Eclipse of Eternity: The lost Kingdom's Curse

The Whispering Forest

Kael ran until his lungs burned and his legs threatened to give out. The forest loomed around him, ancient trees towering like silent sentinels. Though the shadowy creatures pursuing him had faded, their presence lingered, a cold dread at the edge of his mind. He leaned against a tree, gasping for breath, and glanced at the glowing mark on his wrist—a crescent moon encircled by stars. Eryndor’s dying words echoed in his head: *"Find the Eclipse Amulet before the next eclipse, or all is lost."*

But how? He was just a blacksmith, not some hero from the old tales. He didn’t even know where to begin.

A rustling sound broke the silence. Kael spun around, gripping his unfinished sword. A figure stepped from the shadows—a woman with dark hair tied in a braid, her eyes sharp and calculating. She wore a leather vest lined with daggers, her movements fluid and predatory.

“You’re not very good at hiding,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “I could hear you crashing through the forest from a mile away.”

Kael lowered his sword slightly but kept his guard up. “Who are you?”

“Elara,” she replied, crossing her arms. “And you’re the one the Curseweaver’s hounds are after. Lucky for you, I don’t like them any more than you do.”

“The Curseweaver?” Kael asked, his brow furrowing. “Is that who sent those creatures?”

Elara raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t know anything, do you? The Curseweaver destroyed Lythoria a century ago. He’s been hunting anyone with royal blood ever since.”

Kael’s stomach churned. “I’m not royal. I’m just a blacksmith.”

Elara smirked. “Tell that to the mark on your wrist. It’s glowing, isn’t it? That means you’re one of the last descendants of the Lythorian line. And if the Curseweaver finds you, you’re dead.”

Kael clenched his fists. “What do you want from me?”

“I want to survive,” Elara said simply. “And right now, that means keeping you alive. The Curseweaver’s power is growing, and if he gets his hands on you, it’s over for all of us.”

Before Kael could respond, a low growl echoed through the trees. Elara’s expression hardened, and she drew her daggers. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

The shadowy creatures emerged from the darkness, their glowing eyes fixed on Kael. Elara moved like a whirlwind, her daggers slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kael swung his sword, the blade cutting through one of the creatures. It let out a piercing screech before dissolving into smoke.

“We can’t fight them all!” Kael shouted, dodging a swipe from another creature.

“Then we run!” Elara grabbed his arm and pulled him deeper into the forest. They sprinted through the trees, the creatures close behind. The forest seemed to come alive around them, branches twisting and reaching like skeletal hands.

As they ran, Kael noticed something strange. The mark on his wrist glowed brighter, and he felt a pull, as if the forest itself was guiding him. “This way!” he shouted, veering off the path.

Elara hesitated but followed. The trees grew denser, the air colder. The creatures’ growls faded, replaced by an eerie silence. Finally, they stumbled into a clearing dominated by a massive oak tree, its branches stretching toward the sky.

Kael stopped, breathless. “What is this place?”

Elara’s eyes widened. “The Heart of the Whispering Forest. Legends say it’s a place of ancient magic. But no one’s ever found it before.”

The mark on Kael’s wrist flared brightly, and the tree began to glow. A soft, melodic voice filled the air. *"You have come, as was foretold."*

Kael looked around but saw no one. “Who’s speaking?”

The voice continued, *"To break the curse, you must first prove your worth. The path ahead is fraught with peril, but the forest will guide you."*

Elara frowned. “Great. More riddles.”

Before Kael could respond, the ground trembled. Roots erupted from the soil, forming a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. The voice spoke again, *"Follow the path, and you will find what you seek."*

Kael exchanged a glance with Elara. “Do we have a choice?”

She shrugged. “Not really. Let’s go.”

They stepped onto the path, the roots shifting and groaning beneath their feet. The forest seemed to close in around them, the air thick with magic. Kael’s mark pulsed in time with his heartbeat, filling him with a strange determination. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t turn back now.

---

### **The Trial of Roots**

The path twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the forest. The air grew colder, and the trees seemed to whisper as they passed. Kael’s mark glowed brighter with each step, guiding them forward.

After what felt like hours, they reached a fork in the path. Three trails stretched before them: one shrouded in mist, another lined with glowing flowers, and the third dark and silent.

The voice spoke again. *"Choose wisely, for each path holds a trial. Only one will lead you closer to the amulet."*

Elara crossed her arms. “Of course. Nothing’s ever simple.”

Kael studied the paths. “The middle one. The flowers might be a sign.”

Elara shrugged. “Your call.”

They stepped onto the middle path, the glowing flowers casting an eerie light. As they walked, the air grew warmer, and the scent of the flowers became overwhelming. Kael felt a strange calm, but Elara’s expression grew tense.

“Something’s not right,” she said, gripping her daggers. “This feels… too easy.”

As if in response, the flowers closed their petals, plunging them into darkness. Kael’s mark flared, but the light barely pierced the gloom. A low growl echoed through the trees, and Kael spun around, sword raised.

“Elara!” he called, but she was gone.

The darkness shifted, and a shadowy figure emerged—a twisted version of himself, its eyes glowing with malice. “You’re weak,” it hissed. “You’ll never break the curse.”

Kael swung his sword, but the shadow reformed, its laughter echoing. He realized brute force wouldn’t work. Closing his eyes, he focused on the mark, letting its warmth fill him.

The voice whispered, *"The trial is not of strength, but of will. Face your fears, and the path will reveal itself."*

Kael lowered his sword, standing firm. “I’m not afraid of you.”

The shadow lunged but dissolved into smoke as it reached him. The darkness lifted, and the glowing flowers reopened. Elara reappeared, looking confused.

“What just happened?” she asked.

Kael exhaled. “It was a test. We had to face our fears.”

Elara smirked. “Speak for yourself. I was just about to stab something.”

They continued down the path, which now led to a small glade. At its center stood a stone pedestal, holding a glowing shard of crystal. The voice spoke again. *"You have passed the first trial. Take the shard, for it will guide you to the next."*

Kael picked up the shard, feeling its power resonate with his mark. “We’re one step closer.”

As they left the glade, the forest seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. But Kael knew the hardest challenges were still ahead. The Curseweaver was watching, and the next trial would be even more dangerous.