God's Tree-Chapter 118: The War in the Shadows

The weight of the sword at Argolaith's side felt heavier now.

Not because of the power it carried—

Not because of the history it bore—

But because of what it meant.

This blade wasn't just a weapon. It was a threat. A key to a war that had existed long before he was born.

And now?

He was at its center.

Veydris folded his arms, watching Argolaith closely. "I can see the questions in your eyes. You want to know what this really means."

Argolaith met his gaze. "Start talking."

Veydris nodded, exhaling slowly. "The Hollowed were never supposed to exist. They are the remnants of something far older than this world."

Kaelred let out a tired sigh. "Because of course they are."

Veydris ignored him. "They were created from twisted lifeblood—warped and corrupted beyond recognition. They don't just exist to destroy." He narrowed his eyes. "They exist to erase. To consume everything until there is nothing left."

Malakar's voice was smooth, unreadable. "And yet something has always stopped them."

Veydris nodded. "The First Warden and this blade. It was created to sever the corruption, to cut through the Hollowed's existence itself."

He paused. "But it wasn't enough."

Argolaith's grip tightened. "What happened?"

Veydris glanced at the sanctum walls, as if recalling something long buried.

"The First Warden fought them to a standstill, but the Hollowed were not their only enemy." His gaze darkened. "The things that created them—the forces that lurk beyond what we understand—they still remain."

Kaelred ran a hand through his hair. "So let me get this straight. We're not just dealing with the Hollowed. We're dealing with whatever created them."

Veydris nodded grimly. "Yes."

Argolaith's thoughts turned to the second tree calling him.

He had been so focused on Volcrest, on the caravan, on the blade, that he hadn't fully considered it—

But now he knew.

This wasn't a coincidence.

"Is there a connection between the Hollowed and the Five Trees?" he asked.

Malakar turned to him. "You already suspect there is."

Veydris hesitated. "I don't know much about the Five Trees. But I do know this—the Hollowed have always sought to destroy what binds this world together."

He gestured toward the blade. "And if this sword is connected to your journey, then it means one thing."

He met Argolaith's gaze.

"Your next tree is at the heart of this war."

Kaelred muttered a curse under his breath. "Great. Fantastic. Can we go back to just running and fighting war beasts? That was much simpler."

Argolaith smirked. "No turning back now."

Veydris studied him for a moment, then nodded. "You need to leave Volcrest soon."

Kaelred groaned. "We just got here!"

Veydris ignored him. "The city is a fortress, but it's also a trap. The longer you stay, the more eyes will fall on you—both the Hollowed's and others you don't want noticing."

Malakar nodded. "Then we prepare to leave."

Argolaith exhaled. His second tree was still far beyond this city.

And now, he knew—

He wouldn't just be traveling toward it.

He would be fighting for it.

Kaelred sighed. "So. Another long journey, another impossible battle, another reason to regret waking up this morning."

Argolaith smirked. "You wouldn't have it any other way."

Kaelred muttered something under his breath but didn't argue.

Veydris stepped forward. "If you're going to leave, take this."

He tossed Argolaith a small metal insignia—a simple emblem, marked with the crest of the Royal Guard.

Argolaith caught it easily. "What's this for?"

Veydris smirked. "Leverage. If you ever find yourself in a place where the Empire holds power, show it. It might just save your life."

Argolaith nodded.

Then, with the sword at his side and the next step clear in his mind—

They left the sanctum behind.

The streets of the upper district were eerily quiet as Argolaith, Kaelred, and Malakar made their way through the towering blackstone structures. The weight of their conversation with Veydris lingered in the air.

They now knew what they carried.

They now knew what awaited them.

And they now knew—they couldn't stay here.

Argolaith's instincts sharpened.

Something was watching them.

Not just one thing.

Not just one set of eyes.

As they moved deeper into the district, he felt the weight of hidden gazes, figures standing at the edges of the rooftops, shadows shifting in the corners of the narrow alleyways.

Kaelred sighed. "Yeah, so… we're definitely being watched, right?"

Malakar smirked. "It seems your instincts are improving."

Argolaith kept walking, not reacting. "Ignore them. If they wanted to attack, they already would have."

Kaelred muttered, "Yeah, that doesn't make me feel better."

Before leaving, they made a quick stop at a quiet market street tucked between two towering buildings. It was less of a merchant's square and more of an underground exchange, where those who didn't ask questions made their trade.

Argolaith stepped up to a stall lined with vials of dark liquid, scanning the collection.

The vendor—a thin man with a stitched leather mask—tilted his head. "What're you looking for?"

Argolaith met his gaze. "Stamina elixirs."

The vendor hummed. "Good taste. Traveling far?"

Argolaith didn't answer.

The vendor smirked. "Doesn't matter. I have what you need." He reached under the stall and pulled out three small vials, each filled with a thick blue liquid that glowed faintly in the low light.

"These will keep you moving long after your body says no," he said. "Not cheap, though."

Argolaith flipped a silver coin onto the stall. "We'll take them."

The vendor pocketed the coin and slid the vials forward.

Kaelred grabbed one, studying it. "This better not kill me."

The vendor chuckled. "Only if you drink too much."

Kaelred sighed. "Again, not helping."

They made their way back down the winding paths of Volcrest's lower district, stepping carefully through the narrow streets.

The air here was different.

More alive.

More dangerous.

Figures in dark cloaks moved through the alleys, their faces hidden. Some glanced their way, curious but uninterested. Others lingered just long enough to make their presence known.

Kaelred leaned toward Argolaith. "So, do we actually have a plan? Or are we just walking until someone tries to kill us?"

Argolaith smirked. "Both."

Kaelred groaned. "Of course."

They reached the outskirts of the lower district, where the stone roads began to thin, leading toward the southern exit of Volcrest.

That's when the tension snapped.

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

Malakar turned his head slightly. "Incoming."

Argolaith felt it a second later.

Shifting movement—too fast, too deliberate.

The alley to their right exploded with motion as three figures lunged from the shadows.

The first assailant aimed for Argolaith—a dagger flashing toward his throat.

He ducked, twisting his blade upward in a smooth counter. The force of his strike sent the attacker flying, slamming them into the nearest wall.

Kaelred whirled, catching the second assailant's blade between his twin daggers before kicking them back.

The third figure—a towering brute clad in leather armor—charged straight at Malakar.

Malakar did not move.

Instead, the air around him darkened, and in a single fluid motion, he sidestepped and slashed his hand through the man's chest.

No blade.

Just pure necrotic force.

The brute collapsed, his body drained of all warmth.

Kaelred stared. "…That's still terrifying."

Malakar smirked. "As it should be."

The last attacker—the one Argolaith had struck—groaned from where they had landed against the wall.

Argolaith grabbed them by the collar, yanking them upright. "Who sent you?"

The figure—a woman, her face marked with a scar running down her cheek—spat blood. "You already know."

Argolaith narrowed his eyes. "Say it."

She grinned, despite the pain. "You're carrying something they want."

Kaelred folded his arms. "We have a lot of things people want. You're gonna have to be more specific."

The woman's grin widened.

Then—

Her body convulsed.

Her eyes darkened.

And something inside her cracked.

A whisper of Hollowed energy pulsed from her core—just for an instant—before her body collapsed inward.

Lifeless.

Kaelred took a step back. "Yeah, no. That's bad. That's really bad."

Malakar frowned. "A failsafe."

Argolaith released her body, letting it slump to the ground.

The Hollowed weren't just watching.

They were already inside the city.

And they weren't just hunting the sword.

They were hunting him.

Argolaith exhaled sharply.

Enough waiting. Enough talking.

"We leave now."

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Kaelred sighed. "Finally."

Malakar nodded once.

Without another word, they stepped onto the southern road, leaving Volcrest behind.

And as they disappeared into the wilderness, Argolaith felt it again.

The call of the second tree.

Far beyond the horizon.

Waiting.