The morning sun bathed the village of Eldoria in a warm glow, but there was no sense of peace among its people. Though the previous day’s victory over the monsters should have brought a sense of relief, the air remained thick with unease. Dark clouds gathered in the villagers' hearts, whispering of dangers lurking just beyond the tree line.
Arctus observed the village through Liam’s eyes, noticing how the villagers moved with tension in their steps. Every creak of a wagon wheel or rustle of leaves sent nervous glances toward the forest. The attack from the twisted creatures had rattled everyone, and now the once-tranquil village teetered on the edge of fear.
From his unseen vantage, Arctus felt their anxiety as if it were his own. The victory was only a small one, he thought. They sense it, even if they don’t understand why. The real threat is still out there, growing.
Arctus accessed the system interface, analyzing the data from the recent battle. The creatures that had attacked were not native to the village’s surroundings, and their presence raised disturbing questions. Where had they come from? What had driven them to attack now?
His focus shifted as Liam stirred in his small bed, groaning as he awoke to the new day. The boy rubbed his eyes, still weary from the previous day’s events. His mind seemed plagued with the same questions that troubled Arctus.
He’s becoming more aware, Arctus noted, watching Liam closely. Good. He’ll need to be sharper if he’s going to survive what’s coming.
----------------------------------------
A Quiet Morning
Liam dressed quickly, though his movements were slower than usual. His mind was clearly elsewhere, still replaying the events of the day before. The image of those twisted creatures, their glowing red eyes filled with malice, haunted him. He had survived, but the fear still clung to him like a shadow.
Arctus remained silent as Liam gathered his things and made his way outside. The village was already awake, but the usual morning bustle had a nervous edge to it. People whispered as they worked, eyes darting toward the dense trees that bordered the village. It was as if the forest itself had turned hostile overnight, its shadows deeper, its silence more ominous.
They’re right to be afraid, Arctus thought. The forest is hiding something. Something dangerous.
As Liam moved through the village, offering small greetings to the others, Arctus considered their next move. The creatures that had attacked Eldoria were no ordinary beasts—they were corrupted by something darker, something more sinister. If they were going to protect the village, they needed answers. And those answers lay within the forest.
Liam was still young and inexperienced, but he had shown potential. Arctus had already helped him survive one encounter with death, and the boy had fought bravely during the monster attack. Now, Arctus needed to push him further. The boy had to be prepared for what was coming.
----------------------------------------
Investigating the Forest
As the sun climbed higher, Arctus decided it was time to take action. He gently nudged Liam’s thoughts, guiding him toward a decision.
The forest is the key, Arctus thought, sending a subtle prompt into Liam’s mind. We need to know what’s really going on in there. The village can’t remain in the dark.
Liam paused mid-step, his brow furrowing as if a thought had struck him. He glanced toward the looming trees at the edge of the village, a flicker of determination crossing his features. “I should investigate,” he murmured to himself, though the resolve in his voice was growing.
That’s it, Arctus encouraged, pleased with the boy’s response. We need to know what’s happening out there.
Liam quickly gathered supplies, strapping a small dagger to his belt and slinging a leather satchel over his shoulder. He didn’t tell his parents where he was going—he didn’t want to worry them more than they already were. Instead, he slipped away quietly, making his way toward the dark boundary of the forest.
As Liam stepped beneath the towering canopy of trees, Arctus immediately sensed the change in atmosphere. The forest was unnaturally still. The usual sounds of birds and small creatures scurrying through the underbrush were absent, replaced by an oppressive silence. The sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick branches above, casting the world in a dim, greenish glow.
This place... Arctus thought, extending his awareness through the system. It’s wrong. There’s something off about it. The magic here feels distorted.
He activated the Alertness skill, sharpening Liam’s senses to detect hidden dangers. Instantly, subtle details became more apparent—the faint flicker of a magical aura around certain trees, the almost imperceptible vibrations in the air, as if something ancient and powerful was watching from the shadows.
Stay sharp, Liam, Arctus advised, though the boy didn’t need much encouragement. His eyes were wide, his hand gripping the hilt of his dagger as he cautiously moved deeper into the forest.
----------------------------------------
Discovering Hidden Magic
After nearly an hour of careful exploration, Liam stumbled upon something unexpected—a clearing in the forest, where the trees opened up to reveal an old, abandoned shrine. The structure was half-hidden by moss and vines, its stones cracked and worn by time. Arctus felt a pulse of energy as soon as they stepped into the clearing—a faint but undeniable trace of magic.
What is this? Arctus wondered, analyzing the shrine through the system interface. The magic here was old, far older than anything he had encountered in the village. It felt wild, untamed, as if it had once been part of a powerful enchantment that had long since faded.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Liam approached the shrine cautiously, his eyes wide with curiosity. He reached out to touch the stones, and Arctus immediately sensed a reaction. A soft glow emanated from the cracks in the stone, and for a brief moment, the air around them shimmered with energy.
There’s something here, Arctus realized, studying the flow of mana through the shrine. An old enchantment... but it’s weakened over time. If I can restore it...
Arctus began working through the system, tapping into the remnants of the enchantment. The process was slow and delicate—he didn’t want to disrupt the fragile balance of the ancient magic. Bit by bit, he restored the enchantment, weaving mana back into the stones, strengthening the protective wards that had once shielded this place.
The clearing seemed to sigh with relief as the magic settled, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly. It wasn’t a complete restoration, but it was enough to stabilize the area. This shrine could serve as a safe zone for Liam and the villagers if danger ever approached again.
----------------------------------------
New Allies
Just as Arctus finished his work on the shrine, he sensed movement at the edge of the clearing. Liam turned quickly, his hand once again gripping his dagger, but Arctus urged caution.
Wait... Arctus sent the thought firmly. They’re not hostile. At least, not yet.
A group of elves emerged from the shadows of the trees. Their lithe, graceful forms moved silently, their eyes sharp and wary. They were dressed in simple yet elegant clothing, their pointed ears marking them as forest-dwellers. One of them, a tall elf with silver hair, stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Liam.
“What are you doing here, human?” the elf asked, her voice carrying an air of authority. “This is sacred ground.”
Liam hesitated, unsure of how to respond. His hand hovered near his weapon, but Arctus quickly sent a prompt: “Speak calmly. Explain yourself.”
Liam swallowed hard, then spoke. “I—I didn’t mean to intrude,” he stammered. “I’m from the village of Eldoria. We were attacked recently, by creatures from the forest. I came to investigate, to find out what’s going on.”
The elves exchanged glances, their expressions softening slightly. The silver-haired leader stepped closer, her sharp eyes studying Liam. “The forest is dangerous now,” she said. “More so than usual. We have seen the corruption spreading. It is not safe for your kind to wander here.”
Liam nodded, his nerves easing slightly. “I understand. But I need to protect my village. If you know anything about what’s happening, please... help us.”
The elf’s gaze softened, and after a moment of tense silence, she nodded. “Very well,” she said. “We will help you. But know this: the darkness that threatens your village is no ordinary evil. It is ancient, and it is growing stronger with each passing day. If you wish to stop it, you will need more than just your human strength.”
----------------------------------------
Strengthening Defenses
With the elves’ knowledge in hand, Liam returned to the village, Arctus guiding him every step of the way. The elves had spoken of an ancient evil deep within the Darkwood Forest, a force that had been dormant for centuries but was now stirring, corrupting the creatures of the forest. The village’s recent attacks were not random—they were part of a larger, more insidious plan.
This is worse than I thought, Arctus reflected as they approached the village gates. The darkness is spreading, and it’s only going to get worse.
The villagers gathered around as Liam shared what he had learned. Their faces were grim, but there was a flicker of hope now—hope that, with this new knowledge, they could prepare for what lay ahead.
Arctus, however, was already thinking ahead. We need more than just information. The village’s defenses were weak, barely enough to repel a small pack of corrupted creatures. If the darkness in the forest continued to spread, they would be overwhelmed sooner rather than later. He couldn’t afford to wait for the next attack.
The Mana Shield was a temporary solution, Arctus thought. But I need something bigger. Something that can protect the entire village.
Accessing his system interface, Arctus began to craft a new ability, using the mana he had stored and the knowledge he had gleaned from the elves and the ancient shrine. It took time—more than he would have liked—but slowly, a new skill took shape.
New Skill Created: Barrier of Warding (Level 1)
Description: Creates a defensive barrier around a designated area, protecting against physical and magical threats.
Satisfied with his work, Arctus sent a prompt to Liam: “Gather a few trusted villagers and set up warding stones around the perimeter of the village.”
Liam, still energized by his encounter with the elves, followed Arctus’s instructions without question. He gathered a few of the more capable villagers—men and women who had fought during the last attack—and explained the plan. Together, they ventured to the outskirts of Eldoria, placing small stones enchanted by Arctus at key points around the village.
When the last stone was set, Arctus activated the skill. A faint shimmer of energy spread through the ground, connecting each warding stone with invisible threads of mana. The barrier flickered to life, creating a protective field around the village. It wasn’t impenetrable—not yet—but it would give them an early warning and a layer of defense against the creatures of the forest.
----------------------------------------
A Growing Network
As night fell and the village began to quiet, Arctus reflected on everything that had happened. The barrier was a good start, but it was far from enough. The elves had spoken of an ancient evil—something powerful and old, hidden deep within the forest. If they were going to stand a chance against it, Arctus needed more than just Liam’s connection.
I need more nodes, he realized. More people to connect with, more minds to guide.
He expanded his focus, subtly probing the minds of the villagers as they went about their routines. Some were too fearful, too closed off, their thoughts chaotic and anxious. But others... others showed promise. There was the blacksmith, a burly man with a quiet determination. The village healer, a woman with a sharp intellect and an understanding of herbs and potions. And even a young girl, barely ten, whose curiosity and quick thinking had already saved her from danger more than once.
I can work with this, Arctus thought, already forming plans for how to integrate these individuals into his growing network. If I can connect with them, I’ll have more influence, more power to shape this world. And when the time comes, we’ll be ready.
----------------------------------------
Looking Ahead
As the village settled into a tentative peace, Arctus took stock of their progress. The barrier would hold for now, but the darkness was still out there, spreading through the forest. The ancient evil that the elves had warned about was not yet fully awake, but its presence was undeniable.
This is just the beginning, Arctus thought, his mind racing with possibilities. The forest holds many secrets, and the growing darkness is a threat I can’t ignore. But I’m learning. I’m growing. And I’m not alone anymore.
He focused on Liam, watching the boy as he finally lay down to rest, exhaustion claiming him after the day’s events. Arctus could feel the strength of their connection, the bond that had formed between them. It was still fragile, but it was growing. And soon, Liam wouldn’t be the only one.
I must keep evolving, Arctus resolved. The path ahead is dangerous, but I’ll guide them through it. One step at a time.
With that thought, Arctus settled into his work, planning the next phase of his journey. The village was safe for now, but the road ahead was long and fraught with challenges. And Arctus, ever the strategist, was determined to face them head-on.