Corvis shook off the creeping dread and moved closer to Leon, curious about what the other boy was carving. He crouched beside him, peeking at the lines and curves of runes that were taking shape in the soft earth.
"You know," Corvis began slowly, "I knew you were decent with magic after seeing that light arrow spell of yours. But this... this is something else."
Leon didn't respond immediately, too focused on the intricate sigils beneath his sword.
Corvis narrowed his eyes as he studied the pattern Leon was creating. The runes were strange; a mix of familiar symbols and ones he had never seen before. Some resembled the Lorelit script that wizards of the Atias order used, but others were completely foreign, ancient in appearance, their meanings obscured by time.
The way Leon combined the symbols with flowing patterns made the whole thing even more baffling. The spell felt... alien. Like it didn't belong to the kind of magic that was normally taught.
Corvis furrowed his brow. "These runes... They don't look like the spells the Atias wizards use. In fact, this looks a lot older." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Is this... ancient magic?"
Leon's hand froze mid-stroke, and he looked up, meeting Corvis's gaze with a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
"Ancient magic?" Leon repeated, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That's a pretty grand name for it."
"Well, isn't it?" Corvis insisted, his curiosity growing. "The structure, the runes; they're not modern spells. I've seen pieces of old texts, and some of these symbols match those ancient Lorelian inscriptions. Where did you learn this?"
Leon leaned back slightly, propping his sword against his shoulder. "It's not as impressive as you think." He gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I just picked up bits and pieces here and there. Some from Lola, some from old books I found; enough to get by. I wouldn't call myself a master or anything."
Corvis shook his head in disbelief. "Even if it's just 'bits and pieces,' this is still... impressive. Most wizards spend years studying the basics of Lorelit magic, and you've figured out ancient patterns on your own?"
Leon shrugged, brushing off the compliment. "It's not as complicated as it looks. Honestly, once you understand the logic behind the patterns, they kind of make sense." He returned to his work, casually finishing another line of runes. "Besides, magic's magic. Whether it's old or new, it all comes down to intent and precision."
Corvis let out a low whistle. "I think you're underselling yourself. If this is what you can do without formal training..." He trailed off, impressed despite himself.
And with that, he pressed his palm to the glowing pattern on the ground, ready to take them home.
Leon gave Corvis a playful grin. "Ancient magic? You mean the stuff I'm scribbling in the dirt? Think it's powerful?"
Corvis raised an eyebrow, exhaling a long, tired sigh. "How would I know?" he muttered. "I can't even read that ancient script, let alone tell if it's dangerous or not."
"Fair point," Leon chuckled. "Well, I've had plenty of practice surviving without formal training." He gave Corvis a playful nudge with his shoulder. "Anyway, you're making me sound like a big deal. I'm just trying to get us out of here in one piece."
Corvis chuckled, but his admiration for Leon's skill lingered. 'There was more to this boy than met the eye.'
"Alright, genius," Corvis said, standing up and brushing dirt from his knees. "How long until this thing is done? I'd rather not stick around to see what happens if Amon recovers."
Leon gave him a reassuring smile. "Almost there. Just a few more runes, and we'll be out of this forest."
"Good." Corvis cast a wary glance toward the swirling sky above them. "Because I really don't want to meet whatever lives on the other side of that."
Leon gave a small laugh, but there was a tension in his voice now, as if he, too, could feel the heavy presence lurking just beyond the edges of the forest.
"Don't worry," Leon muttered as he finished the final rune. "We'll be gone before they even know we were here."
He then tapped the hilt of his sword against the outer ring of the intricate circle he'd carved. "It's not exactly a spell, if that's what you're worried about. It's just... a trap."
Corvis gave him a skeptical look. "A trap for what, exactly?"
Leon crouched by the edge of the ritual circle, tracing one of the symbols with his finger. "It mimics the earth's spiritual energy. Should attract some wandering undead nearby; y'know, one of those unlucky souls floating around this cursed place." He pointed toward the center of the magic circle. "Once we lure one close, I'll trap it in the spirit lamp I brought along."
Corvis tilted his head, studying the makeshift lantern; a crude thing made of wood, its frame twisted and aged as though it had been built by someone in a hurry, with a hollow center designed to house the trapped soul.
"And once we've got the soul?" Corvis asked.
Leon gave a lazy shrug. "It'll act like a guide. The soul can help us find a way out of this nightmare forest. If everything goes smoothly, we'll follow it out, easy-peasy."
"'If' everything goes smoothly," Corvis repeated, skeptical. "That sounds like a big 'if.'"
"Look, compared to the last time I tried something like this, this is child's play," Leon said with a grin. "No demons, no blood rituals. Last time, Lola had to create a fake soul just to bait a demon into the circle, and I nearly bled out trying to banish the thing." He shuddered at the memory, rubbing his hands reflexively. "This time, no theatrics. Just lure in a restless spirit, bottle it, and let it lead us out."
Corvis gave him a wary glance. "You sure about that? This sounds... almost too easy."
Leon shot him a sideways look. "Hey, no complaints about easy, alright? With Lola's help, it's all under control."
But Leon's gaze darkened as his thoughts drifted. He glanced toward Corvis, the shadows of concern flickering in his eyes. 'Demons.' The thought still haunted him. "Listen, though," Leon said, his voice lowering. "I need to warn you. There's always a risk of demon possession when dealing with the spirit world."
Corvis stiffened.
"I mean it," Leon continued. "These woods are full of weird energy. The slightest lapse, daydreaming, doubt, fear; can make you vulnerable. Demons slip in when you least expect it. You remember what happened to Lohak, right?"
Corvis's face hardened, but he gave a small nod. "Yeah, I remember."
Leon grimaced at the memory. "The demon got inside Liam, twisted his mind. He lost control and tried to tear me apart, completely forgetting his friends and family. The demon fed on all that anger and despair." Leon shook his head, as if brushing off the memory. "So trust me. Keep your mind clear, stay focused. Don't let anything in."
Corvis exhaled through his nose. "That's easier said than done. I haven't prayed in years, Leon."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You've gotta believe in something, right?"
Corvis gave a bitter chuckle. "Once, maybe. Back in Vilania, before the fall, I went through the motions with the adults; prayed to the Holy Sun, did all the rites. But after everything that happened..." His voice trailed off. "The Holy Sun didn't save my family. Didn't save me either. I stopped believing a long time ago."
Leon frowned, a shadow of sympathy flickering in his eyes. 'He knew how hard it was to keep faith when life had stripped everything away.'
Corvis gave a tired shrug. "So, no. I don't have any gods to pray to."
Leon scratched the back of his neck, thinking for a moment. "Alright, forget gods. What about something else? A mantra, maybe? Some words to hold onto." He gave Corvis a mischievous grin. "Wanna try my 24-word magic mantra?"
Corvis blinked in surprise. "You have a mantra?"
Leon nodded, his grin widening. "Sure do. It's my secret weapon. Works like a charm; no demons, no weird dreams, and I'm still in one piece."
Corvis rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his expression. "Alright. What's this magic mantra of yours?"
Leon leaned closer, adopting a mock-serious tone. "Alright, listen carefully. It goes: ''Breathe deep, stay sharp, laugh in the dark. What's lost may return; what's broken can heal. Fear nothing, trust yourself, and keep moving forward.''"
Corvis raised an eyebrow. "That's your mantra? It sounds like something you came up with in the middle of a brawl."
Leon laughed. "Yeah, pretty much. But it works." He clapped Corvis on the back. "Give it a try. It can't hurt, right?"
With a half-smile, Corvis shook his head. "Alright, I'll give it a shot. But if I start talking nonsense or levitating, I'm blaming you."
Leon winked. "Deal."
With that, Leon turned back to the circle, the playful glint in his eyes fading as he resumed his work. The sigils glowed faintly under his hand, tracing delicate patterns through the dirt. When he was satisfied, he glanced toward Corvis.
"Stay with the horse," Leon instructed. "Keep an eye out for anything strange. I'll start the ritual."
Corvis nodded, taking the reins of the uneasy warhorse. The animal pawed at the ground, restless beneath the strange energy in the air.