As the group regrouped, the unnatural stillness in the forest giving way to an ominous hum. The path ahead grew darker, the trees becoming more gnarled and twisted, their bark oozing a faint, greenish ichor. The survivor stirred again in Liana's arms, his murmurs now louder and more distinct.
Liana paused, her brow furrowed as she strained to catch his words. "He's… he's saying something about 'the heart."Her voice carried with concern. "Something about a source, a beating heart."
Marek turned, his amber eyes glinting in the dim light. "The corruption's source might be a big crystal. We might have a chance to end this."
"But where ?" Gerrick asked, gesturing to the fog-shrouded forest. "This place is a maze, and we've already been ambushed. They know we're coming…"
"Its better like that it mean they will be all in the same place," Naryn interjected, his tone grim. "And they sent the dark ones. We've forced their hand. They'll throw everything they have to protect whatever it is."
Osrik, exhaling sharply. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The group pressed forward, their movements careful yet resolute. The forest seemed to respond to their presence, its energy thickening with each step. Whispers grew louder, forming incoherent words that gnawed at the edges of their minds.
Liana gripped her staff tightly, the light it emitted pushing back the encroaching darkness. "The survivor...he's reacting to the forest," she said, her voice laced with urgency. "It's like… whatever's ahead is connected to him."
Naryn glanced back. "He might be the crystal he maybe react since we getting close to his source."
As they ventured deeper, a faint, sound began to echo through the trees. It was a low, resonant thrum, like the beating of a massive heart. The group exchanged uneasy glances but pressed on, the sound growing louder and more distinct.
Finally, they emerged into a clearing. At its center stood an enormous, pulsating crystal embedded in the ground. Its surface was jagged and dark, glowing with the same sickly light as the corrupted beasts and the dark ones' staves. Tendrils of energy snaked outward from the crystal, burrowing into the earth and spreading the corruption like veins through the forest.
The survivor let out a strangled cry, his body convulsing as he pointed weakly toward the crystal. "The heart…" he gasped. "You need...to..destroy it…"
Naryn tightened his grip on his sword, his jaw set. "That's it. That's the source."
The group began to move, but before they could approach, the ground trembled violently. More corrupted beasts emerged, their forms larger and more grotesque than before. Behind them, dark figures materialized, their staves raised high, channeling the crystal's energy.
"They're protecting it !" Marek shouted, already rushing toward the nearest figure.
"Hold them off !" Naryn commanded. "Liana, Gerrick cover me ! I'm going for the crystal !"
Liana nodded, her staff blazing as she unleashed a wave of lightning that seared the advancing beasts.Garrick throws fireballs in quick succession, his focus unwavering as he created a path for Naryn.
Marek engaged the dark ones, meanwhile Osrik was sendind blessing to the others. The air crackled with magic and the clash of steel, the battlefield a maelstrom of chaos and determination.
Naryn rush toward the crystal, its pulsating energy pressing against him like a physical force. Each step felt like wading through a tide of malice, but he pushed forward, his sword glowing brighter as it resonated with the corruption.
When he reached the crystal, he raised his blade high, channeling every ounce of energy he had into a decisive strike. The blade strike the crystal, sending a shockwave through the clearing. The crystal cracked, its surface splintering as a deafening wail filled the air.
The beasts faltered, their forms disintegrating into mist. The dark ones collapsed, their staves shattering as the energy sustaining them dissipated. The crystal pulsed erratically, its glow flickering like a dying flame.
Naryn struck again, his sword cleaving deep into the crystal. With a final, thunderous crack, the crystal shattered completely, its fragments dissolving into the ground. The oppressive energy lifted, the forest falling silent once more.
The group stood in the aftermath, their breaths heavy but triumphant. The survivor's breathing steadied, his complexion returning to a healthier hue as the corruption's influence faded.
"It's over," Liana said softly, her voice trembling with relief.
"For now," Marek cautioned, his gaze scanning the clearing. "But we've dealt a serious blow to whatever's behind this."
Naryn lowered his sword, his shoulders relaxing for the first time in what felt like days. "Let's get out of here. We've done what we came to do."
The group stood in the shattered remains of the clearing, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they surveyed the aftermath. The crystal's fragments had dissolved entirely, leaving behind a charred indentation in the earth. The oppressive hum that had haunted them since entering the forest was gone, replaced by an almost peaceful silence.
Naryn let out a heavy sigh, wiping sweat from his brow. "Is everyone in one piece ?"
Osrik, his face a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. "Barely, but I'll take it. Those things hit harder than a drunken blacksmith swinging blindfolded."
Marek sheathed his daggers, his movements fluid despite his visible fatigue. "We were lucky. If the crystal had been any more protected, I'm not sure we'd be standing here."
Liana knelt beside the survivor, her hand resting gently on his forehead. The man's breathing had steadied, and his once-corrupted veins had receded, leaving his skin pale but human. "He's getting better." she said softly, relief evident in her voice. "Whatever was connecting him to the crystal he's gone."
The survivor opened his eyes slowly, his gaze unfocused but grateful. "You… you did it," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "The heart is gone… but... the others they didn't..."
Naryn crouched beside him, his expression serious. "I know it must be hard maybe if we came sooner..." As he clenched his fist. "we could have save the others."
The man coughed weakly, his strength fading. "Thanks..." His words trailed off as he slipped back into unconsciousness.
Marek folded his arms, his eyes narrowing. "We should hels back to the village and burried the corpse"
Osrik grumbled, shaking his head. "Can't just save the day and be done with it, can we ?"
Liana looked up at Naryn. "Its not your fault if we had listened to the council and leave more life would had been in involved."
"I know" Naryn said, his voice steady. "But im saying if we weren't...the other commoner and me a slave don't the council would take us seriously i mean we just need to look at the archive and know where to head if its was the council they would have find this place first and evitate more death sooner." Liana looked downed at Naryn word. "Its why im going to be one of the greatest mage this continent ive never seen and with my strenght i wanted to create a world where everyone will be equal."
As the group began to gather their supplies, Naryn hesitated for a moment. Unnoticed, a single shard of energy broke free from the ground and goes inside him and disappeared into his chest.
Naryn blinked, shaking off the strange sensation inside him. Marek was already scouting ahead, Liana tending to the survivor, and Osrik grumbling as he adjusted his pack.
"Let's move," Naryn said. "The quicker we're out of this forest, the better."
As they made their way out of the southern woods to the village, the first rays of dawn broke through the twisted canopy. The golden light touched the ground, dispelling the lingering darkness and offering a glimmer of hope.
For now, though, he kept walking, the weight of their victory tempered by the shadow of what lay ahead.
The village lay quiet under the light of dawn as the group outside from the corrupted forest. The air, though still heavy, was no longer suffocating. Signs of battle and decay marred the landscape, the ground littered with corrupted beasts and the remains of villagers who had succumbed to the darkness.
Naryn lead the group to the village, his face darkens. "We'll need to bury them," he said, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow.
Liana nodded, her gaze scanning the bodies. "It's the least we can do."
Osrik grunted, already. "We'll need a proper site. Somewhere peaceful."
The group worked in silence, as they dug graves for the fallen. Each villager was laid to rest with care, their corrupted forms now cleansed of the taint that had consumed them. Gerrick muttered quiet prayers under his breath.
The survivor, weak, had begun to regain some of his strength. He watched from a distance, leaning against a crumbled stone wall, his expression a mix of grief and gratitude.
Once the last grave was filled, the group stood in the village square. The sun had risen fully, its light casting long shadows over the graves.
"It's done," Naryn said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "They deserve peace."
The survivor approached the group hesitantly, but determined. His pale face, had regained some color, and his eyes were sharp.
"I owe you all my life," he said, his voice hoarse but steady. "My name is Dødelig i couldn't present myself earlier the corruption were devouring me. I was the last to survive when the corruption overtook my village."
Liana stepped forward, with concern. "What happened here, Dødelig ? How did the corruption spread ?"
Dødelig sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It started weeks ago. Strange whispers in the woods. The animals turn feral. Then the sickness came. At first, it was just a few fever,but it spread fast. The elders tried to do prayers, everything, but nothing worked and they started to die one by one. When the heart appeared, it was over. Those who didn't die were… consumed."
Marek frowned, his hand resting on one of his daggers. "And you ? How did you survive ?"
"I… I ran," Dødelig admitted, shame could be seen in his eyes. "I tried to fight, but it was useless. I escaped, hoping to find help, but the corruption caught me too." He looked at them with desperation. "If you hadn't come…"
Naryn placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did what you could. You survived, and now you can help us make sure this doesn't happen again."
Dødelig nodded, a glimmer of hope in his expression. "If there's anything I can do…"
"First rest," Liana said gently. "You've been through enough."
As the group prepared to leave, Marek stepped forward, his pack slung over one shoulder. "I'm heading in a different way," he announced.
Naryn raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean ?"
Marek smirked faintly, though there was no humor in his eyes. "I'm going to see if there are other places like this. Corruption doesn't stay isolated for long, and if it's spread elsewhere, someone needs to know."
Osrik frowned. "And you're going alone ? That's reckless."
"It's what I do," Marek replied with a shrug. "Besides, yall are student of the academy to."
Naryn extended a hand. "You right...Stay safe then."
Marek clasped it briefly before turning to the others. "Don't get yourselves killed," he said with a grin, then disparred into the forest.
The journey back to the academy was somber. The group carried the weight of their actions, knowing they had done what was necessary but unsure of the consequences.
After a few day they arrive at the entrance at the academy, Caelum, was waiting for them at the gates. His expression was neutral, though a flicker of relief passed over his face. "You're back. The council has been waiting for you."
Without a moment to rest, they were summoned to the council chamber. The council members sat in a semicircle, their expressions ranging from stern to outright disapproving. What will happen to Naryn and his group.