The path ahead twisted beneath a canopy of ancient trees.
Shadows seemed alive, stretching unnaturally as the dim light of dusk filtered through the leaves.
I felt an oppressive weight in the air, a sense of unease settling over us as we moved deeper into the forest.
Tian Lan walked ahead, her staff glowing faintly with a soft green aura.
Beside her, Zhang Hao held his blade at the ready, eyes darting to every rustle and whisper.
Liu Ying followed close behind me, her expression tense but composed.
"Something's wrong," Liu Ying said quietly.
"I feel it too," Tian Lan replied, stopping abruptly.
"The forest... it's corrupted."
Before I could ask what she meant, a chilling laughter echoed through the trees.
It was low and guttural, sending shivers down my spine.
"Who's there?" I called, my hand instinctively gripping the hilt of my sword.
From the shadows stepped a figure I recognized instantly—Chen Rui.
Once a fierce warrior and one of our allies in my past life, he had been renowned for his unyielding resolve.
But now, his eyes glowed with an unnatural crimson light, and his movements were sharp, almost predatory.
"Chen Rui?" I asked, disbelief in my voice.
"Li Wei," he said, his voice dripping with venom.
"How long has it been... How far you've come."
"What happened to you?" Liu Ying demanded, stepping forward.
"You're not yourself."
He sneered, his crimson gaze locking onto hers.
"The Shadow Devourer has shown me the truth.
Your futile resistance, your pathetic attempts to restore balance—it's all meaningless."
Tian Lan's voice was steady but firm.
"Chen Rui, the Shadow Devourer's influence has clouded your mind. Fight it."
Chen Rui laughed again, raising his weapon.
"Why would I fight it? The darkness has granted me power beyond anything I could have imagined.
I have no need for your so-called 'light.'"
The system chimed in front of me.
[System Notification: Ally Corrupted – Chen Rui.
Objective: Purify Chen Rui.
Reward: Shadow Ward Talisman – Grants immunity to minor curses and corruption.]
"Chen Rui," I said, taking a step forward, "you're stronger than this.
You were one of us—a Spirit Guardian.
You fought alongside us to protect the Celestial Gate.
Don't let the darkness consume you."
He snarled, his weapon lashing out in a blur of motion.
I barely managed to parry, the force of his strike sending me stumbling back.
"You think words will sway me?" he growled.
"You think I'll fall for your lies?"
Zhang Hao leaped into the fray, his blade clashing against Chen Rui's. "This guy's strong!" he shouted.
Liu Ying joined the fight, her movements swift and precise.
Tian Lan, meanwhile, began chanting softly, her staff glowing brighter as she prepared a purification spell.
"Hold him off!" she called.
"I need time to break the curse!"
Easier said than done.
Chen Rui moved like a shadow, his attacks relentless and unpredictable.
Every strike carried a dark energy that drained our strength, and it was all we could do to hold our ground.
As I fought, memories of our past battles flooded my mind.
Chen Rui had always been a steadfast ally, his loyalty unshakable.
To see him like this, twisted and consumed by darkness, was almost too much to bear.
But I couldn't afford to hesitate. Not now.
"Tian Lan, how much longer?" I shouted, deflecting another blow.
"Almost there!" she replied, her voice strained.
Chen Rui's laughter rang out again.
"You think you can save me? The darkness has already won!"
"Not if I can help it," I muttered under my breath.
Channeling my energy, I activated a skill the system had unlocked earlier—Blinding Radiance.
A burst of light erupted from my sword, forcing Chen Rui to retreat.
"Now, Tian Lan!" I yelled.
With a final chant, Tian Lan unleashed her spell.
A wave of pure energy washed over the clearing, enveloping Chen Rui in its light.
He screamed, the darkness writhing around him like a living thing.
For a moment, I thought we'd lost him.
But then the crimson light faded from his eyes, replaced by a familiar clarity.
Chen Rui collapsed to his knees, his weapon clattering to the ground.
"It's over," Liu Ying said, breathing heavily.
I approached him cautiously, my hand still on my sword.
"Chen Rui?"
He looked up at me, his expression filled with anguish.
"Li Wei... what have I done?"
"It wasn't you," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"The Shadow Devourer's influence is strong, but you're stronger."
[System Notification: Objective Complete – Chen Rui Purified.
Reward Acquired: Shadow Ward Talisman.]
This Talisman will help me fight along with those lost spirits and the shadow guards.
Tian Lan stepped forward, her tone gentle.
"Chen Rui, the darkness left a mark on you. But you can still fight it—with us."
He nodded slowly, his hands trembling.
"I'll do whatever it takes to atone for what I've done."
As we made camp that night, the tension in the air began to ease.
Chen Rui sat apart from the group, staring into the flames.
"You're awfully quiet," Zhang Hao said, breaking the silence.
Chen Rui didn't look up.
"I almost killed you all. How can you just... forgive me?"
"Because we've all made mistakes," I said, sitting down beside him.
"What matters is what we do to make up for them."
Liu Ying added, "The fact that you're still here, still fighting, says more than your actions under the curse ever could."
Chen Rui finally met our eyes, a flicker of hope in his gaze.
"Thank you. I won't let you down."
As the fire crackled and the stars shone above, I couldn't shake the feeling that the Shadow Devourer's influence was spreading faster than we anticipated.
But for now, at least, we had regained an ally—and with him, a renewed determination to face the challenges ahead.
The path ahead was dark and uncertain, but with each step, we grew stronger—together.