The Genesis Of A Necromancer

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As they emerged from the gaping maw of the tunnel, their vision adjusted to the muted light of the outside world. A dense fog clung to the forest, a ghostly shroud that seemed alive, swirling lazily through the twisted silhouettes of trees.

The forest stretched endlessly before them, its ancient, gnarled trees standing like weary sentinels. Their sagging branches drooped low, as if bowing under the weight of unseen burdens. The bark was charred black and riddled with cracks, exuding an acrid scent of decay. Sporadic patches of moss clung to their trunks like parasites, glowing faintly in the mist—a sickly, greenish hue that only added to the forest's malevolence.

A heavy silence dominated the air, thick and oppressive. Not a single bird sang, no leaves rustled, and even the faint hum of insects was absent. It was as if the forest itself held its breath, waiting.

"Where are we?" Alisha asked, her voice taut with unease. Her sharp eyes fixed on Gurat, who shuffled nervously under her gaze. "Shouldn't we be seeing the vast desert sands by now?"

Gurat laughed nervously, wringing his clawed hands together. "Y-yes, yes, of course! We'll reach the desert soon... This is just the Fog Forest. It's, uh, a bit denser than usual, but don't worry! I know the way through."

"Fog Forest?" Jack repeated, the name tugging at the edges of his memory. It was familiar, yet elusive, like a half-remembered dream. He narrowed his eyes at Gurat, whose jittery movements did little to inspire confidence.

"Yes, that's right!" the demon replied quickly, his words tumbling over each other. "We demons don't use this route much. The fog... well, its source is unknown. But no one's ever bothered to investigate it. No need, you see! We've always just avoided it."

Jack exchanged a glance with Alisha, whose frown deepened. But neither pressed further as they followed Gurat into the eerie forest, the fog swallowing them whole.

The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on Jack. He walked in silence, his thoughts churning as he dug through his fragmented memories. The name "Fog Forest" gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't scratch.

Suddenly, he stopped, a sharp intake of breath escaping his lips. "Wait."

Alisha and Gurat froze, the demon trembling as if he expected Jack's wrath to follow.

"We need to find the source of this fog," Jack said, his voice low but urgent. His expression had shifted—an edge of excitement flickered behind his eyes, mingled with something darker.

"What?" Alisha snapped, her patience thinning. "We don't have time for this! We need to get stronger, find the Chapters of Time, and stop wasting time chasing shadows."

Her words carried an edge of bitterness, and Jack noticed the flicker of tension in her movements. Her frustration was palpable, her disdain for their situation simmering just beneath the surface.

'Why haven't I killed him yet?' Alisha thought, glancing at Jack. The question had haunted her since their unlikely partnership began. 'Why am I so curious to know if he's lying or not? Is that really the reason I'm still here? Or... is there something else?' She shook her head, banishing the thought. 'No, it's just about the truth. I need to expose the devil hidden within the church. That's all this is about.'

Jack broke the silence, his voice steady. "There's something here that could be valuable to both of us—something that might make us stronger."

Alisha raised an eyebrow, her curiosity momentarily overriding her frustration. "And what would that be?"

Jack's gaze flicked toward her, calculating. "Have you heard of the Winter Mage?"

Alisha stiffened at the name. "Of course I have. The Winter Mage was a legend among the church—a hero of the first conquest of the planes. He disappeared without a trace. His death was a massive blow to the church."

"And do you know what made him so formidable?" Jack asked, his voice laced with intrigue.

Alisha frowned, recalling the stories. The Winter Mage had been a force of nature, but his power wasn't his alone. "His staff," she said slowly, realization dawning. "It wasn't just any staff—it was crafted by the greatest alchemist of his time. The church kept it hidden for fear of what it could do in the wrong hands."

Jack nodded. "The staff held two crystals of immense power. If I'm right, one of those crystals—the Elemental Fog Crystal—is here."

Alisha's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. The pervasive fog, the unnatural stillness—it all made sense now. "You think the crystal is causing this fog?"

Jack smirked. "What else could explain it?"

Gurat, who had been listening with growing unease, began to stammer. "W-wait! You're not seriously thinking of—"

Jack's sharp glare silenced him. "You're welcome to stay behind if you're too scared."

The demon's small frame shuddered, and he shook his head vehemently. "N-no, I'll come! Just... be careful. People say there's something... something dangerous in the fog. Growls, shadows—things that shouldn't be there."

Alisha rolled her eyes. "We're wasting time. If the crystal is here, we should find it and move on."

Jack's grin widened. 'The Octagram Crystal... If I can get my hands on that, my strength will be restored in an instant.'

The trio pressed deeper into the forest, the fog growing thicker with each step. The trees loomed larger, their skeletal branches clawing at the sky like desperate hands. The air grew colder, a biting chill that seeped into their bones.
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Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the fog.

Gurat froze, his entire body trembling. "T-there it is! I told you something was out here!"

Jack and Alisha exchanged a glance, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons. The growl grew louder, closer, until a massive shadow emerged from the mist.

[Guardian Beast of the Fog]

[Level: 12]

[Description: A relentless predator bound to the Elemental Fog Crystal.]

The beast was monstrous, its form barely visible through the haze. It had the body of a wolf, but its eyes glowed with an unnatural blue light, and its fur rippled like liquid smoke. Its claws dug into the earth, and a snarl escaped its maw, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

"So much for a quick escape," Jack muttered, drawing his blade.

Alisha stepped forward, her staff glowing with holy light. "Let's end this quickly."

The beast roared, and the fog seemed to surge with its fury, wrapping around them like a living entity. The battle had begun, and the forest held its breath, watching.

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[A/N: A special thanks to Lautrim for the gift. It was unexpected.

Thanks so much! Your support is my motivation, and I really hope, not just you but the others read along as well. I'm glad I have you all! ]