"The Heart Tree is stabilizing, but the danger is far from over," Sevandril announced as the meeting concluded. "The corrupting influence has spread beyond our walls. We must track it to its source before it establishes new footholds."
He turned to Ethan and Lysandra. "Between-Walker, your abilities have proven invaluable. Guardian Lysandra knows the forest better than any. Together, you must trace these corruption lines to their origin."
[ MISSION UPDATE ]
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: LOCATE PRIMARY CORRUPTION SOURCE
SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: IDENTIFY VOID ENTRY POINTS
RECOMMENDED ACTION: FOLLOW CORRUPTION ENERGY SIGNATURES FROM HEART TREE OUTWARD
ESTIMATED TIME WINDOW: 48-72 HOURS BEFORE NEW MAJOR BREACH FORMS
After gathering supplies and receiving a detailed map of Elderwood, Ethan and Lysandra set out at dawn. The Heart Tree looked healthier already, its amber bark glowing with renewed vitality. But Ethan's enhanced perception could still detect faint traces of corruption flowing outward like dark veins through the surrounding forest.
"We'll follow the strongest trail," he told Lysandra as they passed through the protective barrier surrounding Elyndrialar. "My Energy Perception can track the corruption flow."
Lysandra nodded gravely. "The Council believes Orlin fled northeast, toward the Shadow Hollows. It's an area we've long avoided—the trees there grow twisted, and strange phenomena occur."
As they traveled deeper into the forest, signs of corruption became increasingly apparent. Patches of once-vibrant undergrowth had turned ashen gray, and shimmerbloom plants flickered with greater instability, sometimes disappearing entirely for seconds at a time.
By midday, they reached a small clearing where a once-majestic tree had collapsed. Its massive trunk was riddled with what looked like black mold, but Ethan's Environmental Analysis told a different story.
[ ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVE ]
SUBJECT: FALLEN SILVER OAK
AGE: APPROXIMATELY 1,200 YEARS
CAUSE OF DEATH: DIMENSIONAL CORRUPTION
CONTAMINATION TYPE: VOID ENTROPY (83% MATCH)
TEMPORAL ANALYSIS: CORRUPTION BEGAN 37-42 DAYS AGO
NOTE: CORRUPTION PATTERN SUGGESTS DELIBERATE APPLICATION RATHER THAN RANDOM EXPOSURE
"This wasn't natural," Ethan said, kneeling beside the fallen giant. He pointed to strange markings carved into the bark near the tree's base. "These symbols... they're similar to the glyphs I found stabilizing the rift under the Wellspring."
Lysandra examined the markings with growing concern. "These are not elvish, nor any language known to me. They appear... alien."
"They're program instructions," Ethan realized, his IT background helping him recognize the pattern. "Like code, but written to affect reality instead of computers. Each sequence establishes parameters for how the corruption should spread."
Using his Energy Perception, Ethan traced the corruption outward from the fallen tree. Dark, sinuous tendrils extended in multiple directions, but one path pulsed more strongly than the others—heading northeast, toward the Shadow Hollows.
"We have a trail," he announced, standing. "Whoever placed these corruption nodes knew exactly what they were doing. They're creating a network—like laying down infrastructure for a larger invasion."
[ TACTICAL ASSESSMENT ]
CORRUPTION NETWORK IDENTIFIED
PATTERN SUGGESTS SYSTEMATIC VOID INTEGRATION
METHODOLOGY: ESTABLISH ANCHOR POINTS, THEN CONNECT AND EXPAND
COMPARABLE TO: COMPUTER VIRUS WITH DISTRIBUTED NODES
VULNERABILITY: CENTRAL CONTROL POINT LIKELY EXISTS
Lysandra's expression darkened. "If the Heart Tree is the primary anchor of reality in Elderwood, then corrupting or destroying lesser anchors would weaken the overall fabric." She gazed up at the canopy, which seemed to be thinning as they moved farther from Elyndrialar. "We are witnessing the systematic unraveling of our world."
They continued northeast, following the strongest corruption trail. The majestic silver-blue trees gave way to darker varieties with gnarled trunks and sparse foliage. Shimmerbloom patches disappeared entirely, replaced by strange fungi that pulsated with sickly purple bioluminescence.
"We approach the borders of the Shadow Hollows," Lysandra warned as twilight descended. "We should make camp while we can still find relatively clean ground. The Hollows are not safe for travel after dark."
They established a small camp between the roots of a massive tree that showed minimal signs of corruption. Lysandra produced crystalline seeds from her pack which, when planted in a circle around their camp, grew rapidly into luminescent barrier plants.
"Sentinel blooms," she explained. "They react to any intrusion by flaring brightly. Not much of a defense, but they'll give us warning."
As they ate a simple meal, Ethan examined his wristband:
[ STATUS UPDATE ]
LEVEL: 3
ENERGY RESERVES: 78%
ACTIVE ABILITIES:
- ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS (LEVEL 2)
- ENERGY PERCEPTION (LEVEL 2)
- PHASE DISRUPTION (LEVEL 1)
- REALITY REPAIR (LEVEL 2)
SKILL POINT AVAILABLE: 1
ALLOCATE NOW? [Y/N]
"Y," Ethan whispered, curious about his options.
[ SKILL ALLOCATION ]
AVAILABLE OPTIONS:
- CORRUPTION RESISTANCE (NEW): REDUCE EFFECTS OF VOID EXPOSURE
- ENERGY MANIPULATION (NEW): REDIRECT ENERGY FLOWS FOR OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE PURPOSES
- ENHANCED REPAIR (UPGRADE): IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF REALITY REPAIR
After brief consideration, Ethan selected Corruption Resistance. If they were heading into heavily tainted territory, protection seemed the most prudent choice.
[ SKILL ACQUIRED ]
CORRUPTION RESISTANCE (LEVEL 1)
ABILITY: REDUCE VOID CONTAMINATION EFFECTS BY 30%
PASSIVE EFFECT: +15% MENTAL RESISTANCE TO VOID INFLUENCE
ACTIVE DURATION: 45 MINUTES PER ACTIVATION
ENERGY COST: 5% PER ACTIVATION
"Smart choice," Lysandra commented. "The Shadow Hollows affect the mind as much as the body. Stories tell of travelers who enter sane and emerge... changed, if they emerge at all."
"What exactly are the Shadow Hollows?" Ethan asked. "You mentioned elves avoid the area."
Lysandra's gaze drifted to the darkening forest. "Long ago, before even Sevandril's time, a great magical working went awry in that region. The details are lost to history, but the consequences remain—a place where reality is thin, where shadows sometimes move independently of their casters, and where the rules that govern the rest of Elderwood... flex."
She paused. "There have always been occasional disappearances in the Hollows. But in recent months, the reports have increased dramatically. The Council restricted access entirely after a patrol returned with half its members missing and the rest... corrupted."
"Corrupted how?" Ethan asked, though he had a sinking feeling he already knew.
"Their eyes had changed—purple flecks replacing normal color. They spoke of voices in the shadows, of a great purpose awaiting those who would listen." Lysandra's voice hardened. "They killed three guards before they were subdued. There was nothing of their former selves remaining."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Ethan's wristband vibrated with an alert:
[ WARNING ]
DESCRIPTION MATCHES KNOWN VOID POSSESSION PATTERNS
ENTITIES REFERRED TO AS "TAKEN" IN OTHER REALITIES
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS - ORIGINAL PERSONALITY SUBSUMED
RECOMMEND EXTREME CAUTION AND NO ATTEMPT AT "SAVING" POSSESSED INDIVIDUALS
"So that's probably what happened to Orlin," Ethan mused. "He found something in the Hollows, brought it back, and it slowly took him over."
"It appears so," Lysandra agreed. "Though I still find it difficult to believe a Council member could be turned so completely against the Heart Tree."
Ethan was about to respond when his Enhanced Perception caught something—a subtle distortion in the energy patterns at the edge of their camp. He held up a hand for silence, focusing his senses on the anomaly.
[ ENERGY PERCEPTION ACTIVE ]
ANOMALY DETECTED: 18 METERS NORTHEAST
ENERGY SIGNATURE: 72% MATCH TO SHADOW ENTITIES FROM ROOT SANCTUM
STATUS: OBSERVING, NOT YET AGGRESSIVE
WARNING: ENTITY ATTEMPTING TO REMAIN CONCEALED
"We're being watched," Ethan whispered, carefully not looking directly at the location. "Shadow entity, similar to the ones that attacked us in the Heart Tree."
Lysandra's hand moved casually to her bow. "How many?"
"Just one that I can detect. Probably a scout." Ethan subtly adjusted his position. "It doesn't know we've spotted it yet."
"Options?"
"If it reports back, we lose the element of surprise. But if we attack and it escapes..."
"Then any advantage is still lost," Lysandra finished. "We must ensure it does not return to its masters."
Decision made, they exchanged a quick nod. In one fluid motion, Lysandra nocked and drew her bow, while Ethan activated his Phase Disruption ability, directing it precisely at the lurking entity.
Blue energy surged from his wristband, striking the seemingly empty space between two distant trees. The shadow entity materialized with a hissing shriek, its form resembling a humanoid silhouette made of churning darkness. Before it could react further, Lysandra's arrow pierced what passed for its head, causing the creature to dissolve into wisps of purple-black smoke.
[ COMBAT ALERT ]
ENTITY ELIMINATED
NO EVIDENCE OF ALARM SIGNAL DETECTED
PHASE DISRUPTION EFFECTIVENESS: 100%
ENERGY RESERVES: 73%
"Clean shot," Ethan commented, genuinely impressed by Lysandra's speed and accuracy.
"Clean targeting," she returned with a slight nod of acknowledgment.
They remained vigilant through the night, taking alternating watch shifts. Each time Ethan drifted off, unsettling dreams pulled him back to consciousness—visions of shadowy tendrils reaching through cracks in reality, seeking something... or someone.
Dawn arrived with a strange quality to the light—dimmer than it should have been, filtered through what appeared to be an unnaturally thick mist that hung between the trees ahead.
"The border of the Shadow Hollows," Lysandra confirmed, her voice tight with tension. "Once we enter, we may not be able to communicate with the Council until we emerge."
Ethan activated his Corruption Resistance ability, feeling a cool, protective energy envelop him.
[ ABILITY ACTIVATED ]
CORRUPTION RESISTANCE
DURATION: 45 MINUTES
CURRENT PROTECTION: ACTIVE (30% REDUCTION)
RECOMMEND REACTIVATION BEFORE EXPIRATION
They entered the mist together, and immediately Ethan understood why this place inspired such dread. The fog wasn't natural—it existed partially in another dimension, his Enhanced Perception revealing swirling patterns that occasionally formed half-glimpsed faces or reaching hands before dissolving back into formlessness.
The trees here were grotesque parodies of their counterparts in the rest of Elderwood. Trunks twisted at impossible angles, bark blackened and peeling to reveal pulsing, vein-like structures beneath. The ground squelched unnaturally underfoot, occasionally emitting soft sighs or whispers when stepped upon.
[ ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ACTIVE ]
LOCATION: SHADOW HOLLOWS OUTER REGION
CORRUPTION LEVEL: SEVERE (68% SATURATION)
REALITY STABILITY: CRITICALLY LOW (31%)
WARNING: PERCEPTION CANNOT BE FULLY TRUSTED
RECOMMEND FREQUENT SYSTEM VERIFICATION
"The corruption trail leads deeper," Ethan said, focusing on the dark energy signature they'd been following. "But there's something strange about the pattern now. It's not just flowing in one direction anymore—it's circulating, like a current."
After an hour of careful progress, they reached a small clearing dominated by a perfect circle of mushrooms—each as tall as Ethan's waist and pulsing with the same sickly purple light they'd observed in the corruption.
"A Void Circle," Ethan murmured, his Environmental Analysis highlighting the unnatural formation. "It's a node in the network—collecting energy and redirecting it."
[ DETAILED ANALYSIS ]
STRUCTURE: VOID TRANSFER NODE
FUNCTION: COLLECTS AND REDIRECTS CORRUPTION ENERGY
CAPACITY: CURRENTLY AT 74% AND RISING
CONNECTION POINTS: 7 DETECTED (4 ACTIVE, 3 DORMANT)
VULNERABILITY: CENTRAL CONTROL CRYSTAL BURIED 0.5 METERS BELOW CENTER
"There's a control crystal below the center," Ethan explained, pointing to the middle of the mushroom circle. "It's managing the energy flow."
Lysandra's eyes narrowed. "Similar constructs have appeared in Elderwood before, during the last Time of Thinning. Our histories call them 'Shadow Nexus' points—places where the barrier between worlds is deliberately weakened."
"Can we destroy it?" Ethan asked.
"Not without consequences," Lysandra cautioned. "These constructs are integrated into the local reality. Destroying one without proper preparation could cause a localized collapse—or worse, a violent energy discharge."
"What if I don't destroy it, but rather... repurpose it?" Ethan suggested. "My System says it's basically an energy router. If I can access the control crystal, I might be able to reconfigure it."
Lysandra looked doubtful but nodded. "If you believe it possible, I will trust your judgment. However..." She gestured to the surrounding forest, where shadows seemed to move independently of any light source. "We are certainly being observed. Any interference with the node will likely trigger a response."
"Then be ready," Ethan said, approaching the circle carefully.
When he reached the center, he began to dig with his hands, the soil parting easily as if recently disturbed. About a foot down, his fingers touched something cold and crystalline. Brushing away the remaining dirt revealed a black crystal approximately the size of his fist, etched with glyphs similar to those he'd seen at the Wellspring rift.
[ INTERFACE OPPORTUNITY ]
CONTROL CRYSTAL ACCESSIBLE
SYSTEM ANALYSIS: 67% COMPATIBILITY WITH CURRENT PROTOCOLS
ATTEMPT RECONFIGURATION? [Y/N]
WARNING: POTENTIAL BACKLASH IF UNSUCCESSFUL
"Y," Ethan confirmed, placing both hands on the crystal.
The moment he made contact, a shock of cold energy surged up his arms. His wristband flared brilliantly, forming a connection with the crystal. Through this link, Ethan could visualize the entire local network—seven pathways radiating outward from this node, connecting to others throughout the Shadow Hollows and beyond.
More disturbingly, he could sense what the network was building toward—a massive, coordinated breach that would tear open reality across multiple points simultaneously, allowing something enormous to enter Elderwood directly.
[ CRITICAL INFORMATION ]
VOID NETWORK PURPOSE IDENTIFIED
OBJECTIVE: SYNCHRONIZED MULTI-POINT BREACH
TARGET DATE: APPROXIMATELY 9 DAYS FROM PRESENT
BREACH SIZE: CATASTROPHIC (87% OF ELDERWOOD AFFECTED)
RECONFIGURATION OPTIONS LOADING...
Fighting through the disorienting flood of information, Ethan began to introduce subtle modifications to the crystal's instructions—not shutting it down, which would trigger immediate alerts, but rather corrupting its corruption, inserting the equivalent of logical bugs into its operation.
After several tense minutes, the energy stabilized into a new pattern—still predominantly purple to casual observation, but now carrying Ethan's hidden modifications.
[ RECONFIGURATION SUCCESSFUL ]
VOID NODE COMPROMISED
NEW FUNCTIONALITY:
- CONTINUES TO APPEAR OPERATIONAL TO VOID NETWORK
- SECRETLY DEGRADES CORRUPTION TRANSMISSION BY 47%
- PROVIDES SYSTEM WITH NETWORK ACCESS AND INTELLIGENCE
- WILL SABOTAGE SYNCHRONIZED BREACH TIMING WHEN ACTIVATED
CAUTION: MODIFICATIONS WILL BE DISCOVERED IF DIRECTLY INSPECTED
Ethan carefully replaced the crystal and covered it with soil, making sure to leave the site looking undisturbed. As he stood, a wave of dizziness hit him—the mental effort of interfacing with the alien technology had taken more out of him than he'd realized.
"It's done," he told Lysandra, who had maintained a vigilant watch around the clearing. "I've compromised the node. It'll continue to function, but it's now working against the network rather than for it."
"Clever," she acknowledged. "But we must move quickly. I've spotted multiple shadow movements during your work."
As they prepared to leave, Ethan's System delivered a final analysis:
[ CORRUPTION ASSESSMENT ]
VOID CONTAMINATION CONFIRMED AS INTERDIMENSIONAL INVASION ATTEMPT
METHOD: SYSTEMATIC CORRUPTION OF REALITY ANCHORS
GOAL: DESTABILIZE WORLD BARRIERS FOR ENTITY TRANSFER
CONTAMINATION ORIGIN: UNKNOWN DIMENSION ADJACENT TO VOID
ASSESSMENT: THIS IS A DELIBERATE, COORDINATED ATTACK ON ELDERWOOD
"This corruption isn't random," Ethan told Lysandra as they moved deeper into the Shadow Hollows, following the strongest trail of Void energy. "It's a calculated attack—like a virus spreading through Elderwood's reality structure."
Lysandra's expression hardened. "Then we must find patient zero—the initial infection point—before the disease becomes terminal."
As they ventured further into the corrupted territory, neither spoke the obvious truth that haunted them both: they were walking willingly into the heart of darkness, where reality itself was coming undone, to face an enemy they barely understood.
And somewhere ahead, in the depths of the Shadow Hollows, something was waiting for them.