The winged creatures heralded the advent of a new calamitous day, but for now, our protagonist remained in the sweet embrace of sleep. So, let's focus on another character for now.
—My name is Irwing, and I am a beast tamer. I come from the Eirelia Forest, and my mission is to subdue and tame a fearsome abyssal plant-type creature called the "Luminous Plantabism." This beast dwells only in the brightest regions of the abyss, making it an extreme rarity. It boasts a formidable power of six stars, with outstanding defense, vitality, and magical abilities. But I cannot afford to give up halfway. If I can't find and tame it, the consequences for our forest would be devastating—whispered the young elf Irwing to himself as he reflected. He was an elf of unparalleled beauty, with long emerald-blond hair, dressed in a green linen tunic, reinforced leather boots, gloves of the same material, and a belt loaded with useful tools like knives, ropes, and potions. He didn't forget his green cape and the mystical necklaces that carried his heritage and commitment.
Suddenly, a resounding noise echoed in the distance, pulling Irwing out of his trance. However, he wasn't the only one awakening; the swordsman emerged from his magical tent as well. Outside the tents, Rody stopped them both with a grave look and asked, —Did you hear that?— Irwing, curious, nodded and asked, —Yes, what was that?
It was a singular sound, almost incomcomprehensible; something that could hardly be equated to any noise produced by known creatures in the normal world. The swordsman seemed ready to investigate, but Rody expressed his doubts and said firmly, —I won't allow it.— Nevertheless, Irwing intervened decisively, —I will accompany him.— In a place like this, going alone was risky. If they both ventured out, at least they would have a chance to escape and warn of the danger. They were in a plain, which, in general, wouldn't be an ideal strategy, but in this world where caves were full of risks, and mountaintops or hills would leave them vulnerable to giant flying creatures, being on a plain wasn't so imprudent.
Rody, hesitant, finally nodded, —Alright, if you insist on accompanying him, that's fine,— he said with some reluctance. Then he added, —However, if you encounter imminent danger, send a message with a pigeon or something and then run in the opposite direction, understood?—
The request seemed unsettling; was he suggesting that if they couldn't win, he would prefer them to die far away? Despite the strangeness of the situation, both nodded in agreement, —Understood,— Irwing affirmed with determination. The swordsman, on the other hand, remained silent as a sign of his agreement. Rody concluded with a simple —You may go,— and both of them shot off into the distance like arrows ready to fly.
As time passed, both explorers noticed that moving away from the light and plunging into darkness had a desolating effect on their vision. As they progressed, growing gloom engulfed their surroundings.
—Hey, elf, do you also feel like your vision is getting clouded?— the swordsman asked, uneasily.
The elf nodded slowly, —Yes, it's as if the shadows are closing in on us.
Then, a thunderous sound echoed in the distance, but this time with an intensity that filled them with irrational fear. Though they wished to retreat, their pride didn't allow it. Irwing, as he advanced, anxiously wondered, —If I can't see what hides in the darkness, how will I find the 'Luminous Plantabism'?
The swordsman, unwilling to yield to an elf, continued to move forward.
Irwing quickened his pace, driven by nerves and anxiety. The swordsman followed closely, but they hadn't gone far before stopping at the third roar. This third sound enveloped them with a furtive fear that momentarily plunged them into their sorrows. Their minds filled with unsettling questions. —What the hell is this creature? Will I be able to escape? Is this my end? Why did I come here?— Their thoughts spun and intersected in a whirlwind of uncertainty.
The perception of reality began to waver as the bleak wasteland filled with red eyes that watched them from all directions. Our two brave explorers were prey to an irrational fear that threatened to paralyze them. Would this be their end?
—No! No— Irwing said to himself in desperation, slapping his face with his hands to regain his clarity. With his heart pounding, he proclaimed firmly, —I, Irwing Von Eirelia, will never surrender to anyone!
Though their legs trembled, and fear weighed on them like a mountain, Irwing wouldn't give in. With determination at the surface, he drew the last drop of mana from his convulsing body and summoned his faithful companion, Rio, a baby forest dragon.
—Rio, please use... Naturalization,— he begged with his last breath before falling unconscious. However, Rio, confused, disappeared. Was this the end of his journey? Would it end without having achieved anything? Who knows~
In a room of infinite darkness, in an undefined place where he had been transported, a young elf awoke without any knowledge of his location or purpose. The only certainty guiding him was an intense need to find something, even though he didn't know what that "something" was. Hours passed as he explored with determination, but the absence of walls or physical boundaries puzzled him. The environment resembled the darkness of a deep abyss, and silence enveloped the scene in a way that seemed alien to reality.
Although the darkness was oppressive, the young elf moved as if he could see through it, immune to its effects. He walked with confidence, as if he felt comfortable in that bewildering twilight. Eventually, he dropped to the invisible ground, and his gaze turned to the sky, a sky perpetually dark, where nothingness stretched out. But instead of despair, his gaze held a mix of wonder and contemplation, as if he were facing a magnificent work of art that only he could appreciate.
While lost in the vastness of the sky, the young elf was lost in his thoughts. He asked himself unanswered questions: "How long will this enigma last? When will I find what my soul so urgently desires?" Despite the uncertainty around him, the answers still eluded him, hidden in some unfathomable corner of that strange space between reality and illusion.
Suddenly, a warm and welcoming light filled the room, enveloping the young elf and lulling him into a deep slumber. Could this be what he had longed for? Yielding to the warmth, the elf slipped into a deep sleep, indifferent to doubts about whether this was what he had sought for so long. At that moment, those worries no longer mattered.
—Mr. Elf! Are you okay? Please, wake up, Mr. Elf!
A young girl stood beside the elf's bed, her tearful eyes pouring prayers for the elf's safety. This beautiful girl was none other than Evangeline. However, to fully understand the situation, it's necessary to take a step back in time to the thunderous roar of the third sound.
—God, that roar was the loudest. I hope it didn't wake anyone... —someone murmured in the darkness of the night. Before they could finish their thought, a drowsy young girl emerged from her magical tent, and that young girl was Evangeline. The thunder had startled her from her sleep, causing some discomfort to Rody.
With a cold demeanor, Rody addressed Evangeline. —Child, you should go back to sleep. We'll continue our journey in a while. You need to rest and recharge your energy, understood?— he advised firmly.
However, Evangeline didn't respond. Instead, she approached Rody and, looking into the void, pointed in the direction where the other two team members had gone. —What's over there?— she asked with a calm voice, showing no emotion. Her body remained still, and her finger pointed with determination. Rody tried to divert her attention. —There's nothing over there. You'd better go back to sleep,— he said, emphasizing the last part. Despite his attempt to distract her, Evangeline remained resolute and repeated with a more determined voice, —What's over there?— Rody fell silent. They spent an uncomfortable 30 seconds in silence while Evangeline kept pointing towards the unknown. Finally, Evangeline sighed, her face expressionless. Rody calmed down when he saw her reaction and thought, —well, she'll probably go back to sleep.— But to Rody's surprise, Evangeline began to walk in that direction. Visibly distressed, Rody couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, —Why do you want to go there?— Evangeline responded with a conviction that left Rody speechless, —They are calling me.— She continued to advance at a steady pace, one step after another, as if she were programmed to do so, with no intention of running or hurrying. Rody finally shared the details of the situation with the young girl, who nodded in understanding and calmly proceeded with her walk.
—Wait! What are you doing?— Rody tried to stop Evangeline, stepping in her way, but his efforts were in vain. Despite his attempts to stop her, she continued to advance with determination, seemingly oblivious to how senseless her actions appeared. In the midst of this comedy, Candela appeared, yawning due to her recently interrupted sleep.
—What's going on here?— she asked, her voice drowsy, not fully understanding the situation. Rody made an effort to explain the situation again, but Evangeline remained determined to move forward.
—I understand the situation,— Candela responded calmly, gently holding Evangeline. Rody, with a touch of exasperation, insisted, —Could you convince her to go back to her tent?— However, Candela's response was entirely unexpected. With a defiant smile, she redirected Rody's request and said, —Come on, Rody, the girl just wants to explore a bit. Why don't we accompany her? What do you think?— The suggestion left Rody perplexed, and he could only articulate a surprised, —Huh?— as he tried to understand the logic behind the unusual proposal.
Rody was worried about exposing Evangeline to any danger, but Candela, with a gleam of enthusiasm in her eyes, added, —Who knows, it might be beneficial for her mission,— while playfully poking the girl's cheek, even though she remained impassive.
Reluctantly, Rody finally gave in to Candela's proposal. With a mix of doubts and reluctance in his heart, he commented, "Alright, but—" However, before he could finish his sentence, Candela interrupted him with determination, "No buts about it, we'll go, whether you like it or not!" Her words left Rody without a response.
—Hello! You're not planning on leaving me behind, are you?— greeted Dreuck, the group's cleric, with his typical enthusiasm. Rody released an exasperated sigh as he pondered, "Another one?" However, he couldn't help but add with a faint smile, "Although, having a cleric by our side is never a bad thing..." As he contemplated whether it would be wise to wake up the rest of the group all at once, the agile warrior made his triumphant entrance from the camp, grabbing the clothes of a dark mage who was trying to escape. The dark mage, somewhat dazed, could only think to himself, Why did I have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?" Rody, with a resigned gesture, nodded, acknowledging that there was now no reason not to embark on the exploration with the full group.
After some brief preparations, the group set off in search of their two missing companions. Several minutes had passed since they departed. Rody wondered, —Could something have happened?— The rest of the group didn't feel any discomfort; they were simply eager to explore, except for the dark mage, who wanted to return home.
Suddenly, a "thump" sound echoed through the area. It wasn't the typical sound of the "brillabismos" (rabbits), it was different... It began to sound like resounding drums, creating an unsettling melody that reverberated in their minds. The sound grew in intensity and repetitions as they advanced. The group started to become alarmed, especially the swordsman and the lancer, as they had the least mental resistance. The dark mage gathered mana in his staff and began reciting something, phrases that Evangeline didn't understand, but she wasn't paying much attention anyway, still in a trance.
—Evangeline, are you okay?— Candela asked. The sound had been enough to break her concentration, and she was worried about how the young girl might be feeling. However, there was no response from Evangeline, which further concerned Candela. Meanwhile, Rody took a defensive stance, and Dreuck started gathering his magic. He could have omitted the incantation, but he needed to conserve his mana and protect his mental fatigue.
The dark mage finished his incantation first and cast a spell called "Mental Suppression," suppressing the present sound and the sense of oppression. However, the sound still existed. In the meantime, Dreuck also completed his incantation, casting a high-level spell called "Sanctuary of Prosperity," which reduced the effectiveness of negative status effects, provided physical, mental, and spiritual healing.
When the sanctuary was erected, all the sound disappeared. It's not that they couldn't perceive it; rather, it couldn't pass through the sanctuary. The group felt tense as they noticed a massive shadow emerging from the front. They all saw it, an immense shadow with two red lights at the top. Perhaps those were its eyes. It seemed to be trying to make a shriek, but it didn't reach them. Nevertheless, the tension in the group increased as they realized that their comrades were unconscious and at the mercy of the imposing creature.
A chill ran down Evangeline's spine as she faced the imposing figure rising from the darkness. However, it wasn't the beast itself that sent that chill down her spine. Instead, it was the tragic scene unfolding before her eyes.
—They...— Evangeline whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow, as her eyes fixed on the group members lying motionless at the beast's feet. The fearsome monster remained motionless, observing the scene with its blinking red lights. The tension in the group increased even more as they realized their comrades were unconscious and vulnerable in the presence of this imposing creature.
Evangeline clicked her tongue, a frustrated expression on her face as she tried to advance toward the mysterious beast and her unconscious comrades. Thankfully, she was halted in her tracks by Candela, whose eyes conveyed a stern judgment towards the young girl. Candela couldn't help but wonder in disbelief, —What the heck is this girl trying to do?— Clearly, the Evangeline they saw now was a different version of the young girl they had known so far. She was full of determination and confidence, with no trace of fear in her.
—What are you trying to do?— Candela asked without hesitation, keeping her gaze fixed on Evangeline. Filled with determination and conviction, Evangeline replied, —I'm going to rescue them.— Her voice was firm, and her face was expressionless, as if she were fulfilling her duty. Noticing the inquisitive looks from her companions, Evangeline decided to shed some light on the situation. —They are 'brillabismos,'— she said with a serious tone. —This is their nocturnal form, and they won't attack us as long as we don't wake them up.
Evangeline's words only increased the group's confusion, and questions continued to pile up. Evangeline went on, this time in a meaningful whisper, —We don't have much time before dawn. If we wait any longer, their lives could be in danger, just like before...
Faced with the urgency of the situation and Evangeline's unwavering determination, the group found themselves compelled to trust her, despite the doubts that haunted them. They couldn't afford to waste any more time. Uncertainty and danger drove them to follow the young girl, ready to save their companions.
The dilemma looming over the group was how to advance without disturbing the "brillabismos." They were safe only within the sanctuary from the ominous sound they emitted. In the midst of this uncertainty, Evangeline broke the silence.
—If we step out, we'll fall asleep. Randall, could you cast 'Mental Suppression' and 'Mental Calm' again?— Evangeline proposed.
Randall, with pride in his voice, responded confidently but with slight reluctance, —Yes, I could cast it, but the incantation would take some time if we're all...
However, Evangeline interrupted the conversation, —It will be just me,— she said, leaving the group in shock. —Just you?!— was the unspoken question that echoed in everyone's minds. The young girl knew what they were thinking, and her response was as resolute as steel.
—It has to be me,— her voice didn't waver, and the meaning of her words sank into the minds of those present. —They're already infected with mental corruption, and if you try to bear our comrades with this state, the corruption will devour their minds.
Evangeline's words created confusion in the group, but her determination remained unshaken. However, Dreuck, the group's cleric, protested vehemently.
—I cannot allow you to do that, young lady. If something happens to you, we won't receive the payment we were promised,— he said. As he spoke these words, the cleric cast magical chains around Evangeline without the need for an incantation, creating a weak but effective magical bond around her.
—Nh... these chains again, huh?— Evangeline commented without showing any emotion, as if she were accustomed to such situations. Her tone was unflinching, and she added, —I suggest you improve your control over the mana threads.— She tapped the chains lightly, causing them to break, and at that moment, a sharp pain seized Dreuck's head.
The cleric blinked in surprise, initially confusing it with a migraine. However, he would soon realize that the truth was more serious than a mere headache. A thin thread of blood, slightly darker in color, began to trickle from his nose, staining his attire. With a perplexed gesture, he brought his hand to his nose to stop the bleeding.
—What... What's happening?— he asked, his eyes reflecting confusion. The looks of his companions also showed bewilderment, as not only had the chains broken, but this strange reaction from Dreuck posed an even greater mystery. They silently wondered, —Was it Evangeline's doing?
—Mental corruption makes your spells and mind weaker, you know? Plus, the backlash is more significant,— Evangeline, already a bit irritated by the delay, added. —Now, may I go? Please, Randall, cast the previously mentioned spells, and you,— looking at Dreuck firmly, —Enhance my physical attributes.— She then turned her gaze to the rest of the group and said, —If any of you have any enhancements that you can grant me, please.—
After a few minutes, Evangeline finished receiving all the enhancements and began to run towards her unconscious companions. Despite gaining formidable strength, she only had eight minutes to carry out her task. The distance turned out to be much greater than it seemed at first.
Four minutes of tireless effort passed until she finally reached the spot where her comrades lay unconscious. Thanks to the strength the spells had granted her, she managed to transport her two —Sleeping Beauties— without excessive difficulty. However, the additional weight began to take a toll on her speed.
The accumulation of mental corruption became evident in Evangeline. Her speed decreased steadily, while a throbbing pain hammered her head and her body grew heavier with each step. With just two minutes left until the sanctuary, she encountered what seemed like an endless gap blocking her path. Yet, this didn't deter Evangeline. Even as her mind clouded rapidly, threatening to make her lose consciousness at any moment, she continued to run with an unyielding spirit. Unfortunately, time reached its limit, with several of the enhancements, including "Mental Suppression" and —Mental Calm,— having expired. The sounds she had been ignoring so far now echoed in her head, but, sacrificing a bit of her sanity, she pressed on. Finally, she reached the sanctuary, where the rest of the group cheered her on and praised her, especially Candela. However, Evangeline didn't pay any attention; it's not that she didn't care, but she had fainted on her feet, standing tall. What a noble sight.