“You know, I’ve always loved bridges,” Finn said with a wry grin, staring at the narrow, crumbling structure that stretched precariously over the abyss before them. His humor, as usual, was his defense mechanism, but his eyes betrayed his unease.
“Is that so?” Lysandra shot him a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow. “Because this doesn’t exactly look like the kind of bridge you’d take a nice stroll on.”
Finn sighed, looking down into the dark void below. The swirling mist made it impossible to see the bottom, if there even was one. “Yeah, well, maybe ‘love’ is a strong word. But I can’t say I’m a fan of bridges that look like they were built by someone with a death wish.”
Alaric stepped forward, his eyes scanning the bridge with careful precision. “This isn’t just any bridge,” he said quietly. “It’s the Bridge of Shadows. It was designed to test those who dare cross it, to prey on their fears and insecurities.”
Maelis crossed her arms, her expression stern. “Wonderful. Because we haven’t had enough tests already.”
“The shadows feed on fear,” Alaric continued. “Hesitation, doubt—anything that weakens your resolve. If you hesitate, if you falter, the shadows will claim you.”
“So, no pressure then,” Finn muttered, though his usual bravado was starting to crack.
Lysandra’s gaze softened as she placed a hand on Finn’s arm. “Hey, we’ve faced worse. We’ll get through this, together.”
He looked at her, his grin faltering for just a moment as her touch grounded him. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Together.”
Maelis stepped to the edge of the bridge, staring down at the swirling shadows below. “It’s not just the bridge we need to worry about. There’s something… down there. I can feel it. It’s waiting.”
“Then we don’t give it the satisfaction,” Alaric said, his voice filled with quiet determination. “We cross, and we don’t look back.”
Finn looked at the bridge again, then back at the group. “So, what’s the plan? Just… walk?”
Alaric nodded. “One step at a time. Don’t look down. Don’t let fear take hold. We’ll go together, but once we’re on that bridge, you need to trust in yourself—and in the light.”
There was a moment of silence as they all stared at the narrow path ahead. The bridge seemed impossibly fragile, as if a single misstep could send it crumbling into the abyss below. But they didn’t have a choice. The path forward was clear.
“Well,” Finn said with a deep breath, “here goes nothing.”
Alaric went first, his steps sure and steady as he placed his foot on the ancient stone. The bridge creaked beneath his weight, but it held. He kept his eyes forward, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword as if the blade could offer him some sense of security.
The others followed, Lysandra walking just behind Alaric, with Maelis and Finn bringing up the rear. The air around them grew colder as they moved farther onto the bridge, the shadows below shifting and twisting like living things, their presence growing stronger with each step.
“Don’t look down,” Alaric reminded them, his voice calm but firm. “Keep your eyes on the light ahead.”
Finn chuckled nervously. “You know, that’s a lot easier said than done.”
Lysandra glanced over her shoulder at him, her eyes filled with both affection and concern. “You’ve got this, Finn. Just keep moving. One step at a time.”
He flashed her a weak smile, but his grip on his dagger tightened as he took another careful step forward. The shadows below seemed to stir, as if sensing his unease. The bridge creaked again, the sound echoing in the vast emptiness.
As they neared the halfway point, the shadows began to rise, swirling around the edges of the bridge like dark tendrils. Maelis was the first to notice. “Alaric, the shadows are moving.”
“I see them,” Alaric replied, his voice tense. “Keep moving. Don’t stop.”
But the shadows had other plans. They twisted and stretched, forming into vague shapes—creatures made of darkness, their glowing eyes fixed on the group. They hovered just at the edge of the bridge, watching, waiting.
Finn’s heart pounded in his chest as one of the shadow creatures drifted closer, its presence sending a chill down his spine. He could feel its eyes on him, its gaze piercing through his defenses.
“Uh, guys,” Finn whispered, his voice shaky. “I think they’re hungry.”
“They feed on fear,” Alaric said, not taking his eyes off the path ahead. “Don’t let them see your fear.”
“That’s easier said than done when they’re practically breathing down my neck,” Finn muttered under his breath.
Just as they reached the far side of the bridge, one of the shadow creatures lunged at Finn, its dark form wrapping around his leg like a coil of smoke. He gasped, his foot slipping on the stone as he was pulled toward the edge.
“Finn!” Lysandra shouted, her voice filled with panic as she reached out for him.
Finn’s fingers scrambled for purchase on the slick stone, his heart racing as the creature pulled harder, dragging him toward the abyss below. The edge of the bridge crumbled beneath his weight, sending small rocks tumbling into the void.
“Don’t look down!” Alaric’s voice rang out, filled with urgency. “Keep your eyes on the light ahead, and don’t let go!”
Lysandra dropped to her knees, grabbing Finn’s arm with both hands as the shadows tried to pull him away. “I’ve got you!” she cried, her grip tightening as she pulled with all her strength.
Finn’s breath came in ragged gasps as he clung to the stone, his mind racing. The shadow creature hissed in his ear, its voice a low whisper of despair. “You will fall. You are weak. You don’t belong here.”
But Lysandra’s voice broke through the fog of fear, her words filled with determination. “Don’t listen to it, Finn! You’re stronger than this. We’re not leaving you behind.”
With a final, desperate effort, Finn kicked at the shadow, his foot connecting with the dark tendrils that had wrapped around him. The creature hissed in fury, its grip loosening just enough for Lysandra to pull him back onto solid ground. They collapsed together, gasping for breath, the shadows swirling angrily around them but unable to reach them.
“Finn…” Lysandra’s voice was shaky but filled with relief as she looked at him. “Are you okay?”
He looked up at her, his usual grin returning, though it was weaker than before. “You saved me… again. Maybe I should stop trying to get myself killed so you don’t have to keep pulling me out of trouble.”
Lysandra’s lips quirked into a smile, though there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes—something she wasn’t quite ready to say. “Just… try to be a little more careful next time, okay?”
“Deal,” Finn replied, his grin softening as he met her gaze.
Alaric stepped forward, his expression a mixture of concern and relief. “We’re almost there. Can you stand?”
Finn nodded, though his legs still felt shaky. “Yeah. Just… give me a second.”
Maelis, who had been keeping a sharp eye on the shadows, spoke up, her tone grim. “The creatures aren’t backing off. We need to move before they make another attempt.”
Alaric helped Finn to his feet, and the group quickly made their way to the far side of the bridge, the shadow creatures hovering just at the edges of their vision, as if waiting for another opportunity to strike.
But as they reached solid ground, the shadows began to recede, melting back into the darkness below. he group stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath, the weight of the near-disaster settling in.
Finn looked at the others, his usual humor returning. “Well, that was fun. Let’s never do that again.”
Lysandra chuckled softly, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary before turning back to the path ahead. “Agreed.”
Alaric took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the crumbling bridge behind them. “We made it through, but the trials aren’t over. We need to stay focused.”
Maelis nodded, her expression serious. “The shadows aren’t done with us yet. And neither is this place.”