The Spiritwood was alive.
Not just with animals and spirits, but with voices — faint whispers riding the wind, ancient songs humming through the trees.
Alan moved carefully, Lumen's light form flickering at his shoulder.
Each step was guided by instinct and his growing connection to the wild mana flowing through the land.
The deeper he went, the stranger it became.
Trees twisted unnaturally, their bark covered in runes that pulsed faintly.
Mist hung low over the forest floor, masking hidden dangers.
Eyes — too many eyes — watched from the shadows.
Still, Alan pressed on.
After an hour, he stumbled onto a scene that made him freeze.
Three figures stood surrounded by a pack of corrupted beasts.
A boy with short crimson hair, wielding a crooked staff crackling with raw lightning.
A girl with emerald eyes, summoning thorny vines from the ground with a graceful dance.
And a tall, armored knight — or at least, someone who looked like one — standing like a wall between the others and the monsters.
All of them were wounded.
All of them were losing.
Alan didn't think.
He moved.
Flashstep!
In a burst of light, he appeared at the side of the armored figure just as a corrupted wolf leapt at him.
Alan's Catalyst sang, forming a shield of pure mana to deflect the attack.
The crimson-haired boy gawked.
"Who the hell—?!"
"No time!" Alan barked back. "Focus on the left flank! I'll cover you!"
The knight gave a slight nod — no words wasted.
Battle instinct kicked in.
Alan moved like a blur, his new skills blending perfectly: Flashstep, Mana Pierce, even basic spirit magic thanks to Lumen.
Together, they fought like a chaotic, desperate unit.
After the Fight
Dozens of broken, corrupted corpses littered the clearing.
Alan leaned on his Catalyst, catching his breath.
The armored knight — a girl, now that Alan could see more clearly — removed her cracked helmet.
Golden hair spilled out, framing a sharp, proud face.
"Thanks," she said bluntly, voice rough from exhaustion. "You saved us."
The crimson boy slumped onto a fallen log. "Saved? Nah, he carried our asses."
The green-eyed girl giggled weakly, brushing mud off her robes.
Alan smiled faintly. "Name's Alan."
The knight nodded. "Seraphine."
The redhead grinned. "Call me Dex."
"And I'm Mira!" chirped the green-eyed girl.
They looked rough, half-dead... but alive.
Alan felt something stir in his chest.
Maybe — just maybe — he wouldn't have to walk this path alone.
System Notification
[Hidden Event: "Wounded Strays" — Completed!]
[New Companions Potential: Dex, Mira, Seraphine.]
[Bond Progress: Low.]