Capítulo 12: chapter 12
As Lith and Hana stepped through the gate, they emerged into a vast, lush forest, its trees towering high with thick, gnarled trunks and leaves that shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow. The forest floor was blanketed with dense ferns and wildflowers that released tiny, glowing spores with every step. Above them, the sky held an eerie beauty, with two brilliant suns casting shadows from different angles, bathing the entire forest in an unearthly golden-green light. Off in the far distance, a dark vortex swirled ominously—an ominous, churning storm that marked the entrance to the abyss, known as the Mouth of the Abyss. Its shadows seemed to pulse and writhe as though alive, sending out ripples of dark energy.
Lith barely spared it a glance. After all, he had seen far worse. But Hana seemed momentarily mesmerized by the landscape, as if even this place's beauty struck her deeply. She turned to him and smiled, saying, "Master, we are here."
Just as the words left her lips, her face contorted in shock. A sharp, searing pain tore through her chest, and she looked down to see a gaping, bloody hole where her heart should have been. Her gaze flickered up to Lith in disbelief, eyes wide as she choked on her breath. Lith simply looked back at her, his face cold and unreadable, as if this revelation was little more than a mild inconvenience.
Hana's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching at her chest. Her form began to twist and melt, her skin turning an unnatural, oily black as her true nature was revealed. She wasn't Hana at all, but something vile and corrupted—a hollow shell, a puppet under the control of an eldritch being. Her body disintegrated into an ink-black mist, hissing and writhing before it faded completely.
With a sigh, Lith dusted off his hands, watching the last traces of the creature vanish. "What a shame," he muttered dryly. "I'd give you credit for effort, but let's be honest… subtlety isn't your strong suit."
---
Earlier that morning, Lith had been lounging in his bed within the Citadel's chambers, surrounded by towering shelves lined with priceless relics and ancient tomes. He was relaxed, contemplating his next move, when The Chronicle of Infinite Truth, one of the legendary eleven books orbiting his resting place, floated over and opened of its own accord. The tome's pages began to shift, the text forming into an entry on a sinister creature known as an Umbrawraith.
The description was disturbing: Umbrawraiths were powerful eldritch parasites, creatures who could only survive by consuming others. They not only took their hosts' memories and bodies but their very essence, using their victims as hollow shells until they found another host to infect. Unlike typical parasites, Umbrawraiths were cunning, hunting for strong minds and powerful individuals to wear like a mask, infiltrating the lives of others and slowly spreading their dark influence.
Lith raised an eyebrow, puzzled as to why the book was showing him this now. With a sigh, he summoned The Codex of Predestined Fates, flipping through its ancient, whispering pages. The Codex's text formed into a single, enigmatic sentence: "She is not what you think she is."
Lith's brow furrowed as he tried to puzzle out its meaning, but the book's message only deepened his confusion. His face twisted with mild irritation. "Really, cryptic as ever," he muttered to himself. "Would it kill these books to be a little less... theatrical?"
Growing tired of the mystery, Lith finally summoned The Primordial Tome: Origin of All Power, the first and most powerful of the legendary tomes. Unlike the others, The Primordial Tome could tap into the powers of all ten books, combining their knowledge and strength to uncover the most hidden truths. Its pages opened with a radiant, ethereal glow, merging the power of the Chronicle of Infinite Truth and the Codex of Predestined Fates.
The answer that emerged sent a chill through him: "Hana died long ago alongside her husband and brother."
Lith's jaw clenched. He realized now that the books had been warning him all along. The Hana by his side had been nothing more than a creature in disguise—a dark puppet controlled by an Umbrawraith. He closed the book with a heavy sigh, his heart hardening against the betrayal. "Well, it's a good thing I didn't get too attached," he remarked, though a sliver of sadness lingered behind his indifferent tone.
---
Back in the forest, Lith glanced up from where Hana had fallen, only to see a pale, ghostly figure—a shimmering silhouette of Hana, bowing to him in silent gratitude. Her eyes shone with a faint glow, as though acknowledging his role in avenging her. Lith watched solemnly as her spirit dissipated, her soul finally released to the cycle of reincarnation.
With a deep sigh, Lith took in his surroundings, his gaze sweeping over the towering trees and verdant landscape. Despite the serene beauty of the forest, the two suns cast an odd, fractured light, and shadows danced across the ground in twisted, surreal patterns. His eyes lingered on the sky for a moment, noting the massive dark vortex looming in the distance—a swirling storm marking the Mouth of the Abyss. Its pulsing darkness seemed to call out to him, as if taunting him with yet another challenge.
Lith snorted dismissively, brushing off the dark thoughts. "Well, as fun as it would be to jump into that lovely vortex of death, I've got other things to do." He activated his living armor, a dark metallic suit that shimmered and shifted with his movements, readying himself to explore this world.
He took a step forward, smiling faintly as he felt the forest's energy pulse beneath his feet. Time to find a town, gather some information, and maybe grab a snack, he thought, letting a smirk play across his face.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder