Boran's expression suddenly changed, his eyes sharpened. "What?"
"Calm down," the girl said quickly. "This aura doesn't belong to your body. It's coming from another source. It's like... it's attached to you. It's not a part of you, but it's with you."
Boran looked into the girl's eyes for a long moment, then took a deep breath and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't care."
The girl looked surprised. "What do you mean you don't care? This is serious! You're carrying an evil that isn't yours. This could be some kind of curse, or something worse..."
"As I said, I don't care." Boran's tone made it clear he wanted to end the subject.
The girl stubbornly stepped in front of him. "Look, I can help you. I have some spells... maybe I can figure out what this thing is. If you'll let me, I can try a few spells on you."
Boran shook his head. "No. I don't want anyone casting spells on me."
"But if this is a curse—"
"I said no!" Boran's voice echoed in the silence of the night. Then in a softer tone he added: "I'm sorry... but leave me alone. I'm going my own way."
Boran began to move toward the forest, melting into the shadows cast by tree trunks in the moonlight. Boran's steps were determined, his shoulders tense.
The girl hesitated, then began to follow him with a determined expression. "My name is Elara, by the way," she said, trying to catch up with Boran. "And you... you're a stubborn man."
Boran didn't answer, he just quickened his pace.
"Look," said Elara, walking rhythmically beside him, "this isn't normal. If it were a normal evil aura, I wouldn't insist so much. But yours... it's like a living entity trying to consume you."
They went deeper into the forest. Moonlight filtering through thick tree trunks and dense leaves dimly illuminated the path ahead. The forest was alive even at night; the distant sounds of owls and the gentle howl of wind passing through leaves could be heard.
"You don't trust me, I understand," Elara continued. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just a curious, presumptuous girl. But if I'm right, then you're in serious danger."
Boran suddenly stopped and turned to Elara. The moonlight emphasized the deep lines on the man's face, making the weariness in his eyes even more apparent.
"I'm already in danger," he said in a low, almost whispered voice. "I've always been in danger. This is nothing new."
Elara took a step closer. "Then why refuse extra help? If you're already in danger, maybe understanding what this darkness is could give you an advantage."
Boran ran his hand over his face, a tired gesture. "When people offer help, there's usually a price. Everyone wants something."
"I don't want anything," said Elara. "I'm just... curious. And maybe I can help."
"Why?" Boran's question was sharp and direct. "Why do you care?"
Elara hesitated, clearly caught off guard by the question. "Because... because it's my job. I'm a Spirit Guide."
Boran laughed slightly, but there was no joy in his laugh. "And weren't you just angry at me for interfering with your trial?"
Elara blushed, evident even in the moonlight. "This is different. That was a test. This is... real. One is fake, the other is a real danger."
Boran started walking again. "I'm telling you again: I don't want it. I'll deal with my own problems myself."
Elara stubbornly continued to follow him. "What if the darkness continues to grow? What if it's eating you up from the inside? Maybe you don't even realize it!"
"Then so be it," said Boran, shrugging his shoulders. "Everyone has an end. Maybe this is mine."
"Are you giving up so easily?" There was now anger in Elara's voice. "I would have expected more from you, especially after that flashy entrance of yours."
Boran stopped and turned to look at the young girl. "You don't know me. What you expect doesn't matter."
"True, I don't know you," said Elara. "But I can see the light inside you, and to let that darkness extinguish it... it's just..."
"Just what?" asked Boran, his voice tired but curious.
"A shame," said Elara simply. "It would really be a shame."
The silence of the night fell between them. A wolf's howl was heard from afar, then silence again.
"Look," Elara finally said, "I won't force help on you. But I think you at least need to know what it is. If you'll allow me, I can just do a diagnostic spell. It won't touch you, it won't hurt you. It will just let me see more clearly what that darkness is. That's all."
Boran thought for a long moment. There was hesitation within him. Elara could see that he was truly troubled by this situation, perhaps even afraid.
"No," said Boran in a definitive tone. "Now please leave me alone."
Boran continued to advance into the depths of the forest with determined steps. Elara followed after him, sighing with irritation. She was about to say something when a swift movement from the darkness of the forest caught her attention.
The bushes in front of them suddenly rustled, and a Wretchbound Howler with wild eyes gleaming in the moonlight lunged directly at them without warning. As the creature glided through the air, its twisted teeth and long claws shimmered in the moonlight.
Elara immediately drew her wand, her reflexes surprisingly quick. However, the Howler ignored the young woman and targeted Boran directly. The creature howled frantically and snapped its jaws as it leaped toward Boran with incredible speed.
Boran's reaction was numb and mechanical, as if he had anticipated the attack. He didn't even move from his spot; he simply raised his shield slightly. The Howler's claws struck the metallic surface with a dull sound. The monster attacked frantically, trying to reach the man behind the shield, but was perfectly blocked each time.
Elara watched in amazement. Boran's defense was not only effective but also nearly effortless. The man remained calm and focused throughout all the attacks. He didn't move a single step, perfectly countering each of the Howler's attacks.
"Behind you!" Elara suddenly shouted, having noticed a second shadow while observing Boran's surroundings.
Boran didn't even turn to look. Suddenly another shield appeared in his other hand. He swung his shield from his left shoulder toward his back and stopped the second Howler's attack. At the same time, he reached over his shield with his right hand and grabbed the first Howler. He took the creature's throat between his powerful fingers and lifted it into the air with a single fluid motion. The Howler struggled helplessly, slashing its claws into empty space.
Boran finally showed an expression on his face: a small, mocking smile. "These monsters used to be stronger," he said in a calm voice, holding the Howler in the air as if he were holding a glass of water.
The second Howler hadn't given up. It circled around Boran and attacked again. While still holding the first Howler in the air, Boran countered all the attacks of the second Howler with his other shield. Then he thrust his shield forward and hurled the creature toward a tree ten paces away.
The Howler hit the tree and fell to the ground, howling in pain. But it still quickly recovered and continued to attack Boran, its eyes gleaming with a wild light.
"Do you know nothing beyond hiding behind your shield?" Elara shouted, still holding her wand, watching without being able to cast a spell.
Boran looked at her, a strange glint in his eyes. "Very well," he said, "since you want to see."
He suddenly released the Howler he was holding in the air and put his shield on the ground. He turned to face the two creatures completely unarmed.
The Howlers lunged at him. The two creatures approached from different angles; one attacking directly from the front, the other from the side. Boran had no escape. As the creatures pounced on the man, Elara raised her wand to cast a protection spell.
But her spell wasn't necessary.
Boran met the attack of the Howler coming from the front with a slight sidestep. As the creature's claws swept through empty space, Boran's right hand extended with lightning speed and caught the monster's jaw. With a single sharp movement, he twisted the Howler's head. The sound of bones cracking echoed in the night's silence. The Howler instantly went limp in Boran's hands.
At the same time, the second Howler had launched an attack from his side. Boran dropped the dying Howler and turned with incredible agility. The Howler's claws grazed his cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.
Boran showed no reaction. He acted as if he hadn't been injured. As he turned to counter the second Howler's attack, suddenly a different shield appeared on his right wrist. This shield was smaller than the first, but had the same metallic brilliance, though its tip was sharper. He didn't need to hold it; it was fixed to his wrist. He stomped his foot firmly on the ground. This simple movement was enough to save him from the animal's claws. Then he swung his second shield toward the creature's head and grabbed the Howler's body with both hands, lifted the creature off the ground and brought it down on his knee. Once more the sound of breaking bones was heard, and the Howler remained motionless.
Boran stood up and dusted himself off. Apart from the cut on his face, there was no sign that he had just fought two deadly creatures. His second shield suddenly disappeared just as it had appeared. He picked up his first shield from the ground and hung it on his shoulder. When he looked at Elara, he saw the astonishment in the girl's eyes.
"I couldn't figure out your class from your fighting style."
Boran wiped the blood from his cheek, his face expressionless. "You don't need to understand."
"I've never seen such a fighting technique before," Elara continued, unable to hide her excitement. "You killed those creatures effortlessly... You wanted to show off because a girl was watching, didn't you?"
"You challenged me, and I showed you. You thought I knew nothing beyond hiding behind my shields; you're wrong. I just don't want to take unnecessary risks. But sometimes you need to show others what you're capable of."
This small clearing deep in the forest seemed cut off from the rest of the world. In the darkness, the flickering light of the campfire cast strange shadows on the surrounding trees. The air carried a sharp scent of pine and the soft crackling of embers.
Their walk had been silent. Boran hadn't spoken a word since the earlier confrontation. No matter how many times he told Elara "Don't follow me," she wouldn't listen.
Boran sat down on the log by the campfire. Elara remained standing across from him.
"Are you going to leave me standing?" said Elara, crossing her arms over her chest.
Boran sighed slightly as he stood up and said, "You can sit," in a dry voice, then left the log and sat on the ground.
Elara sat on the log, her shoulders slumped with fatigue. The long struggle and pursuit had exhausted her. She remained silent for a while, looking at the flames. Then she raised her eyes to Boran.
"I need to heal you," she said suddenly.
Boran's brows furrowed. "No."
"You can't see it, can you? There's something around you... a kind of dark aura. I've never seen anything like it before." Elara leaned forward, her eyes scanning over Boran.
Boran turned his face away, looking into the darkness. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not." Elara raised her voice. "This darkness, this... whatever it is, it's not natural. It must be harming you."
"Leave me alone." Boran's voice was harsh and sharp. "I don't want your help."
Elara stood up. "Why are you so stubborn? I want to help you."
"Why? Why do you care?" Boran looked directly into her eyes. "You don't even know me."
This question made Elara pause for a moment. Why did she care so much? She didn't know this man, and Boran hadn't been particularly kind to her. But something inside her was pushing her to help this man.
Boran sighed with a tired expression. He remained silent for a long time, as if struggling internally.
"If you do it, will you leave me alone?" he finally asked, his voice softer than usual.
A small victorious smile appeared on Elara's face. "If I can find a solution..."
Boran reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But be quick."
Elara immediately took out her wand and sat next to Boran. "Stay still," she instructed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to concentrate.
Boran sat motionless, a slight expression of discomfort on his face. Elara pointed her wand at Boran's chest and began murmuring a spell in a soft voice.
A blue light spread from the tip of her wand, gentle and delicate. The light expanded on Boran's chest and enveloped his entire body. Elara opened her eyes and looked carefully. Under the blue light, a dark shadow was undulating around Boran. Not black, but a deep purple.
"Can you see it?" Elara whispered.
"No."
"I'm talking to myself."
Elara deepened her spell, slightly turning her wand while murmuring a new series of magical words. The blue light grew brighter, becoming almost blindingly brilliant. The dark aura became more distinct, rippling as if reacting to the light.
Elara increased her concentration, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. She brought her wand a bit closer. "This is a bond," she said in a low voice. "It's as if... as if someone has bound you to themselves. But how or why..." Disappointment appeared on her face. "I can't find its source. It's buried too deep."
She struggled for a while longer, trying different spells, but none worked. The dark aura sometimes seemed to recede, but then it would return even stronger.
Finally, breathless, she ended her spell. The blue light went out and the dark aura became invisible.
"I'm sorry," she said, looking genuinely upset. "I don't even fully understand what it is. I can touch this aura but I can't remove it. It's very powerful and... ancient."
Boran calmly nodded. "I told you," he said, his voice calm but tired.
"But you don't know what it is, do you?" asked Elara. "This aura... you don't know where it came from."
Boran looked at her for a long time. "No," he finally said. "I don't know."
Elara sighed. "I want to help you. I really do. But I need stronger spells. And for those, I need to be a higher level... Hmm..."
"You said you'd leave me alone," Boran reminded her.
"But..."
"We made a deal," said Boran with a definitive voice. "We tried, it didn't work. Now leave me alone."
"No! I said 'If I can find a solution,' and I haven't found one. So the deal is still valid."
"You're not going to ask for what I think you are, are you?"
"Let's be a team."