." I worked through each element. "A river!" before i could finally declare the answer proudly.
"Correct," the voice rumbled. "Now, what can fly but never lands, has a mouth but never speaks, and a head but never weeps?"
I paused, racking my brain. "The wind!" I said excitedly.
"Wrong answer!" the voice replied.
Confusion crossed on my face. "But... what? If it isn't wind, then—"
The rumbling voice cuts me off. "One final riddle remains. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?"
My mind whirled. Determined not to make another mistake, I focused intently before answering.
"Footsteps!" I said, my voice ringing with triumph.
Silence hung in the air for a moment. "You have answered two of my riddles correctly, mortal. You are worthy of Shadowbane. But heed my warning... use it wisely, for it is powerful magic. Now take what you have come for, and leave this place."
I sighed with relief.
"But for failing the second riddle, you must face some fears—though not death—while leaving here. You won't have my protection," the voice warned.
"May I ask what the answer to the second riddle was?" My curiosity got the better of me.
"It's the same answer as the first one—'river.' You were close and smart. Now take it and leave!"
Immediately, before the voice could change its mind, I plucked the leaves from the plant. They felt cold against my skin. I tucked them carefully into my pocket, then turned and fled, holding the silver knife tightly.
When I emerged into sunlight, I breathed a sigh of relief, the Shadowbane safe in my possession.
Suddenly, I felt a dark presence watching from the shadows. Something whispered in my ear.
*You have the Shadowbane now, but you will never escape its power. It will change you, and when you least expect it, it will claim you as its own.*
Ignoring the warning, I ran. Soon, I stumbled on a root and felt something brush against my leg. I quickly turned, only to see a pair of glowing red eyes disappearing into the shadows.
Terror froze me in place, my breath catching in my throat. "What was that thing? What did it want with me?" I asked, my voice shaking.
The air grew cold and still. The trees seemed frozen, as if they too were afraid. The silence was interrupted only by my racing heartbeat and the soft rustling of leaves.
"Who... who are you? Show yourself!" I screamed in fear.
Suddenly, birds began singing in the branches above, and wind whispered through the leaves. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching me—something I couldn't see. A prickle of fear ran down my neck, warning that something bad was about to happen.
Growing more afraid with each passing moment, my heart raced and my breath came in gasps. I felt overwhelmed and alone.
"I... I can do it. I'm not afraid. The rumbling voice said I won't die." But my words betrayed me, sounding like someone on the verge of collapse.
Just then, a calm and steady voice called out. "I know you're afraid, but you're not alone. I'm here to help you."
As I listened, hope sparked within me. Perhaps I could trust this person. After all, I had no other choice in my situation.
"Where are you? Who are you?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt.
"My name is Caius," the voice replied. "I'm the only one who could protect you now. I mean no harm. Trust me."
"Show yourself, Caius!" I demanded, my voice still shaking with fear.
A moment later, Caius appeared before me, his presence calm and soothing. "Here I am."