As the duo make their way through the forrest of Akal with its vibrant greens, leaves rustling in the wind. The path they are riding on is shody and untended through lack of use ever so common on the frontiers of the empire, the trees giving of a sense of ancientnes giving the impression of centuries past yet the forrest remains.

Looking up to the sky Konrad notes that noon is steadily approaching, his ass already numb from the hours of riding the mare he is riding is even tempered but stubborn so he has had some difficulties controling her.

"There is a clearing up ahead where we will make camp" Bellaris says as he points north in the direction they are heading. Bellaris is a tall man standing at 6ft1 with broad shoulders and toned muscles evident from his years of military service he has black hair with green eyes marking him as a true imperial.

As they approach the clearing the sky starts to darken over the horizon as clouds starts to gather and the wind starts picking up showing signs of the storm thats brewing." We stop here start gathering wood for the fire while i tend to the horses" Bellaris commands "Yes sir" Konrad responds before making his way into the forrest in search of fire wood.

As he walks through the rough terrain of the forrest he starts hearing whispers they sound so close yet so far away. Thinking nothing of it he looks around not that due to recent rainfall most of the twigs are damp and unusable so he marches on. after 30 minutes of walking he finally gathered enough wood so he starts making his way back.

But there it is again that whispering, starting to get concerned his curiosity got the best of him so he starts following the voices. Trekking through the forrest he notices that the trees seem darker older almost. Until he reaches another clearing where at the center he sees an ancient oak yet it seems wrong, twisted almost but the whispering grows louder. It gets so loud that it is bordering on screaming, he drops to ground grabbing his hears to try and drown out the noise.

"Well well what do we have here, a lost little manling wandering the forrest didnt your parents ever tell you this is where monsters lurk" a strangled voice says from the direction of the tree as the shouting finally stops. Looking up Konrad sees a man made out of decayed bark and leaves standing before the twisted oak exuding a pungent smell of decay.

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"Wha..what are you" he says as he feels a pit of fear forming in his stomach while looking at the tree man "ah where are my manners my name is Aluel and you are trespassing in my domain" he says the last bit with a stained voice while giving Konrad a bone chilling stare that sends shivers down his spine." I didn't know im sorry sir ill leave right away" Konrad says as he slowly backs up while facing the monster,eyes never leaving the creature "And where do you think you are going" Aluel says while raising his brow "You must pay the price for your transgressions".

"And what price might that be good sir" Konrad says as he starts to sweat bullets his breathing going shallow as his heart beats ever faster "Your life of course" the creature says with a wicked smile before pouncing on Konrad withing a moment he closed the distance. Konrads pupils go wide in shock as his body moves of its own accord narrowly dodging the claw aimed at his throat.

Jumping back to make some distance all thoughts of courage and bravery leave him as he sprints as fast as he can to escape this monstrosity. "Dont run little lamb your only extending your suffering" the creature yells from behind. No matter how fast Konrad ran the creature always caught up until konrad tripped on a branch and fell face first into the ground.

Scrambling on his back he sees that its too late the creature was already lunging at him claws aimed at his head. He puts his hands infront of his face in an attempt to shield it knowing it offers little resistance. But suddenly time seems to stop as the whispering begins once again 'kill...fight...danger...death' as the voices grow in intensity a heat start building in his chest as lightning shoots out of his extended hand and hits the creature in the chest. It shoots back from the recoil of the blast "Cursed one plague bringer" it spits out venomously "I will enjoy devouring you" the creature states before moving forward again.

Just as it was about to attack again an axe hits it square in the head.the axe head red hot from heat goes through the creature like a knife through butter before embedding itself in a tree. A few moments later Bellaris arrives while surveying the area before finally laying his eyes on Konrad. "What happened" he says in a no nonsense tone.

But it was too late Konrad had already passed out.