The battle's aftermath left the forest in eerie silence. As Amukelo began to recover, the first order of business was to free Eliss from the insidious grasp of the corrupted mana. With Amukelo's skilled mana manipulation, he carefully wove through the tendrils of dark energy surrounding her, gently extracting them. The process was delicate, as he was careful not to harm Eliss in the process. Bit by bit, the dark aura around her diminished until it vanished completely, leaving Eliss looking visibly relieved.
With Eliss freed, the duo turned their attention to the multitude of cocoons hanging grotesquely from the trees. They went to each one, slicing them open with precision, hoping to find more survivors. Each cocoon revealed a grim tableau – some contained long-deceased adventurers, their faces etched in terror. Others held those who still clung to life, their breaths faint but discernible.
While doing that Elis's was hiding her emotions, she felt irritation and pain, due to the fact that she was a burden to Amukelo again. Her eyes shone with tears. But she very successfully hid it from Amukelo. They moved from cocoon to cocoon. Each freed individual was a small victory, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. However, with every lifeless body they uncovered, the reality of the forest's cruelty became even more palpable.
Once the task was complete, Amukelo's focus shifted to purging the dark mana from those they'd rescued. His fingers danced in the air, weaving intricate patterns as he summoned his mana manipulation abilities. For each survivor, Amukelo repeated the meticulous process of cleansing, ensuring that none of the tainted energy remained.
The survivors began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness. Their expressions ranged from dazed to terrified. Some clutched their heads, trying to process the memories that felt so distant yet had occurred not long ago. Conversations emerged, painting a clearer picture of their ordeal. To Amukelo's surprise, many of these adventurers had been ensnared for months, time having lost its meaning within the confines of their silk prisons.
Gathering the group together, Amukelo offered them a choice: continue the treacherous journey with him and Eliss or head back to the relative safety of their homes. The decision was unanimous. Each individual, having experienced the forest's horrors firsthand, chose to return. Their expressions were filled with gratitude for the second chance they'd been given.
Amukelo nodded, understanding their decision. "May the winds guide your path and keep you safe," he said, wishing them well on their journey.
The lingering silence became after Amuleko's farewell. Eliss's sharp gaze fixed on Amukelo, who looked around, bewildered by the reactions of the group. Their eyes darted in every direction, a reflection of the deep-seated anxiety and uncertainty they felt. It wasn't just the ordeal of being ensnared by the spiders – it was the fear of navigating the dangerous forest without guidance.
Amukelo, engrossed in his thoughts of leaving, missed the apprehension evident in their eyes. Until Eliss pointedly remarked, "I don't think they can navigate through this forest as well as you can. Can you?" Elis's asked the group. The question pierced the air, a stark reminder that while Amukelo had honed his skills over countless battles and encounters, these adventurers were unprepared for the trek back.
One of the adventurers, a young man with disheveled hair and sunken eyes, spoke up, his voice quivering, "I lost my companion, and I won't be able to come back alone..." His words hung heavily in the air, evoking sympathy from the group. Others nodded in agreement, their faces pale and eyes shadowed with despair.
Amukelo let out a deep sigh. Fatigue weighed down on him like a leaden cloak, his energy reserves nearly depleted. He glanced at the group, their hopeful eyes staring back at him. Resigned, he knew he couldn't just leave them to fend for themselves. With a nod of determination, he began the arduous task of guiding them out.
He sat cross-legged on the ground, delving deep into a meditative state, using his keen sense of mana to find the most direct path out. The process was intricate, each step requiring meticulous attention to detail. The presence of the group made it even more complex, as he had to ensure a safe passage for everyone.
As Amukelo's concentration deepened, the familiar glow of mana enveloped him, illuminating the dark forest. With precision, he started creating openings in the barriers, large enough for the group to pass. The process was laborious, each hole requiring significant effort. The strength it demanded drained him further, but he pressed on, driven by the urgency to lead the adventurers to safety.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the group emerged from the labyrinth of cages. Then it was time to cross the forest. Amukelo using the same tactic as before navigated through the forest.
The sight that greeted them was astonishing – the sun's first rays piercing through the trees, bathing the forest in a golden hue. Time in the forest had warped their sense of reality, leaving them questioning whether days or mere hours had passed.
As they stepped out of the forest's shadow, the warm sunlight hit their faces, a stark contrast to the cold, unforgiving darkness they had just escaped. There was a collective sigh of relief, the weight of their ordeal slowly lifting.
Amukelo turned to Eliss, his face pale, eyes sunken, and whispered, "I am so tired," before his knees buckled, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious. Eliss's heart raced as panic surged through her. But with quick thinking, she gently repositioned him, ensuring he was comfortable. With a mixture of gratitude and concern, she kept vigil over him, ensuring he was safe as he rested. "At least I can do that for you" she whispered. They didn't know how long they have been in the forest, what seemed like hour could be a day. The forest might have been left behind, but its echoes remained, reminding them of the price they had paid and the strength they had found within.