Chapter 10 – Leaving the Forest

The shrine still smelled of blood.

Charred earth, cracked stone, and fading embers told the story: five divine agents dead, one girl nearly lost, and a pact burned into the bones of something sacred.

Riku sat at the base of a shattered altar, Kaela’s head resting in his lap. Her breathing was steadier now, no longer the shallow rasp it had been hours ago. She’d passed out after the pact ritual, her body overwhelmed by the pain—and the power.

Selene sat nearby, cross-legged on a broken column, her ethereal form flickering like a flame struggling to stay lit.

“She’s stable,” she said softly. “But she won’t be battle-ready for days. That last attack... if she hadn’t formed the pact…”

Riku ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. “I know.”

He looked at Kaela’s face—streaked with dirt and blood, but peaceful in sleep. A jagged red glyph still pulsed faintly over her heart beneath the torn fabric of her tunic.

The system pulsed again.

[Bond Level: Kaela – 2.1 / 5.0]
Effect Active: Shared Vitality Surge (10% of incoming damage is redirected to Riku)
Team Synergy: Predator’s Reprisal – unlocked

A light breeze stirred the trees. The clearing felt quieter than usual. Not safe—Arknareth was never safe—but… less cursed, somehow. As if the forest had felt the blood spilled here and was holding its breath.

Riku leaned back against the altar stone and stared up through the shattered roof, where the sky peeked in.

He hadn’t seen open sky in weeks. Just branches, rot, and black clouds.

Kaela stirred, groaning.

“Don’t move,” he said quickly, pressing a hand to her shoulder.

“I’m fine…” she muttered, her voice scratchy.

“No, you’re not.”

She blinked up at him. “Did we win?”

“Completely.” He gave her a rare smile. “Five entered. We’re still breathing.”

Kaela gave a short laugh, which turned into a cough. “You’re getting better at those inspiring speeches.”

Selene floated over, arms crossed. “We should move soon.”

Riku frowned. “She can’t travel like this.”

Selene gestured toward the edge of the clearing. “I’ve scouted ahead. There’s a cave near the ridge—sheltered, dry, and defensible. We can rest there a few days.”

Riku stood, lifting Kaela gently. “Then let’s get out of here.”

The walk to the cave was silent.

Kaela leaned against Riku, limping but awake. Selene floated ahead like a ghostly scout, her eyes scanning the shadows for danger.

The Demon's Forest didn’t fight them this time. No beasts attacked. No traps triggered. Even the air felt less suffocating.

“It's like the forest is afraid of us now,” Kaela whispered.

Riku nodded. “Good.”

They reached the cave by dusk.

It wasn’t large—just a natural crack in the cliffside, wide enough for three people to huddle inside. Moss covered the entrance, and a trickle of spring water ran along the wall inside. It was the cleanest, driest place they'd seen in weeks.

They started a small fire.

Selene warmed her translucent hands over it, even though she couldn’t feel the heat. It was habit more than anything—something that reminded her she was still part of the world, even if the world didn’t see her.

Kaela leaned against Riku’s shoulder again, wrapped in a spare cloak.

“Never thought I’d be glad to leave that forest,” she murmured.

“You nearly died in it.”

“Yeah,” she said, smirking. “And now I’ve got a glowing magic bond to show for it.”

They laughed—quietly, tiredly.

Selene’s voice broke the moment. “We need to talk about what’s next.”

Riku stirred. “We’re heading for Veyrane.”

Kaela raised a brow. “The border city? Still under Flame Queen control?”

Riku nodded. “If there’s any place we can find out more about the enemy… it's there.”

Selene frowned. “You sure it’s wise to walk into enemy territory? You just hit level thirty. They’ll be watching for you.”

[SYSTEM NOTICE – Demon Lord Class Active]
Class: Blessed Demon Lord – Tier I Access
Available Perk Points: 3
Branch Unlocked: Dominion Through Strength / Command Through Fear / Destruction Through Flame

Choose how you lead. Choose how you destroy.

Riku’s eyes glinted.

“Let them watch. We’ve fought alone in the dark long enough. Time to drag the fight into the light.”

Kaela stared into the fire. “You said there were four of us, eventually. Where are the others?”

“They’ll find us,” Selene said, her tone oddly confident.

Riku didn’t say anything.

He could feel it. Like a compass inside his chest. There were others out there—others who would fight beside him, burn for him, bleed with him.

For now, there were three.

And the gods were already behind.

That night, while the others slept, Riku stepped outside the cave.

He stood on the edge of the cliff, arms crossed, the cold wind cutting across his face.

The forest stretched behind him.

The plains stretched ahead.

And far on the horizon… faint pinpricks of firelight—Veyrane.

He could almost feel the false gods watching from above.

He smiled.

“Send your armies. Send your champions. I’m not dying in your world.”

He turned his back on the forest.

“And I’m not done yet.”

[SYSTEM LOG – Level: 30 | Pactmates: 2 | Enemies Killed: 76 | Divine Kills: 7]
New Active Quest: Veyrane – Infiltrate and Observe
Optional: Discover the identity of the Flame Queen’s Chosen Champion