Chapter 8

                                                                           A Precarious Flight

The stifling darkness of the cavern they had fled was a sharp contrast to the pale light of the outside world. Zara's lungs stung from the crisp night air as she staggered out into the open and gasped. The feeble stars in the sky above were obscured by the ash cloud that pervaded the atmosphere.

Kael was not far behind, helping her to balance herself while wearing a sombre expression. His voice was low yet forceful as he enquired, "Are you okay?"

Zara nodded, but it felt like her body was about to give out. The crystal was still in her grasp, its warmth throbbing slightly. Despite the fact that her hands were shaking, she said, "I'm fine."

Kael's jaw tensed as he looked back towards the cave entrance. "That thing is still alive, but we bought ourselves some time." It will pursue us.

Zara answered in a hollow voice, "I know." The image of the Sentinel's eyes, flashing red with an unusual, almost sentient hatred, would not leave her mind. However, why? Why did it pursue us? And why does it feel like it's related to the crystal?

Kael took a moment to respond. Rather, he looked about them, his survival instincts taking over. The trees in the dense forest surrounding them were twisted and mangled, seemingly by the same forces that had wiped off the entire planet. Zara felt a chill run down her spine at every rustle in the underbrush and every shadow that seemed to threaten disaster.

At last, Kael broke the silence by saying, "We can't stay here." "Something else will find us if the Sentinel doesn't."

Zara followed his gaze because she knew he was right based on her own survival instincts. However, she was unable to dismiss the persistent questions in her head. It felt heavier than ever to hold the crystal in her hand, as though it were bearing duty in addition to power. "What is this creature, Kael? Why does it seem to be living?

Kael paused, his face unintelligible. "I don't know," he responded, but his tone suggested that he was more knowledgeable than he was acknowledging. But I've heard stories and rumours about the ancient world. They claim that the crystals were a component of a larger entity that the Empire attempted to regulate.

Zara scowled. "The Sentinels, you mean?"

Kael gave a nod. Their weapons were the Sentinels, but the secret lay in the crystals. Their cities, their machines, even their people, were all fuelled by them. But there was a price for the power. It always does.

Zara felt the weight of what he had said. She looked at the crystal below, its dim light creating unsettling shadows on her flesh. It felt alive, as if it had a will of its own, rather than merely like a tool or a weapon. "And we've roused it now."

Kael's face grew serious. "We didn't cause it to awaken. It waited. observing. The spark was all that the crystal was.

Before Zara could react, they were both stopped in their tracks by a deep growl that came from the trees. Kael's eyes scanned the darkness as his hand moved to his knife's hilt. His voice was hardly audible above a whisper when he continued, "We're not alone."

Zara's pulse pounded as she held on to the crystal, its brilliance fading as though it could sense her anxiety. She listened for any movement, straining her ears. The sound of heavy footfall followed the snarl, which was closer this time.

With deliberate and cautious movements, Kael gestured for her to remain low. Zara squatted next to him, staring into the dark with thin breath. The growl's origin was still unknown, but the forest was now alive with movement—branches swinging, leaves rustling.

Then she noticed it.

Out of the shadows came a pair of brilliant eyes, their golden colour contrasting with the darkness. When the creature moved into the light, its massive body with rough scars and matted fur was visible. Zara had never seen anything like this beast, which appeared to have been assembled from nightmares.

Kael muttered an expletive. He said, "A stalker," as he gripped his knife more tightly. "We are powerless to stop it. Not in this place.

Zara's thoughts were racing. Once more, the crystal pulsed in her grasp, its light flickering as though it were calling her to action. However, she was unsure about how to apply it—not in opposition to this kind of thing. "What should we do?" she muttered.

Kael remained silent. Rather, he swiftly and decisively grasped her arm and yanked her to her feet. "Run," he said. We guide it out of the cave. Perhaps the stalker and the sentinel will kill one another if they cross paths.

Zara had no time to quarrel. Her legs burned with each step as she trailed behind Kael as he ran into the trees. As it pursued, the stalker roared in a guttural manner, the sound echoing through the trees. Behind them, Zara could hear its heavy footfall and the heated, ragged sound of its breath.

Despite the uneven ground beneath her feet and the branches whipping at her face, she dared not slow down. Kael was a little distance ahead, moving quickly and confidently through the landscape. Zara made an effort to stay ahead, but the stalker was closing in.

"Kael!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking. "It moves too quickly!"

"Keep going!" His voice was forceful as he called back. "We must not allow it to capture us!"

Zara was aware that they couldn't outrun it indefinitely, though. The stalker was larger, quicker, and more determined. Her gaze returned to the crystal while her thoughts raced, trying to find an answer. It was their only opportunity.

Ignoring Kael's cries of protest, she halted her pace and faced the beast. Zara felt the energy within her rise as the crystal's brilliance burst in her hand, brighter than before. The stalker paused, its luminous eyes narrowing in recognition of the change in strength.

"What are you doing, Zara?" Panic infused Kael's voice as he yelled.

“Believe me!” she said, her voice strong in spite of her dread.

The stalker lunged, its monstrous body rushing horrifyingly close to her. Zara lifted the crystal high, concentrating all of her energy on the inner strength. The energy blasted outward and struck the beast as the light burst into a blinding glare.

Zara was flung backward by the blast's force, her body thudding painfully to the ground. She tried to sit up, but her eyesight was swirling as she gulped for air. In the wake of the crystal's power, the stalker vanished, reduced to ash.

In a moment, Kael was beside her, his hands on her shoulders. With a worried tone, he said, "Zara, are you okay?"

Still holding the crystal, she gave a faint nod. Despite the pain in her body and the pounding in her brain, she said, "I'm fine." "However, I believe we simply made matters much more difficult."

As he assisted her in standing up, Kael's face was serious. "We must continue to move. The Sentinel would come for us if it sensed that.

Zara took a quick look at the crystal's steady but weak glow. She had no idea what it was or how it operated, but she was certain that this was just the start.