Chapter 2: Shadows of the Forest
Aiden stood at the edge of the forest, the memories of his burning village still vivid in his mind. The smell of smoke and death lingered, but he couldn't afford to dwell on the past. The Holy Church would come looking for survivors, intent on eradicating any traces of defiance. He had no choice but to flee into the unknown depths of the forest.
With Lena, now a partially revived being, at his side, Aiden plunged into the dense woods. The forest was a realm of shadows and secrets, the thick canopy above blotting out the sun. Every rustle and snap of a twig set his nerves on edge, but he pressed on, driven by a desperate need to survive.
They walked for hours, the uneven terrain and dense undergrowth slowing their progress. Aiden's thoughts were a turbulent storm of grief, fear, and uncertainty. He often glanced at Lena, who moved with a mechanical stiffness, her eyes vacant and unseeing. The sight of her like this tore at his heart.
"Lena, I'm so sorry," he whispered, though he knew she couldn't respond. The silence that followed was heavy, a stark reminder of the life that had been stolen from them.
As night fell, Aiden realized they needed to find a place to rest. His body ached with exhaustion, and the cold was seeping into his bones. He stumbled upon a small clearing, partially hidden by a thicket of bushes. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.
"We'll stay here for now," he said, more to himself than to Lena. He looked around, feeling the weight of his inexperience. He was just a child, thrust into a brutal world with powers he barely understood. The responsibility was overwhelming.
Aiden used his skill to summon a skeleton warrior, the dark energy of the Necro Heart flowing through him. The skeleton rose from the ground, its bones rattling as it stood ready for his command.
"Guard us," Aiden instructed. The skeleton took up a position at the edge of the clearing, its empty eye sockets scanning the darkness.
He sat down, his back against a tree, and pulled Lena close. Her body was cold, and she remained unresponsive, a silent specter of his lost friend. He tried to find comfort in her presence, but the emptiness in her eyes only deepened his sorrow.
The night was long and filled with unease. Every sound seemed amplified, every shadow a potential threat. Aiden couldn't sleep, his mind racing with thoughts of what had happened and what might come next. He replayed the events over and over, trying to make sense of it all.
"Why did this happen?" he muttered, his voice breaking. "Why did they come for us?"
But there were no answers in the darkness. Only silence and the steady pulse of the Necro Heart within his chest.
---
The next morning, Aiden awoke to the chirping of birds and the soft rustle of leaves. He felt a momentary disorientation, the events of the past day crashing back into his consciousness with a sickening thud. He glanced at Lena, who remained as she was, a constant reminder of the cost of survival.
Aiden knew they couldn't stay in one place for long. The Holy Church would be relentless in their search. He needed to find a safer, more permanent refuge. Gathering his courage, he stood and looked around, trying to get his bearings.
"Let's go, Lena," he said, taking her hand. It felt strange to lead her like this, but he had no choice. She followed him obediently, her movements still unnaturally stiff.
They continued their journey through the forest, the undergrowth becoming thicker and the terrain more challenging. Aiden's body protested with every step, but he pushed on, driven by the instinct to survive. He had to keep moving, keep ahead of the danger that pursued them.
Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and he realized they needed food. He had no idea how to hunt, but he couldn't let them starve. He stopped and took a deep breath, trying to remember the lessons his father had taught him about the forest.
"Stay here," he told Lena, though he knew she wouldn't wander off. He scanned the area for any signs of wildlife. His sharp eyes caught movement in the underbrush—a rabbit, small but sufficient for a meal.
Aiden focused, feeling the Necro Heart's energy within him. He summoned another skeleton warrior, this one smaller and more agile. He pointed to the rabbit.
"Catch it," he commanded. The skeleton moved swiftly, its bony limbs making barely a sound. It cornered the rabbit, which froze in fear. With a quick movement, the skeleton caught the rabbit and brought it back to Aiden.
"Good," Aiden said, though he felt a pang of guilt. He had never killed anything before. But survival demanded it. He used a small, sharp stone to clean and prepare the rabbit, and then he started a small fire using dry leaves and twigs.
As the rabbit roasted over the fire, Aiden's thoughts returned to Lena. He wished she could speak, could offer some comfort or guidance. Instead, she sat silently, staring into the flames.
"I'm trying, Lena," he said softly. "I'm doing my best."
The meal was meager but filling. Aiden ate quickly, sharing some with Lena, though she ate mechanically, without true need. The Necro Heart sustained her, but Aiden wanted to cling to some semblance of normality.
---
Days passed in a blur of exhaustion and fear. Aiden and Lena moved deeper into the forest, finding temporary shelters and hunting for food. The constant vigilance wore on him, and the weight of responsibility was a heavy burden for his young shoulders.
He often spoke to Lena, despite her silence. It was a way to keep his sanity, to feel less alone in the vast, uncaring wilderness.
"I don't know how long we can keep this up," he admitted one evening as they huddled under a makeshift shelter of branches and leaves. "But we have to keep going. We have to survive."
As the days turned into weeks, Aiden's skills began to improve. He became more adept at using his necromantic powers, summoning skeletons to help with tasks and to guard their temporary campsites. The Necro Heart seemed to respond to his growing determination, its dark energy flowing more readily through him.
Yet, the constant fear of being discovered by the Holy Church was a shadow that never left him. He knew they were out there, searching, hunting. And one day, his worst fears came true.
---
It was a cold, grey morning when Aiden heard the sound of footsteps. His heart leapt into his throat, and he motioned for Lena to stay silent. They were hidden in a small cave, a temporary refuge they had found the night before.
The footsteps grew louder, and soon voices followed. Aiden's blood ran cold as he recognized the armor and insignia of the Holy Church. A patrol of soldiers, their faces hard and cruel, emerged from the trees.
"Search the area," one of them commanded. "The survivors can't have gone far."
Aiden's mind raced. He had to stay hidden, had to protect Lena. But the cave offered little in the way of escape. He pressed himself against the cold stone, willing himself to become invisible.
"Over here!" one of the soldiers called out. Aiden's heart pounded in his chest as the soldiers approached. They peered into the cave, their eyes narrowing.
"Look what we have here," one of them sneered. "A little rat hiding in a hole."
Aiden stepped forward, his body trembling with fear and anger. He felt the Necro Heart's power surge within him, but he knew he was no match for a group of trained soldiers.
"What do we have here?" another soldier mocked. "A necromancer? How quaint."
Aiden's eyes blazed with defiance. "Stay away from us."
The soldiers laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Or what? You'll summon your little skeletons? Pathetic."
Aiden's fear turned to rage. The memory of his burning village, of his parents' lifeless bodies, fueled his anger. He summoned his skeleton warriors, their bony forms emerging from the shadows.
"Attack!" Aiden commanded, his voice shaking.
The skeletons lunged at the soldiers, their movements swift and deadly. But the soldiers were prepared. They drew their swords, cutting down the skeletons with brutal efficiency.
"Is that all you've got?" one of the soldiers taunted. "You're just a child playing with dark magic."
Aiden felt a wave of hopelessness crash over him. He was outnumbered and outmatched. The soldiers advanced, their eyes filled with cruel amusement.
"End this," the leader said. "We don't have time for games."
Aiden braced himself, his heart pounding. But just as the soldiers closed in, a strange sensation washed over him. The Necro Heart pulsed, and he felt a surge of energy unlike anything before. Dark tendrils of power erupted from his hands, wrapping around the soldiers.
They screamed as the necromantic energy tore at their flesh, their bodies withering and decaying before Aiden's eyes. The power was overwhelming, consuming, and Aiden felt himself losing control.
When it was over, the soldiers lay lifeless on the ground, their bodies twisted and broken. Aiden stood there, breathing heavily, the dark energy still thrumming in his veins. He looked at Lena, who remained silent and still.
"We survived," he whispered, though the victory felt hollow.
---
System Activated: Necro Heart
Name: Aiden Heartwel
Age: 12
Class: Necromancer
Mana: 40/100
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 15
Charisma: 10
Skills:
- Necro Heart (Passive): Grants the ability to command and summon the dead. Strength and capabilities of undead minions increase with experience and level.
- Raise Skeleton: Summon a basic skeletal warrior. Mana cost: 10
- Dark Pact: Sacrifice your vitality to restore mana.
--
Summons:
- Skeleton Warrior: A basic undead warrior. Strength: 8, Dexterity: 5, Health: 20/20
- Revived Lena: A partially revived being. Strength: 5, Dexterity: 10, Health: 15/15