Unable to find the plant he was looking for, the man extended his search to the mountainside. Night was falling, and the cold bit into his skin. In the silence, he heard faint steps coming from ahead.
When he raised his head, he could faintly see someone standing not far from him. The figure wore a black robe, its face hidden in dark shadows. No movement, no sound-Silence.
The peg nation tried to get closer, but before he could see the figure clearly, the black robe raised its hand, its forefinger pointing straight at him.
Suddenly, a streak of light shot out from the figure's fingertips, striking him with tremendous force. His body was slammed into the sheer cliff, instantly pain radiated throughout his body. The vision around him faded, and he fell unconscious.
When he awoke, he found himself in a dark, wet and humid place. The air felt heavy. He tried to stand up, but his body refused. His whole body ached, as if it was burning from within.
Then, the voices came. Voices she had never heard before - ringing in her ears, like incantations chanted in a language she didn't understand. He looked around with blurred vision, and he vaguely saw shadows coiling around him. Black-robed figures, each raising a hand, chanted increasingly louder incantations.
And suddenly, the pain struck. Unlike ordinary pain, this was something that tore at her from within. Her body arched, trying to fight back, but she couldn't even scream. That strange sensation appeared-like floating in the air, while the energy from his body drained away bit by bit.
When his consciousness almost completely vanished, he saw more clearly. The black-robed men surrounded him, their faces hidden. They concentrated their power on him, trying to subdue what was left. However, something inside him resisted.
With the pain intensifying, she summoned what was left of her courage. She fought back, pushing back the dark presence that tried to grab her. The black-robed figures responded with louder chants, their voices echoing like a thousand unified whispers. But the harder they tried, the stronger she fought back.
Until finally, one by one, the spells collapsed. A rumbling sound was heard, and the surrounding shadows began to break apart. The figures were pushed back, some falling unconscious, while others lay limp, gasping for air.
He woke up to find himself floating in the air. His body felt light. He looked around and saw the black-robed witches lying on the ground. Some tried to move, but were unable to.
However, at that moment he realized something. Everything he had experienced since his destruction by light was an image-a battle in his subconscious. He had never really woken up since he was blown off the cliff. Everything he saw, felt, and fought was a struggle to wake himself up from a deep stupor.
And now, he was fully awake. But with that realization, a question popped into his head...
To Be Continued...