The deeper Ethan and Lysandra pressed into the Shadow Hollows, the more the environment seemed to resist their presence. The twisted trees grew denser, their branches intertwining overhead to block out what little light filtered through the unnatural mist. The ground beneath their feet became increasingly unstable—sometimes firm, sometimes yielding like quicksand with no visible difference between the two.
"Stay close," Lysandra warned, navigating the treacherous terrain with practiced grace. "Step where I step. The Hollows play tricks on those who wander."
Ethan followed carefully, grateful for his Enhanced Perception which occasionally revealed hidden dangers seconds before he would have stepped into them. His Corruption Resistance ability was working overtime, constantly filtering out the worst of the Void influence that pressed against his mind like a physical weight.
STATUS UPDATE CORRUPTION RESISTANCE: 17 MINUTES REMAINING VOID EXPOSURE: MODERATE (42% FILTERED) WARNING: MENTAL INFLUENCE ATTEMPTS DETECTED ENERGY RESERVES: 65%
"Something's watching us again," Ethan murmured, his Energy Perception detecting multiple signatures circling their position. Unlike the scout from the previous night, these energies were more diffuse, less defined—as if they belonged to entities that weren't fully formed.
Lysandra nodded without turning, her bow already in her hands. "The deeper regions of the Hollows are home to the Unfinished—creatures caught between dimensions during the original cataclysm. They are normally passive, but the corruption may have changed that."
As if summoned by her words, a haunting moan echoed through the twisted trees, answered by similar cries from different directions. The sounds carried a quality that made Ethan's skin crawl—not quite animal, not quite sentient, but somehow both and neither simultaneously.
THREAT ASSESSMENT MULTIPLE ENTITIES DETECTED CLASSIFICATION: INTERDIMENSIONAL ANOMALIES ("UNFINISHED") NORMALLY NON-AGGRESSIVE SPECIES NOW SHOWING CORRUPTION SIGNS THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE TO HIGH RECOMMEND CAUTION AND DEFENSIVE POSTURE
They pushed forward more cautiously, following the increasingly concentrated trail of corruption. The path led them to what appeared to be an ancient clearing—a perfectly circular space approximately fifty feet in diameter, where no trees grew and the ground was covered in pale, luminescent moss.
"A place of power," Lysandra whispered, her gaze sweeping the clearing. "Once used for communion with the forest spirits, now tainted by Void energies."
Ethan's Environmental Analysis confirmed her assessment. The clearing had once been a focal point for natural energies, but now served as a collection node for corruption. Unlike the mushroom circle they'd encountered earlier, this site appeared to be a natural formation that had been repurposed—a genuine power spot hijacked for malevolent use.
"The corruption trail leads right through the center," Ethan noted, studying the energy flows. "It's strongest just beyond, about half a mile ahead."
Lysandra hesitated at the clearing's edge. "We should skirt around. Crossing sacred spaces in the Shadow Hollows, even corrupted ones, often triggers... responses."
Before Ethan could reply, his System flashed an urgent alert:
EMERGENCY ALERT VOID ENERGY SURGE DETECTED MULTIPLE ENTITIES CONVERGING ON POSITION ESTIMATED TIME TO CONTACT: 15 SECONDS RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE DEFENSIVE ACTION
"Too late for that," Ethan said grimly. "We've got company incoming."
They moved back-to-back as shapes began to materialize from the surrounding forest. Unlike the shadow entities they'd faced before, these creatures had physical substance—twisted amalgamations of forest animals warped by Void corruption. Ethan counted six of them emerging from different points around the clearing.
The first to fully reveal itself might once have been a stag. Its general form was cervine, but corruption had stretched its limbs to unnatural lengths, added extra joints that bent in impossible directions, and split its antlers into writhing tentacles that probed the air. Most disturbing were its eyes—not the gentle brown of a deer, but glowing purple orbs that leaked wisps of dark energy.
"Void-touched fauna," Lysandra said, her voice tight as she drew back her bowstring. "The corruption has progressed further than we feared."
The corrupted stag lowered its head, antler-tentacles writhing with increasing agitation. Then, with a shriek that no natural deer could produce, it charged directly at them.
COMBAT INITIATED PRIMARY TARGET: VOID-CORRUPTED CERVINE SECONDARY THREATS: 5 ADDITIONAL CORRUPTED FAUNA TACTICAL OPTIONS: - PHASE DISRUPTION: EFFECTIVE AGAINST VOID ELEMENTS - ENERGY MANIPULATION: POTENTIAL COUNTER TO CORRUPTION - REALITY REPAIR: COULD PURGE CORRUPTION BUT TIME-INTENSIVE RECOMMENDATION: PHASE DISRUPTION TO WEAKEN, THEN PHYSICAL NEUTRALIZATION
"I'll take the stag!" Ethan shouted, activating his Phase Disruption ability and directing it at the charging creature.
Blue energy shot from his wristband, striking the corrupted animal in mid-leap. The effect wasn't as dramatic as with the shadow entities, but it was still significant—the creature's form solidified, the writhing tentacles temporarily freezing in place as its multi-dimensional nature was forced into a single phase.
What Ethan hadn't accounted for was the creature's momentum. Even with its Void attributes temporarily neutralized, it was still a massive stag charging at full speed. He barely managed to dive aside as the creature barreled past, its rigid antlers gouging a furrow in the ground where he had stood.
Behind him, Lysandra was already engaging the other creatures with ruthless efficiency. Her arrows found vulnerable points with uncanny accuracy, dropping a corrupted fox-like creature instantly and crippling what might have once been a bear.
Ethan scrambled to his feet as the stag wheeled around for another charge. His Phase Disruption was on cooldown, leaving him momentarily without his most effective ability. The stag seemed to sense this, its purple eyes focusing on him with malevolent intelligence.
TACTICAL ADVISORY PHASE DISRUPTION: RECHARGING (18 SECONDS) OPPONENT DISPLAYS TACTICAL AWARENESS PHYSICAL VULNERABILITY DETECTED: JOINT STABILIZATION REDUCED RECOMMENDATION: TARGET LEGS DURING CHARGE
As the stag charged again, Ethan waited until the last possible moment before dodging—not to the side this time, but sliding beneath the creature's elongated body. As he passed under it, he struck upward with all his strength, targeting the unnaturally jointed front leg the System had highlighted as vulnerable.
There was a sickening crack as the joint gave way. The stag stumbled and crashed to the ground, its momentum carrying it several yards before it rolled to a stop in a tangle of thrashing limbs.
Ethan had no time to celebrate this small victory. Another corrupted animal—this one resembling a massive wolf with an extra pair of limbs erupting from its shoulders—was already leaping toward him. With no time to dodge, Ethan threw up his arms in a desperate defensive gesture.
To his surprise, blue energy automatically flared from his wristband, forming a brief shield that deflected the wolf-thing's attack. The creature tumbled past him, clearly surprised by the defense.
NEW ABILITY DISCOVERED VOID SHIELD (LEVEL 1) ABILITY: AUTOMATIC DEFENSE AGAINST VOID ENTITIES ENERGY COST: 8% PER ACTIVATION DURATION: 1.5 SECONDS NOTE: TRIGGERED BY EXTREME DANGER, NOW ACCESSIBLE MANUALLY
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The wolf-creature recovered quickly and circled Ethan, six legs moving in an unsettling synchronized pattern. Its purple eyes studied him with unnatural calculation, jaws dripping with saliva that sizzled where it touched the ground.
Ethan risked a glance at Lysandra, who was now surrounded by three creatures, holding them at bay with blindingly fast sword work. Her movements were fluid and precise, but even she couldn't maintain that defense indefinitely.
The injured stag was struggling back to its feet, malice radiating from its glowing eyes. Ethan found himself caught between two corrupted predators, with his most effective ability still recharging.
A memory from his System training flickered through his mind—something about corrupted entities sharing a linked consciousness. If true, it might give him an edge.
TACTICAL OPPORTUNITY CORRUPTED FAUNA DISPLAY HIVE-MIND CHARACTERISTICS SYNCHRONIZED ATTACKS SUGGEST CENTRAL CONTROL POINT VULNERABILITY: SENSORY OVERLOAD MAY DISRUPT COLLECTIVE FUNCTION
As both creatures tensed to pounce simultaneously, Ethan made a desperate gamble. Instead of retreating, he charged directly at the wolf-thing, activating his newly discovered Void Shield at the last possible moment.
The blue energy barrier deflected the creature's snapping jaws as Ethan crashed into it. The momentum carried them both to the ground in a tangle of limbs and fur. Before the creature could recover, Ethan pressed his palm directly against its corrupted flank and activated Energy Manipulation, pulling in the ambient Void energy and immediately channeling it back into the creature in a concentrated burst.
The effect was more dramatic than he'd anticipated. The wolf-thing convulsed violently as the sudden energy influx overloaded its system. A pulse of purple light radiated outward from the point of contact—and remarkably, all the corrupted creatures in the clearing simultaneously froze for a split second, including the stag that had been about to gore Lysandra from behind.
"Now!" Ethan shouted, recognizing the momentary advantage.
Lysandra didn't waste the opportunity. With two lightning-fast strikes, she dispatched the creatures nearest her, then pivoted to send an arrow through the frozen stag's eye.
Ethan struggled with the wolf-thing, which was already recovering from the energy overload. Its jaws snapped inches from his face, fetid breath washing over him as multiple legs scrabbled for purchase. In desperation, Ethan activated Phase Disruption the instant it finished recharging, forcing the creature fully into the physical realm.
The wolf-thing's form solidified, momentarily confusion replacing the calculated malice in its eyes. Ethan seized the moment, rolling away and grabbing a fallen branch in the same motion. With all his strength, he drove the makeshift spear into the creature's exposed throat.
Dark ichor sprayed from the wound, sizzling against Ethan's skin where it touched. The creature thrashed once, then collapsed, its purple eyes dimming as the corruption energy began to dissipate.
COMBAT ASSESSMENT PRIMARY THREATS NEUTRALIZED COMBAT PERFORMANCE: ADEQUATE (FIRST ENGAGEMENT) TACTICAL INNOVATION: HIGH ENERGY RESERVES: 49% WARNING: VOID CONTAMINATION DETECTED ON SKIN FROM CONTACT WITH ICHOR RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE DECONTAMINATION
"Don't move," Lysandra ordered, approaching with a small crystal vial. "The corruption is spreading where its blood touched you."
Ethan looked down to see dark veins spreading outward from the spots where the ichor had splashed his arm. The sensation was like ice water flowing beneath his skin, bringing numbness in its wake.
Lysandra uncorked the vial and poured its shimmering contents over the affected areas. The liquid hissed and steamed upon contact, but the spreading corruption receded almost immediately.
"Starlight essence," she explained, examining his arm carefully. "Effective against minor contamination, though not against deeper corruption like my wound from the Void blade."
Ethan nodded gratefully, catching his breath as the adrenaline of battle began to fade. "Thanks. That was... educational."
Lysandra's expression was grim as she surveyed the fallen creatures. "These animals were once native to Elderwood. The corruption has twisted them into weapons." She knelt beside the wolf-creature Ethan had killed, examining it with practiced eyes. "The process is accelerating. This transformation would normally take months, yet these creatures show signs of recent corruption—perhaps only days old."
Ethan activated his Environmental Analysis, studying the fallen enemies more systematically.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVE SUBJECTS: VOID-CORRUPTED FAUNA CORRUPTION PROGRESSION: 78-92% COMPLETE CORRUPTION METHOD: DIRECT VOID ENERGY INFUSION ESTIMATED TIME SINCE INFECTION: 4-6 DAYS NOTE: CORRUPTION EXHIBITS ENGINEERED CHARACTERISTICS SECONDARY NOTE: BIOLOGICAL TISSUE CONTAINS USABLE SAMPLES FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS
"The System says we should collect samples," Ethan said, gesturing to the wolf-creature's remains. "They might help us understand what we're dealing with."
Lysandra produced several small containment vessels from her pack. With methodical precision, she collected samples of the corrupted flesh, ichor, and the strange crystalline formations that had begun to grow along the creature's spine after death.
"The Council's alchemists will want to study these," she said, carefully sealing each container. "Though I doubt they've seen corruption this advanced before."
As she worked, Ethan knelt beside the stag, drawn to something unusual about its antlers. Upon closer inspection, he discovered tiny glyphs etched into the bone—similar to those he'd seen on the corruption node, but with subtle differences.
"Lysandra, look at this," he called. "These markings—they're like control runes."
The Guardian examined the glyphs with growing concern. "These are not random mutations. Someone has deliberately marked these creatures, perhaps to direct their actions." Her gaze lifted to meet his. "We're not just facing natural corruption—someone is weaponizing it, creating foot soldiers."
Ethan's System confirmed her assessment:
CRITICAL INSIGHT CONTROL GLYPHS IDENTIFIED PURPOSE: REMOTE INFLUENCE AND COORDINATION IMPLICATION: SENTIENT INTELLIGENCE DIRECTING CORRUPTION HYPOTHESIS: INFECTED WILDLIFE SERVING AS RECONNAISSANCE AND DEFENSE FORCE
"These weren't random guardians," Ethan realized. "They were sentries, positioned to protect whatever lies at the center of the corruption trail."
Lysandra nodded grimly. "And now that we've eliminated them, their controller will know we're coming."
"Then we'd better move quickly," Ethan said, rising to his feet. "The System detected the strongest corruption signal half a mile beyond this clearing. That's likely where we'll find our answers—and perhaps Orlin as well."
As they prepared to continue their journey, Ethan examined the status display on his wristband:
POST-COMBAT STATUS HEALTH: 92% (MINOR VOID CONTAMINATION TREATED) ENERGY RESERVES: 49% (REGENERATING) CORRUPTION RESISTANCE: DEPLETED (READY TO REACTIVATE) EXPERIENCE GAINED: 120 NEW ABILITY DISCOVERED: VOID SHIELD (LEVEL 1) SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 32.7% (+1.5%)
The survival probability increase brought a grim smile to Ethan's face. His first real combat had been messy and desperate, but he'd survived—and learned valuable lessons in the process. As they moved deeper into the Shadow Hollows, following the dark pulse of corruption to its source, he felt a strange mix of dread and determination.
Whatever awaited them at the corruption's heart, he was no longer the same person who had stumbled into this world just days ago. Whether that would be enough to face what was coming... only time would tell.
"You fought well," Lysandra commented as they pushed through the increasingly dense undergrowth. "For a systems analyst."
"I'm learning on the job," Ethan replied, activating his Corruption Resistance again as the ambient Void energy intensified around them. "Though I'm starting to think my resume will need some serious updating if I ever make it back home."
The Guardian's expression softened momentarily. "Do you miss it? Your world?"
Ethan considered the question as they walked. "Parts of it, yes. But honestly? I never felt like I was doing anything that mattered there. Just maintaining systems, fixing problems that would inevitably break again." He gestured at the corrupted forest around them. "This is terrifying and probably suicidal, but at least it matters."
Lysandra nodded in understanding. "The prophecy speaks of the Mender finding purpose. Perhaps this is part of what was foreseen."
"Maybe," Ethan conceded, though he still felt uncomfortable with the weight of prophecy. "Or maybe I'm just the IT guy who got dragged into the weirdest system crash ever."
Their banter faded as they approached a dense wall of twisted vegetation ahead—trees and vines grown together in what was clearly an unnatural formation. Unlike the rest of the corruption they'd seen, which spread in organic patterns, this barrier was too regular, too purposeful.
"A defensive perimeter," Lysandra whispered, studying the formation. "Whatever lies beyond is being deliberately protected."
Ethan's Energy Perception detected massive corruption flows behind the barrier, pulsing with purpose and malevolence. Something important waited on the other side—something directly connected to the spreading darkness throughout Elderwood.
"We need to get through," he said, examining the wall for weaknesses. "Any ideas that don't involve announcing our presence?"
Lysandra pointed to a section where the corruption seemed slightly less concentrated. "There. The pattern is thinner. Your Reality Repair might be able to create an opening without triggering whatever alarms are surely woven into this structure."
As Ethan prepared to attempt the delicate operation, his System displayed one final warning:
CRITICAL ALERT MAJOR VOID NEXUS DETECTED BEYOND BARRIER ENERGY SIGNATURE CONSISTENT WITH DIMENSIONAL BREACH PREPARATION CAUTION: ENTITY BEYOND BARRIER POSSESSES CAPABILITIES EXCEEDING PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS SURVIVAL PROBABILITY IF ENGAGED DIRECTLY: 18.3%
Ethan took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever they might find. "Ready?"
Lysandra nocked an arrow, her expression resolute. "Always."
With that, Ethan placed his hands against the corrupted barrier and began the subtle work of creating their path to the heart of darkness.