Page 62 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

“I don’t have all the answers yet, but I believe you may be my ancestor.” The notion rooted itself in her consciousness, causing doubt in everything she had been led to believe.

Zol locked eyes with her, a silent understanding passing between them in the timeless span of a few heartbeats. Airella turned to the others, breaking the connection with Zol as she grappled with the weight of these newfound revelations.

“Airella, tell him we need to create an army of our own,” Sirius ordered urgently, a hint of desperation in his voice. “Not to harm the humans, but to stop Conivx. To stop all of this.” She nodded in understanding and turned back to Zol, her eyes reflecting the weight of their mission.

“Üñderè ttÿèç hûbdér, jœl ßeåçèñ,” Airella spoke fluently in the odd language, her words resonating through the tense air. Zol hesitated, uncertainty clouding his features as he processed her request.

“I can’t do that,” he answered abruptly, a flicker of emotion crossing his face. Only she could understand the depth of his reluctance, the unspoken burdens he carried.

“Why?” Airella’s voice held a mix of curiosity and concern, her eyes searching his for answers.

“The Miscreants on this island have been waiting for human arrival for the longest time. If anything, they’d obey Conivx at all costs. I know of him. He rules the shadows. He’s power hungry,” Zol finished explaining, his tone heavy with the weight of his knowledge.

Disappointment flushed through Airella, a pang of sorrow tugging at her heart. “The least you can do is try. Lives are at stake.” She clenched her fists, her determination shining through despite the obstacles ahead.

“Human lives have been at stake since the moment they arrived centuries ago. Believe me, I’ve already learned that lesson,” he expressed with a mix of sorrow and determination clear in his tone. As sadness rushed through him, he gazed downwards briefly, contemplating the weight of his words. “However,” his voice regained strength as he lifted his gaze, eyes ablaze with a fierce resolve, “I will still seek my revenge on Conivx. He will pay for all he’s done. He doesn’t deserve his place.” The intensity of his emotions manifested as rage coursing through him like a torrent, visible as icy shards erupted through his helmet in a dramatic display.

Observing Sirius, Airella acknowledged his unspoken agreement with a subtle nod, signifying a united front with Zol now firmly on their side.

As the snowflakes descended upon the group, blanketing them in a soft white layer, an aura of chill enveloped them.Despite the cold, Zol and Airella appeared unfazed, displaying a peculiar resilience to the wintry weather.

Airella stole a glance at Arii, noting his apprehension as he sought comfort near Jonathan. She found solace because he was now under her protection, a responsibility she embraced wholeheartedly.

Suddenly, a shadow seemed to creep over their surroundings, casting an eerie darkness that sent a shiver down Airella’s spine. Puzzled by the sudden change, she scanned the area, her keen eyes searching for any signs of danger amidst the encroaching gloom.

“What’s going on?” Jonathan’s protective stance around Arii mirrored the unease that gripped the group.

In a hushed tone, Airella muttered an ancient phrase, “Hüth étæn,” a whisper that carried a weight of foreboding.

Sirius’s grim expression confirmed her suspicions as he revealed, “He’s found us,” his voice laced with a hint of menace, foretelling a confrontation on the horizon.

Chapter 36

A powerful gust of wind suddenly burst through the dense trees, causing Airella’s long, platinum hair to flutter wildly in all directions, creating a mesmerizing dance in the air. Amidst the rustling leaves, a haunting howl echoed in the distance, sending a shiver down Airella’s spine. She realized Father was not alone in this secluded forest; it seemed he had an entire legion at his command.

From the dense foliage emerged a towering figure, a six-foot-tall wolf-like creature with an eerily humanoid appearance, followed by an array of other mystical beings.

Airella glanced around and saw her companions—Zol, Sirius, Jonathan, and Arii—forming a protective circle, weapons in hand and their backs pressed tightly together. Trapped in the heart of this chaotic scene, it felt as though escape was an impossible feat.

“Look there,” Jonathan’s urgent voice broke the tense silence, his gaze fixed on a shadowy figure advancing towards them.

“I offered you all a swift end. Airella, I even presented you with a chance to evade this fate,” Father’s voice boomed, its chilling resonance enveloping the group. “Yet it appears you persist in obstructing my designs. Thus, I must now bring aboutyour demise with my own hands. Let us conclude this swiftly, shall we?”

“You can dream,” Jonathan retorted defiantly, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of Duran’s sword, a glint of determination in his eyes.

The ground below them turned dark, as if it had become a shadow itself. Without warning, it pulled the team in like quicksand. They all struggled to free themselves, but to no avail. It simply just made things even worse. In that moment, Airella knew they were all done for. The thought of failure had set in her mind. She supposed this was it.

Airella gave one more glance around to the others that she cared so deeply about, now waist-deep in the shadowy tendrils that pulled them in deeper.

“Arii!” Sirius grabbed hold of the boy. He clasped his and Jonathan’s hands. They would be the only mortals to face Father and survive. Sirius was helpless. He didn’t know what to do.

Meanwhile, Zol’s struggle against the oppressive shadows was intense. He summoned every ounce of his strength and focused his mind, channeling his inner energy to repel the darkness that enveloped him. With a fierce roar, he broke through the shadowy tendrils, forcing them to retreat with a burst of light. He turned to Airella with a face etched with determination.

The shadows’ cold, unyielding grip still trapped Airella, entwining her limbs. Zol didn’t hesitate; he lunged forward, his hands glowing with a brilliant light, and tore through the shadows binding her. Airella gasped for air as the darkness dissipated, her eyes widening with relief and gratitude.

But their moment of triumph was short-lived. As soon as they were free, a horde of miscreants descended upon them, their eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. Zol and Airella barely had time to brace themselves before the onslaught began. They fought valiantly, side by side, but the overwhelming numbers left them at a disadvantage.

Sirius, Jonathan, and Arii watched in horror as their comrades battled the swarm. They were helpless, unable to assist, and the looming presence of Father cast an even darker shadow over their predicament.

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