Elian sat on the ground, a sigh of frustration escaping his lips. He facepalmed and shook his head in defeat.
"I am lost..."
He opened his backpack and took out a purple stone. A hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes. Elian looked at the stone, contemplating using it or not. Rift fragments were costly and hard to come by, as they served as the opportunity to escape from certain demise. He sighed and placed it in his backpack.
He couldn't shake the idea that he was being watched, yet at the same time he didn't have the heart to break the stone. The silence of the forest was deafening, and the air was as still as a statue. Elian stood up, looking around. The wind blew through the trees, creating an eerie whispering sound. He strained his ears, trying to hear anything other than the wind.
And that's when he heard it.
A murmur, a faint whisper, coming from somewhere in the woods. As if a melodic voice was calling for him. Inviting him deeper into the abyss surrounding him. He gripped his blade tighter and continued walking. Entering the unknown.
Elian walked deeper into the woods, the murmurs continued, now clearer than before. He couldn't quite distinguish what was said, but the tone was definitely feminine. Shadowfang was walking beside him, its ears perked up, sensing the changes around them. Elian looked around, but the source of the voice was still unknown.
As he emerged from the forest, Elian entered a clearing bathed in the soft rays of the setting sun. The grass here was tall and unkempt, as if it hadn't been cut or walked on in years. The murmurs were so clear now. It was as if the source of the voice was right in front of him. And indeed, it was in front of him.
Elian's eyes widened at the sight. In the very middle of the clearing stood a young girl. Her skin was as pale as snow, and her red eyes seemed to glow in the dimming light. Her black dress was long and dark, covering her from neck to toe. She slowly turned towards him and gazed into his eyes.
Elian froze in fear. His neck twisted, and he fell to the ground. He died...
Elian's heavy breathing could only be heard, he stood rooted in place as the 'Girl'' gaze never left his eyes. His heart was pierced by It's hand. He fell to the ground.
He tried to say something, but his breath was stolen away. The 'Girl' slowly walked towards him. He tried to get his sword, but his arm was ripped away, yet he did not feel the pain. He was paralyzed by fear and the intensity of the girl's stare as she stopped next to him.
Her hand lightly touched his cheek, and a shiver ran down his spine. The girl tilted her head, her smile growing wider.
"Who are you?" Elian managed to get out.
The girl kept her smile without saying a word. She traced his jawline with her finger, her touch icy cold. She moved her lips.
"I am something he deserved."
"What are you talking about?"
Elian said, his voice trembling. But the girl didn't answer. Instead, she continued to 'examine' Elian. She looked deep into his eyes, as if trying to look into his soul. Then she turned her back on Elian.
"One day..."
She gazed into his eyes yet again.
"You must find me, you must find my remnants."
She placed her hands on her eyes, on her mouth, and then on her heart."
"We sometimes find the secrets we did not search for."
She clapped her hands, Elian flinched, and she disappeared.
Elian sat on the ground. The clearing was now empty. He looked around but found no trace of her existence. Only the tall grass swayed softly in the wind. Shadowfang, who was with him all the time, tilted its head in confusion, as if wondering if something had happened to his master.
Elian stood up, still staring at the spot where the girl had stood moments ago.
-RUSTLE
Shadowfang jumped away as a big serpent closed its jaws at where he stood. Elian drew out his sword and prepared to fight. The serpent was larger than him, its eyes locking on him. It bared its fangs, revealing venomous fangs, and hissed a low, threatening hiss.
The serpent lunged at him, its mouth open wide, revealing the poison-tipped teeth. Elian jumped away just in time, dodging the attack. The serpent's head crashed into the ground, causing the earth to shake.
Elian turned around and slashed at the big snake. His sword only grazed its scales, leaving a small scratch. The serpent swung its head again, its fangs narrowly missing Elian. It hissed furiously, rearing again to attack him. Elian cursed under his breath. The serpent was too quick, too fast.
Elian ran towards a large tree, trying to put as much space between him and the serpent. He looked back and saw the snake coming towards him, its eyes filled with bloodlust. It slithered rapidly across the field, its body barely touching the ground as it moved straight towards Elian.
The giant serpent pounced at Elian, but he had anticipated this and had already started climbing the tree. The snake slammed against the trunk, causing it to shake. It hissed angrily, its body twisting and turning as it attempted to knock Elian off the tree. Elian continued climbing, quickly finding footholds in the tree's bark. He could hear the serpent below him, its hiss filling the air. He looked down to see its fangs biting the tree, attempting to reach him. Elian smiled.
The serpent tilted its head in confusion and then suddenly felt excruciating pain. Shadowfang's sharp teeth were lodged deep in the snake's neck.
The serpent writhed in pain, trying to fling Shadowfang off it. But the small wolf held on, its teeth digging deeper into the serpent's flesh. The giant snake let out a loud roar, the pain only making it angrier.
Elian took advantage of the serpent's distraction and jumped down the tree, preparing to slice its head off. But the serpent still had cards in his nonexistent sleeves. It quickly shrank to the size of a mouse, escaping both of them. Elian quickly stopped his momentum by taking hold of a branch before he reached the ground. He jumped away from the tree in the direction of the serpent, who was running away with Shadowfang on its trail.
The serpent quickly grew and twisted its body and slapped Shadowfang with all its strength. The wolf was sent crashing against another tree, whimpering in pain.
The serpent was now even more furious, its eyes filled with anger and fury. It turned back towards Elian, its attention set on him now. The serpent coiled its body, ready to deliver another attack. The giant snake pounced again, its mouth wide open, fangs exposed.
The snake lunged at Elian with surprising speed, closing the space between them in moments. Elian jumped to the side, avoiding the bite. He slammed the sword into the snake's body, leaving a deep cut. The snake hissed in pain and coiled back, its eyes locked on Elian. It moved to the side, preparing for another attack. But Elian didn't want to give it the chance. He jumped towards it, sword raised.
The serpent tried biting Elian, but he was quicker, he grabbed its mouth and closed it shut. He grabbed the snake's body, used its momentum, and slammed it against a nearby tree. A sickening crunch filled the air as the snake writhed in pain. Taking advantage of the distraction, he drove the sword deep into its neck and jumped away.
There was silence, and then the serpent started convulsing. Its eyes enlarged and burst open, sending venom in Elian's direction. Elian rolled away from the poison.
The serpent's hateful eyes never left Elian until it eventually stopped moving. Elian stood there panting, covered in sweat. The serpent's body lay motionless on the tree, and Shadowfang walked up to it. Elian finally allowed himself to relax, his muscles aching. He neared the serpent and took out his sword out of its dead body. He gazed at his sword, which had started melting because of the venomous blood. Elian's eyes moistened. "My money..." He started cursing and kicking the pitiful body of the serpent. He took out a dagger, gutted the serpent, and picked up its mana core.
"A lesser C-rank core eh?"
A smile appeared on Elian's face. He crouched and petted the dead snake.
"How nice of you!"