Chapter 230 Labyrinth Forest (5)
Amid the stillness of the darkening and biting forest, Fitran and Rinoa continued to navigate the uncertain paths of the Forest Labyrinth. A thin mist enveloped them, and the almost inaudible sigh of the wind added to the impression that they were walking in a world that was not entirely real. Each step grew heavier, as though the forest was attempting to hold them back, trapping them in an illusion.
Yet, they could not stop—behind the obstacles and difficulties, they had to keep moving, had to seek a way out.
Fitran stepped ahead, his weary body swaying, but his eyes remained filled with determination. Rinoa followed close behind, her heart full of doubt yet also strength, always ready to protect and assist Fitran—no matter what happened. They understood that this journey was more than mere survival. It was a struggle to find the right path, even in a world that continuously changed and deceived them.
Suddenly, their steps came to a halt. Something felt different—the atmosphere around them shifted abruptly. The air grew colder, and for a moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath. Then they saw it—among the tall, moss-covered trees, figures moved slowly. No sound was heard, only the gentle and silent movements that stirred unease in their hearts.
The figures were the Erdant Hollowmen—humanoid creatures entirely composed of rotting wood and moss, dark and damp, as if they had just emerged from a grave. Their skin was cracked and fragile, emanating a foul odor reminiscent of untouched, damp earth. Their unsettling allure was in the fact that these hollow figures appeared to be built from chunks of lumber that had been cut and nailed together, giving their bodies an unstable look, as if they could collapse at any moment. Yet, beneath this eerie appearance lay a terrifying aura of calm, as if they were forgotten guardians, imprisoned in the embrace of the endless forest.
Each Hollowman possesses a large dark void in their chest, symbolizing a lost soul. These voids emit a chilling aura, as if each breath from their depths could reach out to the living beings around them. They stand frozen, seemingly suspended in time, and in that silence, it feels as though time itself has stopped, heavy with uncertainty. There is no movement, no sound, except for the soft whisper of the wind caressing the fragile leaves and murmuring fears into the ears of Fitran and Rinoa. As their eyes adjust to the haunting presence among the trees, the Hollowmen suddenly begin to move. Their steps are slow yet deliberate, proceeding with an unnatural, stilted motion, akin to the mechanisms of a long-dormant statue. They encircle the two travelers with a terrifying silence, transforming this forest into a realm of darkness that they alone command.
The tale of the Erdant Hollowmen traces back to ancient times when humanity first ventured into this forest and disrupted the balance of nature. They are lost souls, trapped within wooden forms born of the forest's regret and wrath. Haunted by vengeance, they have returned as life-draining beings, seeking retribution against those who dare trespass into their domain without respect.
Rinoa felt a tingling sensation in her chest—worry rising within her. "Fitran... be careful," she whispered, her voice trembling. "They don't move just to intimidate. There's something more terrifying behind this." Every time they approached, Rinoa sensed a biting cold, as if the energy within her was evaporating, signaling the presence of their Life Leech Touch. These Hollowmen could extract the life force from any living creature they touched; each gesture of their hands felt like more than a mere touch—it was a harvesting of life and hope. With each slow movement, they marked their steps toward darkness, and Rinoa realized she needed to seek refuge from this ravenous power.
Fitran scanned the surroundings, his eyes carefully observing the advancing movements of the Hollowmen. "We need to move quickly," he responded, his voice slightly hoarse yet filled with courage. "Don't let them surround us."