Chapter 17: The Protector Arrives

The days since Elias, Garrick, and Nyra had formed their tentative alliance had been filled with constant movement. The road toward Arithria was long and treacherous, and as they traveled, the weight of the Oracle's impending war pressed down on them like a gathering storm. Every step brought them closer to the center of the coming conflict, and every moment reminded Elias that time was running out.

But they weren't alone. Their small group had already grown with the inclusion of Nyra, the mage whose power was undeniable. She was cold and pragmatic, her sharp eyes ever-watchful for signs of danger. Garrick, the battle-hardened warrior, took the lead, his instincts honed by years of experience on the battlefield. Together, they were a formidable trio, but Elias knew they would need more help to face what lay ahead.

As they traveled through a dense forest, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, Elias felt the familiar tug of fate pulling at him. He had learned to trust that feeling—his gift was more than just the ability to see the future; it was a connection to the currents of destiny itself. And now, it was guiding him toward something—or someone.

"We're being followed," Nyra muttered under her breath as she walked alongside Elias. Her tone was casual, but her words carried a warning. She had sensed it too.

Elias's hand instinctively moved to the pendant at his neck. The air felt heavy, the shadows between the trees deeper than they should have been. He glanced at Garrick, who had already slowed his pace, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Whoever it is, they're good," Garrick muttered. "I haven't heard a thing."

"Neither have I," Elias admitted, his heart racing. The forest around them seemed unnaturally still, the only sound the soft crunch of leaves beneath their boots. "But I can feel it."

Nyra's eyes narrowed as she scanned the treeline. "Could be one of the Oracle's agents."

"Or worse," Garrick added grimly.

They came to a stop in a small clearing, the trees towering above them like silent sentinels. The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves, but otherwise, the forest was eerily quiet. Elias's pulse quickened as the sensation of being watched intensified.

"Show yourself," Garrick called, his voice low but commanding. His sword slid from its scabbard with a soft hiss, the blade gleaming in the dappled light.

For a moment, there was no response. Then, from the shadows at the edge of the clearing, a figure stepped forward.

The man who emerged was tall and broad-shouldered, his face partially obscured by the hood of his dark green cloak. His presence was imposing, but there was something about him that made Elias hesitate before considering him a threat. The man's movements were slow and deliberate, and while his hand rested on the hilt of a massive sword strapped to his back, he made no move to draw it.

"I mean you no harm," the stranger said, his voice deep and calm.

Garrick raised an eyebrow but didn't lower his sword. "Then why were you following us?"

The stranger stopped at the edge of the clearing, just out of reach. His hooded head tilted slightly, as if weighing his next words carefully. "Because you're walking into a war you can't win alone. I've been watching you for some time now, and it's clear you need protection."

Nyra scoffed. "And you just happen to be the one to offer it?"

The man's gaze shifted toward her, and though his face remained shadowed, there was a certain intensity in his posture. "Yes."

Elias stepped forward, his curiosity piqued despite the tension in the air. "Who are you?"

The man's hand lifted to pull back his hood, revealing a strong, weathered face with sharp features. His dark hair was streaked with gray, and his eyes were a piercing blue that seemed to take in everything at once. There was something about those eyes that made Elias pause—something ancient, as if this man had seen more than most.

"I am Kael," the man said simply. "And I am here to help you."

Garrick's grip on his sword tightened. "Help us? Why should we trust you?"

Kael met Garrick's gaze without flinching. "Because you're going to need someone who can stand between you and the Oracle's forces. I'm not here by chance—I was sent."

Nyra frowned. "Sent? By whom?"

Kael's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. "By those who understand the stakes of what's coming. They call me the Protector, and my duty is to guard those who have the power to shape the future. I've been watching you because I know what you carry, Elias."

Elias's heart skipped a beat. "You know about the gift?"

Kael nodded. "I do. And I know that you're not ready to face what's coming alone. The Oracle of Ruin's reach is long, and her power is growing. If you're going to stand a chance against her, you'll need more than just magic and a sword. You'll need someone who understands the enemy you're up against."

Nyra's expression remained skeptical, but Elias could see the wheels turning in her mind. She was cautious, as always, but something about Kael's presence had caught her attention.

Garrick, however, wasn't convinced. "And what exactly do you know about the Oracle?" he asked, his voice filled with suspicion.

Kael's eyes darkened slightly, and for the first time, a hint of emotion crept into his voice. "More than you can imagine. I've fought her forces before, and I've seen firsthand what she's capable of. The Oracle's power isn't just in her ability to manipulate time—it's in the way she bends people to her will. She uses fear, doubt, and anger to break them down, to make them believe that they have no choice but to follow her. That's how she builds her army—by taking those who have lost hope."

Elias felt a chill run down his spine. The way Kael spoke of the Oracle was different from anyone else he had encountered. It was as if he had seen her power up close, had fought against it and survived. And while Elias still wasn't sure if he could fully trust this stranger, something told him that Kael's words carried the weight of truth.

Nyra crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "If what you say is true, then we could use your help. But we're not just looking for someone to fight alongside us—we need someone we can trust."

Kael's gaze shifted to her, and his voice softened. "I don't expect you to trust me right away. But know this: I've given my life to protecting those who fight for the future. I've seen the way this world can break under the weight of darkness, and I've vowed to never let that happen again. If you'll have me, I'll stand with you. But the choice is yours."

Elias exchanged a glance with Garrick and Nyra. The tension in the air was palpable, but there was also a sense of inevitability. Kael had found them for a reason, and Elias knew that he couldn't afford to turn away help—not now, when the storm was drawing ever closer.

"Let him come with us," Elias said quietly, his voice firm. "We need all the help we can get."

Garrick hesitated for a moment, then lowered his sword with a sigh. "Fine. But if you so much as think about betraying us, Kael, I'll gut you myself."

Kael's lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. "Fair enough."

As the group continued their journey, the tension between Kael and the others slowly began to ease. Garrick remained cautious, but he was pragmatic enough to recognize Kael's value. Nyra, ever the observer, asked probing questions, testing Kael's knowledge of magic and strategy. Though she remained guarded, Elias could tell she was beginning to warm to the idea of having another powerful ally.

Kael, for his part, was patient and composed. He spoke little about his past, but whenever the conversation turned to the Oracle, his voice would tighten with barely concealed anger. Elias couldn't help but wonder what had driven Kael to take up the mantle of Protector. Had he lost someone to the Oracle's forces? Or was there another reason for his determination to stand against her?

One evening, as the sun set behind the distant mountains and the group made camp for the night, Elias found himself sitting beside Kael, watching the fire crackle and dance in the cool night air. The others had settled down, Nyra quietly working on her spells, and Garrick sharpening his sword in his usual focused manner.

Elias glanced at Kael, curiosity gnawing at him. "You've fought the Oracle's forces before, haven't you?"

Kael's gaze remained fixed on the fire, his expression unreadable. "Yes."

"What happened?" Elias asked, his voice gentle but insistent.

For a long moment, Kael didn't respond. Then, with a heavy sigh, he spoke. "It was years ago, long before the Oracle's influence became known to most. She was gathering power, moving in the shadows, building her army. My people were among the first to stand against her." His voice tightened with emotion. "We fought, and we lost."

Elias felt a pang of sympathy. "I'm sorry."

Kael shook his head, his jaw clenched. "I survived, but I lost everything. My home, my family—gone. The Oracle took them from me, just as she's taken from so many others."

The fire crackled between them, casting flickering shadows across Kael's face. Elias could see the pain etched into his features, the weight of years of loss and battle. And in that moment, he understood why Kael had sought them out—why he had chosen to fight alongside them.

"She won't win," Elias said quietly, his voice filled with conviction. "We'll stop her."

Kael finally looked at him, his piercing blue eyes meeting Elias's with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. "You're right. She won't win. Not as long as we stand together."

The next morning, the group broke camp and continued their journey toward Arithria. With Kael now a part of their ranks, there was a new sense of purpose in the air. The path ahead was still uncertain, but Elias felt more prepared to face it. They weren't just a ragtag group of wanderers anymore—they were allies, bound by fate and driven by a shared goal.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Elias couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. The Protector had arrived, and though the storm of war was still brewing, they were no longer walking into it alone.