Reality Repair was delicate work, especially against a corruption barrier deliberately designed to resist intrusion. Ethan focused intensely, channeling energy through his palms into the twisted vegetation. Rather than attacking the corruption directly, he sought to create a temporary phase shift—a bubble of normalized reality that would allow them to pass through without disturbing the barrier's integrity.
Blue light spread from his fingers in delicate fractal patterns, weaving between the corrupted vines and gradually creating a shimmer in the air, like heat rising from sun-baked asphalt.
"Almost there," Ethan whispered, sweat beading on his forehead. "This is more complex than it looks. The corruption has some kind of... self-preservation mechanism."
[REALITY REPAIR IN PROGRESS] COMPLEXITY: HIGH PROGRESS: 87% ENERGY CONSUMPTION: MODERATE (12% RESERVES) ESTIMATED COMPLETION: 34 SECONDS WARNING: VOID ENERGY ATTEMPTING COUNTER-ADAPTATION
The barrier seemed to sense his interference, corruption tendrils writhing more vigorously around the area he was repairing. For every bit of reality he stabilized, the surrounding corruption tried to flow inward to fill the gap. It was like trying to empty a bathtub while the faucet was still running.
Lysandra maintained vigilant watch, her bowstring half-drawn, eyes scanning the surrounding forest for any sign of additional guards or sentries. "Whatever lies beyond values its privacy," she murmured. "This barrier is not merely defensive—it's secretive."
With a final push of energy, Ethan completed the reality bubble. A roughly circular opening about four feet in diameter appeared in the barrier, revealing a narrow tunnel through the mass of corrupted vegetation.
[REALITY REPAIR COMPLETE] TEMPORARY PASSAGE CREATED STABILITY: 86% DURATION: APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE TRANSIT
"It won't last long," Ethan warned, already feeling the corruption pushing against his creation. "We need to move now."
Lysandra nodded and took point, slipping silently into the tunnel with Ethan close behind. The passage was uncomfortably tight, the corrupted vegetation mere inches from their bodies on all sides. Ethan could feel the malevolent energy pulsing around them, as if the barrier itself was alive and aware of their intrusion.
The tunnel extended for about twenty feet before opening into a space so unexpected that both of them froze momentarily in shock.
Beyond the corrupted barrier lay a perfectly circular clearing, approximately a hundred yards in diameter. Unlike the chaotic corruption of the Shadow Hollows, this space was meticulously organized. Concentric circles had been carved into the ground, filled with glowing purple symbols that pulsed in rhythmic patterns. At precise intervals around these circles stood crystalline structures that resembled obelisks, each about seven feet tall and radiating concentrated Void energy.
But what truly captured their attention was the center of this elaborate arrangement. A vertical tear hung in the air—a jagged wound in reality itself, approximately ten feet tall and shimmering with the same purple energy they'd seen throughout the corruption. Void essence seeped from this rift like smoke, collecting in a swirling pool at its base before flowing outward along channels carved into the ground, feeding the surrounding obelisks.
Most alarming was the figure working methodically at the base of the rift. Even from this distance, Ethan recognized the elegant robes and distinctive silver hair of an Elderwood Council member.
"Orlin," Lysandra whispered, her voice tight with confirmation of their worst fears.
[ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVE] LOCATION: ARTIFICIAL VOID NEXUS CENTRAL ANOMALY: DIMENSIONAL RIFT (PARTIALLY STABILIZED) STRUCTURE PURPOSE: CONTROLLED EXPANSION OF DIMENSIONAL BREACH ENERGY FLOW: VOID ESSENCE BEING HARVESTED AND REDIRECTED THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME ESTIMATED TIME SINCE CONSTRUCTION: 46-52 DAYS
Ethan and Lysandra crouched behind a ridge at the clearing's edge, observing the councilor's activities. Orlin moved with purpose around the rift, occasionally consulting what appeared to be an ancient tome bound in dark leather. He would reference the book, make adjustments to the glyphs on the ground, then measure the rift's response with a crystal instrument.
"He's not just communing with the Void," Ethan whispered. "He's systematically enlarging the rift."
"This is beyond corruption," Lysandra replied, her voice hollow with horror. "This is high treason against all of Elderwood. He's creating a gate."
The System provided immediate confirmation:
[CRITICAL INSIGHT] DETECTED CONSTRUCTION: VOID GATE PURPOSE: CONTROLLED ACCESS BETWEEN ELDERWOOD AND VOID DIMENSION CURRENT STATUS: 73% COMPLETE PROJECTED COMPLETION: 4-6 DAYS WARNING: COMPLETION WOULD ALLOW FULL-SCALE INVASION
They watched as Orlin retrieved something from a nearby workstation—a glass container holding a swirling black substance. With careful precision, the councilor poured this material into one of the carved channels. The effect was immediate and dramatic: the rift widened slightly, its edges becoming more defined as the purple light intensified.
"We need to stop him," Lysandra whispered, her hand tightening on her bow. "Now, before he completes another stabilization cycle."
Ethan caught her arm. "Wait. We need to understand exactly what we're dealing with first. The System suggests collecting samples before confronting him."
"What samples?" she hissed. "Every moment we delay allows him to strengthen that... abomination."
"Those containers on his workstation," Ethan pointed. "They contain different aspects of the Void energy he's working with. If we can analyze them, we might understand how to close the rift permanently, not just stop him temporarily."
Lysandra hesitated, her tactical training warring with her desire for immediate action. Finally, she nodded. "You're right. A wound this deep in reality won't simply heal if we remove the instigator. How do you suggest we proceed?"
[TACTICAL OPTIONS]
1. DIRECT CONFRONTATION: LOW SUCCESS PROBABILITY (28.2%)
2. STEALTH APPROACH: COLLECT SAMPLES, THEN NEUTRALIZE TARGET
3. OBSERVATION ONLY: GATHER INTELLIGENCE AND RETREAT RECOMMENDATION: OPTION 2 WITH CONTINGENCY FOR RETREAT
"I'll move around to the far side," Ethan said, pointing to a depression in the ground that might provide cover. "Using Environmental Analysis, I can identify which samples are most valuable. Meanwhile, you maintain position here with your bow ready. If he detects me, you'll have a clear shot to distract him while I retreat."
Lysandra looked dubious. "You're suggesting I remain here while you—a novice Mender with barely a week of experience—sneak up on a Council Elder who has clearly mastered Void corruption?"
"The System gives me the better chance at identifying the crucial samples," Ethan explained. "And frankly, you're the better shot. If this goes sideways, I'd rather have you covering me than the other way around."
After a moment's hesitation, Lysandra reluctantly agreed. "Very well. But at the first sign of detection, you retreat immediately. No heroics."
"Trust me, heroics are the last thing on my mind," Ethan assured her, activating his Stealth Enhancement protocol.
[STEALTH ENHANCEMENT ACTIVE] ENERGY SIGNATURE: MINIMIZED FOOTSTEP IMPACT: DAMPENED VISUAL PROFILE: REDUCED DURATION: 7 MINUTES ENERGY COST: ONGOING (3% PER MINUTE)
Ethan began his cautious approach, using the concentric circles carved into the ground as cover. Each time Orlin turned to consult his tome or adjust the rift, Ethan advanced a few more feet, careful to stay in the councilor's blind spots.
As he drew closer to the workstation, his Environmental Analysis provided more detailed information about the samples:
[ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS: DETAILED SCAN] SAMPLE A: VOID CATALYST - USED TO EXPAND RIFT SAMPLE B: STABILIZATION AGENT - PREVENTS RIFT COLLAPSE SAMPLE C: CRYSTALLIZED VOID ESSENCE - POWER SOURCE SAMPLE D: DIMENSIONAL RESONATOR - TUNES RIFT TO SPECIFIC TARGET NOTE: SAMPLES C & D MOST VALUABLE FOR ANALYSIS
Ethan was now only twenty feet from the workstation, concealed behind one of the obelisks. From this vantage point, he could see Orlin's face clearly for the first time—and the sight chilled him. The councilor's formerly handsome elven features were subtly distorted, his skin pale with a faint purple undertone. Most disturbing were his eyes—the whites now completely black, with purple irises that occasionally emitted wisps of Void energy.
As Orlin worked, he spoke quietly to himself—or perhaps to something unseen. Ethan strained to hear the words.
"...three more days until alignment... sacrifice will open the final pathway... master will be pleased with my servitude..."
Orlin suddenly paused, his head tilting as if listening to a distant sound. For a terrifying moment, his corrupted gaze swept across the clearing, passing dangerously close to Ethan's position. After a tense few seconds, the councilor returned to his work, but with noticeably increased urgency.
"They suspect," he muttered. "Must accelerate the timeline. The Heart Tree's corruption must be complete before they can marshal a response."
[CRITICAL INFORMATION ACQUIRED] TARGET LOCATION: HEART TREE PLANNED ACTION: COMPLETE CORRUPTION OF ELDERWOOD'S CENTER TIMELINE: ACCELERATED (POSSIBLY WITHIN 24-48 HOURS) WARNING: HEART TREE CORRUPTION WOULD DESTABILIZE ENTIRE REALM
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This was worse than they had feared. The Heart Tree was the mystical center of Elderwood, the source of the realm's natural magic and the anchor point for its very existence. If fully corrupted, the damage would be irreversible.
Ethan needed those samples now. Waiting for another distraction, he darted forward when Orlin moved to adjust the rift. With trembling hands, he quickly retrieved small amounts of the crystallized Void essence and the dimensional resonator, storing them in collection vials from his pouch.
Just as he was sealing the second vial, disaster struck. One of the obelisks nearest to him suddenly pulsed with energy, responding to changes Orlin had made to the rift. The surge of power illuminated Ethan's position like a spotlight.
Orlin spun around, his corrupted eyes widening in shock and rage. "Intruder!" he snarled, his voice carrying unnatural harmonics. "How dare you trespass in my sanctum!"
[EMERGENCY ALERT] COVER BLOWN PRIMARY THREAT ENGAGING RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE RETREAT
"Lysandra, now!" Ethan shouted, diving away as Orlin hurled a bolt of purple energy toward him.
The Guardian's response was immediate—three arrows whistled through the air in rapid succession. Orlin deflected the first two with a barrier of Void energy, but the third caught him in the shoulder, staggering him momentarily.
Ethan scrambled to his feet, clutching the precious samples as he ran toward their entry point. Behind him, Orlin was already recovering, pulling the arrow from his shoulder with unnatural calm. The wound oozed black ichor rather than blood.
"Pathetic resistance," the councilor called, his voice echoing with multiple undertones. "You cannot stop what has already begun. The Void comes for Elderwood, and I am its herald!"
With a gesture from Orlin, the nearest obelisks flared with power. The ground beneath Ethan's feet trembled as corruption began to spread rapidly toward him, transforming the earth into bubbling pools of Void essence.
[TACTICAL ALERT] CORRUPTION SPREADING: ATTEMPTING TO CUT OFF RETREAT VOID ENERGY LEVELS: CRITICAL RECOMMEND PHASE DISRUPTION ON NEAREST OBELISK
Ethan spun and activated Phase Disruption, targeting the obelisk channeling corruption toward him. The blue energy struck the crystal structure, causing it to flicker and momentarily lose cohesion. The advancing corruption faltered, giving him precious seconds to continue his retreat.
More arrows flew from Lysandra's position, forcing Orlin to divide his attention. The corrupted councilor snarled in frustration, then raised both hands toward the rift. The tear in reality widened further, and from its depths emerged three shadowy figures—humanoid in shape but composed entirely of writhing Void energy.
"Sentinels, destroy them!" Orlin commanded. "Let none escape to warn the Council!"
The Void sentinels moved with frightening speed, two heading directly for Ethan while the third veered toward Lysandra's position.
[COMBAT ALERT] VOID SENTINELS DETECTED: CLASS 2 VOID ENTITIES PHYSICAL RESISTANCE: LOW VOID ENERGY PROJECTION: HIGH WEAKNESS: PHASE DISRUPTION, CONCENTRATED LIGHT ENERGY WARNING: PHASE DISRUPTION ON COOLDOWN (32 SECONDS)
As the sentinels closed in, Ethan activated his newly discovered Void Shield, the blue energy barrier materializing just in time to deflect a blast of corruption. The impact still sent him stumbling backward, his shield flickering dangerously from the power of the attack.
"Ethan, to me!" Lysandra called, already engaging the sentinel that had targeted her. Her enchanted blade sliced through its form, causing it to shriek in a frequency that made Ethan's teeth vibrate painfully.
Dodging another attack, Ethan sprinted toward Lysandra, the two sentinels in close pursuit. He could feel his energy reserves depleting rapidly as he maintained the shield against their relentless assault.
[STATUS UPDATE] ENERGY RESERVES: 26% (CRITICAL) VOID SHIELD: FAILING PHASE DISRUPTION: AVAILABLE IN 8 SECONDS WARNING: ESCAPE ROUTE COMPROMISED
They reached each other just as Ethan's shield collapsed completely. Lysandra immediately stepped in front of him, her blade moving in blinding arcs to keep the sentinels at bay. Despite her skill, she was forced back step by step as all three entities coordinated their attacks.
"The samples," Ethan gasped, "I got them, but we're cut off from our exit!"
"Then we make a new one," Lysandra replied grimly. From her belt, she retrieved a small golden acorn that glowed with inner light. "Heart Tree essence—for emergencies only. It will create a temporary path through the corruption, but we'll have only moments to use it."
Behind the sentinels, Orlin was approaching steadily, waves of corruption flowing before him like a grotesque carpet. "Your struggles are futile," he called, his voice now barely recognizable as elven. "The Void Master has shown me the ultimate truth—Elderwood was always meant to be consumed, to feed the coming ascension!"
"Now!" Lysandra commanded, throwing the golden acorn toward the corruption barrier at the clearing's edge.
The acorn burst into brilliance upon impact, golden light spreading outward in a wave that temporarily purged the corruption it touched. A pathway appeared in the barrier—narrow and already beginning to close, but momentarily passable.
"Go!" Lysandra shoved Ethan toward the opening, turning to face the sentinels with grim determination.
"Not without you!" Ethan protested, grabbing her arm.
"I'll be right behind you," she promised, detaching a small pouch from her belt and pressing it into his hand. "These are purification charges. If I don't make it, use them on the samples—they'll reveal the Void's true nature to the Council."
Before Ethan could argue further, Lysandra unleashed a blinding flash from her blade, momentarily stunning the sentinels. "Go now, or we both fail!"
[CRITICAL DECISION POINT] TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: GUARDIAN CAN DELAY ENEMIES BUT NOT DEFEAT ALONE MISSION PRIORITY: SECURE SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS RECOMMENDATION: RETREAT WITH SAMPLES, PROVIDE COVERING SUPPORT IF POSSIBLE
With a final desperate look at Lysandra, Ethan turned and sprinted for the closing pathway. Behind him, he heard the clash of combat resume with renewed intensity.
As he reached the opening, Phase Disruption finally became available again. Ethan spun, targeting the nearest sentinel that was pressing Lysandra back toward the center of the clearing.
The blue energy struck true, temporarily disrupting the entity's cohesion and giving Lysandra an opening to disengage. She immediately took advantage, dispatching the weakened sentinel with a decisive strike before turning to sprint toward Ethan.
"Run!" she shouted as she approached, the remaining sentinels and Orlin in close pursuit.
They dived through the rapidly closing path together, the corruption already beginning to regenerate behind them. Orlin's rage-filled scream followed them as the barrier sealed shut, cutting off pursuit—at least momentarily.
[MISSION UPDATE] PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: ACHIEVED (SAMPLES ACQUIRED) SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: ACHIEVED (INTELLIGENCE GATHERED) TERTIARY OBJECTIVE: PARTIALLY ACHIEVED (ENEMY INTENTIONS CONFIRMED) THREAT LEVEL TO ELDERWOOD: CATASTROPHIC RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE RETURN TO COUNCIL WITH FINDINGS
They didn't slow their pace until they were well away from the corrupted clearing, finally stopping in a small grotto where a natural spring of clean water bubbled from moss-covered rocks. The water's pure energy helped neutralize any lingering corruption that might have followed them.
"That," Ethan gasped, hands on his knees as he caught his breath, "was way too close."
Lysandra was already scanning their surroundings, ensuring they hadn't been followed. "Orlin is fully corrupted," she said grimly. "What we saw was no longer an Elderwood councilor—merely a Void puppet wearing his form."
Ethan carefully placed the sample vials on a flat stone, their contents swirling with ominous purple energy. "According to what I overheard, we have less time than we thought. He's planning to corrupt the Heart Tree within the next day or two."
"Then we must return to the Council immediately," Lysandra said, her expression darkening. "Though I fear what Sewandel will say when he learns one of their own has turned traitor."
Ethan activated his Environmental Analysis, directing it at the samples he'd collected:
[SAMPLE ANALYSIS INITIATED] SAMPLE C: CRYSTALLIZED VOID ESSENCE COMPOSITION: CONDENSED DIMENSIONAL ENERGY WITH TRACE ORGANIC MATTER ORIGIN CONFIRMATION: "VOID DIMENSION" - PARASITIC REALITY LAYER NOTE: ORGANIC TRACES SUGGEST VOID DIMENSION CONSUMING OTHER REALITIES COMPATIBILITY: 3% WITH ELDERWOOD NATURAL ENERGY (EXPLAINING CORRUPTION EFFECTS)
SAMPLE D: DIMENSIONAL RESONATOR PURPOSE: CREATES HARMONIC BRIDGE BETWEEN DIMENSIONS CONSTRUCTION: ARTIFICIALLY ENGINEERED (NOT NATURAL FORMATION) KEY INSIGHT: RESONATOR CALIBRATED TO SPECIFIC COORDINATES IMPLICATION: TARGET INVASION POINT IS HEART TREE
"These aren't random corruption events," Ethan said, looking up from the analysis. "This is a calculated invasion plan. The Void isn't just seeping in through natural weaknesses—someone is deliberately weakening the barriers between dimensions."
"But why would Orlin do this?" Lysandra questioned. "He has served on the Council for centuries, dedicated to Elderwood's protection."
"I don't think this started with him," Ethan replied, studying the resonator sample more closely. "The System indicates this technology is beyond anything native to Elderwood. Orlin may have been corrupted first, then used as a conduit to bring this knowledge through."
He activated a deeper level of analysis, focusing on the crystallized essence:
[ADVANCED ANALYSIS: VOID ESSENCE] CORRUPTION METHODOLOGY DETECTED: TARGETED SUBVERSION STAGE 1: INITIAL CONTACT THROUGH DREAMS OR ARTIFACTS STAGE 2: GRADUAL CORRUPTION OF SUBJECT'S ENERGY SIGNATURE STAGE 3: CONSCIOUSNESS SUBVERSION AND CONTROL STAGE 4: PHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION ORLIN STATUS: LATE STAGE 3/EARLY STAGE 4 WARNING: PROCESS DESIGNED TO BE UNDETECTABLE UNTIL ADVANCED STAGES
"It's worse than we thought," Ethan said grimly. "The corruption follows a specific pattern, designed to remain hidden until it's nearly complete. Orlin might not have been the only one targeted."
Lysandra's eyes widened with alarm. "You suggest there could be others on the Council?"
"I don't know," Ethan admitted, "but we can't rule it out. The corruption is sophisticated and deliberate. Whoever—or whatever—is behind this has been planning it for a long time."
He applied the purification charges Lysandra had given him to the samples, watching as the dark energy temporarily stabilized into more clearly defined patterns. When he analyzed these patterns, the System revealed one final, disturbing insight:
[CRITICAL REVELATION] VOID SIGNATURE CONTAINS COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS ORLIN RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS FROM ENTITY DESIGNATED: "VOID MASTER" ENTITY LOCATION: BEYOND PRIMARY RIFT ENTITY NATURE: UNKNOWN, BUT DEMONSTRATES STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE WARNING: EVIDENCE SUGGESTS ENTITY HAS ATTEMPTED INVASION BEFORE
"There's someone on the other side," Ethan said quietly. "Someone directing this whole operation. Orlin called it the 'Void Master.' The System thinks this entity has tried to invade Elderwood before."
Lysandra's expression grew grave. "There are ancient records of a similar corruption attempt centuries ago, but they are fragmentary at best. The records speak of a 'dark hunger from between worlds' that was barely repelled by a coalition of powerful guardians."
"And now it's trying again," Ethan concluded, carefully repacking the samples. "With Orlin as its agent."
[STATUS UPDATE] ENERGY RESERVES: 31% (REGENERATING) HEALTH: 88% (MINOR VOID CONTAMINATION) SAMPLES SECURED: 2 CRITICAL COMPONENTS INTELLIGENCE VALUE: EXTREMELY HIGH SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 34.2% (+1.5%)
"We need to move," Lysandra said, rising to her feet. "If we push hard, we can reach the edge of the Shadow Hollows by nightfall, and the Heart Tree by tomorrow morning."
As they prepared to depart, Ethan reviewed everything they'd learned. The puzzle pieces were starting to fit together: the corruption nodes, the infected wildlife, the controlled sentries, and now the rift itself—all part of a coordinated invasion plan targeting the Heart Tree, Elderwood's mystical center.
"So much for a simple scouting mission," he muttered, securing the samples in his pack.
Lysandra offered a grim smile. "Welcome to your first major crisis as a Mender, Ethan Stark. I suspect it won't be your last."
"Somehow that's not very comforting," Ethan replied, but he found himself standing a little straighter as they set off through the forest.
The path ahead was clear now, even if the outcome remained uncertain. They had the evidence they needed to convince the Council, and knowledge of the enemy's plans. The race to save Elderwood had truly begun—and Ethan, the reluctant systems analyst turned dimensional Mender, was now at its center.
As they traveled, the System displayed one final message:
[MISSION PROGRESSION] WORLD REPAIR CANDIDATE: ETHAN STARK STATUS: ADAPTING BEYOND BASELINE EXPECTATIONS FIRST CRITICAL CHALLENGE: ENGAGED NOTE: SUBJECT SHOWING INITIATIVE AND ANALYTICAL STRENGTH PROBABILITY OF SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTION: CALCULATING...