Kaden stumbled through the darkness, the shadows snipping at his heels. The star led him to a cliffside, waves crashing below. A narrow bridge spanned a chasm, swaying in the wind.
He hesitated. The bridge looked precarious, but he had no choice. He stepped onto the creaking planks, the void yelling beneath him.
Halfway across, a figure emerged from the shadows ahead—a hooded man, his eyes burning like embers.
"You're persistent," the man said, voice like gravel. "But you'll fail."
Kaden drew his sword, heart pounding. "Who are you?"
"The Serpent's servant," he replied, drawing a curved blade. "And you're a trespasser."
Their swords clashed on the swaying bridge. Kaden fought to stay balanced, but the servant was relentless. The bridge creaked, ropes snapping...
Kaden plummeted, the void rushing up. He grabbed a frayed rope, swinging wildly. The servant laughed, leaping off the bridge.
As Kaden swung toward the cliff, a hand caught his—Lara, her face bruised, fire in her eyes.
"Got you," she grunted, pulling him to safety.
The servant vanished into the night. Lara collapsed beside Kaden, breathing hard.
"We need to move," she said. "More shadows are coming."
Kaden stood, resolve hardening. "Where's the Heart's next piece?"
Lara smiled, handing him a small crystal shard. "You got it."
What happens next? 😊