Chapter 56: Invincible swordsman.
Leaving Sylvia behind, Alexia and Alden stood in front of the glowing floor core.
"Ready?" Alexia asked, her voice low but steady.
Alden nodded, his jaw tightening. "Let’s get this over with."
Together, they placed their hands on the core. A surge of energy coursed through them, and the world around them blurred and shifted.
As their vision cleared, they found themselves in a dense forest. Tall, twisted trees stretched overhead, their branches weaving together to form a thick canopy. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and leaves, and the occasional rustling hinted at small creatures moving in the underbrush.
Alexia’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of her blade, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Alden raised his guard, his muscles tense. The forest was unnaturally quiet, save for the occasional snap of a twig or the distant hoot of an owl.
As if on cue, the silence was shattered by a guttural groan.
From the shadows emerged the first of the undead warriors clad in rusted armor, their hollow eyes glowing with a faint, malevolent light. Behind them, more figures shambled into view, their movements stiff but unnervingly coordinated.
At the center of the horde stood a woman with wild, dark hair that tumbled around her face in messy curls. Her pale skin had an almost doll-like smoothness, but her wide, gleeful eyes sparkled with twisted amusement. A grin stretched across her lips, too playful, too delighted, like a child about to pull the wings off a butterfly.
"Welcome!" Linda chirped, her voice dripping with excitement. She practically bounced in place, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I’ve been waiting for you! Let’s see just how much fun my new toys can be!"
Alexia tightened her grip on her blade, her eyes burning with fury. "Who the hell are you, bitch?" she spat, her voice sharp with anger. "Get out of my way, or you’re dead."