The morning sun filtered through the leaves as Harris and Liam made their way back to the village. Harris could feel the exhaustion in his bones from the previous night, but there was no time to rest. The corruption they had faced was only the beginning, and the villagers couldn’t know how close danger was to their home.

As they reached the edge of the village, Harris turned to Liam. “We need to act normal. If anyone asks, we were just exploring. No mention of magic or the tree.”

Liam nodded. “Got it. I’m not great at lying, but I’ll do my best.”

Harris gave him a small smile. “Just keep it simple. No need to make up a story, just let things be.”

They split up as they entered the village. Liam headed towards his duties at the guard post, while Harris went back to his cottage. He needed time to think, to figure out their next move. As he approached his garden, he noticed Martha at his gate, her brow furrowed.

“Harris!” she called out, her voice laced with concern. “Where have you been? I’ve been knocking all morning.”

Harris forced a smile. “Just went for a walk. Needed to clear my head.”

Martha looked him up and down, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You look like you’ve been wrestling bears, not taking a stroll. Everything alright?”

Harris sighed, wiping at the dirt still clinging to his hands. “I’m fine, really. Just got a bit... caught up in things.”

Martha didn’t seem convinced but decided not to press further. Instead, she handed him a small cloth-wrapped bundle. “Brought you some fresh-baked bread. Thought you might need something to eat.”

Harris took the bundle, feeling a pang of genuine appreciation. “Thank you, Martha. You’re too kind.”

Martha waved it off. “Just take care of yourself, alright? We need our new gardener in top shape.” She gave him a knowing smile before turning and heading down the path.

Harris watched her go, the weight of her kindness pressing on him. He had grown used to isolation, used to hiding behind layers of power and fear. But here, in Greenhollow, people cared. It was unsettling and comforting all at once.

He stepped into his cottage and unwrapped the bread, taking a bite as he mulled over the events of the past night. The corruption in the forest wasn’t something that would go away easily. It was spreading, and whatever was causing it was far from defeated. He needed information, and he needed it fast.

A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. He opened it to find Liam, a serious expression on his face. “We need to talk,” Liam said, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening.

Harris stepped aside, letting Liam in. “What is it?” he asked, closing the door behind them.

Liam hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I was at the guard post, and I overheard some of the villagers talking. They said strange things have been happening near the edge of the forest—crops failing, animals disappearing. They’re starting to worry.”

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Harris felt his chest tighten. It was worse than he thought. “The corruption is spreading faster than I expected,” he said, more to himself than to Liam.

Liam nodded. “We need to do something. If the villagers get too suspicious, they’ll start poking around, and if they find out about the goblins...”

Harris sighed. “I know. We have to stop it before it reaches the village.” He looked at Liam, his expression hardening. “We need to find the source of this corruption and put an end to it, once and for all.”

Liam’s eyes widened slightly. “You mean go deeper into the woods? Harris, we barely made it out last time.”

“I know,” Harris said, his voice calm but firm. “But if we don’t, it’s only going to get worse. The village is in danger, and I won’t let innocent people suffer because of something from my past.”

Liam studied Harris for a moment before nodding. “Alright. When do we go?”

“Tonight,” Harris replied. “We’ll need to gather supplies, and I need to prepare. This time, we’re not just going to push back the corruption—we’re going to destroy it.”

Liam took a deep breath, determination settling into his features. “I’m with you, Harris. Whatever it takes.”

Harris nodded, a sense of resolve filling him. He had tried to run from his past, to live a quiet life, but it seemed that fate had other plans. If he was going to protect this village, he would have to face the darkness head-on. And this time, he wouldn’t be alone.

----------------------------------------

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Harris packed a small satchel with what supplies he could gather—dried meat, herbs, a few rudimentary potions he had brewed earlier. His hands moved with purpose, but his mind was filled with a mix of determination and unease. He had made a choice, and there was no turning back.

Liam arrived just as the last of the light faded from the sky. He was dressed in simple leather armor, a look of nervous anticipation on his face. “Ready?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Harris nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He glanced around, making sure no one was watching. “We need to move quietly. If anyone sees us, it could cause a panic.”

Together, they slipped into the woods, the village lights fading behind them. The deeper they went, the colder the air became, the trees growing twisted and dark. Harris could feel the pulse of the corruption, stronger now, almost like a heartbeat that echoed through the ground.

“Stay close,” he whispered to Liam, his senses on high alert. The forest seemed to watch them, the shadows shifting as if alive. Harris knew they were heading into danger, but there was no other choice.

After what felt like hours of navigating the twisted paths, they reached a part of the forest Harris had never seen before—a clearing bathed in an eerie blue light. In the center stood another heartwood tree, its bark black and oozing with dark magic. But unlike the one they had encountered before, this tree was surrounded by a circle of stones, each carved with runes that pulsed with energy.

Liam’s eyes widened. “What is this place?”

Harris stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the tree. “It’s a ritual site,” he said, his voice grim. “Someone—or something—is maintaining the corruption. This isn’t natural.”

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the far side of the clearing, and Harris turned, his eyes narrowing. A figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, hooded being, its hands glowing with the same dark energy that pulsed through the tree.

“Well, well,” the figure said, its voice echoing through the clearing. “It seems I have visitors.”

Harris stepped in front of Liam, his stance protective. “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice cold.

The figure chuckled, the sound chilling. “Just a guardian of the old ways. And you, outsider, are meddling in things far beyond your understanding.”

Harris clenched his fists, the air around him crackling with energy. “I won’t let you harm this village.”

The hooded figure tilted its head, as if amused. “You think you can stop me? This forest will fall, and with it, the village you hold so dear.”

Harris glanced at Liam, who looked both terrified and determined. “Get ready,” Harris whispered. “This won’t be easy.”

Liam nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. Together, they faced the hooded figure, the air thick with the promise of battle. Harris could feel the old power stirring within him, the dark magic he had long tried to suppress. If he was going to protect Greenhollow, he would have to embrace that power once more.

And this time, he would use it to save, not destroy.