Chapter 6

It has been a week since I ventured into the woods, and now it is time to rest. While I could push myself to stay awake, it is not advisable to have a fatigued mind, especially considering the possibility of encountering the same dangers that even the bravest wizards could not overcome in this dark place.

 I arrived at an unknown cemetery where many groups of mercenaries perished without recognition. I placed the coffin against some trees and tied it to the crudely made wooden crosses. I rested my head against the only tombstone, which had a very blurred inscription. I ate some meat and bread that I brought from the island. I do not need to hunt yet, although I would prefer to try some meat. However, I do not dare to hunt a potentially toxic beast from the surroundings. I am getting ready to sleep and hoping that I will find another point to rest soon. I long for the blue skies of the island but succumb to fatigue.

 I am aware that I am dreaming as soon as I see the shiny black hair pressing against my face. This is one of my most recurring dreams. The entity inside the coffin aims to weaken my willpower. Every time I have a pleasant dream, it is a prelude to something dreadful. This allows the entity to take control of me and the magical field that empowers it to break free. I have had this dream on several occasions and once in real life, which was when I met her outside the temple of the dwarf king. She was a skilled earth summoner, and her dragons far surpassed my simple golems. Thanks to my field, she was able to use all of her magic without losing any power.

During the battle, she summoned an impressive dragon that was covered in scales and fury. Instead of breathing flames, it attacked me with boiling magma. I attempted to defend myself by lifting blocks of stone, but they proved to be useless. The only runes inscribed on them were 'rise' and a mixed one that only I know how to make, 'harden.' In the midst of the fight, the dragon moved through the battlefield as if we were not even there, as if the whole world was merely a backdrop for its movements. This was the first time I had ever felt such desperation to save myself, and it drove me to create pillars to protect myself. similar to golems but with structures that resisted the lava, thus deflecting the attack against the princess of elfs, it was certainly impressive, but now I could do nothing, not a single one of the words of power came out, there is no strength in my arms, the lava rushes over it, I can't stop it, once it splashes I see a figure diminishing in front of my eyes while stark lips tell me "only this is your ability? My scream may have echoed for miles. A cold sweat trickles down my neck. My eyes still cannot see anything. It is terrible to dream of everything beautiful I have lived turning into a trap that I must destroy.

Finally, I am able to regain my composure. It appears that my magic field expanded while I was sleeping, and now a group of silhouettes surrounds me. These are souls in pain, and I imagine that's where I got the feelings of despair that I used to attack myself. I signal for them to disperse, and as I try to exert my power, I notice that a thread keeps them tied to their graves. Despite my fatigue, I ask why they do not leave. A silhouette stronger than the rest tells me that they belonged to a caravan of merchants. They had a few warriors, but in general, they were simple men and women, accompanied by a priest. It is common to see such people accompany caravans that travel through these places, as their sacred and healing powers make them a vital agent. The woman's voice is joined by a chorus that continues to lament.

Listen to our story, traveler.

Join us for a moment in our grief.

We were travelers, adventurers through the known realms.

We were skilled traders and gifted mercenaries.

Our livelihood depended on procuring magic materials on the frontiers.

We were betrayed!

During an attack, the leader's wife, who was

expecting a child, came among the travelers.

The priest cast a spell of blindness because he found her beautiful.

Robbers killed us on these grounds.

They demanded the leader's wife as ransom and buried

us here.

Our spirits are bound to

each grave, and the woman was forced to miscarry.

She died from grief and is now resting here.

Please assist us!

I was impressed by the terrible story and began to search for the ties. The reverend appeared to be skilled, and there were incantations. All the ties were connected to the bodies and the tombstone where he rested a couple of hours ago.

 Upon inspection, I noticed that his 'soul' was weakening. This is strange because it should not lose strength so quickly. The bodies are decomposed, and they are just bones, even the closest grave to him. When checking the subsoil, it is evident that the priest's body is fleshless. It has not yet been completely destroyed by bacteria, but it continues to drain the life force of these people. He has tied them to his soul and uses them as a shield to continue without being corrupted by the land. I believe that he raped the woman. Perhaps after she died, he continued to desecrate her corpse, which may have caused the infection that killed him. He was afraid to go anywhere, so he prepared his tomb and cast an evil spell to ensure his comfort while the rest suffer and rot in these lands.

 Once again, fury gnaws at me. However, this time it is not just a desire for them to defend themselves. It is more of a vendetta, to hurt him. Only through his suffering will the rest of the men and women achieve peace. I cannot break the seal easily. Although I am not a priest, I still run the risk of damaging their spirits. Therefore, I reverse the enchantment, mark the bones in their graves, and infuse energy into the new seals. These seals provide enough power for the souls to return to their bodies, including the priest's, who leaves with a wail from his grave.

With some effort, I constructed a wooden fence around the tombs and instructed the spirits to attack anyone who approaches. I made it clear that any harm inflicted on the attacker would also be inflicted on the priest. I reassured the spirits that they need not fear death as they cannot be destroyed. Whenever your bodies are attacked, they will be restored using the life force of the corrupt man. Once he is destroyed, you will all be free to follow your own paths. The existence of the priest will be denied, and nothing of him will remain in this world.

 They attempt to express gratitude for my presence, often offering small objects hidden among the bushes as payment. I politely decline, explaining the importance of these items to them. The old man observes me from one of his sockets, unable to attack me due to my strength, but also unable to harm the surrounding skeletons.

 I continue my descent to level 5, with much left to see. Although much of it may not be pleasant, I have ensured that everything is in order. The priest will face the consequences of his actions, suffering the consequences of any harm he has caused. This is a fair punishment.