Twilight descended on the forest as the strike team moved through the increasingly twisted landscape toward the Shadow Hollows. Every step deeper into the corrupted territory brought a heavier pressure against Ethan's mind, the Void's influence growing stronger as they approached its source. He'd activated his Corruption Resistance as soon as they'd left the Archive, but even with its protection, he could feel the malevolent energy probing for weaknesses.
CORRUPTION RESISTANCE ACTIVE DURATION REMAINING: 42 MINUTES VOID EXPOSURE: MODERATE TO HIGH (58% FILTERED) WARNING: RESISTANCE EFFECTIVENESS DECLINING IN HIGH CONCENTRATION AREAS ENERGY COST: 3% PER MINUTE IN CURRENT CONDITIONS
Captain Thalion led the group with practiced efficiency, his elite Guardians moving almost silently despite their armor. The Captain himself carried the counter-measure device, refusing to entrust it to anyone else. Lysandra moved near the front as their primary scout, while Ethan maintained a position in the middle of the formation where he could monitor the growing corruption levels.
"Strange," murmured one of the Guardians, a lithe female elf named Syriel. "The corruption patterns have changed since our last patrol. They're more... organized."
Ethan nodded grimly. "Orlin's influence. He's reshaping the natural corruption into something more directed." He gestured toward the twisted undergrowth, where previously chaotic growth now formed subtle, deliberate patterns. "These aren't random anymore—they're channels, directing energy flow."
Captain Thalion raised his closed fist, bringing the group to an immediate halt. "We're approaching the perimeter of the deep Hollows. From here on, absolute silence. Hand signals only."
As the team rechecked their equipment, Thalion produced the sealed orders containing their final approach coordinates. Breaking the magical seal, he studied the contents briefly before nodding to his lieutenants.
"Change of plan," he announced quietly. "We'll approach from the northwest quadrant rather than directly from the east as originally discussed."
Ethan and Lysandra exchanged quick glances. The northwest approach hadn't been part of any plan discussed at the Archive—this was either a security measure Sewandel had implemented without telling them, or something more concerning.
TACTICAL ALERT UNEXPECTED ROUTE CHANGE DETECTED POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS: - LEGITIMATE SECURITY PROTOCOL - CAPTAIN ACTING ON NEW INTELLIGENCE - POSSIBLE COMPROMISE OF MISSION PARAMETERS RECOMMEND: PROCEED WITH CAUTION, MAINTAIN ALERT FOR AMBUSH SIGNS
They had little choice but to follow Thalion's lead. The formation tightened as they moved into territory where the corruption hung like visible miasma in the air, purple tendrils of energy weaving between the twisted trees. Ethan's Environmental Analysis revealed alarming readings—the concentration of Void energy here was nearly double what they'd encountered previously.
Thirty minutes into their diverted route, they reached a small ridge overlooking a sickly violet glow emanating from beyond the next treeline. Thalion signaled for them to take cover while he and Lysandra crawled forward to scout the area.
They returned moments later, Lysandra's expression grim.
"It's there," she whispered, "but it's... changed."
"The gate has grown," Thalion elaborated. "At least twice the size reported in your initial scouting. And Orlin isn't alone anymore. There are... entities... with him. Not quite physical, not quite energy."
Ethan's concern deepened. "Let me see."
Carefully approaching the ridge's edge, he peered through a gap in the twisted underbrush. The sight below stole his breath.
The clearing had expanded dramatically, now nearly twice the size they'd originally discovered. The Void gate at its center now towered at least twenty feet high, a jagged tear in reality that pulsed with sickly purple-black energy. Surrounding it, the concentric circles and obelisks had multiplied and grown more elaborate. Orlin stood at the center, arms raised as he conducted streams of corruption between the obelisks with precise, practiced gestures.
Most disturbing were the figures that now accompanied him—seven tall, humanoid shapes composed of swirling Void energy. Unlike the sentinels they'd encountered earlier, these entities moved with deliberate purpose, making adjustments to the surrounding structures and occasionally bringing objects to Orlin.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVE VOID GATE STATUS: 89% COMPLETE (ACCELERATED SIGNIFICANTLY) NEW ENTITIES IDENTIFIED: CLASS 3 VOID CONSTRUCTS THREAT LEVEL: SEVERE ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME REMAINING: LESS THAN 1 HOUR WARNING: CURRENT COUNTER-MEASURE DEVICE CALIBRATED FOR SMALLER GATE RECALIBRATION REQUIRED
Ethan crawled back to the team, his expression grave. "The situation's worse than anticipated. The gate is nearly complete, and Orlin has reinforcements—high-level Void constructs. Our device needs recalibration for a gate of this size."
"Can you do it?" Thalion asked tersely.
Ethan examined the device through his System interface. "Yes, but I'll need about fifteen minutes and direct access to its core components. The power output needs to be increased by at least 70%."
"That leaves the deployment position," Lysandra noted. "The original coordinates won't work with a gate this size. The harmonic focal point will have shifted."
Captain Thalion studied the terrain. "How do we determine the new position?"
"My System can calculate it," Ethan said, "but I'll need to take readings from three different angles around the perimeter of the clearing."
Thalion considered this information with a frown. "Too risky to move the entire team. We'll split up. Syriel and Koreth, go with the Mender for his readings. Lysandra, help him recalibrate the device. The rest of us will secure fallback positions in case we need to retreat quickly."
WARNING TEAM SEPARATION INCREASES VULNERABILITY CAPTAIN'S STRATEGY DEVIATES FROM STANDARD PROTOCOL POSSIBLE INTENTIONS: - TACTICAL ADAPTATION TO CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES - DELIBERATE SEPARATION OF KEY PERSONNEL RECOMMEND HEIGHTENED VIGILANCE
As they prepared to split up, Ethan made a subtle adjustment to his wristband, activating a passive scan of all nearby energy signatures—including those of their own team members. It was a precaution that felt increasingly necessary.
The recalibration proved delicate work in the field. Lysandra kept watch while Ethan carefully adjusted the crystalline components inside the device, his System interface guiding his hands through the precise modifications needed.
"Nearly done," he whispered. "Once these final connections are aligned, the output should be sufficient to disrupt the expanded gate."
"Hurry," Lysandra urged. "Something feels wrong about this entire situation."
Ethan completed the adjustments and sealed the device. "Now for the readings. We need to move carefully around the perimeter—if any of those Void constructs sense us, we're in serious trouble."
With Guardian Syriel taking point, they began their cautious circuit of the clearing. At three equidistant points, Ethan took detailed measurements of the gate's energy patterns, each time remaining concealed in the twisted underbrush. The constructs moved in regular patrol patterns, making their movement challenging but predictable.
At the third position, Ethan's scan completed with a troubling result.
TRIANGULATION COMPLETE OPTIMAL DEPLOYMENT COORDINATES CALCULATED WARNING: DEPLOYMENT POINT LOCATED IN EXPOSED POSITION SECONDARY WARNING: ENERGY SIGNATURE ANALYSIS DETECTS ANOMALY GUARDIAN SYRIEL'S ENERGY PATTERN SHOWS 12% VOID CONTAMINATION INSUFFICIENT DATA TO DETERMINE IF ACTIVE CORRUPTION OR RESIDUAL EXPOSURE
Ethan kept his expression neutral as they returned to the rendezvous point, but he positioned himself slightly farther from Syriel than before. The contamination could be innocent—many Guardians patrolling the Hollows picked up trace corruption—but he couldn't take chances.
"I have the coordinates," he reported to Thalion. "The optimal position is here." He indicated a point on the crude map they'd drawn. "Unfortunately, it's in a relatively exposed position, about thirty yards from the nearest cover."
Thalion studied the map. "A direct approach is impossible then. We'll need a diversion."
"Sir," Lysandra suggested, "a controlled corruption flare on the opposite side of the clearing might draw their attention long enough for the deployment team to reach the position."
The Captain nodded. "Good. Koreth and Naeris will create the diversion. I'll carry the device to the deployment point with the Mender, who will activate it. The rest of you provide covering fire if needed, then prepare for immediate extraction."
As the team prepared for their roles, Ethan took Lysandra aside under the pretense of reviewing the activation sequence.
"Syriel shows signs of contamination," he whispered. "Could be nothing, but stay alert."
"Thalion's route change troubles me as well," she murmured. "This feels increasingly like—"
"A trap," Ethan finished. "I know. But we're out of options and time. If the gate completes..." He didn't need to finish the thought. They both knew what was at stake.
MISSION CRITICAL UPDATE TIME TO GATE COMPLETION: APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES FAILURE CONSEQUENCES: CATASTROPHIC RECOMMEND PROCEEDING DESPITE TRAP INDICATORS PRIMARY FOCUS: ENSURE COUNTER-MEASURE DEPLOYMENT REGARDLESS OF POTENTIAL BETRAYAL
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Night had fully fallen by the time they were ready to execute the plan. The corruption-tainted landscape glowed with an eerie luminescence, casting everything in shades of purple and shadow. The Void gate's pulsations had increased in both frequency and intensity, creating waves of nauseating energy that washed across the forest.
"Diversion team in position," Koreth reported through a communication crystal. "Awaiting your signal."
Thalion gave a curt nod, then turned to Ethan. "Are you prepared, Mender? Once we begin, there can be no hesitation."
"I'm ready," Ethan replied, trying to project more confidence than he felt. He activated his remaining abilities, preparing for what would undoubtedly be a dangerous approach.
COMBAT PREPARATION COMPLETE ABILITIES ACTIVATED: - VOID SHIELD (READY) - PHASE DISRUPTION (READY) - CORRUPTION RESISTANCE (25 MINUTES REMAINING) - ENERGY PERCEPTION (ACTIVE) ENERGY RESERVES: 78% SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 23.1% (-4.2%)
"Execute," Thalion ordered into the communication crystal.
Seconds later, a brilliant flash erupted from the far side of the clearing, followed by a towering column of golden light that cut through the corruption like a spear. The reaction was immediate—Orlin's head snapped toward the disturbance, and he gestured sharply. Five of the seven Void constructs surged toward the light source, moving with unnatural speed.
"Now," Thalion hissed, and they broke from cover.
The thirty yards to the deployment point felt like miles. Ethan and Thalion sprinted across the corrupted ground, their feet sinking slightly into the spongy surface with each step. Ethan's heart pounded as they closed the distance, expecting at any moment to hear the alarm raised.
They reached the designated spot without detection. Thalion quickly unfolded the tripod base while Ethan prepared the activation sequence.
"Hurry," the Captain urged, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
Ethan worked as fast as he dared, his fingers dancing across the device's control surfaces. The counter-measure began to hum, crystals illuminating in sequence as power built within its core.
"Almost there," he whispered. "Just need to align the final resonance matrix and—"
A sudden, searing pain lanced through his side. Ethan gasped, looking down to see a slender elven dagger protruding from between his ribs—held by Captain Thalion.
"I'm truly sorry," the Captain said, his voice devoid of emotion. "But the Void Master requires this gate to remain open."
Ethan staggered back, blood already soaking his tunic. The pain was intense, but shock kept it somewhat distant. Through the haze, his System flashed urgent warnings:
CRITICAL DAMAGE ALERT PENETRATING TRAUMA DETECTED BLOOD LOSS: SIGNIFICANT CORRUPTED WEAPON DETECTED: VOID POISONING IN PROGRESS IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
"You... too?" Ethan managed, fighting to remain conscious.
"Not all of us," Thalion replied calmly, reaching for the counter-measure device. "Just enough to ensure the plan fails."
Fighting through the pain, Ethan lunged forward and slammed his palm against the device's activation crystal. It wasn't properly aligned—nowhere near the precise calibration needed—but it was their only chance.
"No!" Thalion shouted, but it was too late.
The device surged to life, emitting a piercing tone that cut through the night air. Energy cascaded from its crystals in chaotic patterns, nothing like the controlled harmonic wave they had planned. The improperly calibrated counter-measure was activating, but without the proper alignment, its effect would be unpredictable at best.
Across the clearing, Orlin spun toward them, his corrupted eyes widening in alarm. He shouted something in an inhuman language, gesturing frantically toward the malfunctioning device.
The consequences were immediate and catastrophic. The counter-measure's disruptive wave struck the Void gate but instead of collapsing it, the improperly tuned energy caused a violent reaction. The gate pulsed once, twice—then expanded dramatically, nearly doubling in size with a thunderous crack that shook the ground beneath their feet.
Void energy erupted outward in a concussive wave, flattening the surrounding vegetation and sending both Ethan and Thalion flying backward. Through a haze of pain, Ethan saw the remaining Void constructs converging on their position, while Orlin worked frantically to stabilize the now wildly fluctuating gate.
MISSION STATUS: CRITICAL FAILURE COUNTER-MEASURE: IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED EFFECT: GATE EXPANSION AND DESTABILIZATION CONTAMINATION SURGE DETECTED VOID POISONING ACCELERATING SYSTEM INTEGRITY: COMPROMISED EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS INITIATED
As Ethan struggled to rise, his vision swimming from blood loss and pain, he saw Lysandra and the loyal Guardians engaged in desperate combat with both the Void constructs and their corrupted comrades. The clearing had become a chaotic battlefield, golden flashes of elven magic clashing with the purple-black energy of the Void.
Thalion had recovered more quickly and now advanced on Ethan, dagger raised for a killing blow. "You've only made things worse, Mender. The gate will now complete even faster."
Ethan tried to activate his Void Shield, but the corruption from the dagger was interfering with his energy flow. He could barely lift his arm in defense.
The Captain's blade descended—only to be intercepted by Lysandra's sword. She had broken through the chaos somehow, arriving just in time to parry the killing strike.
"Traitor," she snarled, driving Thalion back with a flurry of strikes.
Ethan tried to call out a warning about the Captain's corrupted weapon, but his voice failed him. Dark spots danced across his vision as the Void poisoning spread through his system. He was vaguely aware of Lysandra and Thalion locked in fierce combat, their blades moving almost too quickly to follow.
The expanding gate continued to pulse erratically, each surge sending out waves of corruption that seemed to bend reality itself. Trees twisted into impossible shapes, the ground rippled like liquid, and the air filled with discordant whispers that clawed at the mind.
SYSTEM CRITICAL ALERT HOST VITAL SIGNS DETERIORATING VOID POISONING: 28% SYSTEM PENETRATION EMERGENCY EXTRACTION PROTOCOLS ENGAGED INITIATING EMERGENCY STASIS WARNING: FORCED WITHDRAWAL MAY CAUSE TEMPORARY CONSCIOUSNESS LOSS EXECUTING IN 3...2...1...
Ethan felt a sudden, wrenching sensation as his System initiated emergency protocols. The battlefield, Lysandra, everything seemed to stretch and distort around him. His last conscious thought was of failure—they had not only failed to close the gate but had accidentally accelerated its completion.
Then blackness claimed him.
Light. Painfully bright light.
Ethan blinked, his consciousness returning in fragments. He was lying on something soft, a bed of some kind. The air smelled of herbs and flowers—nothing like the corruption-tainted miasma of the Hollows. His side throbbed with a dull, persistent ache, but the sharp, burning pain of the Void poisoning had subsided.
SYSTEM REBOOT COMPLETE EMERGENCY STASIS TERMINATED TIME UNCONSCIOUS: 17 HOURS, 22 MINUTES VOID POISONING: 82% PURGED PHYSICAL DAMAGE: PARTIALLY REPAIRED (43%) WARNING: SYSTEM RESOURCES DEPLETED ENERGY RESERVES: 12%
"He's waking," a soft voice said nearby.
Ethan struggled to focus his vision. A face swam into view—Lysandra, her features drawn with exhaustion but alive.
"Welcome back," she said, relief evident in her voice. "For a while, we weren't sure you would return to us."
"Where...?" His throat felt raw, his voice barely a whisper.
"The healing chambers beneath the Heart Tree," Lysandra replied. "After you collapsed, I managed to fight off Thalion long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Elder Sewandel had apparently grown suspicious and sent a second team."
Memories flooded back—the failed mission, the expanding gate, Thalion's betrayal. Ethan tried to sit up but was immediately pushed back by gentle hands.
"Don't," Lysandra cautioned. "The healers have extracted most of the Void poison, but your wound is still serious."
"The gate," Ethan managed. "Did we...?"
Lysandra's expression darkened. "I'm sorry, Ethan. Our effort failed. The improperly activated device caused the gate to destabilize, but instead of collapsing, it grew stronger. Orlin has accelerated his timeline—the Heart Tree is now under direct assault."
Ethan closed his eyes, the weight of failure crushing down on him. His first major mission as a Mender, and he had only made things worse.
"How bad?" he finally asked.
"The corruption has reached the outer perimeter of the Heart Tree's sanctuary. The Guardians are holding a defensive line, but they're losing ground by the hour. Orlin commands at least two dozen Void constructs now, and several more Council members have revealed themselves as corrupted."
"Thistlewood?"
Lysandra nodded grimly. "Among others. Nearly a third of the Council was compromised to varying degrees. Sewandel and Elariel are leading the resistance, but our forces are stretched thin."
Ethan struggled to process this information. The situation had deteriorated far faster than they had anticipated.
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS ELDERWOOD STATUS: CRITICAL HEART TREE: UNDER IMMINENT THREAT VOID GATE: ENHANCED AND ACCELERATED POLITICAL STRUCTURE: COMPROMISED CURRENT STRATEGY: FAILING RECOMMEND COMPLETE REEVALUATION OF APPROACH
"My System initiated emergency protocols," Ethan said. "I've never experienced that before."
"The healers said the Void poisoning was unlike anything they've seen. Your... System, as you call it... apparently put you in some kind of stasis to prevent the corruption from reaching your core functions. If it hadn't, we would have lost you."
A new figure entered Ethan's field of vision—Elder Sewandel, his ageless face now marked with lines of weariness and concern.
"Mender," the Elder said formally. "I owe you an apology. I failed to heed your warnings about further infiltration, and you nearly paid with your life."
"None of us anticipated the extent of the corruption," Ethan replied. "What happens now?"
Sewandel's expression was grim. "We are preparing our final defense at the Heart Tree itself. The remaining loyal Guardians, a handful of uncorrupted Council members, and what few civilian volunteers we could gather. Against Orlin's forces, I fear it will not be enough."
The Elder's candor was unexpected. The situation must truly be dire for him to speak so openly of their slim chances.
"The historical records," Ethan said, forcing himself to think clearly despite his weakness. "The previous invasion was stopped through sacrifice—the combined life-energy of seventeen Guardians."
"We've discussed this option," Sewandel acknowledged. "But we lack both the numbers and the specific ritual knowledge. Those secrets died with the last Alliance."
Ethan considered this information, his analytical mind searching for alternatives despite his physical state.
REVIEWING HISTORICAL DATA CROSS-REFERENCING WITH CURRENT PARAMETERS SEEKING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES INSIGHT: HARMONIC DISRUPTION STILL THEORETICALLY VIABLE REQUIRES: DIRECT ACCESS TO GATE'S RESONANCE CORE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS: UNKNOWN (INSUFFICIENT DATA) SURVIVAL PROBABILITY IF ATTEMPTED: 16.2%
"There might be another way," Ethan said slowly. "But it would require getting much closer to the gate than before. Close enough to access its core resonance patterns directly."
Lysandra shook her head. "That's suicide, Ethan. You can barely stand, and the area around the gate is swarming with Void constructs."
"We're out of options," he replied. "Unless you have another counter-measure device hidden somewhere?"
"The prototype was unique," Sewandel said. "Thaelon is attempting to construct another, but without the original resonator sample, calibration is proving difficult. And time is against us."
A heavy silence fell over the chamber. The reality of their situation was stark—Elderwood stood on the brink of destruction, with no clear path to salvation.
"You should rest," Lysandra finally said, placing a cool hand on Ethan's forehead. "The healers say you need at least another day to recover from the worst of the Void poisoning."
"We don't have a day," Ethan argued, though his body betrayed him with a wave of exhaustion.
"Nevertheless," Sewandel interjected, "you must recover some strength if you are to be of any use in the coming battle. Guardian Lysandra will remain with you. I must return to the defense council."
After the Elder departed, Lysandra carefully helped Ethan drink a sweet-tasting herbal infusion. Its effect was almost immediate, a soothing warmth spreading through his battered body.
"I failed, Lysandra," he said quietly as the medicine began to pull him toward sleep. "My first real test as a Mender, and I only made things worse."
She adjusted the soft blanket covering him, her expression softening. "No one succeeds perfectly on their first attempt at anything that matters, Ethan. What defines us is not our failures, but how we respond to them."
As consciousness began to slip away again, Ethan's System displayed one final message:
RECOVERY PROTOCOL ENGAGED ESTIMATED RESTORATION: 72% CAPABILITY IN 8 HOURS MISSION FAILURE ACKNOWLEDGED LEARNING ALGORITHMS PROCESSING EXPERIENCE NEW INSIGHTS GAINED: 17 SKILL IMPROVEMENT PATHS IDENTIFIED: 6 ADAPTATION IN PROGRESS
Even as he drifted into healing sleep, part of Ethan's mind continued working—analyzing what had gone wrong, what he could have done differently, and most importantly, what might still be possible. Failure was not the end, but a painful lesson. And with Elderwood's existence hanging in the balance, it was a lesson he needed to learn quickly.
The last thing he felt before sleep claimed him completely was Lysandra's hand resting protectively on his arm, a silent promise that whatever came next, he would not face it alone.
