Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 41: Encounter in the Forest

Lucian's boots crunched against the dense forest floor as he moved with calculated precision. The moon hung high above, its pale light spilling through the canopy and casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance with every step. The forest surrounding Loyrn was unnervingly quiet tonight—too quiet. His instincts, honed from countless years of experience, told him something wasn't right.

Lucian wasn't one to believe in coincidence. The uneasy stillness, the faint scent of something acrid in the air—it all pointed to one conclusion: someone was here. Someone dangerous.

He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, the metal of the blade gleaming faintly in the moonlight. The weapon was unlike any ordinary blade, forged from a rare alloy imbued with shadow energy that allowed it to absorb and redirect attacks. It hummed faintly, resonating with Lucian's tension as if it, too, was aware of the threat looming in the dark.

Suddenly, a soft, mocking chuckle echoed through the trees, sending a chill down his spine.

"Well, well," came a sultry voice from the shadows. "It seems I've stumbled upon the infamous Lucian. Or perhaps you stumbled into my web."

Lucian's eyes narrowed as a figure stepped into view. Cloaked in deep crimson robes that seemed to shimmer like liquid fire, the Crimson Witch emerged from the shadows. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing emerald eyes locked onto his with a dangerous glint. She held a staff carved from blackened wood, its tip adorned with a glowing red crystal that pulsed like a heartbeat.

"You've got a lot of nerve showing your face," Lucian said coldly, his sword raised slightly. "What do you want?"

The Crimson Witch smirked, tilting her head as she slowly circled him, her crimson robes trailing behind her like a river of blood. "What do I want? Oh, Lucian, you wound me. Can't I simply enjoy a quiet evening stroll in the forest?"

"Cut the act," Lucian snapped, his voice sharp as his blade. "You're here for a reason. Spit it out."

Her smirk widened, and the air around her seemed to ripple with energy. "If you insist. I'm here to make you an offer. Join us, Lucian. You're strong, cunning… wasted on your current companions. Think about it: with your power and my magic, we could bring this entire city—and beyond—to its knees."

Lucian scoffed, his grip tightening on his sword. "Not interested. And if you think I'm going to stand here and listen to you babble, you're dumber than you look."

The Crimson Witch's playful expression darkened, her eyes narrowing as the air grew heavy with tension. "Pity. I was hoping to avoid this."

She raised her staff, and the crystal at its tip flared with crimson light. The ground beneath them trembled as tendrils of fire erupted, twisting and writhing as they shot toward Lucian like living serpents.

The Fight Begins

Lucian reacted instantly, sidestepping the fiery tendrils with a speed that left scorch marks where he'd been standing moments before. His sword glowed faintly as he infused it with shadow energy, the blade's edge darkening until it seemed to absorb the surrounding light.

With a quick slash, Lucian released a crescent-shaped wave of shadow energy, which raced toward the Crimson Witch. She twirled her staff, summoning a fiery barrier that shattered the attack on impact. The force of the clash sent shockwaves rippling through the forest, shaking the trees.

"You'll have to do better than that," she taunted, her voice dripping with venom.

Lucian didn't respond. Instead, he rushed forward, his movements a blur as he closed the distance between them. His blade arced toward her in a series of rapid, precise strikes, each one aimed at a vital point. The Crimson Witch parried with her staff, the crystal at its tip emitting bursts of fire with every clash.

"Inferno Surge!" she shouted, slamming her staff into the ground. A wave of fire exploded outward, forcing Lucian to leap back to avoid being engulfed. The ground where he'd been standing was left charred and smoldering.

Lucian landed gracefully, his expression calm despite the intensity of the fight. "You rely too much on flashy tricks," he said, his voice laced with disdain. "Let me show you how it's done."

He raised his free hand, and the shadows around him seemed to come alive, coiling and writhing like snakes. "Eclipse Veil." The darkness surged forward, enveloping the area in an impenetrable shroud of black. The Crimson Witch's confident smirk faltered as her vision was consumed by the void.

"Clever," she admitted, her voice echoing in the darkness. "But you forget—I don't need to see you to burn you."

Raising her staff, she unleashed a burst of crimson light that dispersed the shadows, illuminating the forest once more. But Lucian was already behind her. He swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for her unguarded side.

"Crimson Barrage!" she cried, twisting just in time to counter. A flurry of fiery projectiles erupted from her staff, forcing Lucian to retreat as they rained down around him like a storm of molten fire.

A Deadly Stalemate

The fight continued, both combatants trading blows and abilities in a deadly dance. Lucian's shadow-infused techniques were a stark contrast to the Crimson Witch's fire magic, their opposing elements clashing in explosive bursts of light and dark.

Lucian used his signature technique, Umbral Dash, to move with blinding speed, his form flickering in and out of the shadows as he delivered precise strikes. The Crimson Witch countered with Pyroclasm Wave, a sweeping arc of fire that forced Lucian to stay on the defensive.

"You're good," the Crimson Witch admitted, her breathing slightly labored as she twirled her staff. "But you're outmatched."

Lucian smirked, his sword crackling with shadow energy as he prepared his next attack. "Outmatched? You're barely keeping up."

With a roar, he unleashed Shadow Reaper, a devastating technique that sent a massive wave of darkness surging toward her. The Crimson Witch raised her staff, summoning a fiery shield just in time to block the attack. The impact sent her skidding backward, her boots digging into the earth to keep her balance.

Both combatants paused, breathing heavily as they stared each other down. The forest around them was in ruins, the trees charred and broken from their battle.

"You're strong," the Crimson Witch said grudgingly, her voice tinged with frustration. "But this isn't over."

She raised her staff, and a swirl of fire engulfed her form. Before Lucian could react, she vanished, leaving only the faint scent of smoke in her wake.

Lucian lowered his sword, his eyes scanning the forest for any sign of her return. When he was certain she was gone, he sheathed his weapon and let out a frustrated sigh. "Coward."

Turning on his heel, he began making his way back to the city, his mind racing. The Crimson Witch's words lingered in his thoughts, her offer and her clear intent to eliminate them weighing heavily on him.

This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.