The Riftspire Forest loomed like a dark ocean on the horizon, its jagged trees twisting into the sky. The boundary between Arkasol's bustling chaos and the forest's eerie stillness was stark. Eziel stood at the edge, his coat billowing in the cold wind. The map Lysara had provided was clutched in his gloved hand, the markings faintly glowing under the dim light of the moon.
Behind him, Boran approached with a noticeable limp, his armor patched but still showing the scars of battle. The potion Lysara had brewed had done wonders, but he was far from fully healed. Slung across his back was a massive war axe, its edge glinting with faint runes that pulsed with protective magic.
"Still think this is a good idea?" Boran grumbled, his deep voice breaking the silence.
"No," Eziel replied, slipping the map into his coat pocket. "But since when do we deal in good ideas? Besides, if the Riftcore is as dangerous as you and Lysara say, we don't have much of a choice."
Boran nodded reluctantly, his gaze shifting to the forest. "The Riftspire Forest isn't just dangerous—it's alive. The rifts have twisted it into something unnatural. Don't trust your senses in there."
"Noted," Eziel said, drawing one of his rune-etched daggers. The blade shimmered faintly, responding to the latent magic in the air. "Let's move."
They stepped into the forest, the air growing colder with each step. The light from Arkasol faded behind them, swallowed by the oppressive canopy. Shadows danced along the twisted trunks, their movements too fluid to be mere tricks of the eye. The ground beneath their feet was soft, covered in a layer of moss that seemed to pulse faintly with life.
"Stick close," Boran muttered. "This place likes to separate its prey."
Eziel nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The forest was unnervingly quiet, save for the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. The path Lysara had marked on the map was barely discernible, a faint trail that wound deeper into the heart of the forest.
After what felt like hours, they reached a clearing. At its center stood a monolithic stone, covered in glowing runes that pulsed with a sickly green light. The air around it was heavy, charged with energy that made Eziel's skin crawl.
"That's it," Boran said, his voice barely above a whisper. "A fragment of the Voidheart. The Riftcore will resonate with it."
Eziel pulled the Riftcore from his pocket. As soon as it was exposed, the artifact began to glow brighter, its light matching the rhythm of the runes on the monolith. The air grew thicker, and a low hum filled the clearing.
"Quickly," Boran urged. "We need to disrupt the connection before—"
A deafening roar cut him off. From the shadows, a massive creature emerged, its form shifting and writhing as though it couldn't decide what shape to take. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and its maw was filled with jagged, shifting teeth.
"Voidborn," Boran growled, raising his axe. "Get ready."
Eziel didn't need to be told twice. He activated the runes on his daggers, their light cutting through the gloom. The creature lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Eziel dodged to the side, slashing at one of its limbs. The blade met resistance, then tore through, causing the creature to shriek in pain.
Boran charged, his axe glowing with runic power. He swung with all his might, the blade connecting with the creature's torso. A burst of light erupted from the impact, momentarily illuminating the clearing. The Voidborn staggered but quickly recovered, its form shifting to compensate for the damage.
"We can't fight it forever!" Eziel shouted, dodging another swipe. "What's the plan?"
"The monolith!" Boran yelled. "Destroy it!"
Eziel glanced at the stone, its runes pulsating wildly. He knew Boran was right—the monolith was the anchor, the source of the Voidborn's strength. But getting to it would mean leaving themselves vulnerable.
"Cover me!" he shouted, breaking into a sprint toward the monolith. Boran roared in response, throwing himself at the creature to keep it occupied.
Reaching the stone, Eziel placed a hand on its surface. The energy it radiated was overwhelming, threatening to tear him apart. Summoning his magic, he channeled power into his dagger, the runes flaring brightly.
"Come on," he muttered, driving the blade into the stone. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, the runes on the monolith flickering. The Voidborn let out an earsplitting wail, its form destabilizing.
Boran seized the opportunity, delivering a crushing blow to the creature's head. The axe cleaved through, and the Voidborn dissolved into a swirling mass of black mist, which dissipated into the air.
Eziel pulled his dagger free, stumbling back as the monolith began to crack. The runes shattered, and the oppressive energy in the clearing vanished. He collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily.
"Is it over?" he asked, looking up at Boran.
"For now," Boran replied, leaning on his axe. He looked just as exhausted. "But this was only a fragment. The Voidborn will come again."
Eziel nodded, tucking the Riftcore back into his coat. "Then we'll be ready. Let's get out of here before the forest decides it's hungry."
Together, they retraced their steps, the oppressive weight of the forest lifting as they moved closer to its edge. The journey had taken its toll, but they were alive—and they had the knowledge they needed to fight back.
As the lights of Arkasol came into view, Eziel couldn't shake the feeling that their battle was only just beginning. The Riftcore pulsed faintly in his pocket, a silent reminder of the darkness still to come.