The whisper slid silently through the air, curling around Aeron's thoughts like a chill breath against his skin.
Kaela didn't flinch. In one smooth motion, she drew an arrow and aimed into the night. "Where?" she whispered.
Aeron gripped the hammer harder. The flames of the fire cast a faint light beyond the decimated watchtower, and into that darkness stood deep, choking shadows. The stars in the sky hung low, as if something otherworldly devoured the light.
Then, out of darkness, came the sound of metal grating against stone.
Aeron's gut twisted. He recognized that sound.
The Hunter had come back.
The Ambush
"Move!" Kaela whispered.
She rolled to the side as a black spear flashed through the air, embedding itself in the ground where she had been kneeling.
Aeron didn't have time to react before the figure stepped out of the shadows.
The Hunter stood at the border of the firelight, its lone glowing eye burning like a hot ember. It no longer stalked like a predator. This time, it was moving with intent.
"You ran before," Aeron declared, taking a step forward. "Not this time."
The Hunter cocked its head to one side. "You are more powerful now. Good. It will make your death worth it."
Aeron didn't hesitate. He brought the hammer down with all his might—the silver runes flared, spitting energy.
The Hunter was abnormally quick.
One second it was in front of him, the next it was to his side, its spear flashing toward his ribs.
Aeron dodged barely. Sparks escaped as the spear scraped down his armor, and he stumbled backward.
Kaela fired an arrow—a flawless shot.
The arrow struck the Hunter squarely in the neck— but rather than piercing, it dissipated into black mist upon contact.
"What?" Kaela breathed in amazement.
The Hunter laughed, the sound raw and low. "Mortal weapons are powerless."
A Desperate Gamble
Aeron's heart raged. The Hunter was quicker, stronger, and almost impenetrable.
But it was not invulnerable.
He centered himself on the hammer—the magic had succeeded previously, but then only when he was desperate. He must be able to command it.
His eyes closed, he sensed the heat in the hammer, the power of old beneath the metal.
Opening his eyes, the runes burned with greater light than ever.
The hammer burst into flame.
The silver fire wasn't feeble this time—it came roaring alive, consuming the weapon in burning light.
The Hunter paused. For the first time, it retreated.
Aeron charged.
He swung with every ounce of strength he had, hammering down on the Hunter's chest.
The blow released a shockwave of energy bursting through the clearing. The flames ran across the Hunter's armor like liquid gold.
The beast emitted an unnatural scream.
Cracks webbed through its armor, black smoke spewing from the cracks.
Then, with one last tortured howl, it disintegrated into nothing.
The Aftermath
Aeron panted, chest heaving, as silence descended on the destroyed watchtower.
The Hunter was gone.
For the moment.
Kaela glared at him, lowering her bow. "Okay. That was impressive."
Aeron breathed slowly, the flames dying from the hammer. His control was improving. But there was no time to celebrate.
Kaela knelt where the Hunter had collapsed, running her fingers over the earth. "No body. Like the Riftspawn."
Aeron scowled. "Then it wasn't really alive?"
Kaela's face was stern. "Or someone else is manipulating."
The Road to Ardentia
By morning, they were on the road again, the city of Ardentia in sight. But the assault had shaken them.
Aeron was more powerful now. But so were his adversaries.
Something far more powerful was at work, something neither of them comprehended.
And the true battle was only just commencing.