Fractured Soul

The man suddenly slammed on the brakes, and Aria's heart skipped a beat. "We have to leave, now!" he urged, his eyes were scanning the surrounding area.

The two hastily carried Lyrien out of the car and into the nearby forest, the trees are looming above them like sentinels. The man moved so swiftly, his knowledge of the terrain was evident as he navigated at the dense underbrush.

Not long after, they reached a small clearing, and in the center of it stood a cozy cottage, smoke was drifting lazily from the chimney. The man pushed the door open, and they entered, Lyrien's limp form carried between them.

The man placed Lyrien on a bed inside the small room, his movements were gentle despite the urgency of the situation. Aria looked around them, she was taking in the simple furnishings and the warm fire crackling in the hearth.

Just then, a little girl appeared to them in the doorway, her eyes were fixed on Aria. She was so young, no more than ten years old in age, but her hair was streaked with grey, giving her an otherworldly appearance.

The girl knelt before Aria, her eyes were shining with an unnerving intensity. "Greetings, Shadowbringer," she said, her voice low and husky.

Aria's eyes widened in surprise. "Shadowbringer?" she repeated, unsure what to make of the title.

The girl nodded, her grey hair falling around her face like a veil. "Yes, you are the shadowbringer''

Aria's curiosity got the better of her. "Why do you call me Shadowbringer?" she asked the girl, with her voice which was barely above a whisper.

The girl's eyes were seemed to bore into Aria's soul. "You are shadowbringer chosen to wield the power of the shadows," she said, with her voice filled in with an ancient wisdom. "Shadowbringer is one who walks between the light and the darkness, who brings balance to the forces that seek to destroy."

Aria's mind was reeling as she was trying to comprehend the girl's words. But before she could ask more questions, her thoughts turned to Lyrien. She begged the girl, "Please, you have to help Lyrien. I don't know why he's not healing. This is the first time this has happened."

The girl's expression turned solemn, and she nodded. "I will do what I can, Shadowbringer. But Lyrien's wound is not just physical. It is a wound of the soul, which was inflicted by a darkness that seeks to consume him."

Aria's heart suddenly skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

The girl's eyes locked onto Lyrien's form. "His brother's hatred has cursed him, Shadowbringer. A curse that can only be broken by the power of the shadows."

Aria's desperation grew higher. "Please, you have to help him. I'll do anything."

The girl nodded, her grey hair rustling. "I will need your help, Shadowbringer. Together, we can save Lyrien from the darkness that threatens to consume him."

The man spoke up, his brow furrowed in skepticism. "Can a wolf like Erin really curse people? I thought only witches had that power."

The girl's gaze turned enigmatic. "Maybe Erin has resorted to using witchcraft."

Aria's eyes was widened in shock. "No, that's impossible. Erin would never..."

But the girl's words cut her off. "Desperation can drive people to do things they never thought possible, Shadowbringer."

Aria's determination surged up again. "I don't care what Erin's done. I'll do anything to make sure he doesn't die from this curse."

The girl nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I knew I could count on you, Shadowbringer. Together, we'll gather the ingredients for a ritual to break the curse."

The man spoke up, his voice firm. "I'll help too. I owe Lyrien my life, i will also do anything to help."

Aria's eyes locked onto Lyrien's form, her heart was aching with compassion. "We have to save him. We can't let the curse consume him."

The girl's eyes gleamed with a fierce light. "Then let us begin, Shadowbringer. We have a long journey ahead of us, and time is running out."

The girl turned to leave into the inner room, she left Aria and the man [Erith] alone. A moment later, she turned to look at Aria, her eyes were gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

As soon as she vanished from sight, Aria turned to the man. "Why was she staring at me like that?" she asked, there was a hint of unease creeping into her voice.

The man's expression was calm. "Don't worry, Aria. She's just sizing you up. Her name is Arachne, by the way. She's a Crone, a special form of witch."

Aria's eyes widened. "A Crone? What do you mean?"

The man's voice was low. "Arachne is more than 500 years old. She stopped growing physically at the age of 10, but her mind and powers have continued to evolve. She's a force to be reckoned with."

Aria's mind was reeled. "That's impossible. How can she be so old?"

The man smiled. "Arachne's powers have allowed her to cheat death, we can call her immortal. And don't worry, she will save Lyrien. She's the only one who can."

Aria's gaze drifted to the inner room. "But what about Erin and his men? They'll never stop looking for us."

The man's expression turned grim. "They'll never find this place. Arachne has protected it with powerful spells. We're safe here."

Arachne emerged from the room, there a collection of herbs which were clutched into her small hands. "Erith, help me hold Lyrien down," she instructed, her eyes fixed on the young man's prone form.

Erith nodded, he moved to pin Lyrien's shoulders as Arachne attempted to force the herbs into his mouth. After a few moments of struggle, she finally succeeded, and then closed her eyes, focusing her power.

But not long as she did, a sudden surge of energy burst forth from Lyrien's body, sending Arachne flying across the room. Lyrien's eyes snapped open, glowing with an unnatural light as he rose from the bed.

His eyeballs transformed into those of a wolf very red, and he fixed Aria with a fierce stare. With a snarl, he pinned her to the wall, his fingers closing around her neck like a vice.

"All the darkness must be wiped out," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Die, you witch."

Aria struggled to free herself, but Lyrien's grip was unyielding. Arachne, still recovering from the sudden backlash, cried out in alarm.

"Lyrien, no! Stop!" she shouted, but Lyrien's eyes only burned brighter, his fingers tightening around Aria's throat.

Erith rushed forward, trying to intervene, but Lyrien's power was too strong. He tossed Erith aside like a doll, his gaze never leaving Aria's face.

In that moment, Aria knew she was staring into the face of pure evil. The curse must have consumed Lyrien, and she was its next victim.