The air was heavy with silence as Amanda stared at the kneeling elf before her. Eryndor's transformation had been seamless, his once pristine golden aura now interwoven with streaks of crimson and black.
His emerald eyes had shifted to a deep crimson, and faint demonic markings now traced the contours of his arms and neck. He flexed his fingers, marvelling at the newfound strength coursing through his veins. The race change happened seamlessly.
Amanda observed him intently, her mind racing with possibilities. The process had gone smoother than she expected. The elixir's potency, combined with her growing influence, seemed to grant her dominion over those she turned. It was a step closer to solidifying her role as the progenitor of a race.
"Master," Eryndor said, his voice steady but layered with emotion. "Your gift... I can feel it changing me. Strengthening me".
Amanda smirked, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her face. "You've only begun to understand the power you now wield. There's more to come, but for now, we need to keep moving".
The elf nodded, standing tall but deferential. Despite his new strength, Amanda noticed a glimmer of doubt in his eyes. It wasn't fear—more a wariness of what he had become. She filed that observation away, deciding it was something to address later.
She turned toward the dense forest, her keen senses scanning the surroundings. Before she could speak, a low, familiar growl reached her ears. Her heart quickened, and she turned sharply, her hand instinctively hovering near the hilt of her dagger.
From the shadows emerged Fenris, his massive frame moving slowly but purposefully. His fur, once pristine, was matted with patches of dried blood, evidence of the earlier battle with the beast guarding the strength elixir. Despite the lingering signs of injury, his glowing blue eyes remained sharp and unwavering.
Amanda knelt, her voice soft. "Fenris".
The wolf padded toward her, his movements deliberate but slightly uneven. She reached out, her fingers running along his flank. The warmth beneath his fur told her his natural regeneration was working, though not as quickly as she'd hoped. She frowned, noting the faint limp in his step.
"You stubborn beast," she murmured. "I told you to stay hidden and rest".
Fenris huffed, the sound somewhere between a growl and a grunt, before nudging her shoulder with his snout. Amanda let out a soft laugh, her hand lingering on his head.
"You're protective, aren't you? Always have been," she whispered, her tone almost tender.
Eryndor watched the interaction silently, his crimson eyes narrowing as he observed the wolf. "Your companion?" he finally asked, his voice even but tinged with curiosity.
Amanda rose, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Fenris has been with me for a while. He's not just a companion—he's family". She glanced at the wolf, her voice softening further. "He fought alongside me earlier and got wounded for it. I thought he'd stay hidden longer, but it seems he's as stubborn as I am".
Fenris let out another low growl, his gaze briefly shifting to Eryndor. Amanda chuckled, scratching behind the wolf's ears. "Don't mind him. He's wary of newcomers".
Eryndor inclined his head respectfully, his posture remaining calm. "He's... impressive," he said. "I've never seen a wolf like him".
"You won't," Amanda replied cryptically, her tone leaving no room for further questions.
She adjusted the straps on her bag and turned her attention back to the forest path. The night's stillness was unsettling, the usual cacophony of nocturnal creatures strangely absent. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath, watching her every move.
"We need to move," Amanda said, her voice firm. "There's a camp not far from here. We'll rest there and regroup before deciding our next steps".
Fenris took the lead, his massive frame moving ahead of them with deliberate precision. Despite his injuries, his instincts were as sharp as ever, his ears twitching at every faint rustle or creak in the woods. Amanda trusted him implicitly, knowing he would sense any danger long before it reached them.
Eryndor followed closely behind, his posture tense but controlled. He was still adjusting to his new form, his steps heavier than they'd been before. Amanda glanced back at him, her sharp gaze taking in his every movement.
"Are you holding up?" she asked, her tone more commanding than concerned.
Eryndor nodded. "Yes, Master. This body... it feels different but stronger. I will not falter".
"Good," Amanda replied curtly. "You'll need that strength. The path ahead is only going to get more dangerous".
The trio moved through the forest in silence, the only sounds the crunch of leaves beneath their feet and the occasional rustle of branches overhead. Amanda's mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. The elf's transformation had solidified her growing power, but it also raised questions. What other beings could she turn? What limits, if any, existed to her influence?
Now she wanted to test and see the limits of her powers to turn other races into a demonic variant of them.
As they neared the clearing where the camp lay, Amanda felt a faint tremor beneath her feet. She froze, her eyes narrowing as she raised a hand to signal the others to stop. Fenris growled low, his hackles rising as he took a defensive stance.
"Something's coming," Amanda said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eryndor tightened his grip on his blade, his demonic senses now attuned to the faint disturbance in the air.
From the shadows ahead, a figure emerged—small and wiry, its movements erratic. Amanda's eyes narrowed as she recognized the telltale signs of a corrupted beast, its flesh warped and pulsating with unnatural energy.
"It seems this forest doesn't want to let us go easily," Amanda muttered, drawing her dagger.
Fenris snarled, stepping forward protectively. Eryndor moved to flank her, his stance steady and ready.
Amanda smirked, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Let's make this quick. I don't want to waste any more time on distractions".
The corrupted beast lunged, and the clearing erupted into chaos.