The Shadow Order Book 3

Chapter 5: The Gorilla's Lair

Kael and Seraphina set off first thing in the morning, the early light filtering through the thick canopy above as they made their way deeper into the forest. The bond they had forged the previous night weighed heavily on Kael's mind, but he knew he couldn't reveal everything to her just yet. The fact that he possessed a darkness affinity, the Eyes of the Abyss, and had already formed a secret organization were secrets he kept close. He sensed that Seraphina was also holding back, and the mystery of why his Eyes of the Abyss didn't work on her was something he couldn't ignore.

As they trekked through the forest, the dense foliage around them was almost suffocating, with tall trees that seemed to reach endlessly into the sky. The air was thick with humidity, making each breath feel heavy, and the undergrowth was dense, with ferns and bushes growing in wild abundance. The forest floor was a tangle of roots and fallen leaves, making their path uneven and treacherous. Despite the challenging terrain, the duo moved with purpose, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.

Eventually, they arrived at a clearing in the forest. The space was large, the ground littered with broken branches and trampled vegetation, as if a massive creature had been here recently. The trees surrounding the clearing were bent and splintered, their bark scarred with deep gouges. Large boulders were scattered across the area, some piled high in what looked like makeshift shelters, creating an environment that resembled a gorilla's habitat.

Their suspicions were confirmed when they stumbled across a giant gorilla, its massive form moving silently through the clearing. The creature was immense, with thick, black fur covering its powerful body. Its muscles bulged with every step, and its chest heaved with slow, deliberate breaths. The gorilla's eyes were small but sharp, scanning the surroundings with an intelligence that was almost unsettling. Its hands were the size of tree trunks, ending in long, sharp claws that could easily tear through flesh and bone. The most striking feature, however, was the glowing key embedded in its forehead, pulsing with a soft blue light as it wandered the forest.

Seraphina, eyes fixed on the gorilla, asked Kael, "What's the plan to get that key?"

Kael considered their options. "You can take it head-on, and I'll provide ranged support."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you fight on the front line? You're skilled with a sword."

Kael shrugged, a small smile on his lips. "Because I've got you. You're clearly more skilled with the sword than I am. Your magic is also more suited for close-range combat, while I'm more versatile. The most efficient method is to have both ranged and close-range support."

Seraphina pouted slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "That's a little boring. Sometimes it's more fun to just charge in and see what happens."

Kael chuckled. "Sometimes it pays to strategize."

Seraphina smirked and lightly smacked Kael's shoulder. "Come on! We can totally take that gorilla."

Kael hesitated. "Erm, well... I suppose..."

"That's the spirit!" Seraphina said with a grin. "You go and attack the gorilla first."

Kael blinked in surprise. "What?"

Before he could protest, Seraphina kicked him out of the bush, sending him stumbling into the clearing, fully exposed to the gorilla.

"Hey, Seraphina!" Kael called out, but it was too late—the commotion had already drawn the gorilla's attention.

The massive beast turned slowly, its eyes narrowing as it focused on Kael. It growled, the sound deep and rumbling, vibrating through the ground beneath Kael's feet. The gorilla's lips peeled back, revealing sharp, yellowed teeth as it fixed its gaze on him, its breath coming out in harsh, snorting huffs.