"Is it ready?" Chifya asks Ugvar.
Behind her, Natalak observed with curiosity as numerous adventurers, soldiers, and common folk received treatment. Some lay on the floor, and all had the same sunken eyes and nearly dried-up bodies.
The orc nods. "And what about him? Should he need his armour? Death awaits at every corner for a man in simple clothes."
"He'll get his armour when we reach the place." Chifya darts a sharp look at the orc.
"Hmm…" The orc rubs his beard, unfazed at Chifya's warning, shifting his eyes back to Natalak, then to the half-elf.
"We don't have all day, Ugvar." Her voice was calm, but Natalak couldn't see it; her expression grew frustrated.
"Aye-aye. Just get on towards the circle." Ugvar suggested leading the two to a small teleportation terminal.
Upon arrival, Natalak noticed the terminal resembled the one he had seen with Ashalain among the rescued captives. However, he observed that the device he saw that day was portable, whereas the one before him was carved from stone. Three stone pillars stood before the group, each featuring an eye similar to the one on Adra's map he had. A glowing emerald vein ran across their surfaces, linking each eye to the radiant blue stone at the centre.
Chifya stepped in, and so did Natalak. Yet he looked at Chifya, still in her dagger-like eyes, locking straight on Ugvar. He ponders, that perhaps orcs and elves don't get along with each other.
"You're not coming?" Natalak ask the priest.
Ugvar shakes his head. "I cannot; I have to tend to the people your lady elf friend rescued from the night. Thanks to her, we managed to rescue quite a lot of people."
"Enough; time is wasting. The more we stay, the more people are dying."
The orc grunts at the half-elf's words. "What an aloof girl."
"Anyway…" The orc sighs. "Do it." Ugvar nods to the Helmsman, who holds a golden sphere that, when touched, forms a visible blue string that merges with the stone and everything it holds.
The blue stone glows so brightly, so fast that it matches the blinking of an eye. A blink, and suddenly the two were in a forest clearing.
The terminal they arrived at was much the same as the ones in the church, though its surroundings had ward stones that prevented monsters from decimating it.
Natalak observes the stones, seeing moss, shrubs and mushrooms plastered through the crevices.
Unbuckling Natalak's bag—
"Here," Chifya said, handing it back.
"T-thank you, boss." Natalak nodded and hastily buckled his bag.
"And drop that boss thing. It's frustrating to hear." Her voice, coated with annoyance.
"Yes, madam," Natalak answered, pulling out Amaragnum's book and strapping it to his other belt.
Before the journey begins, Natalak slowly makes his preparations. As he puts on his armour and pulls out his weapons, Chifya silently observes his wares, measuring him intently.
The black book, which seems to be of no use, is tightly secured near his satchel. The claw gauntlet that once gave no unusual presence now reeks of something she was familiar with. Still, Chifya couldn't help but wonder whether Natalak was faking his doltishness.
"Okay, lead the way madam," Natalak said, standing and patting off the dust.
"Here," Chifya said, offering him a flask containing a syringe crafted from insect stings. "You're going to need it." She added, and waited for Natalak to inject its essence, still.
"I-I can't do it for me; I'm not an expert in these kinds of things—"
Without any warning, she quickly grabs the flask and injects it into his neck with precision, hitting his veins exactly.
Given time, given a few minutes, and when the essence takes effect, the two reach what appears to be a park-like forest. This, however, felt different; the place was silent, eerie to one's soul. No animals, not even a single presence of an insect.
Above, the clouds thickened as cold air slowly sank the forest's temperature. In the dusk of autumn, a time when trees shed their leaves, turning the ground into a sea of golden, red and umber leaves; more so, thunder rumbles, and as one could say—
"Rain is coming." Chifya glance above. "Strange…"
Chifya half-kneels, her hand digging through the piles of leaves until her palm touches the soil.
"What are we dealing with?" Natalak lowered his voice.
"This is the place where we rescue the adventurers and soldiers. And I know I felt something once here, but now it's gone."
Natalak wants to trail another query, but questions, questions lead to more frustration.
A few more minutes of scouring through the woodlands, when rain begins to pour heavily. But the weather didn't stop Chifya from searching, even as mist slowly covered the forest and the temperature dropped.
"This is getting frustrating?" She frowns as the mist slowly crawls to meet them until both of them were swallowed.
After walking through the mist for half an hour, Chifya heard the sound of someone falling. She turned around and saw Natalak lying flat on the ground. As she tried to react, an unseen force suddenly struck her down.
Her vision blurred until she collapsed.
"Sister Chifya, Sister." A familiar woman's voice called.
"Where am I!" Chifya opens her eyes and immediately rose from her bed.
"Calm down, Chifya!" Sheila quickly stops her.
"S-Sheila? How did I?"
Sheila sighed, trying to mask her upset expression. "After we finished aiding both the guild and Endregar's investigators. Father Ugvar told us of your doings upon our return."
"Then, how long have we been in the forest?"
"Two days…" Sheila answered, unable to look at Chifya. "You promised that you wouldn't do it alone. So why couldn't you?"
"I-I—"
Sheila gently moved away from Chifya and said, "You should get more rest." She then reassured, "And don't worry, Natalak is alive, although he's still receiving treatment at the church."
Once the door closed and she was left alone, Chifya exhaled heavily before lying back on the bed. However, her mind kept returning to the forest where they had collapsed. After a few hours of rest, Sheila came in with her breakfast.
"Can I ask you about the forest where you discovered us?" Chifya spoke after swallowing the last piece of bread.
"After we rescued you from that place, Endregar legions and a powerful party member resolved its mysteries. Much like the same entity that we encounter in the dungeon, this entity, however, releases invisible toxic gas that slowly drains the life force of the person."
"And what of Natalak's state?"
"I did go to check the other hour, and he seems to be alright. He's having a good conversation with Ugvar after I left him."
Chifya immediately stood. "I need to see that idiot." She said, then darted out of the room.
Sheila follows and upon entering the church, the dozens of people she had rescued were now gone, leaving only Natalak and Ugvar.
"Strange?" Chifya mutters, and when she glances back at Natalak and Ugvar, she sees a transaction in progress.
Ugvar secretly slips a purple vial into Natalak's hand.
"Ah, your partner is here." Ugvar chuckles, trying his best not to laugh.
"Why am I not seeing a single patient?" Chifya implores, sitting right beside Natalak.
"We had sent them to other churches; I cannot manage to heal dozens of people. I'm too old now… and I thank your guild for their aid." Ugvar answered, pulling a wine bottle.
Chifya turns her gaze to Natalak, whose silence hints at a secret she could sense.
"I need to go to the bathroom," Natalak said.
"Not so fast." Chifya grabs Natalak's shoulder, putting him right back in his seat. "Your bag." She added, reaching out her hand. "I don't want you to run away again, not when Sheila is around."
Natalak groans and stayed silent in his seat.
"So, what now?" Ugvar said. "Now that the mystery is solved, what will you do now? Chosen priestess."
Immediately, Chifya's expression turns dark; even Natalak felt a fuming presence leaking out from the half-elf.
"And what of the Endregar's legion?" Chifya replies. "I'm surprised no one is snooping around in this village."
"Hmm…" The orc pours himself a cup. "They've already taken care of the problem; that's good enough for me. I don't want any more trouble from this village. I've already seen enough problems to take care of." He continues, then drinks the whole cup.
The orc waits for another word, and only after five seconds does he pour another.
"I like to have one," Natalak said, sliding his tankard near the orc.
Right after Natalak takes its first sip, Sheila enters.
"You seem worried?" Chifya ask, "Is there something wrong?" She adds after moving into a private corner.
Sheila shakes her head. "Not really; it's just that I have to return to Ravalind to settle some taxes and reports at the guild. And there's some important thing that I need to take care of… And what about you, sister Chifya?"
"I… I need to keep an eye on Natalak." Chifya stammer.
"I see. Why don't you ask brother Natalak to join the guild? It will make the journey to Endregar much easier. Choosing the road might take more than a week to reach Endregar from here."
"He's a stubborn man."
Sheila giggles. "I understand…" She gazes towards the ceiling. "Then I'll leave you two, but make sure to send a letter. You're a guild member; you know that, and I'm one of your companions."
Chifya smile. "I will. I'll call you when we leave this village."
As dusk begins to settle, Sheila waves her hand. "Then take care…" Sheila said before the Helmsman sent her away.
Meanwhile, Natalak slumps near the church entrance; he never thought that Ugvar's wine could be as strong as gin, or perhaps even stronger. And as nightfall arrives—
"For the Gods, why do I have to babysit this man all the time?" Chifya exclaimed sharply as she carried Natalak into their room.
Stripping off his bags, boots, and other gear, leaving him with only a shirt and a commoner's pants. Somehow, she uncovered the items the orc priest had given him. And with just a single glance, she could already tell this vial was meant for erotic desire.
"Ughh… men!" Sickened, Chifya rolled her eyes and tossed it out the window.
Restless and unable to sleep, she turns to the open window. Still dwelling on the forest where they'd collapsed.
Looking at Natalak one last time, she grabs his satchel and, before she could, silently leaves the room, heading back to the forest. Chifya ponders—
"What if?" She whispers as she grabs Natalak's hand and dips into his satchel.
Guiding his hand, she rummages through the satchel, hoping his fingers could hook something. Regrettably, her ideas didn't work.
"I should look into researching these kinds of artefacts," Chifya said, quickly leaving the room.
Under the cover of the midnight canopy, the half-elf sprints through the dark forest. Sprinting like the wind on nimble legs, scattering withered leaves from her path. Even on such rocky ground, her speed didn't falter; leaping over sharp edges like a flea.
In no more than an hour, she reached the place. What she found was much the same as before.
"Did they really—"
She paused when she spotted something interesting.
Thirty meters in, mantled by the thick forest, she discovered a bonfire not one, but many. Even the ground showed evidence that there had been tents before. Footprints pressed the muddy soil.
Chifya sigh. "Let's see it then."
Using the Amulet of Adra, and as before, when the amulet activated, Chifya could see the essence of Endregar soldiers scouring the area. Cooking porridge and boiling whatever food they threw in the pot. Mages set ward stones, barriers and such, but the most interesting were the people, for they were the same soldiers, same faces, Natalak had encountered.
Chifya might not distinguish their looks, but if Natalak were with her, he might recognise some. Regrettably, after ten minutes, the amulet's ability was drained.
Forcing the cold night air into her lungs, she then let out a heavy breath of disappointment. After a few more hours of wandering the empty forest, she sensed she was being watched.
"You can show yourself, Uncle Ric—" Chifya stops when the druid's spirit steps out behind the tree. "Kaylen?!"
The figure, taller than Chifya, is dressed in white and gold robes adorned with detailed gold filigree. An ornamental crown on his head signals high authority. His long-gilded hair and graceful, delicate appearance are reminiscent of a high elf.
As Kaylen slowly approaches, Chifya hides her weary look.
"Hello, Chifya." Kaylen smiles. "I'm glad I was able to find you. You haven't come home for quite a while."
"Hello, Kaylen," Chifya replies, diverting her gaze away from Kaylen. "I'll return when I'm finished in here."
"I understand your reason. Though there's something you must know."
Kaylen paused, allowing silence to pass for a moment.
"You are chosen, Chifya." Kaylen looked through the sky, giving a pleased expression. "And in the dusk of winter—"
"Yes, I am aware of the ceremonial timing," Chifya interrupts softly.
Kaylen nods, and after twenty seconds of prolonged silence. He notices his spirit beginning to lose colour.
"It seems my projection is beginning to dwindle… Still, I was able to see you, my love. But until then, take care of yourself, Chifya." Kaylen said before his image completely fades.
On that encounter, a heavy weight shifts over her.
"To hell with chosen priestess!"
Chifya's hand clenched tightly, her nails like talons spear through her palm and blood oozes to the soil. She felt the pain- the sharp and searing pain; nevertheless, the burden of being chosen was much more viscous than a mere cut to the flesh.
The forest she'd been investigating was now disregarded. On the contrary—
"I forgot… there's that idiot." Chifya smiles and gradually steps away from the spot, disappearing into the darkness.
Out of the forest awakes Natalak—
"W-where am I…" Natalak groans. "What happened? I couldn't remember how I passed out. Wait, where's my—"
He swiftly got out of bed and searched his belongings.
"Of course, how dumb of me. Chifya must have taken it with her." He mumbled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
As he was beginning to understand that he had no hangover, the door opens and Chifya enters wearing an unusual gothic dress. In her hand was his satchel.
An ornamental piece of jewellery was wrapped around her neck, set like anchors and draping over her collarbones, holding the weight of the upper clothes. From the waist down, the attire splits into a dramatic open-front design. A long, narrow tabard dropped down the centre, and every edge was ornamented with an intricate gold crest. To either side of the parted skirt, Natalak could see her bare legs and hips, smooth like white marble.
Giving a slight tilt of her head.
"Ah, so you're awake." Chifya smile, placing his satchel on the table.
Unable to speak, petrified by her beauty, Natalak's mind was gradually being influenced by her aphrodisiac smell. Furthermore, there was something in the atmosphere that slowly clouds his senses, diverting his sanity into nothing but desire.
"What's wrong, Natalak? Did the cat got your tongue?" Chifya said as she slowly steps towards him.
Natalak stayed seated, watching her every move. Furthermore, her alluring scent grew more intense, causing him to feel fierier.
"Boss?" Natalak faltered as Chifya leaned closer.
Chifya's hand settled against his shoulder, and before he could say another word, she pushed him onto the bed. Unable to resist such temptation, Natalak stared at her for a moment, trying to process the situation. He knew magic was involved, but he couldn't even decipher what kind, nor did he have the power to overturn her influence.
After several heartbeats, Natalak's hand rose and caught her wrist. Now bursting with adrenaline, he managed to overturn her, leaving Chifya beneath him.
Panting heavily, and sweat dripping like corn at her. Chifya angles her head, exposing her delicate neck and flesh. Now deeply drowned in her allure, Natalak submits freely.
Of such a restless night, the room had grown even warmer, in both flesh and sound. Natalak's clothes were torn, ripped apart, as pieces of his fabric stained the floor and the bed. The jewellery that wrapped Chifya's neck now lay scattered in pieces from where they slept, leaving her torso unclothed. And in the middle of their carnal desire, something rang a bell, discerned not by Natalak but by Chifya.
As her vision blurred, her breathing grew unsteady, and heat gathered beneath her skin. She couldn't tell if this was the consequence of her magic or if something was on the play.
"Nat!" Chifya called, but he was too engrossed in the act, his head buried deep into her neck whilst his teeth clamped tightly on her skin.
"Why is the mark of Hackrash not appearing on him? It should be glowing by now!"
"To hell with it! I'm going to end this chosen priestess one way or the other."
Raising her right arm, she gathers as much energy as she can, forming an ice blade, its tip pointing at Natalak's nape. Yet just when she was about to deliver the kill, a jolt of ecstasy spread across her body and mind, prompting her hand to release the blade.
Shaking hips and legs, Chifya tried to steady herself, but the harder she fought it, the stronger it fought back, drowning her concentration.
"Nat!"
Unable to withstand the unseen forces, Chifya conjures her elvish heritage enough to suppress her frenzy.
Grabbing Natalak's shoulder, pushing him back, and pinning him down, the two catch their breath.
"Natalak, could you take out an item from your bag?" Chifya urge.
"I'll do it, but can you please remove your claws? It's hurting me." He replies, still panting.
After detaching herself from the man. Natalak tried his best to rummage through his satchel, but no matter how hard he rummages through the bag, he couldn't pull out a single item. His artefact was nothing more than a simple, empty bag.
"Is this really my bag?" Natalak was dumbfounded.
"I should have known better." Chifya bit her lip, then, without hesitation, she plunged her talon-like nails deep into her heart, killing herself.
Through her action, when Natalak blinked, he found himself awake in the forest where they had collapsed. And just a couple of steps away lay Chifya in her dark elvish form, coughing up a white mist.
"What in the—"
While they were recovering from such a dream, Natalak felt a wet, sticky substance in his crotch. Not just him, but Chifya also; moreover, there were liquid dripping out of her trousers, which she quickly covered with her waist cape.