Page 12 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

Airella cautiously maintained her cover, stealing glances over her shoulder to check if Duran remained rooted in the same spot he had previously occupied.

To her alarm, he wasn’t.

Overwhelmed by the eerie silence, she watched as a dense, dark fog enveloped her surroundings. It seemed to materialize out of thin air. She pivoted her head back towards the cloaked figure but stumbled back with a yelp as she found his golden gaze inches away from her own. While shocked at his proximity without her awareness, she studied his features in the dim moonlight. His pale complexion stood out against the night sky, exuding an inexplicable magnetism that drew her in.

Shaking off her reverie, Airella tightened her grip on the hilt of Dawnbreaker, prepared to defend herself if necessary. She felt a swift breeze as a curved blade landed perilously close to her side just before she maneuvered through the dense shrubbery.

Was the stranger wielding a scythe, she mused, and why had he become a threat? Countless questions raced through her mind.

As she broke free from the bushes, the stranger swung his scythe once more, prompting Airella to flip onto her back just in time to deflect his attack with Dawnbreaker’s hilt and reposition herself for combat.

Yet, before she could react further, the cloaked stranger vanished. The dark fog dissipated along with his disappearance, leaving Airella bewildered in the clearing.

“But... how...” Airella muttered under her breath, just in time to let out a quick yelp as she felt a hand grab onto the back of her head, clenching up her hair in a fist. Gritting her teeth, she dropped Dawnbreaker and reached for the clenched hand. The surrounding forest seemed to hold its breath, the only sound being the rustle of leaves in the wind.

“What do you think you’re doing out here? I knew you’d be trouble!” Duran’s voice growled behind her.

He turned Airella back towards the camp and pushed her onto the ground. The campfire crackled, casting eerie shadows that danced across the clearing.

“Must you be taught a lesson?” he glared from above her, his eyes narrowing in the dim light. Airella couldn’t speak. She was stunned. He had caught her off-guard with his sudden aggression.

“Well?” He grabbed her by the collar of her armor, pulling both her face and her chest in his direction. Airella gritted her teeth together, a mix of fear and defiance in her eyes as she stared back at him.

“It won’t happen again,” she grumbled, her voice low but resolute.

He released her, dropping her to the dirt. Duran watched as she crawled into her tent. She lied back down and closed her eyes, eventually falling back to sleep, the events of the night swirling in her mind like a dark, unsettled dream.

Chapter 8

The next morning dawned with a harsh light, casting long shadows across the camp. Everything Airella experienced last night felt like a distant memory, a surreal occurrence in the light of day. Was it even real? The stranger? The confrontation with Duran? It all felt like fragments of a story that didn’t quite fit together.

“Alright gentlemen, we will split up into three groups,” Jonathan’s voice cut through the morning air. “Group 1, you will scout the coastline of the island. Group 2, you will be in charge of gathering supplies. That includes food, water, and whatever else you can find. Group 3 will search through the center of the island. We will make camp as we go on our own, but we will consider this camp our base camp. Understood?”

“The more advanced scouting will occur with Group 3, for we will travel as we can throughout the island,” Duran interjected, his presence looming over the assembled soldiers with an air of authority and determination.

The sun continued its ascent as everyone split up, the camp bustling with activity and preparations. Airella decided it would be best to stay close to Jonathan, finding comfort in his steady presence amidst the uncertainty. She positioned herselfin Group 3, ready to venture into the unknown territories of the island alongside her comrades.

Duran led the large group of about 20 men into the thick woodlands, his steps purposeful and confident. The men swung away at the vines and tree limbs blocking their paths, the sounds of their efforts echoing through the forest. Airella moved with ease, her movements fluid and efficient as she navigated the dense foliage.

“How did you sleep last night? First nights on missions, especially ones like this, are the roughest,” Jonathan remarked, his voice carrying a hint of concern as he swung his sword in practiced arcs to form the path ahead of them. His scarlet-colored hair caught the sunlight, creating a fiery halo around his head.

In that moment, Airella felt Duran’s piercing gaze on her, a silent challenge in his intense stare.

“Oh, you can say that again,” she mumbled in response, her words barely audible over the sounds of the forest.

Jonathan offered her a sympathetic smile, a moment of camaraderie amidst the tension.

“Yeah, the bugs are crazy around here, am I right?” he chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. A stray branch then swung back and smacked him in the face, breaking the tension with a moment of unexpected humor.

“Oh! Are you alright?” Airella covered her mouth with her hands to prevent herself from laughing.

Jonathan stopped walking as he blinked a few times to regain his vision. He turned bright red from embarrassment. Then he nodded in response.

“But speaking of last night… there’s something I need to tell you about. I think I saw someone.” Airella whispered to Jonathan.

“Get a move on,” Duran warned with a hint of frustration.

“I’ll tell you when we’re alone,” Airella finished, casting a quick glance at the group of soldiers around them.

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