---- 246.


    THE CURSED FOREST SILAS 1 dont know how long Ive been walking it feels like the entire day.


    I quenched my thirst with the cold underground streams 1 found along the way.


    I wasnt really hungry.


    Having consumed so much magic had reced the nutrients my body needed.


    Tsat on the rocky ground, but only for a few seconds.


    I knew that if Iwere an ordinary elemental, I wouldnt have been able to keep moving like thisespecially not in this nearly oxygen-deprived, ustrophobic environment.


    Sometimes, the tunnels descended deeper and deeper, where I encountered insects and strange creatures burrowing into the damp earth.


    Then, they would rise, twisting into torturous paths, until atst, a faint current of air brushed against my face.


    1 followed it desperately, feeling pain stabbing through every muscle in my legs from walking nonstop...


    all day...


    Tt was nearly nightfall when the narrow tunnel opened into a vast cave.


    The stench of some wild animal filled the air, with remnants of bones and dung scattered everywhere.


    Thad to get out of here! I summoned my magic, which I was mastering with greater control each time.


    It scouted ahead for dangers while I followed swiftly, ---- finally emerging into open space.


    Tran a good distance, chasing my instincts.


    I was already far from that predator''s cave, convinced I was safe.


    Panting, I bent down, bracing a knee against the ground, gasping for breath.


    Then, something began to burn in the palm of my handa euphoric sensation, the curse devouring some kind of energy.


    lifted my gazeand froze.


    I immediately backed away from the twisted, ckened, and rotting tree.


    I looked around.


    No, no, why had this thing brought me here? I felt it writhing inside me, excited.


    Something within these trees was calling itthe dark energy of the corpses trapped inside them.


    They had died with so much hatred, so much resentment in their hearts, so much pain...


    just as I would have, if Sigrid hadnt appeared that night to save me.


    I tooka step back.


    I almost preferred leaving this dead ce and retracing my path back toward the cave.


    However, I caught thest glimmers of the sun setting between the withered branches of the trees.


    I couldnt waste any more time.


    "1mand youfollow mydys trail!"" I ordered my ck magic, which always sought out Sigrids.