Nox's breath came in short, sharp gasps as he stumbled forward through the eerie forest. The suffocating atmosphere of the Demon Realm seemed to press in on him from all sides, but still, some unseen force urged him forward, deeper into the forest. The glowing runes on the trees pulsed softly, and Nox could feel a strange pull from them—an energy he couldn't quite understand. Every step felt heavier, as if the very air was weighing him down.
He stopped for a moment to study one of the glowing runes on a nearby tree. The symbols seemed to shimmer, shifting slightly as if they were alive. As his fingers brushed against the air near it, a faint push seemed to emanate from the rune, almost as though it was warning him to stay away. Nox's eyes narrowed. This place was dangerous, and whatever lay ahead wasn't going to be any better. But he couldn't turn back now—not when he felt the pull of something important deeper in the woods.
With one last glance at the ominous runes, Nox pressed on. He had to move quickly. The poison still lingered in his veins, though he had used most of his mana to stave it off. He drank a bit of the Life Elemental water he had left, hoping it would ease the pain. It helped, but it wasn't enough—the potency of the water was no match for the overwhelming forces of this realm. He could feel the poison still working its way through his body, his limbs becoming heavier with each passing second.
After what seemed like an eternity of trudging through the forest.
Nox stumbled into the clearing, his vision blurry and his legs heavy beneath him. The forest was thick, the air stifling, and he was beginning to feel the weight of his exhaustion. His eyes struggled to focus on the figure standing in the center of the clearing—a young woman, about his age, with silver-white hair that cascaded down her back in waves like a shimmering waterfall. The hair seemed to catch the faint light of the clearing, glowing against the dark backdrop of the forest.
She stood tall, her posture straight, almost regal. Despite the uncertainty in Nox's own body, he couldn't help but notice how poised she was, how at ease she seemed in the midst of the danger that surrounded them both. Her face was sharp, defined by high cheekbones and a strong jawline, giving her an air of authority. Her crimson eyes locked onto him with unnerving intensity, as though they could pierce through him and see every thought racing through his mind.
She looks human... but something about her feels otherworldly. There's a power in her gaze.
Her slender figure was dressed in dark, form-fitting clothing that allowed her to move freely, yet there was a clear grace in the way she carried herself. She exuded confidence, the kind that only came with experience, with a deep understanding of her own strength. Despite the smooth, almost delicate appearance of her features, there was an undeniable presence about her—a subtle but powerful aura that made the air around her feel charged, as though every movement she made could shift the world.
Nox's breath hitched, his body trembling under the weight of his exhaustion and the unsettling energy she radiated. He couldn't help but take a cautious step back, his hand subconsciously brushing the hilt of his Void Sword.
Can I trust her?
Her lips parted slightly as she observed him, but it was her eyes—those fierce crimson eyes—that held him in place, making it impossible for him to look away. There was something in them that made him wonder if she, too, was a stranger here, just as lost as he was in the maze of the Demon Realm.
"What are you?" The girl's voice was steady, though there was an edge of suspicion, a wariness beneath her calm demeanor. Her gaze flickered, studying him as though trying to discern whether he was friend or foe. Her posture remained poised, but there was a tension in the air that spoke volumes about her awareness.
Nox blinked, his body aching with exhaustion, his mind struggling to process his situation. She was standing before him, yet he couldn't gauge whether she would help or attack.
Stay calm. You don't have the strength to fight...
"I'm…" Nox's voice was rough, his throat dry, but he pushed through, "I'm human. Just like you." His words came out hoarse but steady. He instinctively reached for his Void Sword, his hand tightening on the hilt, but it was more out of reflex than readiness for combat. He wasn't sure how much longer he could stand, let alone fight. "I don't know how I got here. I was pulled through a void rift... and now... I'm stuck."
The girl's crimson eyes narrowed slightly at his explanation, a flicker of something—curiosity, perhaps—passing through them. Her stance shifted, more calculating now, but she didn't make any sudden moves. Instead, she took a slow step toward him, studying him more closely.
She seems human. Maybe she won't attack me...
Nox's mind raced. The poison still surged in his veins, his limbs growing heavier with each passing moment. He needed help—desperately. Yet, the last thing he wanted was to provoke her into violence. His hand still rested on the sword, but his grip loosened just enough to show he wasn't looking for a fight.
"From the Human Realm?" she asked, her tone sharper now, though still measured. Her eyes held a glint of something unreadable, but there was no immediate aggression in her movements.
Nox nodded slowly, his breath shallow. "Yes. I don't know why... but I ended up here." He paused, gathering what little strength he had left. "Please... I just need help. I... I can't survive much longer."
There was a moment of silence, and for a second, Nox thought she might turn away or strike him down. But instead, she tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into the faintest smirk—almost as though she found his desperation amusing.
"You came through a rift?" she asked again, her voice quieter now, tinged with curiosity. The smirk deepened, but it wasn't mocking. It was more... knowing.
Nox's heart pounded in his chest as the poison surged again, his vision blurring. His legs gave way beneath him, and he staggered, barely managing to stay on his feet. The girl's expression shifted from curiosity to something softer—almost protective—but there was no mistaking the sharpness in her gaze.
Before he could react, a figure blurred into view behind him, moving so fast that Nox didn't have time to react. A sword pressed against his neck, cold steel biting into his skin.
Not again. Damn it…
His pulse raced, his breath catching in his throat. But before the situation could escalate, the girl—Lilith, Nox realized—spoke.
"Teacher, stand down." Her voice was firm, authoritative, no longer carrying the edge of suspicion but commanding and sure. The sword at Nox's neck withdrew instantly, and he breathed a small sigh of relief, though his body remained tense.
Nox turned to see the figure behind him—a tall woman cloaked in dark flowing robes. Her silver eyes gleamed with an intensity that matched Lilith's gaze, a cold, calculating look that made Nox feel like he was being sized up for something far more dangerous than a simple conversation.
The woman's gaze flicked briefly to Lilith, then returned to Nox, her tone as chilling as the blade that had just been pressed to his skin. "Lilith," she said, her voice like ice, "What is this?"
Lilith glanced back at Nox, her expression unreadable, before replying quietly, "He's from the Human Realm. He came through a rift."
The woman—who Nox could only assume was the teacher—raised an eyebrow, as though she didn't quite believe it. Her eyes scanned him, sharp and intense, before she spoke again. "A human? And you're alive after that?" Her voice held a trace of disbelief, mixed with something else—curiosity, maybe even concern, though she hid it well.
"I've been fighting the poison," Nox rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need help... please." His body was screaming for relief, but he held his ground.
The woman studied him for a long moment before her expression softened, ever so slightly. "You're fortunate you made it this far. The Demon Realm doesn't tend to be kind to humans."
Lilith, still watching Nox with an unreadable expression, stepped forward. "We'll help you," she said quietly. "But you need to rest. You're not going anywhere in this state."
Before Nox could respond, his vision blurred completely. The poison was winning. His knees buckled beneath him, and just as he was about to fall, he felt a steadying hand on his shoulder. Lilith's voice reached him, distant and muffled.
"You'll survive," she said, though he barely heard it as darkness overtook him.