📚 the one who unites Part 2 of 1
Part 2
the-one-who-unites-ch-02-04
SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY

The One Who Unites Ch 02 04

The One Who Unites Ch 02 04

by ingwil
19 min read
4.81 (1400 views)
adultfiction

*Author Note:

Hey everyone, after some thought i've decided to delete the original chapter 2 for this story. I felt that it was cumbersome and didn't advance the plot in the direction the story was meant to go. 7k words on a single scene while still stuck in the same place from Chapter 1? Dom goddesses? Magic penises? What was I thinking? In all seriousness, I was trying to do far too many plot points at once and realized it was better to space out these ideas to later parts of the story, including Ivenes' character. This is the first story i've created and there may bumps along the way as I experiment with new ideas. Thank you to everyone who continues to read and I hope you enjoy this new chapter. More will be coming soon.*

**Chapter 2**

The winds were strong in the morning, urging west in the direction of the Great Forest. Simon stood in front of the village entrance while a heavyset man turned the gate winch with great effort. The doors slowly opened, beckoning him back to adventure.

A group of villagers had come to see the two off. Aylin was familiar with them and exchanged goodbyes, however curt. It seemed she had made some friends in the time she lived here, especially the Elder who appeared solemn at her departure.

The old woman gave her a silver necklace with a green gem at the center. "It was my daughters when she was still alive. You reminded me of her in many ways."

"I will keep it safe." Aylin promised. Her eyes carried the deep sense of care she treated this gift with.

"Be careful on the road." The elder warned. "It is said that strange things are seen in that forest. Even an Enchanter should take caution. I would like to see you both return someday."

Simon nodded politely. Strange things to common folk could mean anything from high class monsters to harmless shadows and tricks in the light.

The two took their first steps out, and soon the village became small in the distance.

He remembered the Elders warning of the forest along with what Aylin had told him, '*there is a darkness sweeping through the area.*' And asked what she meant.

"There have been rumors of dangerous monsters from travelers." Aylin explained as they walked. "And though the others cannot feel it, the wind carries an energy emanating from there, the stench of death."

"A grim omen." Simon nodded. "All the more reason to stay on guard."

He pointed to the pouch looped around his belt. "I've come prepared. We have plenty of supplies here; though, it will help to forage along the way."

"Everything you have to travel is inside there?" Aylin looked at the small pouch as if she didn't believe him.

"It's a bottomless bag," Simon put his arm inside up to the elbow. "A mages best friend on the road."

"Bottomless? So you can store anything? Even a house?"

"There are limitations," he laughed.

"But things like camping supplies, yes. Its major downside is that food does not react well to it and spoils quickly over time which is why we still need to hunt along the way."

"That is something I can do effectively." Aylin showed her bow. Getting a closer look, he realized that it was handcrafted; the detail was impressive and etched with what looked to be Elven symbols.

"You continue to surprise me." He said. "What do these letters mean?"

"May the wind guide you." Her eyes tracked the etching, as if reminding herself of its meaning. "The Gods of the forest speak to me through it at times, carrying messages in gentle whispers that only touch my ears. This was one of them."

"I've heard that Elves worship a different set of Gods." He noted. "I would like to learn more about them someday."

"I would as well." She said, wistfulness in her voice. Her past was still a sore subject. He forgets that a lot of her knowledge is intuitive and new to her as well.

"How do you plan to find your tribe?" Simon asked. They would have the answers Aylin needed, but she hadn't shared any plans on meeting them as of yet.

"We will find them, or they will find us." Aylin said. "I am certain of it."

"How certain is that?" Simon questioned. He agreed to help her, but he did not want to stay in this forest for longer than needed. There were still people relying on his arrival in the capital.

"Continue as you would to your destination." Aylin said. "If we should meet the Elves it will happen naturally on our path."

"Is that what the wind has said?" He said, only half-jokingly.

"Yes." Certainty in her voice.

Simon had no issue with that plan. They finally reached the point where the Forest began in earnest. From his maps, there were a few different roads that ran through the area. Each path would see them through in about two weeks time if they made steady progress daily.

Their pace was further improved as Aylin effortlessly guided them forward to the point that he began to trust her judgement more than the map. She walked through this place as easily as one walked through their home.

"You were not lying about your understanding of the forest." Simon said. They had found a small stream not far off the main road and refilled their water. The Elven woman somehow knew where it was intuitively. "This almost makes things too easy."

The roads he travelled before reaching Aylins village was full of challenges and troubles. Now he found it was easier to relax his mind and enjoy the sights and surroundings of the forest. This place felt like its own world, with tall trees that rose up to the sky, their leaves blanketing them in its shaded canopy.

Up in the branches there were a few different species of monsters native to the Great Forest. He recognized them from the bestiaries of Haldstrom he studied; Shark Bills with their spiked teeth that stuck out of the cone shaped beaks, and Grey Singers that hummed soft notes that sounded like a choir when they harmonized. They were all harmless, class D monsters. That did not mean that there were not other dangers lurking out of view however.

His ears adjusted to the calming tune of the Singers, their intoxicating melody caused him to almost let his guard down.

"I am glad I could be of help." Aylin gave a faint smile before quickly snapping her attention to the side. "Wait."

She held up a hand as her eyes scanned ahead a thick lining of brush. Between the sound of the running stream was a slight rustling of leaves. Simon instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

In the span of a second, three green figures jumped forward at incredible height. Judging by their stick like bodies and sharply serrated arms, he recognized them to be a team of Assassin Mantis, class C monsters that bordered to the next tier. They were equal in size to a human and often pounced on unsuspecting travelers with their incredible jump.

"So much for having a moment of peace." He cursed.

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"Watch out." Aylin moved back and let loose an arrow that landed squarely in one's eye. Its death did nothing to slow the advance of the other two.

Simon drew his sword and dodged to the side, slicing the arm of one clean off before pivoting to cut the monsters neck. Green juices flew as his blade cleaved through with ease.

Instinctively he looked for Aylin. He had been out of the habit of fighting with others and had taken his focus off her.

The final Mantis stood in front of the Elf as she had her bow drawn. The monster did not approach, instead staring at her with its neck tilting forward as if attempting to get a better look at her. Aylin fired another fatal shot.

Its head jolted back as the arrow landed square in its left eye, but the Mantis did not fall.

This monster looked different than the others. half of its face was covered in a black sludge that dripped down the side of its mouth. The substance gnawed away at its flesh leading to an unnatural twitching as its body fought the infection.

"There's something wrong with this one." Aylin said. "It looks to be in terrible pain."

It couldn't be. Simon recognized this affliction from his home country of Tarin. He had not expected it to be here in Haldstrom.

"Stay back." Simon warned and stepped towards the monster. "It is being taken over by something. I must kill it now or it will evolve."

He rushed ahead, drawing a spell that sent electricity to his feet.

-*Electric Step:* A spell that picks up charge as the user moves, each step increasing the electrical energy flowing through the user while building up speed.

It was effective for charging up a killing blow, allowing him to use the forward momentum make a decisive strike that could catch most opponents unaware. More importantly, he needed its quickness to keep Aylin from being attacked. If that substance transferred to her the results would be fatal.

He ran forward as his surroundings became a blur, and in a fluid stroke, cut a line through the monster. The built up speed set him running a few feet past the Mantis as he skidded to a stop.

He turned to see the monster collapsed, black goo puddling around the corpse as it desperately looked for another living thing to attach to.

Simon turned, coursing mana to his hands and drew the symbol for a purification spell. "Rest now, and do not return to this plane."

The sludge shrieked away and dissolved as the symbol emitted a blue light.

Without wasting a moment he ran to Aylin, gripping her shoulders while searching for any residue that had clung to her. "Did any of it touch you? We have to move quickly if it did."

Had he been too careless? If it caught on to her so soon he would not be able to forgive himself. Mistakes cost people their lives in battle and Simon had already made too many for one lifetime."

"I am alright." Aylin steadied him, cupping his cheek. She kept far more calm than him. "It is ok. No one is hurt."

She must have sensed his fear. Embarrassed, he released his grip and stepped back. "I apologize."

"Do not be sorry for showing worry." She said. "What was that?"

"That was no ordinary illness." He said. "Corruption, it is a forbidden magic from long ago that has resurfaced. It had been spotted in my home country. The fact it has reached Haldstrom changes the scope of this journey greatly."

"This must be the darkness I've felt in this forest." Aylin looked at the fallen mantis with sympathy in her eyes. "What a terrible fate."

"It is a parasite that takes over living beings. They harvest off their victims energy and become host for Demon spawn."

"Then this Mantis was doomed to become a demon?" She knelt beside the fallen monster. there were rips and openings were the corruption had been growing, it was eating the Mantis alive.

"It had no chance of survival at this stage of infection. The only way to save it was death."

It was a cruel truth. Corruption, after a short incubation period, could grow rapidly with horrifying effects. His magic could only stop its early stages and even then it was not guaranteed to work. It was considered a priority for many mages and priest to search for a more permanent cure, though nothing had been discovered. The only consolation they had was that it had been contained to a few countries. It seemed now that it had spread even further.

"Corruption does not just appear." Simon surveyed their surroundings as if another threat was watching them.

"How is it created?" Aylin asked.

"A mage practicing forbidden magic could bring it into the world." He said. "A summoner of some skill would be able to prepare the spell."

"Someone did this on purpose?" She growled.

"Magic is a gift given by the Gods." Simon said. "Make a pact with one and you can create spells. Not all Gods are made equal, and some have goals that are dangerous to humanity. Whoever spread this corruption here must have made a terrible deal with one to wield such powers."

"Whoever would do such a thing must be stopped." Said Aylin. "If this is left to spread, there will be no home for me to return to."

Or worse, it could have already destroyed it. Simon had seen communities collapse from this corruption overnight. Who knows how much worse it got deeper in the forest? He did not want to spread this worry to Aylin. It was likely the thought already had crossed her mind.

Something caught his eye. Up above, the birds had all fled, save for one; a raven met his eyes. It gave a loud cry before flying off into the sky.

"It seems we have already caught their attention." Simon said.

"The same bird that was tracking you before..." The realization hit Aylin. "The summoner is in this Forest with us."

**Chapter 3**

Eliander slipped back to the Elven village of Orisan as the sun was setting. No one had seen him return, nor would they question his arrival. Most would assume he had gone on another impromptu patrol of the Great forest, an assertion that was not entirely incorrect.

He remembered the meeting with his associate. *'It seems that it is your head on the chopping block.*' Their empty threats did not worry him, but the thought of someone interrupting his work caused hims to tense.

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*Simon Greydance.* The name lingered Elianders mind. He had known there would be challengers when he took his forbidden oath to the dark lord, but he had not expected opposition so soon, and aided by an Elf no less.

The two were now in the forest, and had dispatched of his first attack easily. Eliander hadn't expected to succeed. It was merely an opening move, a sign to the Enchanter that their game had begun.

"I can send more than just a half infected Mantis." He swore to himself. "Just you wait."

"Commander Eliander." A voice dragged him from his thoughts. He turned to see a team of Elves approaching, bows slung to their shoulders. At their head was Tenin, his second in command. "We were surprised to see you out. If you had told us you were going for a hunt, we would have joined gladly."

Though they wore smiles on their faces, their bodies bore wounds from recent battles. Orisan warriors were expected to live for battle and showed no fear even when in pain.

"I did not want to endanger you." Eliander relaxed. They did not seem to question him at all. "I've been tasked with investigating the Demon sightings our tribe has reported and I ventured further than our cities barriers."

The Orisan tribe was surrounded in a magic barrier that kept it hidden from outsiders, and protected from the monsters that lurked the forest. Most Elves were forbidden to travel beyond its bounds unless there was a strict purpose. The Queen was adamant about keeping her people safe.

"You underestimate us, sir. We can keep up and help you too." Tenin spoke with wavering confidence at the idea he may be challenging his superior and adjusted accordingly. "With all due respect... of course."

"None taken," Said Eliander. "But I do believe you are all set on guard duty tonight. It is difficult task to do when you are distracted talking me."

They looked between each other. "Ah, sorry. We saw you coming in and wanted to give our commander a greeting."

"There is the risk of attack. It has not been more than a week since the last demon raid. You should be wary of letting down your guard. I do not want my men to die needlessly when it can be avoided."

"We understand." Tenin turned and ordered the rest of the group. "You heard the commander, lets do him proud."

The team of Elves grunted in approval and jumped high into the branches of the sage trees above. Tenin stayed behind, hesitating a moment. He clearly had something he wished to say.

"Is their something on your mind, Longleaf?" Asked Eliander, using the soldiers last name.

"Its just that you mentioned hunting for Demons." He said. "You have not ordered it, but I investigated and noticed strange symbols not far from some of the sights of the attacks. I wonder if they could be summoning sigils. You are a powerful summoner yourself and i wanted to bring it up with you for your advice."

"Have you mentioned this with anyone else?" Eliander turned grave.

"No sir." The fear on the Elves face was eminent. It was worry that he had spoken out of turn, a habit that Tenin was known for.

"Good." Eliander nodded before giving s reassuring hand to his shoulder. "I have already noticed the phenomenon and have informed the Queen. We are investigating, but keeping it a secret."

"Does this mean that it could be someone from the village?"

"We do not know for sure." Eliander did not like how quickly he thought. This one could cause problems if left unattended. "But it is not out of the realm of possibility which is why we are keeping it under wraps. I am personally investigating the issue."

"I see." He looked away, deep in thought before snapping back up with a smile. "Well do not worry. I wont say a word of it without your permission."

"That would be wise." Eliander nodded. "You were correct to inform me, but stop investigating for now. If any more should come to light i will personally let you know."

"I can always trust you, sir; we all do." He saluted and made his exit.

"So many troublesome pests." Eliander swore to himself. "Soon there will be a day i can rid myself of all of them."

In the future he would need to make a better attempt to clear the scenes of his summons. It was one thing to be dealing with an Enchanter, it was another to have an upstart like Tenin on his trail.

Pain pulsed to Elianders temple, almost doubling him over. *More blood.* a deep, booming voice spoke.

These Demon attacks were not without reason. The Dark Lord demanded the blood of innocents, but he did so with little reason for keeping Elianders cover. It was becoming difficult to balance his role in the village and that of Servant to his God.

"In due time." He said. "Give me a few days more to prepare and it shall be done."

*Do not stray. I see all.*

The pain subsided and he breathed deeply. The strength of these attacks had increased with time, but it would not be necessary much longer. Soon he would fulfill his end of the contract and the pact with his God would be complete.

"Then i will not only rule over this tiny village of Elves, but the entirety of Haldstrom. For that, i will make any sacrifice."

**Chapter 4**

The rest of the days travel went without much event. The roads were sparse of people and the forest had an eerie quiet once they reached its inner depths.

Simon and Aylin stayed alert. Keeping a close watch above, no more tracker birds had appeared. It seemed that the mage watching them had made their point after the battle with the corrupted monsters. Simon was left to wonder if he was still following them with some other, unknown method.

It surprised him the first time when Aylin yanked his hand and dragged him to cover under a massive Sage tree, narrowly avoiding a torrential pouring of rainfall that dissipated after a minute.

"You're stronger than you look." Said Simon.

"And you are lighter." Aylin replied dryly.

The downpour would not have killed him, but the speed which the rain fell would have soaked him in an instant, even with his weather resistant cloak. Besides, the temperature was dropping quickly as the sun began to lower. He'd prefer to stay as dry as possible.

"At least it seemed to pass quickly."

"It's a minor storm. Weather changes can happen in an instant here." Aylin scanned the sky above. "The rain will fall like this at random for some time. If you pay attention you can smell it in the air before it lands."

He followed her advice. It took a bit of practice, but after a while he was on level with Aylin in sensing the downpour and was getting to cover without prompting.

There was another benefit to Aylin's aid through the forest, she was an incredible hunter. At one point she picked off a few squirrels and a family of rabbits with her bow. She was eager as always and Simon had to tell her to stop hunting more or they would waste food.

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