The fresh air hit them like a wave of relief as they stepped out of the Maw, their lungs greedily drinking it in after the oppressive weight of the Hydra's domain. The group stood high above the land, their eyes sweeping across the breathtaking and unsettling view of the Shadowfern. The landscape was like nothing they had ever seen, patches of dark green and purple grass stretched out like veins of corruption, twisted and gnarled trees clawed toward the sky, and in the far distance, the faint outline of a massive ruin stood tall. The city of Kel, its ancient spires jagged and broken, loomed like a phantom on the horizon.
"That's where we're heading," Thal said, his deep voice cutting through the momentary silence. He stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing down the sheer drop that led into the Shadowfern below. His tone carried no hesitation, only a quiet certainty that this was the path they needed to take.
Luken glanced at him before returning his attention to the city in the distance. With a subtle gesture, his magic flickered to life, masking his horn and Kruul eye once more. His familiar appearance returned, but his heart was still racing from the encounter with the Hydra.
"That place doesn't exactly scream 'welcome home,'" Valen muttered, folding his arms.
"It's safer than you think," Thal replied, stepping forward. He crouched, placing one massive hand against the rocky edge of the Spine. "Come on, we're climbing down."
Before anyone could respond, Thal leaped off the edge. The rush of wind tore at his clothes, and the grinding scrape of his hand carving into the stone filled the air as he controlled his descent with brutal precision. His massive frame plunged downward, the air rushing past him. He extended his arm, his hand gripping the rock face of the Spine. Sparks flew as his hand carved into the stone, creating a rough path along the side of the mountain. He slid downward with practiced ease, controlling his descent as if he'd done it a thousand times before.
"Is he serious?" Luken asked, his jaw dropping slightly.
Valen hesitated, looking down at the dizzying drop. "You know, I was just getting used to the idea of staying alive..." he muttered.
Tar didn't wait for an answer. With surprising agility for someone his size, the minotaur leapt from ledge to ledge, his hooves striking solidly against the rock.
Nyra stepped forward next, her hands tightening on the straps of her axe. She looked over her shoulder at Luken and Valen, her expression hard but encouraging. "Keep up," she said before following Thal's carved path, using her strength to scale down the precarious slope with a controlled descent. Valen followed reluctantly, grumbling under his breath about how nobles didn't train for this kind of thing.
Luken hesitated a moment longer before shaking his head and following suit. "He's going to get us killed one of these days."
The descent wasn't easy, but the group managed to make their way down without incident. At the bottom, Thal stood waiting for them, arms crossed. He didn't look winded in the slightest.
As they gathered around him, Luken dusted off his clothes and shot him a sceptical look. "How can you be so sure this place is safe? This whole region looks like it's about to kill us the second we step foot into it."
Thal glanced at him. "Because it's home. Wouldn't you want your home to be safe?" His voice was calm but firm, and he gestured toward the distant city of Kel. "Think about it: would you kill someone who just knocked on your door?"
The question hung in the air for a moment. Luken opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
"Kel isn't like the cities you know," Thal continued. "It's not perfect, but it's a place where people go to survive. They all live there, and they all know that killing someone without reason makes the whole place fall apart."
Nyra nodded thoughtfully, glancing toward the city. "So, as long as we don't start anything, we're fine?"
"Exactly," Thal said. "Stay sharp, but don't be the one to draw first blood."
The group exchanged uneasy looks but nodded. Whatever awaited them in Kel, they had little choice but to trust Thal's judgment.
With that, they began their journey across the Shadowfern, the strange grasses crunching underfoot as they made their way toward the ancient city.
They set off into the Shadowfern, a land that felt like it belonged to a world far removed from anything they had known. The air was thick and damp, carrying an earthy, almost metallic scent. The ground beneath their feet alternated between patches of dark green and the ominous purple grass that seemed to shimmer faintly, almost as though it were alive. Twisted, leafless trees arched overhead, their warped branches forming eerie silhouettes against the dim sky.
Nyra led the way with her axe slung over her shoulder, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. Luken followed close behind, occasionally muttering spells under his breath to light their path or push away the creeping vines that seemed to grow in their way. Valen trudged in the middle, his usual bravado dampened by the oppressive atmosphere of the fen, while Tar brought up the rear, his heavy footsteps surprisingly quiet on the spongy ground.
Thal walked slightly ahead of the group, his massive form cutting an imposing figure as he navigated the terrain with practiced ease. His eyes constantly darted around, taking in every detail of the landscape. He didn't trust the Shadowfern, even if he had walked it many times before.
"Anyone else feel like we're being watched?" Valen asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"We are," Thal said simply, not breaking stride.
"Great. That's comforting," Valen muttered, glancing nervously at the gnarled trees and the occasional shadow that seemed to move just beyond his line of sight.
"What's watching us?" Nyra asked, her voice steady but low.
"Everything," Thal replied.
"That's... vague," Luken said, his brow furrowing as he stepped over a patch of particularly vibrant purple grass.
Thal stopped suddenly, holding up a hand to silence them. He turned his head slightly, his keen senses picking up something the others couldn't hear.
"What is it?" Nyra asked, tightening her grip on her axe.
"Quiet," Thal said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The group fell silent, their breathing the only sound as they strained to listen. For a moment, there was nothing but the faint rustle of the wind through the trees. Then they heard it a low, guttural growl that seemed to come from all around them.
"What the hell is that?" Valen asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Thal's eyes narrowed. "Fernstalkers. They hunt in packs. Stay close, and don't make any sudden movements."
The growls grew louder, and the shadows between the trees seemed to shift and writhe. Suddenly, a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the darkness, followed by another, and another. The Fernstalkers emerged, their sleek, black forms almost blending perfectly with the shadows. They were wolflike creatures, but their bodies were elongated and twisted, with sharp, jagged spines running down their backs.
"Do they attack on sight?" Luken asked, readying a spell in his hand.
"Not unless we give them a reason," Thal said, his voice low and calm. He stood tall, his presence commanding, as he met the gaze of the closest Fernstalkers. "Don't break formation. Just keep moving."
The group started walking again, slowly and deliberately. The Fernstalkers followed, their growls a constant reminder of the danger that surrounded them.
Nyra glanced over her shoulder at one of the creatures, her grip tightening on her axe. "If they're going to attack, I'd rather it be now."
"They won't," Thal said. "Not yet."
The tension was palpable as the group continued through the Shadowfern, the Fernstalkers shadowing their every move. Each step felt heavier than the last, the oppressive atmosphere of the fen weighing on them.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the creatures began to fall back, their glowing eyes disappearing one by one into the shadows.
"They're gone," Valen said, exhaling a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
Thal glanced back at the group, his voice steady but edged with urgency. "They're gone for now, but don't get comfortable. We need to reach Kel before nightfall."
Nyra frowned, glancing toward the dim horizon where the faint outline of Kel's ruins loomed. "Why before night? We can handle a few oversized dogs."
Thal stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression dead serious. "Those weren't just oversized dogs, Nyra. Fernstalkers are dangerous in the day, but at night, they change. They grow larger, faster, more aggressive. You don't fight Fernstalkers at night you survive them if you're lucky."
Valen raised an eyebrow, trying to mask his nervousness with sarcasm. "Bigger? Wonderful. Because the tiny ones we just saw weren't terrifying enough."
"They won't just shadow us after dark," Thal continued, ignoring Valen's tone. "They'll hunt. They'll wait until you're tired, until you're separated. Then they'll strike. If you want to fight them at their strongest, go ahead and slow down. But if you want to live, we move."
That settled the matter. The group quickened their pace, the weight of Thal's words hanging over them like a storm cloud. The Shadowfern seemed to darken as they walked, the sun's light dimming faster than it should. Every now and then, a distant growl or the snap of a twig would make them jump, but the Fernstalkers didn't reappear.
Luken glanced up at the twisted branches overhead, their jagged shapes casting eerie shadows across the ground. "How far is Kel from here, exactly?"
"Far enough that we can't waste time," Thal replied without looking back.
Tar gave a low grunt, his massive hands occasionally brushing aside hanging vines as they pressed forward. Nyra walked just ahead of Valen, her axe in hand and her sharp eyes scanning the path for any signs of danger.
"Can't we use some kind of shortcut?" Valen asked, his tone half joking. "Maybe cut through the creepy purple grass or climb one of these lovely dead trees?"
"If you want to die faster, be my guest," Thal said flatly. "The grass might look harmless, but it'll paralysed you if you step on the wrong patch. And the trees? Poisoned bark. Touch one long enough, and you'll wish the Fernstalkers got to you first."
Valen sighed, shaking his head. "This place gets more charming by the minute."
The group fell silent again as they marched on, each of them focused on the goal ahead.
The oppressive heat of the fen clung to their skin, making every step feel heavier. Above them, the twisted canopy grew denser, and a low mist began to rise from the ground, curling around their legs like grasping fingers. The ruins of Kel, still distant, seemed to waver like a mirage in the haze.
As the sun began to sink lower, Thal's voice cut through the silence. "Keep moving. Don't stop for anything. The moment the sun dips below the horizon, this place changes."
Nyra glanced at him, her brow furrowed. "What about you? Are you afraid of them?"
Thal's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "The Fernstalkers don't scare me. But I've learned not to underestimate what they can do to a group that isn't ready."
The group pressed on, the air growing colder as the shadows stretched longer. Every sound the snap of a twig, the rustle of leaves made them glance over their shoulders. Thal remained steady, his eyes fixed ahead, but even he felt the growing weight of the Shadowfern's presence.
They had to reach Kel. The alternative was unthinkable.
As the group neared Kel, the ruins seemed to shift from a place of desolation to one brimming with life. What struck them first was the crowd an eclectic mix of beings, each stranger than the last. There were Kruul variants, of course, towering with their brutish frames and sharp features, but they walked side by side with creatures none of them had ever seen before.
Orcs, muscular and green skinned, armed with heavy weapons strapped to their backs, chatted casually with small, stocky Dwarfs who carried packs brimming with tools and mechanical trinkets. Beastkins a race with animal features who come with pelts in hand and sort bows and swords. Humans, too, mingled among the crowd, some with wary glances, others laughing freely as if they belonged here.
But the strangest were the ones who defied explanation creatures more monster than humanoid. A serpentine being with glowing, translucent skin slithered along the cobblestones, its many eyes blinking independently. Another, covered in scales and feathers, perched on a massive, clawed hand, quietly observing the others.
Nyra slowed her pace, her brow furrowing in disbelief. "What... is this place?"
Valen, equally stunned, turned to Thal. "Kel is supposed to be a city of ruins. A few wandering souls at most. What is this?"
Thal's expression was unreadable as he kept walking. "Kel is a sanctuary. For everyone."
As they reached the gates, towering iron structures etched with glowing runes, they saw guards standing on either side. The guards themselves were as varied as the crowd a Kruul with a massive halberd stood next to a human clad in armour fashioned from what looked like the shell of a massive beetle. Behind them, a lithe, insectoid figure with multiple arms monitored the crowd with sharp, twitching movements.
The moment the group passed through the gates, a ripple of energy coursed through the air. The runes etched into the gate shimmered briefly, and then, from the ground below, a dome of light surged upward, enclosing the entire city in a shimmering barrier.
"What's that?" Luken asked, staring up at the glowing dome as it pulsed faintly with energy.
"It's protection," Thal said simply. "From everything out there."
Nyra stared at the barrier in awe. "A magic shield? Who built it? Who controls it?"
Thal didn't answer right away, his gaze fixed ahead. "Kel is old. Older than most of its inhabitants. The shield's been here longer than anyone alive can remember. All that matters is it keeps the Shadowfern out."
As they walked deeper into the city, the sights only grew stranger. Stalls lined the streets, selling goods from all corners of the land dried herbs and glowing stones, weaponry made from bones, and even live animals in cages. Street performers showcased their talents an ork breathing fire, a Dwarf operating a tiny mechanical dragon that danced in the air.
The air buzzed with life, but there was also an underlying tension. Despite the apparent camaraderie, the way some groups kept their distance hinted at old rivalries that still lingered.
Valen found himself staring at a Kruul and a human arguing over the price of a dagger. "I thought Kruul's hated humans. How are they living together here?"
"They don't hate," Thal said, his tone even. "Most of them just fear or distrust what they don't understand. Here, they don't have much of a choice. You either coexist or you don't survive."
A moment of silence passed as they took it all in. Nyra's grip tightened on her axe. "Do you really think it's safe here?"
Thal gave her a sidelong glance. "Safe enough. But don't get too comfortable. Even in a sanctuary, there are rules."
As they pressed further into the city, the group couldn't help but feel the weight of unseen eyes on them. They were outsiders here, in a place that seemed to welcome all yet hid a thousand secrets.
And the dome of light overhead? It shimmered faintly, almost alive, as if it were watching them too.
As the group walked through the bustling streets of Kel, the quiet murmurs of the city's inhabitants filled the air, their eyes often flicking toward Thal. While the various races of the city were used to diversity, there was something about Thal that drew their attention. Humans stared curiously, and even the Kruul's, who were often so proud of their towering figures, seemed to regard him with a certain wariness.
It wasn't long before Luken, Valen, and Nyra all noticed what the others were staring at the faint resemblance between Thal and a statue that stood in the centre of the market square. At first, it was easy to dismiss as just coincidence after all, statues often depicted heroic figures in exaggerated forms. But then it clicked.
The statue was of a giant figure, almost identical in size and build to Thal, but with an intricately carved face that bore a striking resemblance to him, albeit older, more weathered, and with longer hair. The posture of the statue was regal, as if it were meant to represent someone of immense power or importance, and it stood with its hand raised, as though offering a silent greeting to the people of the city.
Nyra stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat as she looked back at Thal. Something tightened in her chest a sudden, nameless awe she couldn't explain. The realization hit her like a wave the resemblance wasn't just passing, it was undeniable. The way the statue stood, with its broad shoulders and confident posture, mirrored the way Thal carried himself. It was him or at least, it was the version of him carved in stone.
Her voice trembled, though she tried to keep it steady. "Thal... I…. I know this statue."
Thal turned, his eyes scanning the city briefly before meeting hers. He wasn't surprised by her recognition. He had long ago grown used to the curious stares from those who knew the legend and history of the statues around Kel.
"I see you've noticed," he said, his voice low, almost like an acknowledgment of something old and well known.
Nyra frowned, the confusion clear in her expression. "You... you're that statue?"
Thal didn't answer immediately, his gaze moving from the statue back to the people walking around them. "It's a long story," he said quietly, but there was a weight in his voice, a tiredness that Nyra couldn't quite place.
Luken, who had been watching this exchange, stepped closer, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, you're telling me that statue is... of you? But... how?"
Thal finally turned to face them fully, his eyes meeting theirs with an almost resigned look, as if he had expected this question long ago. "It's part of Kel's history. A long time ago, I was part of the story they tell here. People forgot, or... well, they couldn't accept what happened, so they created that. As a reminder, I suppose."
Valen, who had been silently observing, glanced at the statue again. His tone was sceptical but thoughtful. "So, you're telling me that statue represents you from... when? Hundreds of years ago?"
Thal nodded, but the answer seemed to weigh heavily on him. "More than that."
At this moment, Nyra stepped forward, a realization dawning on her. She had known Thal for years now, and while she had always sensed something different about him, something untold, it was only now that the pieces of his past were falling into place. The statue was more than just a relic it was a marker of who he had once been, a past that Thal seemed reluctant to talk about.
But it wasn't just the statue that triggered her memory. It was how she had met him, years ago, in the very same way standing tall, quiet, and resolute, with the same strength that the statue emanated. Her mind raced back to that moment the way he had found her in the desert, a broken girl on the verge of losing herself, and how, without saying much, he had extended a hand, taking her in. The connection had been immediate, like she had known him forever, even though they were strangers.
She looked at him now, a deeper understanding dawning within her. "Thal, what happened to you? How did you become... this?" she asked, her voice soft but full of the weight of so many unanswered questions.
Thal paused for a moment, and for a brief, fleeting second, his gaze shifted to the statue again. Then, without another word, he turned and began walking forward, his pace steady, unhurried.
"The past doesn't matter anymore," he said simply, his voice carrying a quiet finality. "Let's focus on what we need to do now."
But Nyra couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than he was letting on. The statue, the silence surrounding it, the way he had lived through countless years everything about Thal seemed to be part of a story far bigger than any of them could fully grasp.
And as they walked into the heart of Kel, surrounded by strangers and familiar faces alike, Nyra knew one thing for sure this city, with its myriad secrets and its protective dome, was just the beginning of the journey.
As Thal led the group into the inn, they couldn't help but be struck by the sheer size of everything. The door was wide enough to accommodate someone of Thal's stature, towering over the average human, and the walls seemed to stretch up higher than any ordinary building, made for giants like him and other massive figures. The tables were sturdy, carved from wood and stone, their surfaces polished but clearly worn from years of use. The low murmurs of conversation filled the air, punctuated by the clink of mugs and the occasional hearty laugh.
When the bartender, a stocky Kruul with broad shoulders and a thick neck, caught sight of Thal, he sighed deeply and wiped a rag over the counter. "Oh, another giant," he muttered under his breath, but loud enough for the group to hear. His tone was resigned, as if this was a regular occurrence for him.
Thal froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the bartender's words. "You saw a Nephilim?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity, but also something else an unspoken weight.
The bartender didn't look up at first, continuing to clean the glass in his hand, but when he finally did, his eyes met Thal's with a knowing expression. "Yeah, I've seen one," he said matter of fact, then added with a shrug, "Can't say much more. Folks don't talk about them around here."
Thal's shoulders tensed for a second, the familiar weight of old memories pressing against his chest. He knew exactly who the bartender was talking about. He didn't need to ask. He didn't want to ask. The mention of a Nephilim was enough to stir something deep inside him, but he didn't want to delve into it here, not in a place like this.
Without another word, Thal nodded, and gave the group a small, almost imperceptible gesture to follow him further into the inn. He took a seat at one of the larger tables meant for giants, making sure to choose a corner away from most of the other patrons. The others followed, looking around the inn as they settled down.
Luken, who had been quiet up until now, glanced at Thal, sensing the tension that had settled over him. "Is everything alright?" he asked, though his voice was careful, as if he was walking on fragile ground.
Thal didn't immediately respond, his eyes lingering on the bartender who had returned to his work. Finally, he spoke, though his words were distant. "It's nothing," he said, the weight of his voice indicating otherwise. "Just... someone I used to know."
Nyra glanced at him, her brow furrowing. "A Nephilim? Who were they?" she asked, unable to ignore the curiosity in her voice, though she knew Thal didn't typically open up about the past.
Thal's gaze shifted to her, his eyes softening, though he didn't quite meet her gaze directly. "Doesn't matter," he replied quietly. "We're here to rest."
Valen, ever the pragmatic one, gave a soft chuckle as he placed his hand on the table. "Well, we didn't come here for history lessons. Let's just enjoy the safety for a bit before we deal with whatever comes next."
The group fell into a brief silence, each of them pondering the weight of the last few days, and the strange tension hanging in the air. But Thal, despite his quiet demeanour, couldn't shake the thoughts running through his mind. He knew the past was never far behind, and the mention of that Nephilim had stirred something in him he wasn't ready to face. For now, though, he would push it aside, focusing on the group and the journey ahead.
The inn's warmth and the bustling atmosphere outside seemed to offer a brief reprieve from the dangers of the Spine and the hardships they had faced. But Thal knew all too well that peace was fleeting. The world outside was just as uncertain as the shadows of his past.
As the bartender approached their table, Thal stood and gave him a respectful nod, signalling for their order. The man didn't comment any further, and soon the table was filled with hearty food and drink.
For now, at least, they had some time to rest. And in this moment, that was enough.