Jinn BLADE
Chapter 53 | Looming Shadows

Chapter 53: Chapter 53 | Looming Shadows

Giant trees towered over the area, their thick branches weaving together to block out most of the sunlight.

Still, A faint glow slipped through the within the gaps of the trees, but it wasn’t enough to chase away the feeling of being watched as the shadows stretched across the ground, cold and ominous.

Jinn glanced left and right. The forest around them grew darker with each step, as if the shadows were crawling closer. The horizon was barely visible now, swallowed by a wall of trees and creeping mist everywhere.

Every sound, the rustling leaves, the soft crunch of their boots—felt louder in the silence of the environment.

Biyo, carrying a heavy pack of supplies they had been given before going through the portal, moved ahead of the group. He walked up to one of the trees and pressed his hand against the bark, pausing for a moment before scanning the area with careful eyes.

"We shouldn’t waste any more time," Biyo said, turning back to the others. "We need to find a place to make camp before it gets any darker."

Garan, the Drakkar, growled low in his throat and stepped forward toward one of the trees. "I’ll travel atop the trees," he said,

*Crack!

his claws digging into the wooden trunk of a massive tree.

With a powerful leap, he launched himself upward, landing on a thick branch with ease.

"I’ll scout ahead, while you meats find a camp. I’ve memorized your scents," he snarled before leaping again, moving quickly from branch to branch, disappearing into the canopy above.

"Off he goes!" Verkaryon said, raising a hand to his brow as he watched Garan vanish deeper into the trees.

"Let’s get moving. Time is of the essence," Jinn said, glancing toward Biyo with a firm nod. "You seem to know what you’re doing, Biyo. You take the lead."

Biyo gave a quiet nod in return and started walking in a direction that seemed as good as any, his eyes scanning the land for a spot wide and flat enough to serve as a secure camp.

*snap! *snap! *rustle!

Their footsteps echoed faintly through the ground. Twigs snapped under their boots, and leaves rustled with every step. The other children moved cautiously, eyes flicking left and right, alert for any signs of danger in the thick woods.

They walked for a while in silence, as the air was heavy with tension. Then, they began to feel faint tremors under their feet—small, spaced-out rumbles. Not constant, but steady.

Thuds, like something massive was walking somewhere nearby.

"Halt!" said Biyo holding a hand, prompting the others to duck in reponse.

A sudden scrape broke the silence, making everyone turn their heads sharply.

It was Garan.

*SCRAPE!

His claws scratched along the bark as he slid down the trunk of a tree, landing heavily on the ground a few steps away from the group.

His eyes were narrowed, his tone serious.

"Giant meat nearby. Shall we hunt it?"

"Woodland giants?" Biyo asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked off for a moment before adding, "It’s been a while since I’ve faced a giant."

He paused, glancing at Jinn and the others, as if weighing the group’s strength. Then he shook his head slightly—remembering what was important.

"Wasting energy now would be foolish. What we need most is a proper camp before night falls—and we need it fast."

Garan growled under his breath. "Bah! Weaklings," he spat, though he didn’t argue any further.

Then he stopped, sniffed the air, and froze for a moment.

"Wait... there’s another smell," he said slowly, focusing on the scent as he closed his eyes. "It’s not from the giant. It’s something else—something strange."

Garan’s eyes suddenly widened in realization. His ears twitched, and his nose flared as he caught the full scent of what was coming. Without wasting a second, he turned toward the group with a serious, commanding look.

"Follow me, meats—if you want to live, run!" he shouted, then burst forward with incredible speed, his large form weaving between the trees as he headed east.

"Run!" Biyo yelled right after him, his voice sharp and clear as he shouted to the rest of the group.

He tightened the straps of his pack and pushed off the ground, racing after Garan.

"Tch!" Jinn clicked his tongue in frustration, already breaking into a sprint. He shot a quick look back at the others.

"Use your eidra—and follow us!" he shouted, voice cutting through the panic.

"You heard him!" Verkaryon added, cracking a grin even in the chaos, before dashing after Jinn with light steps and quick feet.

Without hesitation, the rest of the group sprang into action.

Fear mixed with focus as they called on the power inside them. One by one, their bodies grew lighter as the eidra surged within them, the very eidra that they have honed through grueling training.

*Thud! *Rustle! *Thud!

"From within... from within..." Kain muttered under his breath. His hands were clenched, his breath short. He pushed the energy into his legs, and the weight of fear in his chest grew lighter.

Each stride grew longer, smoother. The pain that usually followed hard running came slower than usual, dulled by the energy flowing through him.

Hector meanwhile ran just beside him. His eyes stayed locked forward, but the wrapped object at his hip—hidden under thick cloth—started to glow.

A soft green light pulsed from beneath the wrappings, pushing through the fabric like it refused to stay hidden. He didn’t touch it, but his hand hovered near it.

Just In Case.

Verhedyn, meanwhile, showed no signs of struggle. His face was calm yet slightly anxious as he ran at a steady pace.

He had been chased through worse by his mentor, forced to run until he couldn’t breathe. Now, that training showed. Cold, sharp energy flowed through him, keeping his legs strong and his thoughts clear.

His eidra pulsed in time with his heartbeat, clean, focused, and cold.

Orin, Ophelia, and Vox followed just behind them. Each used their eidra differently, shaped by their own experiences and teachings. Orin’s breath came fast but controlled, her body moving with surprising grace.

Ophelia’s eyes darted through the trees ahead, her steps careful yet quick, avoiding every root and stone. Vox stayed quiet, his movements efficient and smooth, conserving every bit of energy he had.

*Thud! *Rustle! *Thud!

Branches whipped past them. Leaves flew in their wake. The forest grew darker with each step, but they didn’t stop. Whatever Garan had sensed, it was close—and it was enough to make even a Drakkar run.

As the group ran, Jinn felt the ground trembling beside them.

*RUMBLING...!

The rumbling grew louder...

*SCREECH!!!

then came the screeches.

High-pitched, twisted sounds tore through the air, echoing through the trees and shaking the leaves overhead.

From the shadows, a creature burst forth, leaping toward the group with terrifying speed. Its body was long and thin, its limbs stretched unnaturally. Spindly arms clawed through the air, and its mouth—wide and round—was packed with rows upon rows of razor-sharp fangs that spiraled inward like a tunnel of teeth.

*SCREECH!!!

It screeched again, loud enough to rattle the bones.

"Watch out!" exclaimed Ophelia, pointing at the beast.

"I got it." said Jinn.

Jinn reacted in an instant. His blade was out in one smooth motion. He jumped high into the air, his body twisting mid-flight as he slashed in a wide arc.

*SLASH!!! *SPLURT!

A sickening spray of dark blood splattered across the trees and ground as the beast was torn apart.

Jinn landed hard but steady, barely breaking his stride as he dashed forward once again.

But that one creature had only been the start.

From the side, from the trees and from behind—the shadows moved. A horde of beasts rushed toward them, dozens of shapes sprinting with clawed limbs and glowing eyes.

These must be the beasts Biyo mentioned, Jinn thought, his breathing steady despite the growing danger. He slowed his pace just enough to fall back beside Ophelia, Orin, and Vox, keeping them close within reach.

"I’ll guard the rear!" he shouted, gripping Fangeryth tighter as he shifted to the back of the group.

"Alright!" Ophelia called back, not slowing down as she ran ahead with the others.

The forest of Gravemarch had turned into a nightmare, its dark paths now a hunting ground. The fight for survival had begun, and the horde was gaining ground—screeching, snarling, crashing through the land as they chased the group deeper into the woods.