Into the Moonlit Forest
The sun dipped behind the silver-blue walls of Kaelmoor, casting long shadows across the kingdom. As night settled, the true colors of the land emerged—not the golden glow of peace, but the cold and unsettling stillness that only hid secrets.
Voltaro stood at the northern gate with his cloak wrapped tightly, Raven and Selene beside him, and Eran already scouting ahead. The guards allowed them to leave without questioning—Kaelmoor’s contract had granted Voltaro mobility within the kingdom’s borders.
Raven whispered,
“The Moonlit Forest lies beyond this path. People say it’s cursed.”
Selena adjusted her staff.
“If the soldiers are whispering about a beast, then the forest is where it would hide.”
Voltaro nodded, his gaze firm.
“Tonight, we uncover the real truth.”
The air grew colder as they walked, and the faint glow of moonlight filtered through the canopy. The forest’s name was no lie—the leaves shimmered faintly as if absorbing the moon’s energy, creating a pale silver light that illuminated their path.
Soon, even the sound of their footsteps seemed swallowed by the forest’s silence.
Eran emerged from the shadows, appearing before Voltaro with perfect stealth.
“My lord,” he reported quietly, “there’s something strange deeper in the forest. I followed old tracks—large ones, heavier than any beast I’ve seen.”
Voltaro’s attention sharpened.
“Any sign of life?”
Eran shook his head.
“Only broken branches and… sustained claw marks on the trees. Something powerful lives here.”
Raven rubbed the hilt of his weapon.
“Good. I was getting tired of walking.”
Voltaro raised his hand.
“No battles until we understand what we’re facing.”
They advanced further. The moonlight thickened, glowing brighter the deeper they went. The trees seemed… unnaturally bent, as if warped by dark energy. Faint whispers echoed through the branches, forming words too twisted to understand.
Selena frowned.
“This is no natural forest. Magic is lingering here. Old… corrupted magic.”
Voltaro sensed it now too—a murky, suffocating presence like a shadow that clung to the air.
Raven grimaced.
“Feels like something died here. A lot of things.”
Voltaro spoke calmly,
“Stay close. Eran, lead us to the place you found.”
They walked until Eran raised his hand.
“We’re here.”
Before them stood a structure partially hidden by vines—a decayed shack built from darkened wood, its walls carved with strange runic symbols. It looked like it had been abandoned for years, but something about it pulsed faintly with energy.
Raven stepped forward and sniffed the air.
“Burnt herbs… rotting bones… dark rituals happened here.”
Selena clenched her staff, whispering a spell under her breath to illuminate the surroundings. The moment the light touched the shelter, the runes glowed faintly—like dying embers desperate to remain alive.
Voltaro approached, his eyes narrowing.
The symbols weren’t ordinary.
They were black magic seals—ancient ones.
He placed his hand on the wood. His System reacted instantly, showing flickers of information.
[Black Magic Residue Detected]
[Type: Beast Corruption Ritual]
[Tribal Target: Orc-blooded Beasts]
[Potential Controller: Unknown Cult]
Voltaro’s breath hardened.
Raven stepped beside him.
“Voltaro? What is it?”
Voltaro turned, voice steady but heavy.
“This ritual… it targeted orc tribes.”
Selena’s eyes widened.
“Could this be connected to Krogar’s tribe incident?”
Voltaro nodded, his expression darkening.
“Not could. It is.”
He entered the shelter, pushing aside hanging charms and shattered bones. The inner chamber contained burned scrolls, empty vials, chains stained with old blood… and claw marks on the floor. Deep ones. Violent.
Eran swallowed.
“This… this place was used to torture beasts.”
Voltaro knelt and examined the marks.
“Not just beasts… orcs too.”
Raven’s jaw tightened.
“Kaelmoor was blamed for Krogar’s tragedy… but it wasn’t the kingdom.”
Voltaro replied,
“Someone is framing them. Manipulating beasts, attacking their villages, destroying orc tribes.”
His gaze sharpened.
“This is done by a cult.”
Voltaro stood in the center of the shelter, letting the oppressive energy wash over him. He closed his eyes and activated his enhanced system analysis.
[Scanning Area…]
Fragments of memories, echoes of old rituals, and the faint signature of a controlling spell flickered in his vision.
He saw shadows hooded in black, chanting.
He saw a chained beast—its eyes glowing violently.
He saw an orc screaming in pain as dark magic tore at his soul.
And then he saw the sigil burned into the ritual floor:
A black serpent with twisted horns.
Voltaro opened his eyes sharply.
“It’s the Serpent Veil Cult.”
Selena gasped.
“I thought they were only rumors!”
Raven scowled.
“They’re the kind who live behind lies. Framing kingdoms. Breaking tribes. Creating chaos.”
Voltaro clenched his fist.
“They’re the ones who destroyed Krogar’s tribe.”
Voltaro stepped out of the shelter, inhaling slow and steady. The moonlight made his eyes glow with a cold determination.
Eran approached.
“What are your orders, my lord?”
Voltaro turned to him.
“Eran.”
His tone was sharp, commanding.
“From this moment onward, you will scout this entire forest. Find traces of the cult. Anything. Any movement.”
Eran bowed firmly.
“I will not fail, my lord.”
Voltaro placed a hand on the young scout’s shoulder.
“Do not engage them. Only watch. When the time comes… we will move.”
Eran nodded and vanished into the forest like a ghost.
Selena stepped closer.
“Voltaro, if the cult is here… they will not let this forest rest. They might still be performing rituals.”
Raven added,
“And if that beast the soldiers fear is one of their creations… then this place will become a battlefield soon.”
Voltaro looked at them both.
“Then we prepare.”
He turned toward the shelter, watching the cursed runes fade weakly under the moonlight.
“Kaelmoor thinks beasts are attacking them. But they’re wrong. This kingdom is being targeted… and they don’t even know it.”
Raven cracked his knuckles.
“Good thing we stayed.”
Voltaro nodded slowly.
“Tomorrow, we inform no one. Not even the king.”
Selena blinked.
“Why?”
“Because the cult’s eyes are everywhere. If they learn we know the truth, they’ll strike first.”
The forest wind grew colder, as if reacting to Voltaro’s words.
He stared deep into the silver-lit trees.
“Eran will scout. We will prepare. And when the cult reveals itself…”
His eyes glowed fiercely.
“…we will be the ones hunting them.”
The Moonlit Forest seemed to shiver in agreement, the shadows twisting silently as Voltaro led his team back toward the kingdom.
Too be continue...