Chapter 17: Darkbound Is Coming

Kael wipes the seawater from his face and squints up at the sky. "It's worse today," he mutters to himself, his voice lost in the open air.

Taryn soon surfaces next to him, his usually calm expression now showing signs of concern. He glances up at the dimming sky and then at Kael. "It's been like this every day," Taryn says quietly, his voice tense. "You think it's a sign?"

Kael nods, his jaw tightening. "The Darkbound… it's coming. I don't know how much time we have, but it's closer than we thought."

They remain on the surface for a moment, the silence between them heavy. The sea below seems to mirror the sky above, growing colder and darker with each passing day. Kael feels the weight of it in his bones, as though the ocean itself is bracing for something terrible.

Taryn breaks the silence, his voice a low murmur. "I never thought I'd live to see it. The stories… I always thought they were exaggerations."

Taryn looks over at him, concern etched into his face. "You've been different lately, Kael. Since the chief's meeting. You're quieter. What's on your mind?"

Kael hesitates, unsure how to put his thoughts into words. "It's not just the Darkbound," he finally says. "It's everything. The Abyssian, the other creatures… how do we even stand a chance? We've been surviving on borrowed time, and now it feels like it's all running out."

Taryn places a hand on Kael's shoulder, grounding him. "We've survived this long because of people like you, Kael. You've brought us this far, and you'll help us make it through this."

Kael gives him a faint smile, though doubt still lingers. "I hope you're right."

They dive back beneath the waves, the cold of the water now sharper than ever, as if the ocean itself is warning them of what's to come. Below the surface, Kael feels the chill not only in his skin but deep within. The once vibrant reefs are quieter, the fish scarcer. Even the creatures they hunt seem uneasy, moving in erratic patterns, as if they, too, sense the change in the world around them.

Ten years have passed, and Kael is now thirty years old. Life in the village continues, though the weight of the Darkbound's looming presence remains ever-present. Kael has grown into a man of quiet strength, his reputation as a formidable hunter and protector well established. His parents, now elderly, watch him with pride, though his mother has begun nagging him about something else entirely.

It's a cool evening when Kael returns home from the day's hunt. The house is simple but comfortable, built near the cliffs overlooking the sea. His mother, Mira, sits by the fire, her hands busy weaving a new net, while his father, Eamon, rests on a mat, his back propped against the wall, eyes closed.

"You're late," his mother says, without looking up from her work. "You spend more time hunting. It's no wonder you haven't found a spouse yet."

Kael sighs and begins unstrapping his gear. "I don't have time for that, Mother. The Darkbound is coming, and we need every able-bodied hunter ready."

His father opens one eye and smirks. "Mira, leave the boy alone. He's doing more than enough for this village. We're not on our deathbeds yet."

Mira clicks her tongue, though there's a teasing glint in her eyes as she glances up at Kael. "You're thirty now, Kael. Thirty! When I was your age, I had two sons and a house full of noise. What do you have? Just your nets and that frown of yours."

Kael chuckles, setting down his spear by the door. "I've got enough noise around me, Mother. Between you, Father, and Korin, it's never quiet."

At that, a lanky figure appears from behind the doorway—his younger brother, Korin, now sixteen and already taller than Kael by a few inches. "I'm not that loud," Korin protests with a grin, slinging an arm around Kael's shoulders. "But she's right, you know. You should find someone before all the eligible women in the village are taken. I can't let you turn into a grumpy old man before your time."

Kael rolls his eyes, shrugging off his brother's arm. "I'll be fine, Korin. There's a little more on my mind than marriage."

Mira sets down her weaving and wipes her hands on her apron, standing up with a soft groan. Her age has started to show, her movements slower, her hair now streaked with silver, but the fire in her eyes remains the same. She walks over to Kael, placing a hand on his arm, her expression softening.

"Kael, I know you're worried about the Darkbound. We all are. But life doesn't stop just because danger is coming. The village has been through many trials, and we've survived because we live, not just exist. You deserve some happiness too, my son."

Kael sighs, his gaze shifting to the flickering fire in the hearth. He understands what his mother means, but it's hard to focus on anything but the growing threat that hangs over their heads. "I'll think about it, Mother. But right now, my focus has to be on keeping us safe."

Eamon chuckles from his spot by the wall, his voice rough with age. "Mira's just worried she won't get any grandchildren before she's too old to spoil them."

Mira shoots him a mock glare. "Oh, hush, Eamon. I'm not that old yet." She turns back to Kael, a smile tugging at her lips. "But it's true. I just want to see you happy, Kael. You've given so much to this village, to this family. You deserve something more than worry and hardship."

Korin, ever the optimist, chimes in with a laugh. "Maybe you'll meet someone while fighting off the Darkbound. Nothing like a shared life-threatening experience to spark romance!"

Kael shakes his head, amused despite himself. "Is that your plan, Korin? To charm someone while the world falls apart?"