Chapter 212 Molun’thar
The forest fell silent once more, but this silence was not the peaceful calm that often follows a storm; instead, it felt mocking, as if an unseen force held its breath, anticipating a new tragedy to unfold. A dark aura began to creep among the trees, weaving through the trunks and underbrush, pulling the very essence of nature into its magical vortex. The dense foliage trembled, and the deeply rooted trees seemed to vibrate with an unspoken tension, as if they too sensed the weight of impending doom.
Fitran remained kneeling, his body tense, as cold sweat trickled from his temples, a telltale sign of his profound fear. The Voidwright had left a horrifying mark upon him: his skin was cracked and fragile, reminiscent of shattered glass, softly emanating a ghostly light. His eyes shimmered with swirling shades of purple, reflecting the tumult of unexpressed emotions brewing within. With each frantic heartbeat, waves of fear and flickers of hope crashed against one another within him, as if the very magic surrounding him was seeping into his soul, challenging his convictions. Memories of his time with Rinoa flooded back, creating a bitter contrast between the warmth of love and the chill of the looming battle. But before he could rise and gather his strength...
A small earthquake shook the ground.
Dari balik rerimbunan pohon yang dipenuhi bayangan gelap dan bentuk-bentuk membingungkan akibat sihir sebelumnya, muncul sesosok makhluk bertanduk lima, setinggi menara jam, dengan tubuh mengerikan yang tampak seperti tulang dan arang, terlilit dalam rantai-cahaya merah menyala. Energi sihir berputar di sekelilingnya, bergetar dalam irama yang tidak wajar, seolah-olah hidup dalam dorongan keinginan yang mengerikan, memancarkan aura menakutkan yang menciptakan atmosfer berat dan dingin, membuat udara terasa sesak dan menyengat.
"Molun'thar, The Emotion Devourer."
"To those whose love is a weakness, I grant the truest death."
Rinoa berdiri tegar di antara Fitran dan monster itu, tubuhnya dikuasai tekanan yang berlawanan dengan ketegasan dalam napasnya yang pendek dan cepat. Dia merasakan aliran sihir berbahaya yang menyeruak, berusaha merasuk ke dalam jiwa, menembus tembok pertahanan emosional yang ia bangun dengan susah payah. Setiap detakan jantung memicu transformasi rasa takut menjadi keberanian, mendorongnya untuk melindungi orang yang sangat dicintainya, meskipun rasa tercekik menyerang tenggorokannya dengan ganas.
"Jangan ganggu dia..." ucapnya pelan, suara yang bergetar penuh ketegangan, seolah setiap kata membentuk dinding tak terlihat, berusaha melindungi mereka dari kegelapan yang mengancam.
Molun'thar ambled forward with deliberate slowness, its footsteps searing the earth and scorching the grass beneath, yet curiously void of smoke, crafting a scene both nightmarish and awe-inspiring. This creature was no mere inhabitant of this realm; it was a dimension wanderer of emotions, birthed from feelings long forsaken. With each deliberate step it took, the wind began to stir, generating a chilling breeze thick with despair and unfulfilled longing, impelling the souls watching from a distance, and fostering an atmosphere heavy with foreboding.
"Unreciprocated love... discarded gratitude...
...longing transformed into a weapon.