The morning sun cast a soft glow through the dense forest canopy as the party set out, the mist clinging low to the ground. They walked in a steady line, Elanor leading with graceful strides, her hand occasionally touching the bark of trees as though listening to secrets only she could hear. Behind her, Mihai, Cian, and Raven followed, each alert to the sights and sounds around them.

After some time, Elanor glanced back, her eyes lingering on Raven. “Your bond with the Mac Tìre is strong. It’s rare, even among our people, to find such a connection with a creature of his kind.”

Mihai looked at Raven, who met his gaze with a calm, reassuring look. “It was Yahweh who bonded us,” Mihai replied. “It’s… it’s more than loyalty. If one of us falls, so does the other.”

Elanor nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Such a bond is both a gift and a burden.” She seemed to consider her next words, a flicker of curiosity passing over her face. “And you bear it with strength. Tell me, Mihai… what was your life like before coming to this world?”

Mihai paused, his gaze shifting to the path ahead. Fragments of memory stirred, but they felt blurred, like trying to recall a dream upon waking. “It’s… hard to say,” he admitted. “I remember some things, feelings mostly—moments with family, faces that feel familiar. But this world feels more real to me now. I’ve come to accept that it’s my purpose here that matters.”

Cian, walking beside him, gave a nod of understanding. “Maybe it’s better that way,” he murmured. “Sometimes, memories weigh more than we realize.”

Elanor tilted her head, watching the two of them thoughtfully before turning back to the path. “The forest ahead grows dark. Stay close.”

An Encounter with the Corrupted Woods

As they moved forward, the forest changed. The trees grew larger, their branches twisted and reaching out like skeletal fingers. An unnatural shadow seemed to linger here, casting a chill over the ground.

Raven let out a low growl, his eyes fixed on the shadows between the trees. Mihai tightened his grip on his swords, his senses prickling with unease.

Suddenly, they heard a rustling, and out from the darkness crawled creatures unlike anything they’d seen—gnarled, bark-covered beasts that looked like they had once been part of the trees themselves, corrupted and given life. Their eyes glowed a sickly green, and their movements were slow but relentless, like creatures who had long forgotten what it meant to rest.

“Tree Wights,” Elanor murmured. “Once guardians of the forest, now twisted by darkness.”

Cian drew his bow, and Mihai moved forward, swords ready. “Stay back, Elanor,” he warned.

But Elanor shook her head. “No—my place is here.” She raised a hand, her fingers tracing ancient symbols in the air. A faint, shimmering shield of spiritual energy formed around her, and she began to chant, her voice weaving through the air like a melody.

The Tree Wights recoiled, hissing as if in pain. Mihai took the opportunity, lunging forward with a precise slash that severed one of the creatures at its core. Cian loosed an arrow that struck true, hitting another creature squarely in the chest.

One by one, the Tree Wights fell, their forms crumbling into darkened bark and leaves. As the last one disintegrated, the forest grew still, but an unsettling quiet lingered in the air.

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“That shield you used… it’s impressive,” Mihai said, catching his breath. “It’s like the darkness couldn’t touch you.”

Elanor gave a faint smile. “It’s a small blessing, drawn from spirits who still remember the forest’s true purpose.” She paused, glancing at Mihai. “Perhaps, in time, they will protect you as well.”

The forest path grew narrower, twisting around massive roots and rocks that jutted out like teeth from the ground. They moved in silence, each lost in their own thoughts until Cian broke the quiet.

“Elanor,” he began, his voice hesitant. “What does it mean to be a Spirit Caller? I’ve heard legends, but… none of us really understand what it is you can do.”

Elanor smiled, though her eyes held a hint of sadness. “A Spirit Caller is more than a name, Cian. It is a connection—to the past, to those who came before us. It allows me to reach across the veil and hear the voices of the lost, to bring forth guidance or protection when needed.”

Cian nodded, fascinated. “So… the spirits can help you fight?”

“In a way, yes,” she replied. “But it is not without risk. Spirits do not always come willingly, nor are they always kind. Some are angry, bound to this world by pain or regret.”

Mihai, who had been listening, looked at her with a new understanding. “Then why take that risk?”

Elanor’s gaze softened as she looked at him. “Because it is my purpose, as much as yours is to bear Yahweh’s blessing.”

Raven nudged Mihai’s side, his voice appearing softly in Mihai’s mind. I like her, the wolf said simply. There is peace in her presence—a calm that reminds me of home.

Mihai couldn’t help but smile. “She’s… more than I expected,” he murmured back, his heart lifting at the thought.

As they walked, a faint glimmer caught his eye—a piece of his past, a memory slipping through the cracks. He saw a field, familiar faces, laughter… and then it was gone, like mist in the morning light.

The path continued, drawing them deeper into the heart of the darkened forest.

The air grew colder, carrying with it a scent of decay. The trees around them seemed to close in, their twisted branches forming a dark canopy that blocked out the light.

Elanor paused, her gaze distant. “There is something here… a spirit bound to this place.”

Before they could react, a shadow appeared, a figure cloaked in darkness with hollow, glowing eyes. Its form flickered, like a memory given shape.

“A Sluagh,” Elanor whispered. “A spirit of sorrow, bound by regret.”

The Sluagh moved closer, its eyes fixed on the party, as though sensing their warmth and life. Mihai raised his swords, but Elanor stepped forward, her hand lifted in a gesture of peace.

“It does not wish to harm us,” she said, her voice gentle. She closed her eyes, speaking in a soft, melodic tone. “Be at peace, lost one.”

The Sluagh hesitated, its form flickering as Elanor’s words reached it. Gradually, it began to fade, its sorrow lifting as if a weight had been removed. A faint light remained where it had stood, like the final breath of a fading star.

As the light faded, Elanor swayed, her face pale. Mihai stepped forward, steadying her with a hand on her shoulder.

“That was incredible,” he murmured, his voice filled with admiration.

Elanor smiled faintly. “It is… exhausting. But necessary.”

Cian watched her, his expression one of awe mixed with concern. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand the courage it takes to do what you just did.”

The group continued in silence, each step drawing them closer to the temple.

They arrived at last, the towering structure of the temple looming ahead. Carved from stone and overgrown with ivy, it stood tall and majestic, its walls adorned with ancient symbols. But a darkness clung to it, as though the shadows themselves had taken root within the stone.

Mihai felt his breath catch, a heaviness settling over him. The very air seemed to press down, filling his lungs with a sensation like thick smoke. Beside him, Cian coughed, his face contorted with discomfort.

“It’s… like the air itself is tainted,” Mihai muttered, fighting to keep his breathing steady.

Elanor nodded, her face pale. “The darkness here is strong. It feeds on life, consuming it from within.”

Raven pressed closer to Mihai, his usually sharp eyes dulled, as though the very presence of the temple drained him. Mihai knelt beside his companion, placing a hand on his fur, feeling the comfort of their bond.

“We’ll get through this,” Mihai whispered, more to himself than anyone else. “Together.”

They stepped forward, entering the shadowed hall of the temple. The darkness seemed to pulse, alive and aware of their presence. Mihai felt a chill creep down his spine, a sense of foreboding settling over him.

Elanor took a deep breath, her hands raised as she began to chant softly, the words echoing through the silent hall. Mihai felt the air shift slightly, the pressure lifting just enough to let them breathe a little easier.

As they moved deeper into the temple, Mihai sensed the presence of something powerful, lurking within the shadows, watching and waiting.

But despite the oppressive weight of the air, he felt a spark of determination flare within him. Here, in the heart of the darkness,

they would make their stand.

And, together, they would face whatever awaited them.