AT THE WEEPING WILLOWS — DEEP FOREST
The deeper they moved, the harder it got to navigate the terrain. They were deeply exhausted but kept putting one foot in front of the other.
Emily's magic had long run out. She couldn't cast any major spells so they hoped that the forest would be kind to them.
Luminous leaned slightly on Emily as they walked, his body still aching from earlier.
Every step felt like he was being crushed by an immeasurable force.
"We're not going to get anywhere like this…" Emily muttered.
"We don't have much of a choice. We have to prioritize our safety above the kingdom's needs. " Luminous replied. "Though I suspect that the artifact has to be close."
They had been walking albeit slowly, they had still reached the deepest parts of the forest.
Yet it felt like they were at a graveyard. The stillness. The lack of wind in the air.
The deeper they went. The eerier the place felt.
The terrain wasn't friendly either. There was no clear path. The roots of various trees were so close to one another. Prompting the question 'How had the place survived when the nutrients were barely enough'
The place couldn't have been an illusion or could it?
"Hey Emily, do you think this forest is an illusion?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's just a theory but we both have no recollection of the past few hours right?"
"Right"
"And there's no way, creatures would leave us alone if they really existed you know, based on the descriptions you gave me"
Emily thought it over a little.
"Yeah, that sounds about right"
Luminous was happy his theory wasn't considered crazy.
That's when something shifted.
They paused.
"…Don't move."
There was another sound and it was closer this time.
Then something small darted past them.
Emily flinched. "What was that?"
"I don't know… but I don't like it."
There was more movement. Then pairs of glowing eyes began to appear in the shadows. Not one, two but a lot.
They were small creatures. Twisted creatures. Their bodies thin and sharp, like they were barely holding together, yet their movements were too fast for the eyes to catch.
"They're not Choralmoths…" Emily whispered.
"Yeah I realized but they're not friendly either."
One lunged.
Luminous barely reacted in time, pulling Emily back as the creature missed by inches.
The pain shot through him. He pushed it aside.
"Run," he said.
"What?"
"RUN."
They didn't wait. They couldn't afford to.
They turned and moved as fast as their weak,battered bodies would allow.
The creatures gave chase. They didn't attempt to attack all at once. The creatures settled for testing and frustrating the pair.
Luminous and Emily were already exhausted physically and mentally so this strategy was quite effective.
They jumped in and backed off. Cutting them off all paths then letting them go.
"…They're playing with us," Emily said, panic rising in her voice.
"No," Luminous said, breathing heavily.
"They're herding us."
Emily froze mid-step.
"…Where?"
Luminous looked on ahead through the trees, he noticed a faint glow and pointed.
"…There."
Another creature lunged. Luminous pushed Emily forward so she won't be harmed.
"Don't stop!"
They ran. Stumbled and caught themselves, barely keeping themselves from falling face first into the root filled floor.
One creature grazed Luminous's arm. He hissed in pain but didn't slow down.
Emily cast a weak gust spell behind them.
Not to fight but just to slow the creatures down. It worked… barely.
"They're still coming!"
"I know!"
They kept moving. Rushing through, branches scratching them. Panting for breath. The ground shifted unevenly beneath their feet.
Then, the trees parted. A cave entrance stood before them. And from within a light shown.
The creatures stopped. Just like that. They didn't follow. Neither did they attack. They just watched.
"…They won't come closer," Emily said, confused.
Luminous didn't respond. He was staring at the cave.
"…It's inside."
They stepped in.
INSIDE THE CAVE
The air felt different. It was slightly heavy yet calm.
At the center of the cave, a pedestal stood and above it, the artifact floated, pulsing with life. It felt almost alive.
"…We made it." Emily's voice softened.
Luminous stepped forward slowly.
Each step felt… strange. He felt like something was pulling him. Calling him.
"…Do you feel that?" Emily asked.
"…Yeah."
The light grew stronger. So much brighter like it was reacting to something but… what?
Emily stepped back slightly.
"Luminous… I think it's"
"It's calling me," he finished.
The artifact pulsed once. Twice and then it shot towards him before anyone could react.
"WAIT—!"
It was too late. The moment it touched him. The light swallowed everything.
IN THE VOID BETWEEN REALMS
Silence.
"…Not again." Luminous opened his eyes.
Emily was beside him.
"…Luminous? Where are we?"
"Somewhere I'm starting to hate."
Before they could process anything. A presence filled the space.
MEANWHILE — BETWEEN WORLDS
Badmiel walked calmly, hands behind his back. Frank followed beside him. Judging everything like he was in a court room.
"That one is lying."
Badmiel didn't even look.
"We just got here."
"And I'm already correct."
They stood in a drifting space filled with wandering souls.
Some were bright and some fading. Some were barely holding on.
"We're here to find candidates," Badmiel said. "Not expose every flaw."
"I'm not exposing flaws," Frank replied. "I'm stating the truth. If they can't handle it, they shouldn't exist."
"You do know these souls are still alive, just asleep right?" Badmiel asked, exhaling slowly.
"Yes"
"…You're exhausting."
Frank ignored him. Then he stopped.
"That one."
Although Badmiel didn't like his judgy attitude he still followed his gaze.
A weak soul. It was flickering.
"…That one?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Frank spoke plainly.
"He thinks he's useless."
Badmiel raised an eyebrow.
"That's not impressive."
"He also sacrificed his life for someone else."
Pause."…Continue."
"He regrets it. Not because he's about to die but because he thinks it wasn't enough."
Someone died.
No, a coma.
Silence.
Badmiel studied the soul.
"…A potential candidate."
Frank nodded.
"I don't miss."
Then Frank pointed again.
"That one is terrible."
Badmiel didn't argue this time
.
"Why?"
"He wants power to 'protect others.'"
"…And?"
"He wants control."
Badmiel sighed.
"…Of course."
They kept walking. Then Frank spoke again.
"…You feel it, don't you?"
Badmiel didn't answer immediately.
"…Yes."
"The light."
Badmiel's expression darkened slightly.
"I'm getting tired of them"
BACK TO THE VOID
The white space shimmered. The artifact floated before him once more.
It came closer once again and glowed brighter. It watched him and waited.
I have a bad feeling. Hold on. Emily grabbed onto him
Once again the artifact teleported them, although they were prepared.
They were terrified to think about where the artifact which clearly had a mission of its own would end up leaving them.