The creature's voice, a dissonant symphony of unnerving tones, reverberated in Knox's ears, its words a macabre tapestry of unintelligible gibberish. Knox, disoriented and bewildered, turned to Ethos for guidance, only to be confronted with a sight that sent a chilling shiver down his spine.
In his mind's eye, Ethos materialized beside him, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an expression of sheer terror. Knox felt a surge of panic, a wave of fear rising within him—whatever was unfolding, it was something far beyond his comprehension.
And then, to his horror, he witnessed the little girl's gaze shift, her eyes locking onto Ethos with an intensity that pierced Knox's soul, freezing his blood. At that moment, he grasped the truth—the girl could see Ethos, the enigmatic being who had been his unwavering companion and guide.
Terror seized Knox's heart like a vice as he grappled with the enormity of this revelation. If the girl could see Ethos, she was no ordinary creature—she wielded powers that surpassed anything he had ever encountered.
With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Knox realized he was facing an opponent unlike any he had ever known—an opponent who could see the essence of his being and seemed to hold all the cards in this deadly game.
As the girl's gaze bore into Ethos, Knox felt a chill run down his spine. Whatever lay ahead, he was sure of one thing—he would need to summon every ounce of strength and cunning he possessed if he hoped to survive this encounter.
The forest was already filled with tension, but when Knox spotted a figure approaching from behind the little girl, his heart skipped a beat. It was his father, Jake—his eyes widened in disbelief at the sight. Panic surged through Knox's veins as he instinctively attempted to flee, but to his dismay, he found himself pinned down by the inexplicable force of the girl's grip.
She cast a fleeting glance over her shoulder at the approaching figure, her expression one of mild curiosity, before turning her attention back to Knox, her eyes betraying a hint of boredom. As Jake launched into a frenzied attack, his movements fueled by rage and desperation, the girl remained eerily calm, effortlessly deflecting each blow with an almost casual grace.
Jake's frustration mounted with each unsuccessful strike, his attacks becoming increasingly wild and erratic. But no matter how fiercely he lashed out, the girl seemed unfazed, her defenses impenetrable. It was a chilling display of power—one that left Knox feeling utterly helpless in the face of such overwhelming force.
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Knox witnessed Jake whispering a few words before everything plunged into darkness. The little girl and Jake vanished from his sight, leaving him in utter darkness, with not even Ethos by his side. As Knox struggled to make sense of the sudden darkness enveloping him, a familiar voice broke through the void, offering a glimmer of familiarity in the unsettling darkness. "Hi, Knox, no time, no see," the voice greeted him, prompting Knox to turn towards its source in desperate anticipation.
To his astonishment, Sara stood before him, her presence both comforting and bewildering amidst the chaotic darkness. "S-Sara?" Knox stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to comprehend the surreal encounter.
"Yes, Knox. It’s me. Come here," Sara beckoned, her arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture. Despite the confusion and uncertainty swirling within him, Knox found himself drawn towards her, his heart yearning for the solace of her embrace amidst the unsettling unknown. Just as he was about to fall into her embrace, a surge of clarity rushed through Knox's mind, alerting him that something was gravely amiss. He recoiled from Sara, prompting her to cast him a sorrowful and bewildered glance. "Knox? Why are you backing away? It's been so long since I've seen you, and now you won't even embrace me? Don't you love me anymore?"
Knox's voice trembled with anxiety as he struggled to form a coherent response. "Uh, I... I don't know. But why are you here? I saw you get killed right in front of me," he managed to stammer out. Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to grasp the surreal nature of the situation. 'Do I feel resentment towards her for dying? No, that can't be it,' he reasoned internally, grappling with the conflicting emotions surging within him.
"It doesn’t matter why I'm here, Knox," Sara insisted, her voice trembling with urgency. "All that matters is that I love you and want to be with you. Please, don't shy away." With each step, she closed the distance between them, her eyes pleading for understanding and acceptance.
Knox's heart raced with uncertainty as Sara approached him, her words tugging at his emotions. Despite his apprehension, a part of him yearned for her presence, for the familiarity of her embrace. Yet, a nagging sense of unease gnawed at him, warning him of the strangeness of the situation. "Sara, I... I want to believe you, but something feels off," he confessed, his voice tinged with hesitation. "I need to understand what's happening."
"No, you don't!" Sara's sudden scream reverberated through the air, filled with an eerie menace. "Just come to me!" Her demand sounded both desperate and commanding, sending shivers down Knox's spine. Knox finally decided to assess his situation, a sense of clarity cutting through the fog of uncertainty. First, he focused on the mana within the darkness, observing that every aspect of the void was a fabrication conjured through magic. Secondly, he turned his attention to Sara, but the sight saddened him deeply. She, too, was nothing but a construct of magic, an illusion. Knox realized that everything around him was likely a product of the words Jake whispered, indicating that this was his doing.
With determination hardening his gaze, Knox faced Sara. He understood what needed to be done. Without hesitation, he launched himself at her, ready to confront the illusion head-on. Knox lunged at Sara, his movements swift and decisive. As his fist connected with her form, the illusion shattered like fragile glass, dissipating into nothingness. Surprised by the ease with which he dispelled the illusion, Knox remained vigilant, his senses alert for any sign of danger.
With the illusion dispelled, Knox found himself standing alone in the darkness once more, his mind racing with questions and uncertainty. Yet, amidst the confusion, a sense of clarity began to emerge. He realized that he had the power to overcome Jake's illusions and that he would need to rely on his instincts and strength to navigate this dangerous situation.