Its been hours since we moved out of the cave. This forest is weirdly big, a little too big. Kora's walking next to me, brushing shoulders with me, her skin as soft as a baby which surprises that she's an adventurer.
My body, feel like it's been rejuvenating, I could just move around from tree to tree like an ape, it must be the effects of Kora's elixir.
Kora then, pulls my vest slightly, signaling me to stop. "Stop, I sense something."
I stop and pull my claymore before parrying an attack,"what was that?!" Kora then pulls out Carrius's shield, activating a protective barrier around us. "Its the same locust creature." Kora's voice slightly lower
I look back to see her hands shaking violently while holding her mage staff. Her face and palms sweating. So that's the thing that killed her team. "Thanks Kora. The creature continues to bash the shield, then flutter its wings. Kora's eyes widen,"that's the same move it used to call its allies!" I dash out of the barrier, then slash the locust horizontally.
Its body twitching and juices come out of its body, its a weird green fluid. I look around and notice a near endless number of them. Shit i was too late.
I run back in the barrier before, the locusts jump and bombard the shield. I look at Kora, she's breathing heavily, holding her chest.
I dash to her, "Kora don't worry we're safe in this barrier." She then looks at me, her eyes wide open, her breathing more frantic, that's how Carrius, Borik, and Lyra died. They died the same way-"
"Then we learn from their mistakes!" I roar.
"I'm not dying in this hellhole—and I know damn well Carrius didn't drag you out just for you to die the same way!"
I grab her shoulders, forcing her to look at me.
"So focus, Kora. Avenge them. Do it for Carrius. Do it for Camb. Do it for Lyra."
My grip tightens as the shield trembles under the swarm.
"They wouldn't want you freezing here. They wouldn't want you dying scared. So stand up—and help me kill these bastards."
Kora's face, well up in tears, before her face changed from panic to focus and renewed conviction. "Alright. For them."
The shield broke, then the locusts jump to us. "Come at me you bastards!"
I slash locust in half, its green blood touching my skin. Then stabbed 3 others like a kebab. Kora summoned fire ball after fire, shooting them at each one of the locusts, then summons a wave of fire, killing multiple of them.
I look back to see her eyes fiery, her bear headed staff, Emmitting flame. "This is your judgement for murdering my comrades bastards." He voice echoing.
She raises her staff summoning a ball of fire, that summons smaller fire balls at them. "That's more like it!" Smiling.
I continue dashing killing each one of the locusts, before 5 locusts jump up at me. Before I raised my blade, i see a beam of fire, killing them instantly. All of the bugs are lay lifeless on the floor, their green blood staining the grey grass of the dark forest.
Both Kora and I breathing heavy, Kora seemingly more energized than me. "How do you have so much stamina?" By breathing more tiring.
"It's because of Lumin, there's a difference between Lumin and stamina." Her voice calm.
"Oh, makes sense. So it's like a stamina for magic and it doesn't effect your stamina."
Kora nodding calmly,"the only tiring part is the movements and chanting."
I grasp my claymore and get up. After some hours we walk for what felt like hours, the trees feel darker and darker. It's probably getting dark. Kora stops abruptly, her staff blocking my path. The bronze bear on the head of the wooden staff, its blue crystal inside the bears mouth.
I follow Kora's gaze, in front of us, a black cathedral, its massive size intimidating, the walls worn out and covered in black and grey vines, yellow moss covering the pillars like a blanket covering a sleeping child. Its windows still intact like, only slight cracks. Its doors sealed shut. The dark oak doors protecting the cathedral, with green chains enforcing its protecting, at the center, stands the lock of the chains, a sun like symbol, with words in a different language.
Kora walks close to the lock then turns to me, looking at me,"you're strong aren't you?" Grinning ear to ear.
I walk to her, "I'm not really that strong." Holding the lock. Then break the lock. I stare at the broken lock. "I never knew I was that strong."
I open the heavy doors, the creaking doors open wide. The cathedral looks like a regular cathedral but different, many symbols of the sun. The seats in rows, marble statues of a lean man, on a robe with a sharp crown looking like the sun. The interior of the cathedral is clean, like the forest didn't conquer the church. Kora walks beside me. Holding her brothers shield.
The walls white like marble, the windows displaying the statues with the sun behind him. My heart help somewhat lifted, like my soul has been lifted, I feel safe here. Kora walks to the alter. A dark oak with a massive window depicting the same man spreading his arms with the sun behind him again.
"Who is that man?" I look at Kora. "The old god of this region, Solorus, the sun emperor." Her voice more serious.
I walk behind the alter and see a bright yellow stone with a pattern depicting the sun with an orange color. My body persuading me to touch the stone. "Touch it, and you shall gain the salvation of the sun."
My hand slowly reaching out to touch it, before Kora holds my wrist. "Dont touch it." Her voice raised slightly and her grip strong on my wrist.
I snap out of the trance, "sorry, I don't know what happened, felt like my body moved on it's own."
"I also felt the same thing. Just have a strong will, there's a reason these cathedrals have been destroyed all over the region." Her grip lightening.
I then feel, a different presence. Not the presence of one person but of multiple people. I turn to the door, Kora's turns to my direct. Her grip on my wrist strengthening, like I was going to disappear.
"C-Callius? Lyra? Brorik?!" Her voice trembling, her hands slightly trembling. I look back to see the stone in the air glowing a bright yellow, a pure light. Callius and Kora's guild glowing, their veins a golden colour.
Kora leaving her grasp, letting go of her staff and running towards ,Callius. "BROKA!!" I reach out my arm but unable to reach her. "KORA DON'T DO THIS?!" I shout out loud, my voice echoing. Before Kora could reach her brother, he raises his sword, now glowing yellow.