章節 56: Chapter Fifty-Six: Into the Depths
The first light of dawn cast a pale glow over the fortress as the handpicked team assembled at the gates. Elyra, Garret, and Thorne stood at the forefront, their expressions set with determination. Behind them were Freya, the enchantress with her wards and charms, and three of the fortress's most skilled scouts—Eirik, the ranger who had led the previous mission, Brynn, a tracker with unparalleled instincts, and Cael, a warrior known for his silence and precision.
The air was thick with anticipation as the gate creaked open, revealing the dark expanse of the forest beyond. The trees stood tall and silent, their branches twisted and gnarled as though they were reaching out to ensnare anyone who dared to enter. The forest was alive, more so than it had ever been, and the team could feel it in their bones.
Elyra turned to her team, her voice calm but firm. "We don't know what we'll find out there, but we know it's dangerous. Stay together, stay alert, and trust each other. Freya, your wards will be our first line of defense against any dark magic. Eirik, lead us through the safest paths you can find. Everyone else, be ready for anything."
Garret stepped forward, his hand resting on Elyra's shoulder. "We'll bring back the information we need to protect the fortress. And if it comes to it, we'll eliminate the threat before it can reach our walls."
Elyra nodded, her gaze sweeping over her team one last time. "Let's move out."
With that, the group ventured into the forest, leaving the safety of the fortress behind. The trees closed in around them, their shadows deepening as they delved deeper into the woods. The forest was eerily silent, the usual sounds of wildlife absent. The only noise was the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle of the wind through the branches.
Eirik led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the path ahead for any signs of danger. The forest was a labyrinth of ancient trees and tangled undergrowth, but Eirik moved with the confidence of someone who had spent a lifetime navigating its depths. Brynn followed closely, her senses attuned to the subtle changes in the environment, while Cael kept to the rear, his hand never straying far from his sword.
Freya walked in the center of the group, her hands glowing faintly with the magic she was channeling. She muttered incantations under her breath, creating protective wards that shimmered in the air around them. The wards were designed to detect and repel dark magic, a precaution that now felt more necessary than ever.
Hours passed as they journeyed deeper into the forest, the daylight fading to a dim twilight under the thick canopy. The team remained silent, their focus unbroken. But the further they went, the more Elyra felt the presence of something watching them. It was a sensation that grew stronger with each step, a feeling that they were not alone.
"Do you feel that?" Elyra asked quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Garret nodded. "Yes. We're being watched."
Eirik paused, holding up a hand to stop the group. "We're close to the place where we encountered that creature," he said, his voice low. "Be on your guard."
The team drew their weapons, their eyes scanning the dense forest around them. Freya's wards glowed brighter, casting an eerie light on the trees as they moved forward. The atmosphere was charged with tension, each step bringing them closer to whatever lurked in the heart of the woods.
As they approached the clearing, Elyra felt the air grow colder, a chill that seeped into her bones. The strange lights that Eirik's team had reported were visible now, flickering like ghostly flames between the trees. The whispers that had plagued their dreams were clearer here, the words still indecipherable but filled with an unmistakable malice.
They stepped into the clearing and were met with a sight that made their blood run cold. The ancient tree, gnarled and dark, stood at the center, just as Eirik had described. But now, the tree was surrounded by a circle of stones, each one carved with strange runes that pulsed with dark energy. The floating orbs of light danced above the stones, casting long, shifting shadows.
But it was the figure standing before the tree that drew their attention. Cloaked in shadow, the figure seemed to meld with the darkness around it. Its face was obscured by a hood, and its hands were raised as if commanding the energies that swirled around the clearing.
Elyra's heart pounded in her chest as the figure turned to face them. Though its features were hidden, she could feel its gaze upon her, a weight that pressed down on her soul.
"Who are you?" Elyra demanded, her voice strong despite the fear coursing through her veins. "What do you want?"
The figure's response was a low, chilling laugh that echoed through the clearing. The runes on the stones flared brighter, and the orbs of light began to spin faster, creating a vortex of energy around the ancient tree.
"You dare to challenge me?" the figure hissed, its voice like a cold wind. "You who walk blindly into the darkness? You cannot comprehend the power that lies within this forest."
Freya stepped forward, her hands glowing as she prepared to cast a spell. "Whatever dark magic you've unleashed here, we will stop it!"
The figure raised a hand, and Freya's spell fizzled out before it could be cast. The air around them grew heavy, suffused with the malevolent energy that emanated from the stones.
"You are too late," the figure said, its voice dripping with malice. "The ritual is nearly complete. Soon, the power of the forest will be mine to command, and your fortress will fall. All will fall."
Elyra's eyes narrowed. "Not if we stop you here and now."
With a signal, the team sprang into action. Garret and Cael charged forward, swords drawn, while Eirik and Brynn moved to flank the figure. Freya focused on breaking the enchantments around the stones, her magic clashing with the dark energy that pulsed from the runes.
But as they attacked, the figure moved with unnatural speed, dodging their blows with ease. The shadows seemed to bend to its will, obscuring its form and making it difficult to land a hit. The clearing was filled with the sound of clashing steel and crackling magic as the team fought desperately to overpower their foe.
Elyra's heart raced as she engaged the figure, her sword flashing as she struck out at the shadowy form. But each time she thought she had landed a blow, the figure seemed to dissolve into the darkness, reappearing a moment later to counter her attack.
"We can't let the ritual complete!" Freya shouted, her voice strained as she struggled to hold back the dark magic.
Elyra's mind raced, searching for a solution. The figure was too powerful, its magic too strong. But then, she remembered the creature they had fought before—the beast that had been connected to the forest's power. If this figure was drawing energy from the forest, then perhaps they could disrupt the ritual by severing that connection.
"Eirik!" Elyra called out. "The tree—focus on the tree!"
Eirik understood immediately. He redirected his attacks, targeting the ancient tree at the center of the clearing. Brynn joined him, her arrows finding their mark in the twisted bark.
The figure reacted with fury, its shadowy form lashing out at them with renewed intensity. But as the team concentrated their efforts on the tree, the runes on the stones began to flicker, the dark energy waning.
Freya seized the opportunity, channeling her magic into a powerful spell. She directed it at the stones, shattering the runes and disrupting the flow of energy. The vortex of light and shadow began to collapse, and the figure let out a scream of rage as its power was drained away.
With one final strike, Elyra and Garret combined their efforts, their swords slicing through the figure's form. The shadows dispersed, and the figure dissolved into the air, leaving only a faint wisp of darkness behind.
The clearing fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere lifting as the dark magic dissipated. The tree, now free of the enchantment, stood still and lifeless, its twisted branches no longer pulsing with energy.
Elyra breathed a sigh of relief, lowering her sword. They had stopped the ritual, but the victory felt hollow. The forest was still filled with secrets, and the threat was far from over.
"We need to return to the fortress," Garret said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "There's still much to do."
Elyra nodded, but her gaze lingered on the ancient tree. The whispers had faded, but the memory of them remained, a reminder that the forest's darkness had not been fully banished.
As the team made their way back through the forest, Elyra couldn't shake the feeling that they had only scratched the surface of the true danger that lay hidden in the shadows. The storm was gathering, and she knew that the fight for their home was far from over.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票