The march toward the Wraithwood was solemn. Gone were the victorious cheers and celebratory banter that followed the battle at the mine. Instead, the soldiers moved in quiet determination, their weapons glinting faintly under a cloudy sky. Billy led the coalition, his Lord Form activated to inspire confidence. Beside him, Kaelin studied his magical instruments while Lady Soria scouted ahead with her elite cavalry.
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The Wraithwood's Gloom
When the coalition reached the Wraithwood’s edge, they were greeted by an oppressive silence. The trees, ancient and twisted, seemed to lean toward them, their gnarled branches clawing at the air. A dense mist blanketed the forest floor, carrying an unnatural chill that seeped into their bones.
Kaelin dismounted and scanned the area with his arcane tools. “This forest... it's soaked in residual dark magic. The rifts we found at the mine may be connected to whatever’s happening here.”
Billy nodded. “Then we proceed with caution. No one strays from the group. If anyone sees movement, report it immediately.”
Soria gestured to her scouts. “Fan out, but don’t go far. We need to know what we’re walking into.”
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The First Encounter
The coalition advanced cautiously, their progress marked by the snapping of brittle branches and the occasional rustle of unseen movement. Hours passed without incident, but the unease only grew.
Then, a scream tore through the air.
Billy raised his hand, signaling the column to halt. “Report!” he barked.
A scout stumbled into view, his face pale and bloodied. “They’re here!” he gasped. “Twisted beasts… everywhere!”
Before Billy could respond, the forest erupted. Shadows moved with terrifying speed, revealing grotesque creatures—mutated wolves with extra limbs, glowing red eyes, and jagged teeth. Their growls echoed like thunder as they charged.
“Defensive formation!” Soria shouted, rallying the cavalry to form a protective line.
Billy surged forward, his chaos-charged weapon cutting through the beasts like a hot knife through butter. Sparks flew as claws met armor, and the battlefield descended into chaos.
Kaelin stood at the center of the formation, unleashing powerful spells that froze or incinerated the creatures. “They’re not natural!” he yelled. “They’ve been altered by magic!”
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Despite their monstrous strength, the beasts fell under the coalition’s relentless counterattack. But as the last creature fell, Billy noticed something unsettling.
“These aren’t random attacks,” he said, scanning the battlefield. “They were testing us.”
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The Wraith's Warning
As the coalition regrouped, a low, chilling voice echoed through the forest.
“So, you’ve come to my domain.”
The mist thickened, and a shadowy figure emerged, cloaked in tattered robes that seemed to blend with the darkness. Their face was obscured, but their presence radiated malice.
“I am the Wraith,” the figure announced, their voice dripping with mockery. “You think you can stop the inevitable? The rifts are merely the beginning.”
Billy stepped forward, his voice unwavering. “We’ve stopped one servant of the Shadow Lord. We’ll stop you too.”
The Wraith laughed, the sound grating like nails on stone. “Foolish child. You’ve only delayed what cannot be undone. The rifts are a doorway, and I hold the key.”
Kaelin whispered, “Billy, this is worse than I feared. If they’ve found a way to control the rifts…”
The Wraith raised a hand, and the ground trembled. More creatures emerged from the mist, their forms even more grotesque than before. “Come,” the Wraith said. “Let me show you the true meaning of despair.”
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A Desperate Fight
The coalition braced for another assault as the Wraith’s monstrosities swarmed them. Billy activated his Battle Form, his towering figure cutting a path through the chaos.
Kaelin’s magic created barriers to protect the injured while unleashing devastating counterattacks. Soria’s cavalry darted through the battlefield, striking with precision and retreating before the creatures could retaliate.
Despite their efforts, the tide seemed endless. For every beast they felled, another emerged from the mist.
Billy roared, his chaos energy flaring. “We can’t hold this position! Fall back to the choke point near the clearing!”
Soria signaled the retreat, her voice carrying over the din of battle. “Move! Protect the mages and wounded!”
The coalition pulled back, their formations tightening as they fought their way to the designated spot.
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A Glimpse of the Enemy
As they reached the clearing, the Wraith appeared again, this time closer. They raised a hand, and the rifts began to shimmer in the air, their unstable energy pulsating ominously.
“You see?” the Wraith taunted. “The Shadow Lord’s legacy lives on through me. And soon, it will consume this world.”
Billy narrowed his eyes, chaos energy crackling around him. “Not if I stop you here.”
With a burst of speed, he charged at the Wraith. But before he could strike, the figure dissolved into shadow, reappearing a few steps away.
“Not today, little lord,” the Wraith said, their tone mocking. “You’re not ready for what lies ahead.”
Before Billy could respond, the Wraith vanished, leaving behind only the lingering chill of their presence.
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Regrouping and Regret
The coalition regrouped in the clearing, their forces battered but alive. Kaelin studied the rifts with a grim expression. “They’re spreading. Whatever the Wraith is doing, it’s accelerating the instability.”
Soria wiped blood from her blade, her voice filled with frustration. “We need a plan. Charging blindly into this forest will only get us killed.”
Billy nodded, his face set with determination. “We’ll retreat for now and regroup at the nearest outpost. But this isn’t over. We’ve faced worse odds before, and we’ll face them again.”
As the coalition began their retreat from the Wraithwood, Billy couldn’t shake the feeling that their enemy was always one step ahead. The rifts were growing, and the Wraith’s words echoed in his mind.
“The true battle hasn’t even begun,” he muttered, his purple eyes burning with resolve.
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End of Chapter 26