The elder council sat in a half-circle around a fire that burned low, casting flickering shadows across the faces of the village’s most seasoned leaders. Mihai felt the weight of their gazes as he took his seat beside Conall, the room quiet with the gravity of what lay ahead.

The scarred elder from earlier, his voice rough but steady, broke the silence. “You know of the creatures that haunt the forest. What you’ve fought before were only the lesser among them—the vampires. They are cunning and swift, but they are only the beginning.”

Another elder, her eyes piercing and lined with age, leaned forward. “Deeper within the forest is their stronghold. Within it lies the Draugar—ten of them, as our scouts have confirmed. They are ancient spirits bound to their corrupted bodies. You cannot take them lightly.”

Conall nodded, his expression dark. “The Draugar will test more than our strength. They’re relentless, and their stench alone can rob even seasoned warriors of their will to fight.”

Mihai clenched his fists, remembering the bitter reek of decay from the creature he’d faced before. “How do we defeat them?”

“Burning is one method,” the scarred elder replied, his voice a low rumble. “But against the Draugar, fire alone will not be enough. You must aim for their heads or sever their limbs, forcing their souls to release the decaying body.”

The elder woman added, “But even then, they won’t go down easily. Draugar are slow, yet their strength is… inhuman. If one of them grabs you, it will be nearly impossible to break free.”

The elders exchanged grim glances, and Conall spoke up. “The Draugar are only a part of this threat. The true heart of the darkness lies in the revenant.”

A hush fell over the room as the elders looked at Mihai, each face set with a quiet resolve.

“The revenant,” said the elder woman, “is no ordinary creature. It is bound to this darkness, feeding on the forest’s decay. Unlike the vampires and Draugar, it hides within shadows, able to blend in until it chooses to strike. But the revenant has a core—a heart that holds its power. Expose it, and you’ll find its weakness.”

Mihai’s heart pounded. “And if we can’t?”

“Then it will consume all it touches,” Conall said, his tone steely. “It will spread its darkness until it reaches the village, and by then, nothing will stand in its way.”

Another elder, his voice soft but wise, spoke. “This revenant is not simply a mindless creature. It holds memories of life, twisted and corrupted. It knows how to evade, to trap, to outwit. You’ll need more than strength. You’ll need Yahweh’s blessing to stand a chance.”

The elder woman gave a faint nod. “Before you leave, you and your party must go to the ancient tree—the one where we first met, Mihai. It has been a sacred place for generations, blessed by Yahweh himself. There, you’ll perform a ritual to call on his blessing. Only then will you be truly ready.”

Mihai nodded, feeling the solemnity of the task settling heavily over him. “We’ll do whatever it takes.”

One of the elders, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. “Forming a single party would be foolhardy. We must organize several, spreading our strength and covering more ground to give each group the best chance. But only one will go to the heart of the nest, where the revenant waits. That will be you, Mihai.”

The council members murmured their agreement, their voices quiet but resolute.

“Why me?” Mihai asked, searching their faces.

The scarred elder fixed him with a hard stare. “You have something the others do not. You have the ability to heal—a gift Yahweh has granted you. We need that strength if we’re to face a creature like the revenant.”

Mihai felt the weight of their expectations but nodded. “I can heal from any wound,” he said, drawing a blade and making a shallow cut on his arm. In seconds, the wound sealed itself, leaving only the faintest trace. The elders watched with a mix of awe and grim satisfaction.

The elder woman leaned forward, her voice soft but steady. “Then you must be our shield. You will be the one to face the revenant head-on, drawing its attacks so your party can strike its core. But know this: the revenant’s power is not only in its strength. It can wound your spirit. It will take everything you have to withstand it.”

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Mihai met her gaze, feeling the full weight of her words. He nodded, determined. “I’ll be ready.”

One of the younger council members, his voice laced with caution, addressed Cian. “Your ability is rare, and it may be our best hope. When the time comes, you’ll need to slow the revenant’s movements, giving Mihai the chance to strike.”

Cian nodded, his jaw set. “I can accelerate my arrows. If I can find its core, I’ll hit it.”

The elder council members gave approving nods. The scarred elder raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. “The forest holds both darkness and light. You will seek the blessing of Yahweh, but you must be prepared to rely on your own strength. There will be no second chances.”

Two Days Later

After days of preparation and farewells, Mihai, Cian, Raven, and the other parties gathered at the edge of the village. Together, they made their way into the depths of the forest, where shadows grew thicker with each step. Every sound seemed amplified, every rustle a reminder of the darkness lurking ahead.

The first leg of the journey was uneventful, but as they neared the ancient tree, Mihai felt a strange energy prickling over his skin, a faint shimmer in the air that seemed to pulse with life.

The ancient tree loomed before them, its twisted branches reaching skyward like beseeching arms. The air around it felt sacred, the earth pulsing with a quiet strength. The elders had prepared offerings—a circle of stones surrounding a small altar with leaves, earth, and a carved symbol of Yahweh.

The elder woman from the council stepped forward, her voice clear and steady. “Each of you must step forward, one by one, and place your hand on the tree. Offer your intentions to Yahweh, and he will answer.”

Mihai placed his hand on the ancient tree, feeling the roughness of its bark grounding him as he closed his eyes. His silent prayer for strength and courage flowed from his heart, each word weighted with his purpose. Then, amid the stillness, a warmth spread from his hand, flowing through his veins, filling him with a powerful energy—a presence that felt deeply familiar.

Mihai’s breath caught as the warmth intensified, and suddenly he found himself enveloped in light. The shadows of the forest faded away, leaving only the ancient tree and a towering, radiant figure before him.

“Mihai,” a deep, resonant voice spoke, filling the space around him with a quiet authority.

“Yahweh…” Mihai whispered, awe and reverence in his tone. He dropped to one knee, bowing his head.

“Rise, Mihai.” Yahweh’s voice was calm but urgent, carrying a weight that stirred a sense of purpose deep within him. “The time has come for you to understand the true nature of the darkness you face.”

Mihai looked up, meeting Yahweh’s gaze. The god’s presence was both overwhelming and comforting, like the vastness of the ocean tempered by a quiet shore. “I’m ready to face it,” Mihai said. “Whatever it takes, I’ll drive it back.”

Yahweh nodded, his gaze somber. “The darkness in this forest is but a fragment—a seed of a greater shadow that seeks to consume this world. It festers in places of decay, corrupting the land and the creatures that dwell within it. This darkness is no mere blight; it seeks to throw the world into chaos.”

Mihai felt a chill despite the warmth of Yahweh’s presence. “If it’s only a fragment… then what are we truly up against?”

“A force from realms beyond this world,” Yahweh replied, his voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge. “A darkness that exists beyond life and death, drawn to the cracks in this world. Left unchecked, it will consume everything—creature and man alike—leaving nothing but ruin.”

A silence fell, heavy with the enormity of the task ahead. Mihai clenched his fists, determination flaring within him. “Then we’ll drive it back. We’ll restore balance, no matter what it takes.”

Yahweh inclined his head, a faint gleam of approval in his gaze. “Your resolve is commendable, Mihai. But remember, you do not carry this burden alone. You have allies, companions who share your purpose. And though I can guide you, it is your actions that will bring balance.”

The god’s gaze softened, a flicker of pride in his expression. “I chose you not for your strength alone, but for the light within you. Hold onto that light, for it is the beacon that will lead you through the darkness.”

Mihai felt a surge of warmth, a sense of purpose that transcended his fears. He nodded, his voice steady. “I won’t fail you.”

Yahweh reached out, placing a hand on Mihai’s shoulder, a touch that filled him with an unshakeable resolve. “Go forward with my blessing. And know this: as long as you remain true to your path, the light will guide you.”

The vision faded, the radiance dimming as Mihai’s surroundings returned. He found himself back at the ancient tree, his hand still pressed to its bark, a lingering warmth coursing through him.

He opened his eyes, meeting Cian’s curious gaze and the reverent silence of the elders. They could see a new light in his eyes, a determination that burned brighter than before.

Cian followed, placing his hand on the tree with a determined gaze. His connection to Yahweh felt less certain, but in this moment, he offered his loyalty to the forest, the village, and his companions.

As Raven touched his nose to the tree, a soft wind stirred, rustling the leaves above them. The forest seemed to answer, its ancient energy intertwining with theirs, binding them to the task ahead.

With Yahweh’s blessing upon them, they turned toward the depths of the forest, knowing that their purpose was clear. They would drive the darkness back, not only for the village but for the balance of the world itself.

The elder woman nodded, her face solemn. “Yahweh has heard you. Go forward with his blessing.”

They left the clearing with a renewed sense of purpose, venturing deeper into the heart of the forest. The air grew colder, the shadows thickening, as though the trees themselves were drawing in, trying to shelter them from what lay ahead.

Hours Later: First Skirmishes

The first wave of vampire creatures attacked with a sudden, deadly silence. They emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and erratic, their red eyes gleaming with hunger. Mihai raised his swords, bracing himself as the first creature lunged toward him, fangs bared.

He sidestepped, slashing downward, his blade catching the creature’s neck. It let out a strangled hiss before crumbling to ash, but two more replaced it, their claws reaching out as they darted toward him.

Cian stood at a distance, his bow at the ready, arrows accelerating as he released them. Each arrow struck true, piercing the vampire creatures and slowing their advance. Raven darted between the creatures, a blur of gray fur and flashing teeth, pulling attention away from Mihai and Cian.

The other parties fought nearby, their shouts and clashes ringing out in the darkened forest. Mihai felt a surge of pride as he saw the villagers holding their own, each group working together to press forward.

But with every creature they defeated, more seemed to take its place, relentless in their hunger. The deeper they ventured, the fiercer the resistance, as though the forest itself were trying to push them back.

Mihai gritted his teeth, slashing through another creature, his focus narrowing as he pressed onward. He knew this was only the beginning—the Draugar awaited them, and beyond them, the revenant.

As the last of the vampires fell, Mihai glanced at Cian, their expressions mirroring a quiet resolve. They would press forward. They would face the darkness. And they would not turn back.