Chapter 6 – Echoes of the Sacred Forest
The first thing Cael felt was the smell of damp leaves.
He opened his eyes with an effort. Above him, the canopy of trees filtered a soft, gray light, as if the sun were forever trapped in the twilight. He was lying on the cold grass, amidst a fog that slithered along the ground.
"What the fuck kind of place is this...?"
He tried to stand up, groaning as a throbbing pain shot through his body. His clothes were singed, but his gear remained with him: his sword, grimoire, armor—now carrying a faint glow—and the shattered remnants of the amulet.
"Welcome to the Sacred Forest. The first real map. A classic 'rest' point—in quotes, because nothing here is exactly safe."
Beside him, the knight in black armor lay motionless, like a fallen statue.
But not for long.
With a slight metallic creak, the knight rose, leaning on his sword. Without a word, he turned to Cael. That dark, impassive helm concealed any emotion, but still... there was a strange calmness in his gaze.
"Right... you survived too."
More silence. The knight turned and began walking into the forest, toward a nearly invisible trail. Cael followed him.
The fog grew thicker. They passed by twisted trees and moss-covered stone sculptures with eyeless faces. Until, in a clearing, he saw it:
A black rabbit. Tall as a man, with glowing white eyes, wearing a dark ritualistic robe. He was sitting in a prayer position upon a stone altar, like a monk who had never moved... until now.
"Another lost soul..." he said, his voice echoing in multiple layers, soft and unsettling all at once.
Cael froze.
"Ah. That guy there is the Prayer Master. A sort of priest... or maybe a jailer. He collects souls. In the game, he's the one you use to level up. Here... well, it looks like he does the same thing. Just in a more disturbing way."
"You..." Cael began, but the rabbit raised a paw.
"You are not of this world. Yet you brought with you a scar that the world feels. The cry of something beyond the flesh."
The Master then stood up, slowly, and pointed at Cael with one of his black claws.
"You possess a soul. Your soul has form. And your form... can be shaped."
Before him, a bluish flame sparked on the altar. Cael felt a tug from within, an inner warmth he recognized as experience. The battles, the pain, everything accumulated right there.
"Here, you may offer fragments of your journey. Strengthen yourself. But remember: the brighter you shine... the darker your shadow will be."
"Translation: give him your souls and he'll let you level up. Just don't expect any gratitude. He only does it for the entertainment."
The black knight knelt beside the altar, already accustomed to the ritual.
Cael hesitated... but extended his hand. The flame enveloped him for an instant, and he felt steadier. Faster. As if the world had become slightly clearer.
"First blessing granted," the Master murmured. "But your path has not yet begun. What comes next... will be your choice."
The forest fell silent.
It was then that a sharp voice shattered the calm:
"Get out of here, profane creature!" something shouted with sudden fury.
Cael looked toward the sound. Between the trees, a small figure flew with translucent wings and a pale glow—a fairy, with wide eyes and hatred written across her face.
"The dead are not welcome! You corrupt this land with your rot!" she screamed, pointing directly at the black knight.
The knight took a step forward, showing no reaction. The fairy prepared what looked like a miniature spell, and more lights began to flicker among the branches—other fairies approaching, drawn by the scent of death.
Cael, still confused, instinctively stepped forward.
"Wait! He's not the enemy..."
But his voice was drowned out by a growing hum of magic.
"Oh, great. Congratulations, now you're stuck in the middle of an elven conflict. If this were a normal game, this would just be a 'talk to the villagers' quest. Here? This is 'prepare to get your ass kicked by killer nightlights.'"
The Prayer Master merely watched, serene, like someone watching an ancient play repeat itself once more.
"The creatures of light loathe that which has been touched by death," he murmured. "But sometimes... death carries salvation."
Cael took a deep breath and drew his sword.
"Then let's find out right now."