The hill lood before Alex, its jagged slopes cutting into the sky like the back of a beast. At its base, half-concealed behind brambles and stone, yawned the mouth of a cave. Cold air drifted from its depths, carrying with it a pressure that sank into Alex’s chest. His skin prickled, every nerve warning him away.
The source was clear. Demonic energy pulsed from within, dense and suffocating. It was nothing like the faint traces he had sensed before; this was overwhelming, ancient, oppressive. His instincts scread at him to turn back.
And yet... his feet refused to obey. Curiosity burned hotter than caution.
"Just a glance," he muttered, steeling his nerves.
He placed one foot inside.
A blast of force surged outward, a wave of invisible power that chilled his blood and made his bones rattle. Alex stumbled back, shivering. His breath clouded in the air, though no frost touched the stone.
Still, he pressed on.
The deeper he went, the darker it beca. The walls seed to close around him, slick with unseen dampness, while the demonic aura swelled until it felt like he was walking into a storm. His chest ached as if the cave itself was crushing him.
At the very end, the space widened into a hollow chamber.
And there it stood.
A tree, rooted in the middle of the cavern. It was tall, barren of leaves, its bark cracked and blackened like burned wood. From its crooked branches drifted coils of dark mist, spilling outward in writhing shapes. The mist moved like it was alive, circling him, pressing down on him with a killing intent so sharp it cut the air.
Alex’s head swam. The roots at the tree’s base seed to twitch, slithering like snakes. His vision blurred, the chamber spun, and he collapsed.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
---
When his eyes fluttered open, Alex lay sprawled at the foot of the tree. The mist surrounded him, thicker now, curling like smoke around his arms and throat. Strangely, the hostility he felt before was gone.
But when he tried to step away, his shoulder smacked against sothing solid. An invisible wall. No matter where he pushed, it held him.
"Arthur," he called out, unease sharpening his tone. "What is this tree? What should I do?"
"You figure it out. I told you, I won’t keep rescuing you unless it’s life or death," Arthur’s voice ca, firm and unmoved.
"Co on—"
"Don’t call again. I’m trying to sleep."
And then silence.
Alex exhaled in frustration. He was trapped. The mist grew heavier with each passing mont, pressing down like a weight, stealing his breath. The aura pouring from the tree clawed at his chest, so thick it felt like drowning.
"What am I supposed to do...?"
As he whispered, the mist surged, wrapping him tighter. He failed to notice the roots creeping closer until it was too late.
They lashed around his ankles, cold and strong, coiling upward before he could react. More burst from the ground, binding his wrists, jerking him off his feet. He was hoisted into the air, limbs spread wide as though nailed upon an unseen cross.
Panic struck. He pulled, kicked, strained but the bindings only tightened, biting into his skin.
The other roots rose next, leveling with his chest. They hovered for a mont, trembling, then speared into him. One after another.
Agony flared as seven roots drilled into his flesh. His body convulsed as a surge of demonic energy tore into him, flooding his veins with fire.
The tree lit up. A deep red glow pulsed from its core, traveling through the roots and into Alex. He scread as the light writhed beneath his skin, crawling, moving as though the tree itself were alive inside him.
"Damn it! What do I do?!"
But before he could think, his vision flickered. His eyes rolled shut.
And when they opened again, they were not his own.
A frown etched itself onto his face as Arthur’s voice rumbled through his throat. "Can’t I have a mont of peace without this body being dragged into trouble?"
The roots inside him withered instantly, shriveling into brittle husks that fell away like ash. The bindings snapped, releasing him. Alex’s body landed lightly on the ground, steady as though guided by an experienced hand.
Arthur gazed at the glowing tree, lips curling into a smirk. "Trying to drain my vessel dry, were you? Then let return the favor."
He pressed a hand to the bark.
The tree shuddered. The red light reversed, flowing from its core into Arthur’s arm, spiraling into Alex’s body. The demonic energy roared, vast and intoxicating. The cavern pulsed with its intensity.
Arthur closed Alex’s eyes and exhaled slowly, savoring it. The tree’s bark cracked, splintered, and blackened further as its life drained away, branches collapsed, and the roots withered.
By the ti the last of the energy was devoured, nothing remained but a hollow, dead husk.
Arthur grinned. "Perfect."
Then, as before, Alex’s head slumped forward. His eyelids fluttered open. He looked around, dazed.
"What... what happened? I feel... strong. But how?"
Arthur’s voice answered, smooth and mocking. "I helped you. You should be grateful. That tree would have emptied you until there was nothing left but a husk. Instead, I made you stronger."
"You took over? Was that why I blacked out again?"
"Exactly."
Alex sighed, rubbing his wrist. "Well... that’s more like it." He started walking away.
Arthur’s tone sharpened. "That’s your thanks? For saving your life?"
"If you didn’t, and I died, what do you think would’ve happened to you?" Alex chuckled.
Arthur growled. "You insolent brat. Don’t think I’ll keep saving you forever."
Silence followed, heavy and unyielding.
Alex only smiled and quickened his pace.
---
The cave’s exit swallowed him in darkness. His vision blurred, and when it cleared, he was back in the room.
"You survived without a scratch? Impressive," Derek said, brows raised in mild surprise.
"Did you expect to die?" Alex asked flatly.
"No," Derek replied with a small shrug, hands raised. "Just... surprised."
Alex muttered sothing under his breath and turned to leave. But as he stepped forward, a bolt of pain lanced through his skull. He clutched his head, staggered, and then collapsed.
"Alex!" Derek’s voice cracked as he lunged to catch him. He checked the boy’s pulse, then froze.
Black veins crawled across Alex’s neck, pulsing with unnatural energy.
"Damn it," Derek hissed, panic flashing in his eyes. He scooped Alex into his arms and sprinted out of the room.
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