Elara's heart pounded in her chest, her breaths coming in short, panicked bursts. She stood frozen in disbelief, the scene before her unfolding like a nightmare. The shadowy figure that had snatched Knox vanished him in an instant, leaving no trace behind. It was as if he had never existed. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign of him, but there was nothing. She turned, her gaze locking onto the camp leaders, who stood poised for an attack.
“I can see the anger in your eyes, but there are a lot of things that the demon probably hasn't told you,” the leader said, his voice laced with a mixture of pity and condescension.
Elara’s jaw tightened, her hands balling into fists. “Do not refer to him as a demon,” she spoke with defiance, each word a declaration of her unwavering belief in Knox.
The leader ignored her statement, his expression remaining impassive. “Would you like to know who destroyed the Aetherians East district?” He paused for just a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. “It was Knox, the Harbinger of Destruction.”
Elara’s eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling. “No… no, NO! You're lying!” she pointed a trembling finger at him, her voice rising with each word. “You're just using the destruction of the district as an excuse to murder him!”
The leader shook his head slowly, his eyes filled with a sorrowful resolve. “You can choose to believe what you wish, but the truth remains unchanged. Knox is the Harbinger of Destruction. He brought ruin upon your people, and now he stands poised to do the same to us.”
Elara's mind raced, memories of Knox flashing through her mind. The moments they had shared, the bond they had formed over the past months. Could he really be capable of such devastation? She refused to believe it. There had to be more to the story.
“He was manipulated!” she shouted, desperation creeping into her voice. You don’t know what he’s been through, the pain he’s endured. There’s more to him than the destruction you claim.”
The leader's gaze softened, but his resolve did not waver. “Perhaps. But the destruction is real, and it cannot be ignored.”
Elara’s heart ached with a mixture of anger and sorrow. She had to find Knox to uncover the truth for herself. She turned on her heel, determination etched into her features, and sprinted toward the tent's exit.
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Just as she reached the entrance, a firm hand stopped her. The leader stood there, his expression stern. “If he doesn’t die, he’ll be back,” he said, his voice calm but unyielding. “So just wait here, and you’ll see his true colors.”
Elara's defiance faltered, her breath catching in her throat. She glanced back at the leader, then at the open path beyond the tent. Torn between her need to find Knox and the leader's ominous warning, she reluctantly stayed. She had to see for herself, to understand the truth, even if it meant facing a reality she feared to accept.
*** *** ***
Knox woke up a few days later, dizzy and disoriented. Pain pulsed through his body, but the most excruciating sensation was concentrated in his leg. He could feel something gnawing at it, the sharpness of tiny teeth sending jolts of agony through him. Lifting his head, he squinted through the haze of pain and confusion.
A small, wolf-like creature was nibbling at what used to be his leg. Now, it was just a stump, ragged and raw. The sight of it, the realization of his injury, sent a wave of nausea through him. He tried to move, to shake off the creature, but his body was weak and unresponsive.
"Get... off," he managed to rasp, his voice barely more than a whisper. He summoned what little strength he had and swatted at the creature. It yelped and darted away into the underbrush, leaving him alone with the pain and the horrifying reality of his situation.
Knox’s mind raced. He needed to heal himself to regain his strength, but his connection to the system felt tenuous and distant. He closed his eyes, focusing on summoning the flames within him. Warmth spread through his body as the flames flickered to life, weak but present. He directed them toward his injured leg, feeling the familiar sensation of his flesh knitting back together, the stump slowly regenerating.
As he lay there, fighting through the pain and exhaustion, his thoughts turned to Elara. Where was she? Was she safe? He had to find her, to protect her. The thought gave him a surge of determination. He couldn’t give up now. He had to survive for her sake and his own.
Knox sat still for another hour, focusing on conserving his energy and letting his body heal as much as possible. Every moment was a battle against the searing pain, but he forced himself to endure it, knowing he needed to regain his strength. He could feel the flames working slowly, knitting his torn muscles and regenerating lost flesh, but it was a painstakingly slow process.
Finally, he felt a surge of strength returns to him, enough to attempt standing. He gingerly pushed himself up, gritting his teeth against the pain that flared in his leg. It was still weak, but it was whole again. Taking a tentative step, he tested his weight on it, wincing but managing to stay upright.
Determination burned in his eyes as he started walking, each step a painful reminder of his recent ordeal. He limped toward where he thought the camp was, using landmarks and his memory to guide him. The forest around him was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife conspicuously absent.
With every step, his thoughts drifted back to Elara. He had to find her and ensure her safety.
Hours passed as he made his way through the dense underbrush, the physical exertion taking its toll on his still-recovering body. His breaths came in labored gasps, and sweat drenched his clothes. But he pressed on, driven by sheer willpower.
As dusk began to fall, he finally saw the outskirts of the camp in the distance. Relief washed over him, but he remained cautious, unsure of what awaited him. He approached the camp slowly, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger.
When he finally entered the camp, he was greeted by stares of disbelief and fear. Whispers spread like wildfire among the people, but Knox ignored them. His eyes scanned the area, searching desperately for Elara. He needed to find her, explain everything, and protect her from whatever threat might still be lurking.