Arthur was currently busy in crossing the broken mountain path and was hanging off the side. In his position there as no way he could focus on anything else and hence didn't realize the movement happening down in the forest.
The place where the Night Slayer had died had turned rotten black.
If one looked at it from afar they would think that it was burned and scorched black, but it was not so. Upon approaching, they would smell the stench of rot.
It was strange as the grass and plants wouldn't release such a rotting smell on their own. Even the very soil was rotting due to the cursed power that was tainting the land now.
A cracked great sword was also embedded there, continually leaking dark energy from it. The cracks on it had gotten bigger and chips of the blade had already fallen off. About ten percent of the great sword was already gone.
~clip~clop~clop~
A few seconds later, the sound of a horse's hooves was heard.
A person on horseback appeared. If one looked at them, they would be frozen in terror. The horse carrying the person was black, as if covered in ink and had a bone helmet on its head that looked like a cracked skull.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAn eerie blue light shone in the skull helmet's eye sockets making most animals run away on the spot. The horse's back was also covered in some bone ornaments while an embroidered tapestry served as the saddle.
On it sat the person who could strike terror with one look.
They were covered in a long black robe that hid all of their body. Only two striking silver eyes could be seen under the hood.
"Mmm… This will do finely." A cold yet alluring voice that was laced with domination could be heard.
One could tell that it was a feminine voice and had come from person on the horse. Arthur would have never thought that the unknown person who had terrified him was a woman like this.
The robe slid off slightly and a hand was revealed. The hand was slender and had a caramel color. Long black nails that were finely shaped could seen along with unknown runes that were painted on them. Obscure tattoos could also be seen wrapping around her arm and going up.
Though it wash hard to tell just how far the tattoos went.
The woman turned her hand and made her palm faced upwards.
"Edax Oculus." The woman chanted.
As soon as she did, an orb formed over her palm. The orb was black in color and had a glowing deep purple outline. And in the center of it, a shining red pupil opened!
The pupil looked malevolent and would alarm all mages who were within its presence. The sheer amount of dark magic emanating from it would probably send all kinds of magic users into an uncontrollable breakdown.
The pupil turned and 'observed' the area before opening wide.
~WHOOSH~
A strong suction force could be felt and all the mana in the air started to surge into it. But that wasn't all as the strange rotting energy tainting the area was also pulled along with it.
The suction force lasted about ten seconds after which the rotting energy had been cleared out. The area that looked to be rotten black earlier was now barren.
No grass or plants could be seen there with dry soil and dirt left behind. Even the broken great sword had been drained of all the energy.
~CRUMBLE~
Having been drained of its energy, the Great Sword could no longer maintain its form and crumbled into rusted fragments.
The area now stood out as it was the single barren patch in the vast green expanse of the forest. Though there were also patches of burned plant and trees there too.
Strangely enough, the fires that had been burning fiercely a couple of minutes ago had all died down and not even embers were left. Only cold cinders and white ash were left behind along with trees that had partially turned into charcoal.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe orb like eye stopped absorbing energy and the pupil within it returned to its normal size.
Next, the woman closed her hand letting the orb disappear into her palm. The runes on her nails glowed for a bit before calming down.
"Not enough." The woman spoke with disappointment in her voice. "Need more cursed energy… this prey was better than before but I need more… a lot more." She muttered in desire.
A second later she went silent and looked up to where Arthur was. The man was busy crossing the mountain path and didn't know that the terrifying person was looking at him.
The woman's silver eyes glowed for a bit before they dimmed down. She narrowed her eyes, as if a bit confused.
"Strange man… Never felt an aura like that before… bit of a man… bit of a dragon…" The woman paused, her curiosity increasing with each word. "And a bit of divine…" One could faintly feel the excitement in her voice.
"What should I consider him as? Hmmm… a prey? No, that would be a waste… Fuel? It might be good, but I can find others that'll serve the same purpose." The woman casually thought about Arthur's fate. "A pawn then… but this one is still weak… need to wait till it is at least a 'rook'." She decided as a devilishly stunning smile could be faintly seen.
Her face could barely been seen, and anyone who looked at it at that point would be captivated, falling into love. Opposite from her terrifying glare earlier, her face now exuded a strong attraction.
Her deep red lips curved while dimples formed on their sides, accentuating her beauty.
It was only a shame that there was no one to witness it.
But it might also be better for everyone, as anyone that saw it would be trapped by it, their fate unknown after that.
"I'll see you in the future… Little pawn." The woman said before the horse galloped away.