The ground firmed as the marsh thinned into low ridges crowned with thorny brush. The silence stretched, broken only by the squelch of boots and Ronan's occasional curses when brambles snagged his coat.
Elira carried a reed she'd fashioned into a torch, its flame sputtering blue from resin she had gathered. "These plants are strange… they burn cold, yet steady." Her voice was hushed, as though she feared breaking the unnatural stillness.
Edric kept his eyes forward. "Quiet. Something follows."
Ronan gave a dry laugh. "Still on about being watched? Could be just shadows and your nerves, princeling."
But then they heard it.
A wet, guttural growl rolled through the reeds behind them.
The water rippled, then burst open as a hulking creature lurched from the mire. It resembled a boar, but grotesquely enlarged—its hide blackened with essence scars, tusks jagged and glowing faintly blue, eyes milky white. Each breath steamed in the cool night air, thick with essence vapor.
Elira stumbled back, torch trembling in her hand. "An… an overfed vessel. It's drowned in essence!"
The beast charged.
Edric stepped forward instantly, drawing steel. "With me!" His voice cut like iron. He slashed at the beast's tusk, sparks flying as the corrupted bone scraped his blade. The blow slowed it, but didn't stop it.
Ronan darted to the flank, his dagger flashing with the faint hum of spring-essence. He slashed across the creature's leg, the wound glowing for a second before sealing with unnatural speed.
He cursed. "Heals too damn fast!"
Elira, trembling, hurled her torch into the reeds. "Distract it—don't waste strength! Their lungs are fragile. Hit the breath, not the hide!"
The beast turned on her voice, snorting, mud flying.
Edric leapt into its path, bracing his sword two-handed. "Now!"
Ronan rolled behind the beast, driving his dagger up beneath its ribs. The corrupted flesh shrieked, essence bleeding like light from the wound. Edric seized the opening, plunging his sword deep into its exposed throat as it reared back to scream.
The beast convulsed, essence-fire ripping through its body. Then it collapsed in a steaming heap, the glow fading as its body crumbled into brittle ash.
For a long moment, none of them moved, chests heaving, the acrid stink burning their throats.
Ronan wiped his blade clean on the dirt, muttering. "If the animals are this bad, can't wait to see what the locals keep as pets."
Elira crouched by the ashes, her voice soft but grim. "It wasn't just an animal anymore. The essence made it into something else—something caught between life and… and corruption." She touched the brittle remains. "This land doesn't just feed creatures. It warps them."
Edric stood over the carcass, silent, his blade dripping. At last he said, "Then we'll need to adapt faster than it does."
His words rang with command, not fear.
As they gathered themselves, Ronan froze, eyes narrowing at the ridge above. For the briefest instant, a figure stood watching—tall, unmoving, its face hidden in shadow.
And then it was gone.
Edric tightened his grip on his sword, scanning the ridge, but nothing stirred. Still, the presence lingered like a weight on the air.
"They're not just beasts in this land," he muttered. "Something else hunts us."
Elira swallowed, her gaze drifting to the horizon where mountains loomed dark against the sky. "And whatever it is… it's leading us deeper."