The Dark Ascendant

The sun dipped low behind the trees, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Raj walked silently beside Dorian, his bare feet carefully stepping over roots and fallen leaves. He had no idea where they were headed, but he stayed alert, quietly observing the man who called himself his "protector."

Dorian's armor clinked softly with each step, his eyes constantly scanning the forest. Despite his casual tone earlier, Raj could sense the tension in his movements.

Raj (Monologue): He's hiding something. His nervous glances, the way his hand keeps hovering near his weapon… He's afraid. But of what? Beasts? Or someone following us?

Dorian broke the silence.

Dorian: "We should reach Ravendale before nightfall. It's a small town, but it's safe—much safer than staying out here after dark."

Raj: "What's so dangerous at night?"

Dorian slowed his pace, turning to look at Raj with a serious expression.

Dorian: "This forest… it's full of things that hunt in the dark. Beasts, cursed creatures, and worse. Most wouldn't dare travel these woods without a weapon or an awakened Gem Path. You're lucky I found you when I did."

Raj nodded, playing along, though his mind was already analyzing the information.

Raj (Monologue): Beasts and cursed creatures… The power system here must go beyond just warriors and mages. There's a lot more to this world than Dorian is letting on.

---

As they continued walking, Raj felt that strange warmth in his chest again. It was subtle, almost like a heartbeat beneath his skin, but it was undeniably there.

Raj (Monologue): That pulse… I can still feel the energy from earlier. It's faint, but it's with me. Could it be part of the power that brought me here?

He glanced at Dorian, wondering if the warrior could sense it too, but Dorian seemed oblivious.

Raj: "You mentioned the Gem Path earlier. Can anyone awaken one?"

Dorian chuckled, his mood shifting back to that smug confidence from before.

Dorian: "In theory, yes. But not all Gems are compatible with everyone. Some people spend their entire lives stuck at Level 1 because they chose the wrong path. Others are born with great potential and rise quickly."

His eyes gleamed with ambition.

Dorian: "Then there are the rare ones—the elites—who possess legendary Gems. They shape the world with their power. Kings, heroes, and… monsters."

Raj filed the information away, his curiosity growing with each passing second.

Raj (Monologue): Legendary Gems… I need to learn more about them. If I'm going to survive here, I'll need every advantage I can get.

---

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves overhead. Dorian's hand instinctively rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadows.

Dorian: "Stay close. We're almost there."

Raj followed without a word, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Suddenly, a branch snapped in the distance. Dorian froze, his muscles tensing.

Dorian: "Did you hear that?"

Raj nodded, his senses on high alert.

Raj: "What was it?"

Dorian didn't answer immediately. His eyes darted between the trees, and for a moment, Raj thought he saw something move—a flash of silver among the shadows.

Dorian: "Keep moving. Quickly."

They picked up the pace, the atmosphere thick with tension.

---

After what felt like an eternity, the trees thinned out, revealing a dirt road that led toward a cluster of stone and wooden buildings in the distance.

Dorian: "Ravendale. We made it."

He breathed a sigh of relief, though his eyes still flicked back toward the forest.

Raj: "What now?"

Dorian smirked, his confidence returning.

Dorian: "First, we find you some clothes. Can't have you walking around like this—it'll attract too much attention. Then we'll get some food and a place to rest."

Raj nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

Raj (Monologue): This town might be my first real chance to gather information. I need to blend in, learn the local customs, and figure out how this world works. The artifact's power is still with me… but how long can I stay hidden?

---

As Raj and Dorian walked toward the town gates, far away in the darkened halls of powerful organizations, eyes turned toward the disturbance caused by the sudden burst of energy.

In a grand cathedral of marble and gold, a high-ranking priest knelt before an altar, his hands trembling as he felt the remnants of the phenomenon.

High Priest Alaric: "Such power… It should have left a mark on the world, yet it vanished without a trace. This can only mean one thing—something or someone is hiding it from us."

In the shadows of a distant fortress, a cloaked figure leaned over a table covered in ancient scrolls and maps.

Shadow Leader: "Find it. We cannot allow something of this magnitude to remain hidden. Whoever possesses that power will either join us… or fall before us."

Even in the depths of the forbidden forests, dark creatures stirred, sensing a shift in the balance of power.

But none of them knew exactly where to look. The golden burst from the mysterious artifact had cloaked Raj's presence completely, keeping him hidden from even the most powerful divinations.

For now.