Ascension of the Eternal Game-Chapter 8: Shadows of Doubt

The forest loomed around them, ancient and unyielding. Massive trees stretched toward the sky, their trunks so wide that Alex imagined it would take half a dozen people linking hands to encircle one. The air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth and moss, and every step they took seemed to echo softly through the underbrush. Above, the canopy was so thick that only slivers of sunlight pierced through, casting the path in a perpetual twilight.

Alex walked beside Lyra, his boots crunching on fallen leaves, while Kael led the way, his steps silent and sure. The scout's presence still felt like an enigma—his motives unclear, his past a mystery. Alex glanced at Lyra, who seemed focused on the path ahead, her hand resting near her sword hilt. He wondered if she shared his unease about their new companion.

As they ventured deeper, a faint whispering began to weave through the air. It was like voices carried on the wind, indistinct but persistent. Alex strained to catch words, but the sounds slipped away, elusive as smoke.

"The Whispering Woods," Lyra said, her voice low. "They say the trees here hold the memories of those who've passed through. Some believe it's the voices of lost souls, trapped between worlds."

A shiver crawled down Alex's spine. "Charming. Any truth to it?"

Lyra shrugged, her expression guarded. "Who knows? Eryndor's full of legends. Best not to linger and find out."

They pressed on, the whispers growing louder, more insistent. Alex felt a strange pull, as if the voices were calling to him specifically. He shook his head, trying to focus on the path, but the sensation only deepened.

Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a small clearing bathed in an ethereal glow. At its center stood a shimmering portal, its edges rippling like water disturbed by a stone. Colors swirled within—blues, greens, and flashes of silver. Alex's breath caught. It was beautiful, mesmerizing.

Kael halted abruptly, his body tensing. "Stay back," he warned, his voice sharp. "That's a Memory Portal."

Alex's curiosity flared. "A what?"

"Memory Portals," Kael explained, his eyes fixed on the swirling gateway. "They're rare, unpredictable. They tap into your mind, show you things—memories, dreams, fears. But they can trap you, make you lose yourself in your own head."

Despite the warning, Alex felt an inexplicable draw toward the portal. It was as if it were whispering his name, promising answers, solace. Before he could stop himself, he took a step forward.

"Alex, don't!" Lyra's hand shot out, grabbing his arm.

But it was too late. Images flooded his vision—his old neighborhood on Earth, the cracked sidewalks and flickering streetlights; his foster home, with its peeling paint and the smell of stale coffee; Mikey, laughing as they played video games late into the night. The scenes were vivid, tangible, pulling him in.

A wave of longing crashed over him, so intense it nearly brought him to his knees. He missed Earth, missed the simplicity of his old life, even with its hardships. Here in Eryndor, everything was heightened—danger, magic, the weight of responsibility. For a moment, he wanted nothing more than to step through the portal, to go back.

"Alex!" Lyra's voice sliced through the haze, urgent and fierce. She yanked him back, her grip like iron.

He stumbled, the visions shattering like glass. The portal's glow dimmed, the whispers fading to a murmur. Alex blinked, disoriented, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What... what happened?" he muttered, rubbing his temples.

"You almost walked right into it," Lyra said, her eyes wide with concern. "I told you, those things are dangerous."

Kael watched them, his expression unreadable. "You okay?"

Alex nodded, though his mind still reeled. "Yeah, I think so. It showed me... home."

Lyra's grip on his arm softened, but she didn't let go. "It's not real, Alex. Whatever you saw, it's just a memory. You're here now, with us."

He took a deep breath, grounding himself in the present. The forest, the path, Lyra's steady presence. "Right. Thanks for pulling me back."

She offered a small smile. "That's what partners are for."

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

They moved away from the clearing, putting distance between themselves and the portal. But the experience clung to Alex, stirring doubts he'd tried to bury. Was he really cut out for this world? Could he find Mikey and help Lyra defeat the Shadow Wyrm, or was he just fooling himself?

As they walked, Lyra fell into step beside him. "You want to talk about it?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "It's just... seeing Earth again, even if it was an illusion, made me realize how much I miss it. I'm not sure if I belong here, you know? Maybe I'm not strong enough for what's ahead."

Lyra was quiet for a moment, her gaze fixed on the path. "I get it. When I first came to Eryndor, I was terrified. My village was gone, my family dead, and I was alone in a world that didn't make sense. But I learned that strength isn't something you're born with—it's something you build, day by day, fight by fight."

Alex looked at her, admiration swelling in his chest. "You're one of the strongest people I've ever met."

She chuckled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I don't always feel that way. But I keep going because I have to. And you're stronger than you think, Alex. You've already proven that."

Her words warmed him, easing some of the doubt. "Thanks, Lyra. I needed to hear that."

Kael, who had been walking ahead, glanced back at them, his expression thoughtful. "You two are quite the pair," he said, a note of something—envy, perhaps—in his voice.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Kael shrugged. "Just that you trust each other. That's rare in Eryndor. Most players are out for themselves, especially with the stakes so high."

Lyra's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what about you, Kael? Can we trust you?"

Kael's smile was enigmatic. "That's for you to decide. But I will say this—I have my reasons for helping you, and they align with your goals. For now, at least."

His answer was evasive, but Alex sensed there was more to Kael than he let on. Still, they needed his guidance to Eldergrove, so he let it slide.

As the day wore on, they encountered a group of travelers heading in the opposite direction. The travelers were wary, their clothes tattered and their faces gaunt. One of them, an older man with a grizzled beard, approached them.

"Turn back if you can," he warned, his voice hoarse. "The road to Eldergrove is crawling with monsters. Shadow creatures, twisted things. And there are whispers of the Shadow Wyrm itself stirring in the north."

Lyra stepped forward, her hand on her sword. "What have you seen?"

The man shuddered. "We saw a village... or what was left of it. Burned to the ground, claw marks gouged into the earth. And the shadows—they moved like they were alive."

Alex's stomach clenched. The Shadow Wyrm's influence was spreading, and they were walking right into its path.

"Thank you for the warning," Kael said, his tone grave. "We'll be careful."

The travelers hurried away, casting nervous glances over their shoulders. Alex, Lyra, and Kael exchanged looks, the weight of the man's words settling over them.

"We need to reach Eldergrove as soon as possible," Lyra said, her jaw set. "Mikey might be in danger, and we can't let the Shadow Wyrm grow any stronger."

Alex nodded, determination hardening within him. "Let's pick up the pace."

They continued their journey, the forest growing darker as evening approached. By the time they set up camp, the sky was a deep indigo, stars beginning to prick through the canopy above. They ate a simple meal of dried meat and bread, the fire crackling softly between them.

As they prepared to sleep, Alex volunteered for the first watch. Lyra and Kael settled into their bedrolls, and soon their breathing evened out. Alex sat with his back against a tree, his sword across his lap, listening to the night sounds.

Hours passed, the forest alive with chirps and rustles. Then, a faint noise caught his attention—a twig snapping, too deliberate to be an animal. He tensed, peering into the darkness.

A shadowy figure stood at the edge of the camp, barely visible against the trees. Alex's heart raced. He reached for his sword, but before he could call out, the figure melted back into the shadows, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

Alex sat frozen, his mind racing. Was it a scout? A bandit? Or something worse?

He didn't wake the others, not wanting to alarm them without cause. But as he kept watch through the night, his eyes scanning the darkness, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being hunted.