The Rising Shadow E t h a n C a m p b E l l Cavern’s awake trilogy - Book II The Rising Shadow Ethan Campbell Ovi ebooks are available in Ovi/Ovi eBookshelves pages and they are for free. If somebody tries to sell you an Ovi book please contact us immediately. For details, contact: ovimagazine@yahoo.com No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of the writer or the above publisher of this book An Ovi eBooks Publication 2024 Ovi eBookPublications - All material is copyright of the Ovi eBooks Publications & the writer C The Rising Shadow The Rising Shadow Ethan Campbell Cavern’s awake trilogy - Book II Ethan Campbell An Ovi eBooks Publication 2024 Ovi eBookPublications - All material is copyright of the Ovi eBooks Publications & the writer C The Rising Shadow T he dense forest stretched endlessly before them, shadows dancing in the dappled sun- light. Chloe moved swiftly, her staff tapping against the ground with each step. Behind her, Calla struggled to keep up, the staff in her own hand feel- ing heavier with every passing moment. “How much farther?” Calla asked, panting. “Far enough,” Chloe replied without looking back. “The training grounds are sacred. We can’t afford to rush.” Calla groaned. “You say that as if we’re not being hunted by Kael and his death squad.” Chloe stopped abruptly, turning to face Calla with a sharp look. “And that’s why you need to be ready. Stop complaining and focus. The artefact you carry Ethan Campbell makes you a beacon, Calla. We have to stay ahead of them—and of its influence.” Calla’s fingers instinctively went to the pendant around her neck. The artefact’s black crystal pulsed faintly, as though it were alive. The whispers it had been feeding her since the last battle were faint now, but they lingered like a splinter in her mind. “Fine,” she muttered, trudging after Chloe. By midday, they arrived at a clearing encircled by towering oaks whose roots twisted like gnarled hands. At the center of the grove, a smooth, circular stone platform glistened faintly, etched with ancient runes that seemed to hum with latent power. “This is it,” Chloe said, stepping onto the platform. She planted her staff firmly into the stone, and the runes flared to life, casting the grove in an ethereal blue light. Calla hesitated at the edge. “It’s... beautiful.” “It’s alive,” Chloe corrected. “The magic here is old and strong. It will amplify your power—but it will also test your resolve.” Calla swallowed hard. “And if I fail?” The Rising Shadow “You won’t,” Chloe said simply, her tone leaving no room for doubt. She motioned for Calla to join her. “Control,” Chloe began, her voice steady, “is the foundation of magic. Without it, power is chaos.” Calla groaned. “I know, I know. Breathe, focus, vi- sualize. We’ve been over this a hundred times.” “And you still haven’t mastered it,” Chloe shot back. She extended her hand, summoning a small orb of light that hovered above her palm. “This is control.” Calla raised her own hands, trying to mimic Chloe’s movements. She felt the familiar spark of magic within her, but as always, it came too quickly, too violently. A fireball flared to life in her palm be- fore exploding outward, sending her stumbling back. Chloe caught the blast with a flick of her staff, dis- persing the flames. “You’re letting your emotions take over. Again.” “Maybe because I’m emotional!” Calla snapped, throwing up her hands. “Maybe because I’m tired of being hunted and tired of being told I’m not good enough!” The artefact pulsed at her throat, and the whis- Ethan Campbell pers grew louder. “She doubts you,” they hissed. “You don’t need her.” Calla clutched the pendant tightly, her breath com- ing in shallow gasps. “It’s... it’s happening again,” she said, her voice trembling. Chloe’s expression softened. “The artefact is feed- ing on your fear. You have to resist it, Calla. It’s trying to control you.” “But what if I can’t?” Calla whispered. Chloe stepped closer, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. “You can. And you will. Now, try again.” Before Calla could attempt another spell, the air in the grove grew heavy. The runes on the stone plat- form flared brighter, and a low, resonant hum filled the clearing. Chloe’s eyes narrowed. “The grove has sensed your doubt. It’s invoking the Trial.” “The what?” Calla asked, her voice rising. Before Chloe could answer, the ground beneath them trembled. The runes began to shift, forming a glowing sigil at the center of the platform. From the The Rising Shadow sigil, a figure emerged—a towering being of light and shadow, its form flickering like a flame. Calla stumbled backward. “What... what is that?” “The Guardian,” Chloe said grimly. “It will test your worth.” The Guardian raised a hand, and a bolt of searing energy shot toward Calla. She barely had time to re- act, throwing up her hands in a desperate attempt to shield herself. A barrier of fire sprang to life, but it was unstable, cracking under the force of the Guard- ian’s attack. “Focus, Calla!” Chloe shouted. “Control the flames!” “I’m trying!” Calla screamed, pouring everything she had into the barrier. The whispers in her mind grew louder, urging her to let go, to unleash her full power. “Release me,” they hissed. “I will protect you.” “No!” Calla shouted, her voice shaking. “I don’t need you!” With a surge of determination, she pushed back Ethan Campbell against the whispers, forcing the fire to stabilize. The barrier held, and the Guardian stepped back, its head tilting as though assessing her. The Guardian raised both hands, summoning a torrent of energy that swirled around it like a storm. Calla’s heart pounded as she realized the magnitude of its power. She glanced at Chloe, who stood ready with her staff, but the elder witch made no move to intervene. “This is your fight,” Chloe said. “Trust yourself.” Calla took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. She could feel the energy of the grove around her, pulsing in time with her heartbeat. She reached out, not with her hands but with her mind, drawing the energy into herself. The artefact around her neck flared brightly, its whispers turning into a deafening roar. But this time, Calla didn’t fight it alone. She anchored herself in the magic of the grove, channelling its ancient power to drown out the artefact’s influence. The flames in her hands grew brighter, steadier. She hurled a blast of fire at the Guardian, and it roared in response, its form flickering under the assault. The Rising Shadow “You’re doing it!” Chloe called, her voice filled with pride. Calla didn’t stop. She summoned a second blast, then a third, each one more precise than the last. The Guardian staggered, its light dimming. Finally, with a defiant cry, Calla unleashed a final surge of energy, striking the Guardian squarely in the chest. The Guardian let out a low, resonant sound, almost like a sigh, before dissolving into a shower of sparks. The runes on the platform dimmed, and the grove fell silent. Calla collapsed to her knees, her body trembling from the effort. Chloe rushed to her side, kneeling beside her. “You did it,” Chloe said, her voice soft. “You con- trolled it.” Calla looked up at her, tears streaming down her face. “I... I was so scared.” “And yet you stood your ground,” Chloe said, smil- ing. “That’s what makes a witch. Not the power, but the will to wield it responsibly.” Calla’s hand went to the artefact, which now hung Ethan Campbell silent and dim around her neck. “I felt it trying to take over. It was so strong.” “But you were stronger,” Chloe said firmly. “Re- member that.” As they left the grove, Calla felt a newfound con- fidence blossoming within her. The whispers of the artefact had not vanished entirely, but she knew now that she could resist them. For the first time, she be- lieved in herself—and in her ability to face whatever lay ahead. The Rising Shadow II. The city of Lumina lay sprawled before them, its gleaming spires and bustling markets masking the tension crackling in the air. Calla marvelled at the sight, her eyes darting to the floating lanterns that dotted the skyline like fireflies. “Don’t let the beauty fool you,” Chloe muttered, her voice low. “This city is a powder keg, and we’re carrying the match.” Calla adjusted the hood of her cloak, her fingers brushing the pendant beneath it. “Then why are we here?” Chloe glanced at her. “Because sometimes, to win a war, you have to make uneasy alliances.” Ethan Campbell Their contact was waiting at the Rusted Chain, a tavern tucked into a shadowy alley. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and murmured conversations. At a corner table sat a wiry young man with a shock of dark hair and eyes that darted around the room like a cornered animal. “You’re late,” he hissed as they approached. “We weren’t followed, Finn,” Chloe replied, sliding into the seat across from him. “That’s more import- ant than punctuality.” Finn’s gaze flickered to Calla. “And this is the ap- prentice?” Calla bristled. “Calla. And I’m right here.” Finn smirked. “Fiery. I like her.” Chloe leaned forward, her voice dropping. “Is the rebellion ready to meet?” Finn’s expression grew serious. “Follow me.” Finn led them through a maze of narrow streets and hidden passages, finally arriving at an aban- doned warehouse. Inside, a group of mages huddled around a table, their faces lit by the soft glow of a The Rising Shadow hovering orb. Maps and scrolls were scattered across the surface, and the air was thick with urgency. A tall, broad-shouldered man stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Chloe as they entered. “Chloe,” he said, his tone a mix of surprise and sus- picion. “It’s been a long time.” “Too long, Dain,” Chloe replied evenly. Calla glanced between them. “You know him?” Chloe’s lips tightened. “We have... history.” “Good history or bad?” Calla asked. “Focus,” Chloe snapped, ending the conversation. Dain’s gaze shifted to Calla. “And who’s this?” “My apprentice,” Chloe said curtly. Dain raised an eyebrow. “You? Taking an appren- tice? The world really must be ending.” “That’s why we’re here,” Chloe replied. “Kael is moving against Lumina. If the rebellion doesn’t unite, this city will fall.” Ethan Campbell Dain crossed his arms. “And what makes you think we want your help?” “The artefact,” Finn interjected, his eyes on Calla. “She has it, doesn’t she?” Calla instinctively clutched the pendant. “How do you know about that?” “Because it’s all anyone talks about,” Finn said. “The apprentice with the power to change everything.” “Or destroy everything,” Dain added grimly. Calla felt the weight of their stares and the artefact’s familiar whispers creeping into her mind. She looked at Chloe for support, but the elder witch remained silent, letting her stand on her own. “I’m here to help,” Calla said firmly. “Not to de- stroy.” Unbeknownst to them, Kael had already slipped into the city. Cloaked in shadows and false identi- ties, he moved with practiced ease, planting seeds of discord wherever he went. His first target was a disgruntled mage named Soren, whose loyalty to the rebellion was already fraying. The Rising Shadow “They don’t respect you, Soren,” Kael said, his voice a silky whisper in the dark. “They keep you on the sidelines, while others take the glory.” Soren’s fists clenched. “They’ll see. They’ll all see.” Kael smiled. “Indeed they will.” Back at the warehouse, Calla found herself drawn to Finn. He was nothing like Chloe—playful, reck- less, and brimming with confidence. “So,” Finn said, leaning against a crumbling wall. “What’s it like carrying the world’s most dangerous artefact?” Calla shrugged. “Heavy.” Finn laughed. “Fair enough. But seriously, why you?” “I don’t know,” Calla admitted. “I didn’t ask for this.” “None of us did,” Finn said, his tone softening. “But here we are.” Their conversation was interrupted by shouting from the main room. Rushing back, they found Dain and Soren in a heated argument. Ethan Campbell “You’re putting us all at risk!” Soren shouted. “And you’re letting fear control you!” Dain shot back. Before Chloe could intervene, the warehouse doors burst open, and a wave of black-cloaked sol- diers poured in. “Ambush!” Chloe shouted, raising her staff. Chaos erupted as spells and weapons clashed. Cal- la barely had time to react before a soldier lunged at her. She raised her hands instinctively, and a burst of fire sent him flying. “Nice shot!” Finn called, sending a blast of wind to knock another soldier off his feet. Calla’s heart raced as she dodged and countered, her magic more instinctive than controlled. Across the room, she saw Chloe locked in combat with Kael, their powers colliding in a dazzling display of light and shadow. “You should have stayed hidden, Chloe,” Kael snarled. “And let you destroy everything?” Chloe retorted, The Rising Shadow slamming her staff into the ground. A shockwave of energy rippled outward, scattering the soldiers. Despite their efforts, the rebellion suffered heavy losses. As the last soldier fell, the survivors gathered, their faces grim. “They knew where we were,” Dain said, his voice laced with anger. “Someone betrayed us.” All eyes turned to Soren, who stood frozen in place. “I... I didn’t mean...” Dain silenced him with a glare. “We’ll deal with him later.” Calla sank to the floor, her body trembling. The pendant around her neck felt heavier than ever, its whispers louder. “We can’t stay here,” Chloe said, helping her to her feet. “Kael won’t stop until he has the artefact.” Dain nodded reluctantly. “We’ll regroup. But this changes everything.” As they prepared to leave, Calla caught Finn’s gaze. “You’re coming with us, right?” Ethan Campbell “Of course,” Finn said with a grin. “Can’t let you have all the fun.” But as they left the ruins of the rebellion’s refuge, Calla couldn’t shake the feeling that their enemies were always one step ahead—and that the artefact’s whispers were growing harder to ignore.