Silence lingered deep within the corrupted forest.
Unlike the chaotic horde that had surrounded the safe zone moments ago, this place was eerily still. The black mist drifted lazily between the dead trees, wrapping the land in an unnatural darkness. Countless corrupted creatures stood motionless beneath towering trunks, none daring to utter a sound.
Thier attention was fixed upon single figure.
Traka.
He stood atop a jagged boulder, his crimson eyes calmly sweeping over the scouts that had just returned. Their bodies bore fresh scratches from the barrier's backslash, yet none dared to complain.
One by one, they knelt.
"The scouting mission is complete."
Traka didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he quietly observed each of them before asking,
"What did you find?"
One of the scouts lowered his head.
"There were only three individuals inside the sanctuary."
"One old women."
"A little girl."
"And...."
He's hesitated.
"....a boy."
The forest suddenly became quieter.
"...A boy?"
Traka repeated slowly.
The scouts instinctively lowered his head even further.
"Yes.
Another scout quickly continued.
"The sanctuary was protected by an unknown barrier unlike we've encountered before. We manage to damage it, but..."
His words stopped midway.
Traka wasn't listening anymore.
"A boy..."
He muttered to himself.
His expression didn't change, yet something in his eyes shifted ever so slightly.
"...There wasn't supposed to be a boy."
None of the scouts dared to asked what he meant.
After several moments of silence, Traka simply wavered his hand dismissively.
"...Whatever."
Whether that unexpected variable mattered or not...
He would soon find out.
Turning away from the scouts, his gaze settled upon another corrupted subordinate waiting nearby.
"Are the preparation complete."
The creature immediately stopped forward and bowed.
"Yes.
"Almost everything is ready."
"We're only Waiting for your command."
A faint smile slowly appeared across Traka's face.
He raised one hand towards the dark sky.
Above them, thick clouds slowly swallowed what little moonlight remained.
"...Let the moon turn red."
His voice was soft.
Almost, like a prayer.
"...Let them all burn."
"Heed my call..."
His smile widened.
"...My Master."
"...Rise..."
"... And witness the great fall."
"Hahaha..."
His laughter echoed throughout the forest.
Not loud.
Not wild.
But chilling.
Even the corrupted creatures surrounding him unconsciously lowered their heads.
Some instinctively took several steps backward.
Not because they feared the punishment.
Because they feared the one laughing.
The laughter continued for several long seconds before abruptly stopping.
Traka's eyes turned cold once more.
"What about the one..."
He asked quietly.
"...who keeps interfering?"
"The one poking his nose where it doesn't belong."
A different subordinate immediately stepped forward.
"We're preparing the forest."
"It will become our base."
"After that..."
He stopped.
Waiting for permission to continue.
Traka nodded.
"...Then bring him."
The subordinate disappeared into the darkness without any word.
A few moments later...
The sound of chains echoed through the forest.
Clang....
Clang....
Clang....
Several corrupted creatures returned, escorting a lone figure.
A heavy black collar surrounded the person's neck, connected to thick chains that dragged across the ground with every step.
Surprisingly...
His hands weren't restrained.
Nor were his feet.
He walked on his own.
Calmly.
Within resisting.
His expression remained empty.
Emotionless.
As though his mind no longer belonged to him.
Dark corruption leaked from his body like smoke.
Yet strangely....
The surrounding corrupted creatures instinctively kept their distance.
Some even looked at him with hostility.
As if...
He wasn't truly One of them.
Traka slowly walked towards the prisoner until only a single step seperated them.
A faint smile returned.
"... You're going to witness it."
He leaned slightly closer.
"The greatest fall this forest has ever seen."
"You worthless piece of garbage."
Silence.
The prisoner didn't respond.
Didn't raise his head.
Didn't even blink.
Yet...
Hidden beneath the loose sleeve of his tattered clothing...
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
Almost too small to notice.
Almost.
Traka turned away as though nothing had happened.
"The first ray of sunlight..."
He spoke calmly.
"...Will be our signal..."
"No one moves before then."
"No one acts without my order."
The corrupted creatures bowed together.
"As you command."
Far above them...
The eastern horizon had already begun changing.
Morning...
Was approaching.