The forest was quiet—unnaturally quiet.
Crunch. Crunch.
Each step Alarion took seemed too loud in the silence. The usual chirping of birds and rustling of leaves had vanished, replaced by a heavy stillness that pressed in on them like mist. The trees stood motionless, their branches barely shifting, as if holding their breath.
Then...
Krrrrrkkhh...
That sound.
Low. Croaking. Bone-like grinding against flesh.
It was back.
The same sound they had been hearing for the past few days.
It always echoed from a distance, like a haunting whisper stalking them in the shadows. But now it was close. Too close.
Alarion's eyes widened. His instincts screamed.
Not now. Not here.
He abruptly stopped walking, breath catching in his throat.
From behind him, Elaria's voice rang out, bright and unsuspecting.
"Rion! Why did you stop walking?"
She didn't understand.
Shit.
Alarion didn't have time to explain.
Without a word, he hurled her off his back with all his strength...toward the underbrush away from the path,just as a dark blur tore through the trees with horrifying speed.
BOOM.
A massive fist crashed into Alarion's side, sending him flying like a rag doll. His body slammed into a tree with a gut-wrenching crack, splinters exploding outward, and he crumpled to the forest floor, coughing blood.
"Ahhh!!"
Pain flared through his ribs and legs. Everything was spinning. His vision blurred.
A towering figure stepped into view,flesh like charcoal stone, twisted horns, a jagged mouth curled in amusement.
"So you're the one I've been sensing."
Alarion raised his head slowly, one hand clutching his side.
The demon's grin widened as he leaned in.
"A human? Impossible. I haven't seen one of you insects in over fifteen years."
Fifteen years? Then he really was one of the ancient ones...
The demon appeared in front of Alarion in a blink, grabbing his face with a clawed hand and lifting him off the ground.
"Where have you been hiding, insect?"
I... can't move. My legs... they're gone.
Elly... Elly, run...
Crack!
Another punch, this one straight to Alarion's ribs. He screamed in agony, blood spattering from his mouth.
And then...
A flash of light.
A burst of air pressure so strong it knocked leaves from the trees.
"Anstphio bel Al Gon!"
The words rang out in a melodic, commanding tone.
The demon was blown backward through the air, tumbling into the bushes.
Alarion's eyes shot open.
"E-Elly...?"
Elaria stood at the edge of the clearing, hands glowing with arcane light, her face pale but determined.
"Run! Elly! Run!!" Alarion shouted with every bit of strength he had.
But she didn't move.
The demon reappeared beside her in an instant.
"Well, well… an elf. What's a forest pest doing interrupting a conversation between two civilized beings?" he sneered, voice dripping venom.
Elaria froze.
Her magic faltered.
Her lips trembled.
The cocky girl who once called herself the "Great Illusion Mage" was gone.
She looked like a child.
Terrified. Paralyzed.
Alarion's heart sank.
"Please! Spare her,she's just a child!" he cried.
The demon turned his head slowly, eyes gleaming with pure malice.
"And why should I? She interfered."
Before Alarion could blink, the demon hurled Elaria into the air.
She screamed as she flew up ,then he leapt after her and slammed her back down with a thunderous kick.
BOOM.
The impact left a crater in the earth. Dirt exploded upward.
"No!!!" Alarion screamed, trying to drag himself forward, pain ripping through every nerve in his body.
The demon approached her slowly. Elaria lay in the crater, face bloodied, hair soaked in red.
He crouched.
Lifted her head.
Slam.
Once.
Slam.
Twice.
Slam.
Three times.
Alarion's breath caught in his throat.
His chest burned. His vision swam.
"Now…" the demon whispered, holding her limp head up by the hair.
"…you look really beautiful."