Chapter 9

                                                                     The Signal and the Storm

The stifling silence of the forest was broken only by the slight rustle of trees covered in ash. Zara leaned heavily on Kael as they struggled forward, getting farther away from the scene of their most recent near-death experience with every step. Her mind roiled with a restless energy, even as her legs cried out for rest.

With a raspy voice, she eventually questioned, "What was that?" With a faint glimmer that pulsed as though it were alive, she gazed at the crystal in her fingers.

Kael kept his eyes on the road ahead and avoided looking at her. He said, "Zara, it wasn't just the stalker." "That brightness... Your actions back then were like to setting off a beacon.

"A lighthouse?" Zara said again, her heart pounding. "You mean others witnessed it?"

Kael eventually turned to her and paused his stride. He had a sombre face. Not only other people. them.

In Zara's chest, the weight of his words fell like a stone. She didn't require an explanation from him. She muttered, "The Sentinels."

Kael's jaw tensed as he nodded. Anyone else who might be pursuing the crystal, including the Sentinels. The stalker was destroyed by the blast, but it also sent a signal. A strong one.

The warmth of the gem seeped into Zara's skin as her fingers grew tighter around it. She responded, scarcely raising her voice above a whisper, "I didn't mean to." "I simply didn't know what to do."

Although the stiffness in Kael's posture persisted, his visage softened. "I understand," he said. Zara, you saved us. However, we now face an even more significant issue.

Their gaze was drawn to the sky by the distant thunderclap that punctuated his comments. On the horizon, dark clouds were accumulating, their edges tinted a spooky green. The anticipation of a storm made the air thick and heavy.

Kael muttered an expletive. "Obviously," he whispered. "A storm this large? It's not a coincidence.

"What do you mean?" Zara furrowed her head and asked.

Kael pointed to the skyline. "The storms are no longer natural. They go with the flow. The storm was most likely agitated by the crystal's power if it agitated the Sentinels.

Zara's heart sank as she gazed at the impending storm. "So the weather and sentinels are hunting us?"

Kael looked at her wryly. "Greetings from the new world."

The sharp smell of ozone and ash was carried by the increasing wind. Zara pulled her cloak firmly about her shoulders as she trembled. She said, "Where do we go?"

Kael took a moment to respond. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed their surroundings and weighed their alternatives. At last, he stated, "A few miles to the east is an old settlement." "We might find shelter there if we can get there before the storm arrives."

"Perhaps?" Zara repeated, her tone tinged with uncertainty.

Kael gave a shrug. "It's preferable to remaining outside."

Zara remained silent. Kael led the way, and she followed, her steps stuttering only a little as exhaustion threatened to overtake her. A continuous reminder of the weight she carried was the dim glow of the crystal in her hand, which appeared to get heavier by the second.

The storm approached them while they were walking, its black limbs extending like living things. The first drops of acid rain started to fall, sizzling as they touched the ground, and the air crackled with electricity. A drop dropped on Zara's arm, causing her to grimace. The sting was sudden and intense.

With a hint of desperation in his voice, Kael stated, "We need to move faster."

Despite her body's protests with each step, Zara nodded. Despite the pain in her muscles and the burning sensation in her lungs, she persisted because she was afraid of what was ahead and behind her.

As the storm reached its zenith, the village came into sight. It was merely a collection of dilapidated structures with moss and soot smeared along their walls. Zara followed Kael to one of the more robust-looking buildings, which had a largely undamaged roof. As the wind roared through the streets, bringing with it a shower of acid rain, they ducked inside.

As Zara attempted to regain her breath, her chest heaved and she fell to the ground. Kael hurried to lock the door and scan the room for danger. Despite its modest size and disarray from shattered furniture and other trash, it provided some measure of security.

Although his tone was anything but comforting, Kael stated, "This should hold for now." His eyes lingered on the gem in Zara's fingers as he turned to face her. "We must determine how to address that."

Zara gazed down at the gem, the walls faintly shadowed by its radiance. "Is it calling to them, in your opinion?"

Kael gave a nod. "The Sentinels were made to react to the energy of the crystals, if the accounts are accurate. Until they discover it—and us—they won't give up.

Zara felt a chill go down her back. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Then we need to get rid of it."

Kael scowled, his face unintelligible. "It's not that easy," he stated. Zara, you were selected by the crystal. It is now connected to you, regardless of what it is or is intended to do.

"Affixed to me?" Zara's voice rose as she repeated. "Kael, I didn't ask for this! None of it was requested of me!

Kael's posture stayed stiff, but his eyes softened. "I understand," he muttered. However, we have no say in the cards that are dealt to us. We simply must play them.

Zara's rage surged and then immediately subsided. The weight of Kael's words settled over her as she leaned back against the wall. Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she enquired, "So what do we do?"

Kael paused, his gaze darting to the pounding storm outside. "We discover solutions," he stated. "There are others who are more knowledgeable about the Sentinels and the crystals. Perhaps we can figure out a way to halt this if we can locate them.

"Are you certain they'll assist us?" With a hint of scepticism in her voice, Zara enquired.

Kael's face became stern. "We have no other option."

The storm continued to roar, its wrath serving as a continual reminder of their perils. Zara gripped the crystal tightly, finding some little solace in its warmth against the approaching cold. Her adventure was far from over, even though she had no idea what lay ahead.