Zara quickly jumped to her feet, her eyes scanning the surroundings in panic. A huge black shape appeared above them, speeding across the sky so fast that she couldn’t even see its outline in the bright sunlight. The sky grew darker, as if something was tearing apart the world itself. As the shape got closer, she realized it had two faces—or no faces at all. Zara raised an eyebrow, confused.

  Then, a loud explosion echoed from the west, making Zara’s eyes widen. "That came from the border of the human realm..." she thought.

  A bright green beam of energy shot into the sky, followed by a strange whistling sound. Before anyone could react, the creature landed with a powerful crash, sending rocks flying everywhere before slamming back down. The whole valley shook violently, and Zara nearly lost her balance, almost falling to her knees. Another bolt of energy struck nearby, sending chunks of rock toward her, forcing her to duck behind a tree for cover. She crouched low, waiting for the noise to stop while trying to catch her breath.

  Another blast shook the ground, and the area trembled from the force. Dust and debris rained down on Zara, blinding her for a moment. She quickly covered her eyes to protect them. Then, the sound of heavy footsteps reached her ears, and a gloved fist hit the tree where she was hiding. The ground cracked beneath her, and dirt exploded into the air from the impact. The dust filled the air, making everything blurry from the top of the hill to the bottom of the cliff. Zara blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision, but she couldn’t see anything through the haze. She tried pulling up her hood to get a better look around, but it fell right back down.

  Zara heard rustling noises ahead, followed by a muffled cry. Suddenly, a dark blur sped past her. Without thinking, she raised her hand, casting a bright white light in the direction of the threat. Instantly, the creature stopped, turning slowly. But it wasn’t a creature—it was a woman. The light revealed a tall, slender figure dressed in black armor, holding a strange, curved staff in one hand. Her long, curly brown hair swirled around her, hiding most of her face. Her left eye was hidden in the shadow of her helmet, but there was no mistaking the fierce, fiery glow in her golden eyes.

  Zara froze, unable to move, her breath catching in her chest as she stared at the warrior. Slowly, she raised her hands, ready to summon her power. But just as a glow began to form around her fingers, the woman pointed her staff at her, and the air around them started to pulse, distorting the very fabric of reality.

  Zara stepped out from behind the tree and reached for the staff, but a sudden, violent tremor shook the earth, causing her to stumble backward. She fell to the ground, a cloud of dust exploding around her and choking her as she gasped for air. Just as quickly as it began, the shaking stopped, and the light faded. Despite the calm, her skin still tingled painfully, and her heart raced with a mix of fear and adrenaline.

  When the dust cleared, Zara pushed herself to her feet and scanned the area. The woman was gone, leaving only the curved staff behind. Still shaken, Zara cautiously picked up the staff, using it for support as she stood. As her fingers touched the smooth wood, she immediately sensed the ancient power radiating from it. The dark, polished wood shimmered faintly in the light, almost as if it were alive. Intricate carvings of legendary creatures and swirling patterns covered the staff, telling stories of forgotten legends. The staff curved beautifully, resembling a crescent moon, its elegance both mysterious and powerful.

  At the top of the staff, a delicate sphere of translucent crystal shimmered in shades of cobalt blue and deep emerald. It pulsed with a soft, inner light, casting ethereal shadows onto the ground around it. Silver filigree patterns wound around the crystal like living tendrils, reaching out as if to connect with the earth's energy. Below the crystal, the staff was wrapped in a worn leather grip, offering Zara a comforting, familiar feel as her hands closed around it. Along its length, small etchings marked important places—each one a ward or protective charm designed to guard against the restless spirits that might haunt the ancient grave of the human realm.

  Zara's mind drifted back to the grave where she had first seen the staff. The stone markers were worn, covered in thick vines, hinting at an age long past. It was the resting place of Elysian Shadow, a legendary defender whose name had faded into myth and whispers over time. According to the old stories, Elysian’s duty had been to maintain the balance between the world of the living and the realm of spirits, preventing one from overtaking the other. Elysian had wielded this very staff to trap a dark and dangerous force known as the Shadowbinders—the eleven families of sorcerers.

  The memories grew sharper with each passing moment. These Shadowbinders had followed a demon of pure darkness, a creature that threatened to devour both realms. Elysian had fought to contain it, but the staff also served as a warning: It held the power to restore balance, a power sought after by many who craved its strength for their own purposes.

  Zara knew that it was now her duty to protect the sacred grounds with her life, ensuring that no one would disrupt the delicate peace between the realms. A wave of excitement surged through her as she thought back to the events of the night before, and she couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets the ancient staff might hold. She secured it to her belt and set off briskly up the path, making her way to the edge of the cliffs.

  Peering down into the valley below, the scene appeared peaceful as always, bathed in the warm glow of the sun, with trees swaying gently in the breeze. Yet, despite the calm sight, there was a sense of unease in the air. Zara lingered for a moment, watching the valley, before abruptly turning and heading back up the path.

  The climb up the mountain turned out to be harder than she expected. The weight of the staff rested comfortably against her waistband, and as time passed, she began to relax a little. Though it seemed hard to believe that the journey would take her a hundred years to complete, she realized that, despite the challenges, she had made good progress. By the time she reached the summit, her muscles ached, and her breathing was labored; the air at the top felt thick and hot. After all the effort spent climbing and enduring the heat, she couldn’t bring herself to complain.

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  Zara's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the area. There were definitely signs of movement down below. The bushes along the path swayed slightly, rustling as if stirred by a breeze, but there was something unsettling about it. As she approached one of the bushes, something darted out toward her unexpectedly, knocking her off balance and sending her crashing onto her back. She gasped for air, her heart racing, and quickly scrambled to reach her sword.

  Her eyes scanned the surrounding grass, but there was nothing in sight except for some disturbed dirt, blown around by the wind. Yet, something had definitely brushed against her leg, causing her to lose her footing.

  Zara lay quietly on the ground for a moment, catching her breath. When she finally looked around, her gaze landed on something strange at her feet. Frowning with confusion, she carefully leaned down and picked it up. It felt smooth and strangely cold, as if it had been frozen solid. She turned it over in her hands, inspecting it closely. It was a small, oval-shaped orb, its surface flawless except for a tiny crack where it seemed to have been damaged.

  Curious, Zara examined it further, noticing a faint glow emanating from the orb as she held it. She pressed her index finger against it, but the orb remained firmly attached to whatever material had held it in place.

  Looking around, Zara spotted a large boulder jutting out from the rock face not far away. It offered some shelter from the harsh winds and scorching sun. Cautiously, she crawled up the boulder, careful to avoid scraping her exposed skin on the sharp edges of the rocks. After climbing a few meters, she sat down, leaning against the stone surface to rest her legs, her gaze fixed on the orb in her hands.

  She gently lifted her arm and placed her hand on the orb, feeling its strange coldness. Just then, a low rumble reverberated through the clearing, shaking the ground beneath her. The air grew colder, and shadows seemed to flicker at the edges of her vision. Zara's heart raced as a heavy presence drew nearer—a malevolent force intent on reclaiming what she held.

  A dark silhouette began to form within the shadows, growing closer until it became fully defined. Zara’s breathing quickened, and she scrambled backward, trying to distance herself from the encroaching threat. She stumbled over the uneven terrain, her foot catching on the rocks.

  Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the darkness vanished, revealing a towering figure standing in the center of the clearing. "Shadow Serpent, a creature born from nightmares," Zara whispered, her voice trembling. Its long, sinuous body shimmered like a cloak of darkness, the scales catching the faintest glimmer of light in shades of midnight blue and deep purple. Its eyes, molten gold, locked onto her with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. The serpent's head tilted downward slightly, revealing rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth.

  As it took a step toward her, Zara saw its wings unfurl behind it, wide and bat-like, their violet hue illuminated by an eerie glow. The wings were scattered with feathers of deep indigo, adding to the creature’s otherworldly appearance. It opened its mouth, baring its sharp teeth menacingly, never breaking eye contact with Zara.

  Elysian Shadow had bound the Shadow Serpent and cursed it to remain trapped in the depths of the spirit realm—until the staff was released.

  Feeling the weight of her newfound responsibility, Zara gripped the staff tighter, the fear gnawing at her insides. But she forced the words out, her voice firm despite the terror rising within her. "You can't have it!"

  With a chilling hiss that seemed to slither through the very air, the Shadow Serpent coiled closer, its presence growing more oppressive by the second. Zara knew the darkness owned the staff, and it would stop at nothing to reclaim it. Her heart pounded as the creature closed the distance between them, its unblinking gaze never leaving hers. Fear gripped her chest, threatening to freeze her in place.

  "No!" Zara screamed, summoning the last bit of strength in her arms. She jumped to her feet and swung her sword with all her might, aiming for the Serpent's chest. But to her horror, the blade passed right through it, as though it weren’t even there. There was no resistance, no impact. The Serpent didn’t even flinch. Its eyes remained locked on Zara, its mouth slowly opening to reveal rows of sharp, menacing fangs.

  Frantically, Zara raised her sword again, trying to strike at the creature with all her might, but again, the sword passed harmlessly through it. No matter how she swung or slashed, nothing happened. The Shadow Serpent advanced, its movements slow and deliberate, the air thick with its dark presence. Its long, serpentine tail swayed behind it, each movement purposeful, as if it were biding its time, waiting for the right moment to strike.

  Then, without warning, Zara’s sword slipped from her hands and clattered to the ground, skittering away out of reach. She took a step back, panic rising as she raised her hands defensively, her back pressed against the rough stone of the boulder. The Serpent did not stop. It continued to approach, each step bringing it closer and closer, its eerie, golden eyes never leaving her.

  "I won’t let you," Zara insisted, her voice shaking, but determined. She took another step back, then another, retreating further into the clearing, hoping to find a way out, but the Serpent continued to advance, its hunger unmistakable.

  A loud crack split the air, and before Zara could react, an invisible force struck the Shadow Serpent, sending it flying backward and crashing hard onto the ground. The impact rattled Zara’s entire body, and she gasped for breath, trying to steady herself. When she finally regained control of her breathing, she pushed herself up, her eyes locked on the Serpent, now sprawled on the ground beside her.

  The same crack echoed again, even louder this time, making the ground tremble beneath her feet. It felt as if the earth itself was joining in the battle, shaking in response to the force.

  Then, from within the shadow that filled the clearing, something massive emerged—a towering black shape that stretched high above the trees, blocking out the sky. Zara struggled to keep her eyes open, afraid that if she blinked or looked away, the creature would move even closer. Through the swirling darkness, two glowing red eyes appeared, staring down at her with an unsettling familiarity. There was something about this creature that felt eerily known to her, but she couldn’t place it.

  The creature loomed above her, its dark form casting an oppressive shadow over the clearing. It stopped just ten meters away, and then, with a bone-chilling cry, it filled the air. Zara froze, recognizing the sound. It was the scream of the demon that had attacked Elysian in the cave—the very demon that had taken Elysian’s life.

  Zara braced herself for an attack, her heart racing, her body tense with fear. But the demon said nothing. It remained silent, leaving her alone with the Shadow Serpent.