The forest's clearing lay eerily quiet now. Faint wisps of smoke and frost curling from the ground where Ashrik and Isaac had clashed with Felix moments ago.
The air still trembled from sharp and heavy residual energy. Felix's body slumped to the cracked earth, his chest heaving shallowly.
Ashrik and Isaac stood not far from him, gasping for air. Their shirts and pants were torn from the intense fight. Dirt and streaks of soot smeared the fabric. Their whole beings were drenched in sweat.
"Haa... Haa..."
Both men were steadying their breath. They watched in silence as the last traces of the corrupted aura of the zombie nucleus dissipated from Felix's body.
"Oho, human again?" Isaac whistled with a light grin tugging on his lips. "I thought he'd be done for this time."
Ashrik laughed breathlessly. "Seems like we won't gain any zombie teammates any time soon."
Thankfully, Felix didn't succumb to the crystal's malevolent energy.
