Chapter 6: Whispers of the Corruptor
Leon walked beside Kaelina in silence, his thoughts churning. The glow in his hands had faded, but the energy within him remained. It pulsed beneath his skin, a constant reminder of the trial he had endured.
"So, what now?" he asked, breaking the quiet.
Kaelina glanced at him, her sharp eyes calculating. "Now, we head to the Crossroads."
"The Crossroads?"
"It's a place where paths converge—both literally and figuratively," she explained. "Travelers, mercenaries, outlaws… everyone passes through there. If we're going to find allies or enemies, that's where we'll start."
Leon frowned. "And what about… the Corruptor?"
Kaelina's expression darkened. "You've already caught their attention, Leon. That means they'll come for you sooner rather than later. The Corruptor's agents are always watching, always listening."
A chill ran down Leon's spine. "So what am I supposed to do? Hide?"
Kaelina snorted. "Hide? No. You're going to fight. But first, you need to understand what you're up against."
As if on cue, the forest around them grew eerily quiet. The usual hum of insects and rustling leaves vanished, replaced by an oppressive stillness.
"Something's wrong," Kaelina muttered, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her blade.
Leon tensed, his gaze darting around the shadowy trees. "What is it?"
"Shh." She raised a hand, silencing him. Her eyes scanned the forest, searching for something unseen.
A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness. Leon's heart pounded as shapes began to emerge from the shadows—hulking, twisted creatures with glowing red eyes and jagged teeth.
"Corruptlings," Kaelina spat, drawing her blade. The weapon shimmered with a faint, blue light as she raised it.
Leon instinctively took a step back. "What the hell are those things?"
"Fragments of the Corruptor's will," Kaelina said grimly. "They're mindless, but deadly. Stay close to me."
The creatures circled them, their growls growing louder. One of them lunged, its claws aimed at Kaelina's throat.
With a fluid motion, she sidestepped and slashed her blade across its torso. The creature howled as it dissolved into a cloud of black smoke.
"Leon!" Kaelina shouted. "Don't just stand there! Use your power!"
Leon's breath hitched. He had no idea how to summon the energy he had felt during the trial. The creatures were closing in, their red eyes gleaming with malice.
"Focus, Leon!" Kaelina yelled, cutting down another Corruptling. "Feel the fire inside you!"
Leon clenched his fists, willing the spark within him to ignite. He felt a faint warmth in his chest, but it wasn't enough. The nearest Corruptling lunged at him, its claws glinting in the dim light.
At the last second, Kaelina intervened, her blade slicing through the creature. She turned to Leon, her expression fierce.
"Get it together, or we're both dead!"
Her words cut through his panic like a blade. Leon closed his eyes, shutting out the chaos around him. He focused on the fire he had felt in the Heartwood's realm—the flame that had burned away his doubts.
Come on. I need you now.
The warmth in his chest grew, spreading through his body like a wave. His hands began to glow faintly, and when he opened his eyes, the nearest Corruptling froze, its red eyes locked on him.
Leon raised his hand instinctively, and a burst of golden light erupted from his palm. The creature disintegrated, its howl echoing through the clearing.
Kaelina raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Not bad."
Leon exhaled shakily, the glow in his hands fading. "Did… did I just do that?"
Kaelina nodded, cutting down the last of the Corruptlings. "You're starting to tap into your power. But don't get cocky. That was barely a fraction of what you'll need to survive."
The forest grew quiet once more, the Corruptlings reduced to wisps of smoke that dissipated into the air.
Leon leaned against a tree, his legs trembling. "If that was just a warm-up, I don't think I'm ready for whatever's next."
Kaelina sheathed her blade and walked over to him. "You're alive, aren't you? That's what matters. Now come on. The Crossroads isn't far, and we've already lost enough time."
Leon pushed himself to his feet, his determination renewed. He didn't know what awaited them at the Crossroads, but one thing was certain: he couldn't turn back now.