Kael’s group stumbled out of the corrupted forest, their steps unsteady as they crossed into the clearing. The oppressive air lifted slightly, replaced by a faint breeze carrying the scent of stone and damp earth. Ahead of them loomed the entrance to the Molvari caves—a jagged opening carved into the hillside, just large enough for a man to walk through.
The villagers slowed, their faces pale and their breaths labored after the harrowing trek. Felix lowered his shield, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Is this it?” he asked, his voice edged with exhaustion.
Kael nodded, scanning the entrance with his cybernetic eye. The cave promised safety, but as he glanced back at the wagons, his jaw tightened. The narrow opening was clearly too small to allow the supply wagons inside.
“We can’t leave the wagons out here,” Elira said, her voice steady but concerned. “They’ll be exposed.”
Kael turned to Alma, who stood near Berry at the head of one wagon. The young girl’s eyes widened slightly as she realized what he was asking. Berry placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You can do this,” he said softly. “It’s just like we practiced.”
Alma hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly. She took a deep breath and raised them toward the rocky entrance. The ground beneath their feet vibrated faintly as her Terran Mana surged outward. The jagged stone walls groaned, cracking and shifting as the entrance widened inch by inch. Dust and pebbles rained down, and several villagers stepped back nervously, but Kael held his ground, watching as Alma worked.
With one final push, the opening expanded, large enough for the wagons to pass through. Alma lowered her hands, swaying slightly from the effort. Berry steadied her, offering a quiet word of encouragement as Kael stepped forward.
“Get the wagons inside,” Kael ordered. “Move quickly.”
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The villagers pushed the wagons through the entrance and into the first chamber. The space opened into a wide cavern, its ceiling arching high above and glistening faintly with moisture. The walls shimmered with faintly glowing minerals, casting just enough light to navigate.
“This will do for now,” Kael said, his voice tight as he scanned the room. The villagers began to settle, some collapsing against the walls while others unloaded supplies. Felix stood near the entrance, his shield still raised, while Elira moved among the group, offering reassurance.
Kael’s cybernetic eye flicked toward the far end of the chamber, where several tunnels branched deeper into the mountain. “These lead to the Molvari’s domain,” he said to Berry, who had stepped beside him. “I scouted them before. I know the way.”
Berry nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Good. At least we won’t be wandering blind.”
Elira approached Kael, her gaze sharp. “You’re going back.”
Kael nodded, already turning toward the entrance. “The others are still out there. I’ll find them.”
Felix stepped closer. “You’re sure you can handle it alone?”
“I don’t have a choice,” Kael replied. He glanced at Felix and Elira. “Stay here. Protect the group. Use the wagons to block the entrance if you need to.”
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Elira hesitated but didn’t argue. “Be careful,” she said quietly.
Kael gave her a brief nod before stepping out into the darkness. The glow of the cave faded behind him, replaced by the oppressive shadows of the corrupted forest. He tightened his grip on his katana, his jaw set. The others were out there, and he wouldn’t stop until they were safe.
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Kael moved swiftly through the corrupted forest, the oppressive shadows pressing in around him. His cybernetic eye scanned the terrain, picking up faint heat signatures and the distant clash of steel. The faint cries of villagers broke through the eerie silence, guiding his steps.
When he found them, it was chaos. Drennor’s group was backed against a rocky outcrop, their wagons clustered defensively. Twisted wolf-like creatures circled the group, their bodies writhing with dark growths, their glowing violet eyes fixed on their prey. Sir Drennor stood at the forefront, his greatsword cleaving through one beast as it lunged.
“Kael!” Drennor called out, relief flashing across his face.
Kael didn’t hesitate. He charged into the fray, his katana flashing as he slashed through one of the wolves mid-leap. “We need to move!” he shouted. “The cave isn’t far!”
Drennor stepped back toward the wagons, his voice commanding. “Form up! Stick together! Kael will lead us out.”
The wolves pressed their attack, but with Kael at the front and Drennor covering the rear, the group managed to push forward. Kael’s blade cut through the creatures with precision, while Drennor’s sweeping strikes scattered them, forcing the pack to retreat momentarily.
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The group pressed onward, the oppressive atmosphere of the forest growing heavier with every step. The uneven ground beneath them trembled faintly, and a deep groan echoed through the air. Kael glanced upward, his enhanced vision catching movement above.
A massive branch, its bark warped and blackened, suddenly tore free from the tree above and plummeted toward the group. “Move!” Kael shouted, shoving a villager out of the way just as the branch crashed to the ground, splintering into jagged shards.
The impact sent the group scattering briefly, but Drennor’s voice pulled them back into formation. “Stay together! Don’t stop!”
As they moved past the debris, the ground became slick and uneven. A stagnant pool of water lay ahead, its surface bubbling faintly. A thick, acrid mist rose from it, stinging their eyes and lungs. One of the villagers coughed violently, dropping to their knees.
“Don’t breathe it in!” Drennor shouted, hauling the villager to their feet. “Avoid the edges—stay close to the rocks.”
Kael grimaced as he guided the group around the pool, his grip tightening on his katana. The forest wasn’t just alive—it was trying to wear them down, piece by piece.
As they pushed forward, Kael’s gaze drifted to the wagon where Eric’s body lay. The young soldier’s lifeless form had been carefully placed, his sword resting across his chest. Drennor walked beside it, his jaw tight and his eyes hard.
“We’ll give him the honor he deserves,” Kael said quietly as he passed.
Drennor nodded, his voice low. “He fought to save them all. He didn’t deserve this… not so soon after we found each other again.”
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder briefly, his expression firm. “We’ll make it mean something.”
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The group pressed on, pushing through the forest’s resistance with every step. The oppressive shadows began to lift as they neared the edge of the corrupted woods, the faint glow of the cave entrance visible ahead. Relief rippled through the villagers as they stumbled into the clearing.
Felix and Elira appeared at the entrance, their faces lighting up as they saw Kael and Drennor emerge with the group. “They’re here!” Felix called, rushing forward to help.
The villagers quickly moved into the cave, their exhaustion evident as they collapsed against the cool stone walls. The wagon carrying Eric’s body was carefully maneuvered inside and placed near the edge of the chamber. Drennor lingered beside it, his shoulders heavy with grief.
Kael approached him, his tone quiet. “He saved them, Drennor. And you brought them home.”
Drennor nodded, his gaze distant. “We had so much to talk about… so much to make up for.”
Kael’s voice was steady. “He’d want us to keep moving forward.”
Drennor exhaled deeply, his hand resting briefly on the wagon before he turned to join the others.