Evan and his team, composed of Ourra, Ourri, and Yvette, moved cautiously through the dense forest north of Kubu Fort. The rustling leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures served as a backdrop to their mission.
Each of them remained vigilant, the memory of their slain comrades driving them forward. The tracker runes, given to them by Gerrard before they departed the fort, pulsed faintly in Evan's hand. Imbued with the energy signature they were pursuing, the runes acted as their guide, leading them deeper into the wilderness.
To minimize the risk of detection, Ourra cast intricate concealment spells. Tendrils of shimmering blue energy spiraled around her fingers before dissolving into the air.
The magic cloaked their presence, muffling their movements and suppressing their energy signatures. Despite the protection, the group remained tense, each step a reminder of the danger lurking ahead.
The journey was arduous, spanning two days of relentless tracking. The forest gradually gave way to uneven terrain, the trail becoming narrower and more challenging. By the end of the second day, they reached a small lake nestled amidst the hills to the north of Kubu Fort.
The lake shimmered under the twilight, its surface eerily still. Yet something about the place felt off.
"There's a strange absence of other elemental energies here," Ourra observed, crouching near the water's edge. He touched the surface, his expression tightening. "Only a faint trace of chaos energy remains."
The tracker runes pulsed faintly, indicating they were close to their target. Yet there was no visible source, no sign of anything out of the ordinary beyond the unsettling stillness of the lake. The team exchanged wary glances.
"Could it be hiding beneath the surface?" Yvette suggested, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.
"Or maybe the energy is masking itself," Evan replied. His gaze scanned their surroundings, every sense on high alert.
Ourri only can stand silently behind them with his giant hand scratching his head.
Unable to pinpoint the source, they decided to set up camp nearby, hoping observation might reveal more. The evening passed in relative silence as they prepared their gear and took turns keeping watch.
The crackling of the campfire offered a small measure of comfort against the creeping unease.
Several hours later, as the moon climbed higher into the sky, Evan felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. His instincts, honed from years of combat, flared. Someone—or something—was nearby, watching them.
Without hesitation, he called out, his voice sharp and commanding. "Stop hiding and come out!"
The others instantly readied themselves, weapons drawn. From the shadows beyond the firelight, a figure emerged. At first, it was difficult to make out any details, the individual's form shrouded in a hooded cloak.
The figure stopped a short distance from the campfire and slowly removed his mask and hood. The team tensed as the firelight revealed his features.
He was an elf, unmistakably so, with pointed ears and strikingly handsome features—sharp cheekbones, slightly pointed green eyes, and pale skin that seemed to catch the firelight just right.
The elf raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I mean no harm," he said, his voice smooth and calm. "My name is Silas, a wanderer. I noticed your fire from a distance and... well, I didn't want to alarm you."
Despite his explanation, the group remained on edge. Evan's grip on his greatsword tightened, his gray eyes narrowing. "Why were you hiding?"
"I wasn't hiding, per se," Silas replied with a small, disarming smile. "I was merely concealing my presence so as not to intrude. I only seek some warmth by the fire. If my presence is unwelcome, I'll leave."
The team exchanged hesitant glances. Humans and elves had signed a peace treaty not long ago, and outright hostility felt unwarranted.
After a moment's deliberation, Evan gave a short nod. "You can stay. But any false move, and you'll regret it."
Silas inclined his head in gratitude and settled near the fire. The tension eased slightly, though the group remained watchful.
It was Ourra who finally broke the silence. "So, what brings you out here, Silas?" he asked, his tone cautious yet curious.
The elf hesitated, his expression clouding over. "I am pursuing an entity," he said slowly. "One that destroyed my village. Its trail led me here."
Evan leaned forward, his interest piqued. "This entity... does it emit strange energy? Chaos energy, perhaps?"
Silas' jaw tightened, and for a moment, he seemed reluctant to answer. Eventually, he nodded.
"Yes, but it's... different. The chaos energy it wields is refined, controlled—unlike the wild, unstable energy you'd expect from chaos monsters. It also has a terrifying ability to absorb magic energy. It doesn't just drain its victims—it consumes them entirely including the Body."
A heavy silence fell over the group. The fire crackled softly, but its warmth felt insufficient against the chill of Silas' words.
After a while, Silas turned the question back on them. "And you? What brings you to this remote place?"
Evan explained their mission—their pursuit of the mysterious energy responsible for the recent attacks. Hearing this, Silas' expression shifted from sorrow to understanding.
"So, we might share the same target," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Perhaps we should cooperate—at least until we uncover the truth."
Yvette, ever cautious, spoke first. "We might have the same purpose right now, but if we find that our targets are unrelated, we'll part ways."
Silas smiled faintly. "Fair enough."
Evan nodded in agreement. "For now, we work together."
With their temporary alliance established, Silas rose to his feet and began weaving a series of complex spells.
The group watched in silence as his hands moved with practiced precision, arcs of green and silver energy dancing in the air.
As the spell reached its climax, the surface of the lake began to shimmer. Then, a crack appeared—like a spiderweb spreading across glass.
The air seemed to ripple, and the crack widened, revealing a hidden rift above the water.
"This entity is using advanced magic arts," Silas explained, his tone serious. "It created an illusionary gate—a sealed rift above the lake. We'll need to go through to find out what's on the other side."
Evan motioned for the group to prepare. "Stay sharp," he said, his voice steady but firm. "We don't know what's waiting for us there."
Weapons ready and senses heightened, Evan, Ourra, Ourri, and Yvette stepped forward, their resolve unshaken as they entered the mysterious rift.