Ren walked in silence.
The Seed of Ash burned faintly in his hand, a subtle thrum echoing in his bones. It wasn't just heat—it was hunger. Unlike the Verdant Core, which responded with life and growth, this new seed whispered of endings. Of ruin, and the beauty found within it.
Kael kept glancing at it. "That thing… doesn't belong in a forest."
Ren nodded. "It doesn't. But it's here now. And the Hollow has to decide what to do with it."
System Prompt: Seed of Ash Identified
Status: Dormant
Potential Uses:
Merge with Domain (High Risk – Will permanently alter environment)
Store in Inventory (Potential instability over time)
Seal using Core Resources (Requires Verdant Energy x500)
Advisory: Artifact likely connected to alternate world-cycle. Residual Will detected.
Ren stored the seed carefully into his inventory.
They had barely started walking again when Moss suddenly hissed, claws digging into Ren's shoulder. The little beast's hackles stood up.
"Something's coming," Kael said immediately, hand on his sword.
Ren could feel it too—through the roots beneath his feet. Something was wrong. The rhythm of the Hollow was interrupted. Not in panic, but in... expectation.
The undergrowth ahead parted, not by force but willingly, like the forest itself was making way.
A figure emerged—hooded, tall, draped in tattered black robes stitched with thorn-like threads. Where feet should've crushed grass, none bent. No sound came from its steps.
Ren raised his hand, summoning a wall of bark between them.
The figure didn't stop. It simply raised a hand and touched the barrier.
The bark turned grey—and crumbled.
Alert: Unknown Entity Encountered – Scanning...
Classification: Warden of Embers
Alignment: Neutral Hostile
Threat Level: Variable
Special Note: Drawn by Seed of Ash
"Step back," Ren muttered. "It's not here for a chat."
The Warden's head tilted, revealing a face like smoldering charcoal—no eyes, but cracks glowed where they should have been.
It spoke. The voice didn't echo from its mouth but entered Ren's mind directly.
"He who touches the seed inherits the flame. The root cannot contain both life and cinder."
Kael moved forward. "He doesn't want your cursed thing."
But the Warden wasn't speaking to him. Its presence pressed down—like gravity, like inevitability. The forest behind Ren shook as branches twisted inward, unsure whether to fight or flee.
Ren reached inward. His system flared.
Skill Accessed: Verdant Root – Domain Extension (30%)
Activated.
Roots surged from the ground, forming spears, shields, barriers.
The Warden raised both arms, and a ring of fire danced to life around him, forming a sigil in the air.
Ren pushed.
Nature and ash collided.
The Hollow screamed.
Flames did not burn the roots, but they unmade them—turning growth into dust without fire. The Warden was not powerful through force alone. He was opposite to the Hollow, and by that, equally dangerous.
Ren ground his teeth and whispered to his system.
Command: Analyze Weakness – Warden of Embers
Success.
Weak Point: Ember Core at Heart
Immunity: Fire, Illusion, Basic Root Attacks
Vulnerable to: Emotion-based Disruption, Environmental Denial
Emotion-based disruption?
Ren turned to Kael. "Distract him. He reacts to feelings. Strong ones."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "So scream at him?"
"No. Remind him."
Kael didn't hesitate. He stepped into the clearing, blade down, eyes fixed on the Warden.
"You once walked this forest, didn't you?" Kael said. "I've seen spirits like you. Guardians left behind by their own ashes."
The Warden froze slightly. A flicker of change—of hesitation.
"You remember your name?" Kael pressed. "Do you even know what you're guarding anymore?"
Ren struck in that instant.
Skill Activated: Verdant Pulse – Memory Graft
Target: Warden of Embers
Result: Partial Link Established
And for a heartbeat, Ren saw through the Warden's mind.
Fire. Loss. A grove much like this one, long ago. Children hiding beneath roots. Enemies bringing death from the sky. The Warden had chosen flame over surrender. He had burned his forest to deny it to the invaders.
He had become what he despised.
Ren opened his eyes and released the link.
"I'm not here to repeat your failure," he said quietly. "The Hollow won't end like yours did."
The Warden faltered. The flames began to withdraw. The ash around his form flickered. His shape blurred at the edges.
Then he stepped back.
Not fled—retreated. Not destroyed—released.
Entity Withdrew – Threat Averted
Mental Stress: Moderate
System Note: Presence of Seed continues to attract similar echoes. Stabilization advised.
Ren collapsed to one knee. Kael caught him before he hit the ground fully.
"You alright?" the knight asked.
Ren nodded, breathing hard. "He was... alone for so long, he became what he feared. I don't want that to happen to the Hollow."
Kael looked around the blackened glade. "Then we seal the seed?"
"Not yet," Ren said. "I need to know what it can do first. But I won't let it change me."
Behind them, the Hollow's trees leaned forward again—cautiously. And slowly, life returned to the edge of the Burnt Grove. A blade of grass. A creeping vine.
A promise.