Shadow of the forest

The air was thick with silence as Zeke and Arina stood by the freshly dug grave. The soil was damp and clung to Arina's hands as he pressed it down over the small mound. Next to it lay another, newer grave. The winged man's lifeless body rested beneath the earth, his wings folded over his chest as if shielding his heart even in death.

Arina stared at the graves, his fists clenched at his sides. His fingers trembled, but not from exhaustion. He turned his head slightly, his gaze lingering on the winged man's grave. He had seen sorrow before, but this… this was different.

"He loved his son too much," Zeke muttered, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but there was a somber edge to it. "Sadness consumed his heart. He couldn't bear the weight of it."

Arina's lips parted, but no words came. He wanted to scream, to rage against the unfairness of it all. Instead, he sank to his knees, the ground beneath him damp and cold. His chest felt heavy, a weight he couldn't shake.

"He didn't deserve this," Arina whispered.

"None of them do," Zeke replied quietly, his lion-like eyes glinting in the dim light.

Arina didn't respond. He tightened his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His shoulders trembled as tears rolled down his cheeks. He didn't even realize he was crying until Zeke's large hand landed gently on his shoulder.

"Stop blaming yourself," Zeke said gruffly.

"I'm not," Arina lied, wiping his face quickly.

Zeke sighed, shaking his head. "We've got a long way to go. Dwelling on this won't help anyone."

Arina didn't answer. Instead, he picked up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. His gaze lingered on the graves one last time before he turned and began walking.

Zeke followed, his large frame towering over Arina's. They walked in silence, the only sounds coming from the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the faint rustle of the wind.

The forest seemed darker now, the shadows stretching further and further as if they were alive. Arina couldn't shake the feeling that the forest was watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike.

And strike it did.

A sudden chill ran down Arina's spine, and he turned just in time to see a shadow creature lunging toward him. Its form was amorphous, shifting and writhing like smoke, but its eyes were unmistakable—two pinpoints of red light burning with malice.

"Duck!" Zeke barked, drawing his sword in one swift motion.

Arina hit the ground as Zeke slashed through the shadow, his blade cutting through it like butter. The creature let out an ear-piercing screech before dissolving into nothingness.

More shadows emerged from the trees, their movements fluid and unnatural. Arina scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding.

"Stay close," Zeke ordered, positioning himself between Arina and the creatures.

Arina nodded, his eyes darting between the shadows. His marks began to tingle, a faint blue glow emanating from his arms. He clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "If we don't stop them, everyone will die. The forest… the creatures… everyone who loves this place."

He took a step forward, his resolve hardening. The marks on his arms flared brighter, the glow pulsating like a heartbeat.

"Arina, wait!" Zeke called, but it was too late.

Arina swung his fist at the nearest shadow, and to his surprise, a burst of blue energy erupted from his hand. The creature screamed as the energy engulfed it, its form disintegrating into ash.

Silence fell over the forest, the air thick with the smell of burnt wood.

Arina stared at his hand, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "What… what the hell just happened?"

Zeke's eyes widened in surprise, and then a grin spread across his face. "Holy crap, Arina! You just obliterated that thing!"

Arina looked at him, still in shock. "I… I don't know how I did it."

"Well, figure it out!" Zeke said, clapping him on the back. "You've got a weapon to kill shadows in seconds!"

Arina's expression shifted from confusion to joy as the realization sank in. He clenched his glowing fists, a spark of hope igniting within him.

"We can do this," he said, his voice firm. "We can save the forest."

Zeke chuckled, his usual gruffness giving way to genuine amusement. "About damn time you got some confidence, kid."

They continued their journey, the path ahead dark and treacherous. But this time, Arina felt a new sense of purpose. The shadows would come, and he would be ready.

The next attack came swiftly. A swarm of shadow creatures descended upon them, their shrieks echoing through the trees.

Zeke roared, shifting into his lion form in an instant. He lunged at the creatures, his claws tearing through their smoky forms.

Arina didn't hesitate. He swung his glowing fists, sending bursts of blue energy into the swarm. Each hit was precise, and each shadow that touched his magic erupted into ash.

The battle was chaotic, but they fought with a ferocity that matched the shadows' aggression. Zeke's movements were fluid and powerful, his lion form a blur of golden fur and razor-sharp claws.

Arina, meanwhile, found himself growing more confident with each strike. The marks on his arms glowed brighter, the energy within him surging like a raging river.

By the time the last shadow fell, the forest was silent once more.

Arina stood panting, his arms trembling from the exertion. He looked at Zeke, who was back in his human form and leaning against a tree.

"Not bad, kid," Zeke said with a smirk. "You're starting to pull your weight."

Arina rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

As they continued walking, Arina's thoughts drifted back to the graves they had left behind. The weight of their mission felt heavier than ever, but for the first time, he felt like they had a chance.

"We'll save this forest," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

Zeke glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Damn right we will," he said.

And with that, they pressed on, the marks on Arina's arms glowing faintly as a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.