Guardians of Enthia I - Chapter XIV
In which Zeroi and Alatricia find what they were looking for.
As the first light of dawn pierced through the tangled scarlet canopy of the Red Forest, Zeroi and Alatricia found themselves being led on foot by Reydal and his Red Bandits. The ground beneath them was a mix of damp earth, decaying leaves, and exposed roots, making each step a calculated risk.
"Watch your footing," Reydal cautioned, his voice echoing with concern that seemed genuine at the time. However, Zeroi couldn't help but notice how easily he navigated the treacherous terrain, betraying years spent traversing this very forest.
"Where are you taking us?" Alatricia asked abruptly.. Her eyes darted around suspiciously, scanning for any sign of danger - she knew better than to trust Reydal at face value..
"Patience, princess," Reydal replied with a sly grin. "We're almost there."
The deeper they ventured into the forest, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The air hung heavy and stagnant, suffocating them with each strained breath. It wasn't long before they stumbled upon the sight their excursion was leading them to: a massive Siima corruption point, its sinister energy seeping from the ground like a malignant tumor.
"By the gods..." Zeroi whispered, his voice tinged with a mixture of both horror and awe. "They really are back. It’s just like the stories." He could feel the dark power emanating from the corruption point, its presence a stark reminder of the ancient enemy their world faced.
"Seems your little trip was worthwhile after all, eh?" Reydal said, feigning camaraderie. But as the bandits circled around them, their intentions became painfully clear.
"Reydal, what is the meaning of this?" Alatricia demanded, her hands instinctively reaching for a weapon she no longer possessed.
"Sorry, love," he replied, sorrow etched across his face as if he were genuinely regretful. "But I have my own survival to consider." Without warning, the bandits lunged forward, shoving Zeroi and Alatricia into the gaping maw of the corruption point.
As they fell into the darkness, a cacophony of guttural grunts and snarls greeted them - the unmistakable sounds of orcs. Zeroi's heart raced, his mind frantically searching for a spell that could save them while Alatricia stumbled upon a hidden weapon left behind by Reydal - a steel shortsword, a seemingly small act of mercy amidst betrayal.
As Alatricia kept back the orcs with the shortsword, Zeroi gathered his magical energies. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a torrent of crackling lightning, searing through the advancing orcs. Alatricia, emboldened by his display, waded into the fray with her newfound weapon, hacking and slashing with reckless abandon.
Together, they fought off the orcs, their combined efforts driving the creatures back into the shadows. Gasping for breath, Zeroi surveyed the battlefield, his mind already cataloging evidence of the orcs' presence.
"Come on," he said, extending a hand to Alatricia. "We need to get back to Eyrica and warn them of what we've discovered."
Alatricia nodded, accepting his assistance as they began the arduous journey back through the Red Forest alone.