Shadow Reckoning - Chapter 148

3 2 7
                                    

Eldritch abruptly awakens from his slumber, a surge of panic coursing through him as his instincts scream of impending danger.

"Aughhhh!" he gasps, his breaths coming in ragged bursts as he struggles to calm himself.

"Danger? But... where?" Eldritch's voice wavers with uncertainty as he scans the dimly lit confines of his room.

Attempting to quell the rising fear, he dismisses the feeling as mere paranoia, a trick of the mind in the dead of night.

"No, it's probably nothing... just my mind playing tricks on me," he murmurs, though doubt lingers in his troubled gaze.

Thoughts of his late wife haunt him, a painful reminder of past losses that heightens his sense of urgency.

"But I can't afford to ignore this intuition, not after everything," he resolves, determination strengthening his resolve.

Gripping his spear tightly, Eldritch rises from his bed and ventures outside, the cool night air offering a fleeting sense of solace.

"As peaceful as it seems, there's an unsettling presence in the air," he mutters to himself, his senses keenly attuned to any hint of danger lurking in the shadows.

Eldritch strolls through the village streets, his eyes scan the surroundings, alert for any signs of disturbance or danger. With each step, he observes the villagers going about their nightly routines, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns.

"Evening," he nods to a group of villagers gathered around a bonfire, their laughter echoing in the cool night air.

"Good evening, Eldritch," they greet him warmly, their smiles genuine and welcoming.

Continuing his walk, Eldritch passes by a cluster of homes, where families sit together for their evening meals, the aroma of home-cooked dishes wafting through the air.

"Smells delicious," he remarks to a young mother tending to her children, who beam up at him with innocent curiosity.

"Thank you, Eldritch. Care to join us?" she offers, gesturing to the empty space beside her.

"Not tonight, perhaps another time," Eldritch declines politely, though the offer brings a small smile to his lips.

As he traverses the village, Eldritch's keen gaze catches sight of a lone figure standing at the edge of the marketplace, their expression troubled and weary.

"Is everything alright?" Eldritch approaches with concern, his voice gentle and reassuring.

The villager looks up, their eyes meeting Eldritch's with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.

"Just a long day," they admit, their shoulders sagging with exhaustion.

"Take care of yourself," Eldritch offers a comforting pat on the shoulder before continuing on his way, the weight of their worries lingering in his thoughts.

With each encounter, Eldritch's determination to protect the village grows stronger, his commitment to their safety unwavering even in the face of uncertainty.

As Eldritch continues his stroll, his senses sharpen, a prickling unease settling in the pit of his stomach. Suddenly, his gaze falls upon a group of ten figures, cloaked in shadowy garb that obscures their features.

"Who goes there?" Eldritch's voice carries a steely edge as he approaches, his hand tightening around the shaft of his spear.

The figures remain silent, their movements shrouded in secrecy as they exchange furtive glances amongst themselves.

Hidden Pathways (BOOK 1)Where stories live. Discover now