Destiny written in the Stars

The sun cast a beam of light across Aiden's eyes, in a way it served as his personal alarm except it doesn't omit any sound, rather it's never quenching brightness and heat compensate for the lack of noise. It's been three day's since they set out for Frostholm, the trio were resilient in their quest to unravel the secrets behind the Shadowbane as well as the Lightbringer. Other than their common goal and shared purpose, they could also agree upon one other thing. They were running out of money.

"When are we gonna reach the next village? it's been three days already" Aiden expressed. Selene had mostly been quiet, it was hard to tell whether this was a result of her most recent tragedies or the new information they had received from Thane. Nonetheless, everyone was in turmoil over the challenges that lay ahead of them.

"Quit whining Aiden, we're only a few miles out. In the meantime why not check up on Selene?" Isadora responded.

Aiden glanced over Selene, she was sitted at the corner of the cart, her head lowered down and arms wrapped around herself. She hadn't said a single word in a while, that naturally instigated curiosity into Aiden and fueled his motivation to find out what was wrong. He slowly approached her.

"Selene? are you okay? He asked. No response emanated from Selene, she remained still and quiet, almost as though she wasn't alive or at least not conscious at all. Aiden proceeded to put his hand on her shoulder in order to wake her up. Just as his fingers touched her, he felt a sensation he recognised. He felt a wave of an external energy pulling him into a dream like space, he recalled he felt the same sensation when brought into Thane's space.

"Again? this really needs to stop happening" Aiden reluctantly exclaimed while he looked around. This space was different from Thane's. It wasn't pure white and appeared to be endless, no...he was inside Selene's dream.

''what is happening?'' Aiden thought out loud. Selene appeared to be unaware of his presence. Aiden watched in awe as he observed the dream Selene was trapped in. Nothing could have prepared him for the revelation he was about to witness. He was trapped within the aura of his own fear and disbelief. He watched before him as the Shadowbane tore apart his friends and everyone he considered an ally. One by one they all fell until he was the only thing left against the shadowbane. They engaged in an eternal battle. As the outcome of the battle was about to be concluded, the dreamscape came to an end and both Aiden and Selene were pulled out. As they both regained consciousness, Aiden pulled Selene closer and kept his voice under his breath.

''What was that Selene?''

''I...I do not know. I think was a premonition"

''That is not possible Selene. Are you saying we lose the fight against the shadwobane? that everything we have done up until this point was all for nothing?'' Aiden in a frustrated yet low tone. He had no intentions of informing Isadora of what he had just witnessed until he had more information.

''I am not sure what that was either but either ways, we need to ensure it never happens'' Selene responded. Her voice shrieked with fear and discomfort. She was finally aware of what they were really up against, and despite everything they had been through already, she truly believed for the first time ever that they did not stand a chance.

''Is everything okay back there?'' Isadora asked

''Yeah, everything is fine Isadora'' they said in unison

''Alright then because we are here''

''And where would here be exactly'' Selene asked

Isadora chuckled, as though satisfied and proud by Selenes question and what she had to say next. ''We are in the village of Westpire. This place holds so many memories''

Isadora seems to love this place a lot, that is all the more reason why I cannot tell her about Selenes dream. Aiden recalls to himself while lost in thought. He recalled that the Shadowbane had a physical body when he clashed with it. Does this mean the Shadowbane also needs a host? does it already have one? and if it does, where is he or she now. These questions went through Aidens mind. It seemed as though new struggles arose when everything was starting to make sense and it was anything if not frustrating. Aidens strain of thoughts were interrupted by Isadora's commanding voice.

''We are at the local inn. You guy's take our things in while i go find us a job'' Isadora commanded while making her way to the main tarven.

''So we are not going to say anything to her? what if she knows something''

''There's nothing more she can do. You saw the premonition too, I'm the one who stands against the shadowbane at the end. I am the one who needs to do this'' Aiden declared. The premonition had awakened a new form of fear and determination in his heart. The fear of everyone he loves dying and the determination that came with knowing he was the only one who stood against the end of the world. The way he was now, he could never hope to win that battle and he was aware of it. Despite this realization, he could not help but feel a wave of rush and excitement. A was the other half of the duality that created the most powerful force in existence.

''Do you think you can win?'' Selene asked

''It's hard to say for now but...I'd probably win''

The room the grew silent for what felt like hours. Tension building between them as they thought of the possibility of the dream.

Selene broke the silence, her voice trembling, "Aiden, we can't keep this from Isadora for long. She deserves to know what we saw."

Aiden hesitated, running his fingers through his tousled hair, the weight of their destiny pressing upon him. "I know, Selene, but not here. We need more information before we burden her with this. If there's a chance we can change our fate, we must take it."

Selene nodded reluctantly, understanding the gravity of their situation. "I just hope we find answers soon."

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. A messenger from the tavern had brought them a note. Aiden unfolded it and read aloud, "Meet me at the old oak tree on the outskirts of the village at sunset. There are things you need to know. - Thane."

Aiden exchanged a glance with Selene, and they shared a silent agreement to attend the meeting. Thane had been a source of cryptic guidance thus far, and they had no better leads. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the village, Aiden and Selene made their way to the designated meeting place.

Under the ancient oak tree, Thane appeared, his hood concealing most of his face. "You've seen the future, haven't you?" he asked, his voice a low whisper in the gathering darkness.

Aiden and Selene exchanged a glance, then nodded solemnly.

Thane continued, "What you saw is a possible outcome, not a certainty. The Shadowbane's true power lies in manipulating fear and despair. It wants you to believe that the end is inevitable."

Aiden clenched his fists, a surge of energy burning in his eyes. "So, what can we do?"

Back at the inn, Isadora had secured a job for the group as guards for a Rich politician who's life was being targeted by a mysterious group. She didn't know anything about the group or what they wanted but they needed money...that's all that matters.

"So what time does this job start and how much does it pay?" Isadora asked the hirer.

"I can't give you the details of your payment apart from the fact that you'll be paid well. As for when to start? you can begin anytime. Just make your way to his mansion and introduce yourselves"

"That works fine for me" Isadora pronounced. She made her way back to the Inn to inform Aiden and Isadora about the job offer. As she approached the Inn she could sense something was wrong but could not pinpoint it. She barged into the room and noticed they were both gone alongside some provisions and their weapons.

''Where are they? something does not feel right'' she thought to herself. Her heart rate starting to run rampant. She could not understand why she was so tense over their sudden vanishing, she had honed her senses to remain calm in tense situations. She made her way outside and encountered and unfamiliar presence. At that moment it was clear why she was so uneasy, the aura of the presence before her was unlike any she had encountered before. Her defensive instincts kicked in and she immediately held her to her sword.

"Who are you" She asked. Her voice more serious than it had ever been.

"My name is Zenith. You must be an Eternal Wonder, I must say I'm not very impressed "

She pauses for a moment and continues. "anyways, I'm not here for you"

"Then why are you here?" Isadora asks with a faint smile on her face

"I'm here to kill the host of the Lightbringer"