Chapter 137: Signals of Crisis
A few days had passed, and the forest was cast in dusk's soft, fading light. Abel walked ahead, flanked by Burt and several Enforcement officers, each of whom had recently been equipped with the artifacts taken from the defeated Mendez Brothers.
The atmosphere was tense yet focused, and the officers carried small bags of gray leaves on their waists—a newfound resource Abel had confirmed had the unique property of stopping blood loss when consumed. Abel had also secretly planted some of the seeds in his garden, hoping to cultivate more of the peculiar plant. Its dull gray leaves might not catch the eye, but their practical uses were undeniable.
The officers, except for Burt, now wore their new earrings, each imbued with unique magical abilities. This was part of the training session they had agreed to undertake with Abel. His goal was clear: to prepare them for the dangers lurking in the woods and to ensure they understood the nature of the magical beasts that roamed the area.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Abel spoke in a low, measured tone, sharing insights he had gained from Poole, a Stone Tower faculty member who specialized in the dangers of magical creatures and other geographical information.
Abel emphasized that while many of these beasts were considered lower class and not the most deadly, their cunning made them formidable. They often used stealth and surprise to snatch civilians, dragging them into the woods before anyone could notice.
The officers listened intently, their newfound respect for Abel palpable. Even Burt, who had initially been skeptical, now seemed to regard Abel with a mixture of admiration and trust. Abel had proven himself not only through his combat abilities but also through his commitment to the town’s safety.
As they walked, Abel suddenly extended his arm, signaling the group to stop. His eyes narrowed, scanning the forest floor ahead. “Look carefully,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He pointed to a series of loose vines that appeared to be spread unnaturally across the ground. “These vines don’t match anything else in the surrounding forest,” he explained. “This isn’t just foliage—it’s a trap.”
The officers leaned in, their eyes following Abel’s finger. Above them, partially obscured by leaves, a bulbous plant hung ominously, its exterior blending seamlessly with the canopy. “Plant creatures are as much of a threat as any beast,” Abel continued, his voice steady. He gestured toward the hidden bulb, its surface faintly pulsating.
“Steward,” Abel called, extending his hand. Steward immediately handed over his sword, the blade catching the last rays of light as Abel raised it toward the bulb. “If you step on these vines,” Abel warned, “that bulb will try to consume you.”
Without further ado, Abel poked the bulb with the tip of the sword. There was a brief, tense silence before the plant reacted violently. The bulb split open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and lunged downward with terrifying speed.
The officers instinctively jumped back, eyes wide in shock. But Abel remained calm and precise. In one fluid motion, he drew his knife, which shimmered with a faint, almost ethereal light.
As the bulb descended, Abel slashed upward, the blade of his knife extending with a sudden burst of energy, resembling a short sword made of light. The plant creature fell with a heavy thud, its green blood oozing out and soaking the forest floor.
Abel turned to the officers, his expression unreadable. “You know what to do,” he said, gesturing toward the fallen creature. Without hesitation, the officers, including Burt, pulled out vials and containers from their bags and began carefully collecting pieces of the plant. They worked quickly, gathering samples of the vines, the bulb’s teeth, and the green ichor that oozed from its severed body.
Abel watched them for a moment before speaking again. “This is only the beginning. Keep your wits about you. The deeper we go, the more dangerous it gets.” His words hung in the air, a grim reminder of the threats they faced.
The group gathered their supplies and fell back into formation, following Abel as he led them farther into the woods. The forest grew darker and colder, each step taking them closer to the unknown dangers lurking within.
Abel, Burt, and the officers stumbled upon an eerie scene deep within the forest. Ahead of them, a small figure sat with its back to a tree, seemingly carving something into the bark. The officers halted, their breaths catching as they took in the unsettling sight. Even Abel, usually composed, found the tableau unnerving. The girl appeared young, her black hair cascading down to the ground in a tangled mass, partially concealing her small frame. Her clothes were ragged, and smeared with dirt, suggesting she had lived outside for some time. She murmured, her words inaudible, and showed no reaction to the approaching group.
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The officers exchanged uneasy glances, some instinctively wanting to rush forward to help what appeared to be a lost child. However, Abel quickly raised a hand, halting them. “Don’t let appearances deceive you,” he warned, his tone grave. “In the world of magic, nothing is as it seems.”
He stepped back, signaling the officers to handle the situation. Burt joined him, watching closely to see how they would fare with their newly acquired artifacts.
Steward moved first, his earring glowing with an azure light. His tongue transformed, extending out in a snake-like motion, aiming to capture the girl. But as the tongue approached, the girl’s head twisted unnaturally around, revealing a gaping hole where her face should have been. The officers froze, their initial horror deepening as the creature dodged the tongue with an unnerving agility.
The girl-creature lunged toward them, her movements quick and jerky. The tall, lanky officer with moth-like wings where his ears should have been reacted swiftly, flapping his wings to generate a powerful gust of wind. The force pushed the creature back, but it wasn’t deterred.
Jenny’s forehead glowed as a third eye opened, its dual irises locking onto the creature. A beam of green energy shot from the eye, but the creature twisted away, avoiding the blast. It let out a guttural hiss as it refocused its attention on the group.
From the hole in her face, a grotesque hand with three long, clawed fingers emerged, stretching out toward them with malicious intent. The jittery officer’s nose had transformed into a yellow tail with an axe-like end. He swung it with precision, severing the monstrous hand in a clean strike. The creature reeled back, its strange appendage writhing on the ground.
Taking advantage of the moment, another officer launched a pink blob from his artifact. The blob struck the creature, causing it to stagger and shriek in pain. It writhed, its movements becoming erratic.
Seizing the opportunity, Jenny focused her beam once more. This time, the green light sliced through the creature with deadly accuracy, cutting it cleanly in half. The two halves collapsed to the ground, writhing for a moment before going still.
The officers stood in silence, their breathing heavy as they processed the bizarre and harrowing encounter. Abel stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “Good,” he said quietly. “You handled that well. Remember, this is the world we live in now—always be prepared for the unexpected.”
Burt nodded in agreement, pride in his eyes as he looked at his team. The officers had proven themselves capable, but the haunting image of the girl-creature would linger in their minds.
The group then moved on as the night had settled in. While Abel continued through the forest, his mind was distracted by the persistent buzz from his Tower badge—a signal of urgent communication from the Stone Tower. The message was of the highest priority, reserved for moments of great significance. As the group moved quietly behind him, Abel’s thoughts were consumed by the contents of the messages.
The general message was from the Tower Master, addressing all Apostles. It detailed an unprecedented directive: the search for any traces of elemental spirits. Alongside this command was a comprehensive explanation of what elemental spirits were—ethereal entities tied to the very essence of nature, wielding power over specific elements. Abel recalled the legends of these spirits, beings of immense power thought to have vanished from the world long ago, their existence fading into myth.
The message stressed the urgency of this search, an urgency that piqued Abel’s curiosity. Expeditions were being postponed, and select Apostles were being recalled to the Tower to receive new, undisclosed orders. The Tower’s emphasis on finding these long-extinct beings baffled Abel. What had changed? What had the Tower Master discovered that warranted such a drastic shift in priorities?
Beneath the broader directive, there was an ominous mention of a calamity looming over Bask. The warning to remain cautious and safe was vague but enough to stir unease in Abel. What calamity was coming? And why was it tied to the hunt for elemental spirits? The mysteries piled up, leaving Abel with more questions than answers.
Then there was the private message, and this was where things grew more peculiar. The Tower Master had issued a direct order to monitor the Murman family and another, less familiar name—the Abatos family. Abel furrowed his brow in thought. The Murman family was already under his scrutiny, given their growing influence and recent activities, but the mention of the Abatos family caught him off guard.
It took him a moment to remember—the Abatos family had recently been approved to settle in Reinhart, specifically on Fifth Street. Their entry into the town had seemed routine at the time, but the Tower’s attention on them suggested otherwise. Abel made a mental note to keep a close watch on their activities, ensuring nothing slipped under his radar.
The message also emphasized the importance of training, growing stronger, and fortifying the town—an endeavor Abel was already deeply invested in. The Tower’s encouragement to continue building Reinhart’s defenses and improving its capabilities aligned perfectly with his current mission. Yet, the added weight of these instructions hinted at a looming threat, one that Abel could feel creeping closer with each passing day.
As he processed the contents of the messages, Abel’s eyes flicked back to the forest around him. The group moved with silent discipline, unaware of the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. He knew that whatever the Tower was preparing for, it was bigger than anything they had faced so far. The stakes were rising, and Abel couldn’t shake the feeling that the future of Bask hung precariously in the balance.