Chapter 10: Elf?! Where?!

James's heart raced as he moved through the dense forest, the Heart of Eldarath tucked safely in his spatial inventory. The forest seemed alive, its rustling leaves and distant calls of creatures giving it an air of both wonder and danger. Each step he took felt louder than it should, as though the forest itself was amplifying his presence. The weight of his recent victory against the Guardian of Eldarath was still fresh, but so too was the awareness that this world had no shortage of dangers.

The light filtering through the treetops shifted, casting long, twisting shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. James's grip on his scythe tightened instinctively. "Stay sharp," he muttered under his breath, scanning his surroundings. His [Pathfinding] skill illuminated a faint trail ahead, but it did little to soothe the unease that prickled at the back of his neck. Something wasn't right.

The ambient noise of the forest began to fade, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake. James froze, his breath catching in his throat. A low growl reverberated through the air, sending a shiver down his spine. It was guttural, primal, and far too close for comfort. Slowly, he turned, his dark eyes darting between the shadows.

The underbrush exploded as a massive chimera lunged at him, its lion head roaring, goat head snarling, and serpent tail hissing with venomous intent. James barely had time to react, diving to the side as the beast's claws raked the ground where he'd stood. The sheer force of its landing sent tremors through the earth, scattering dirt and leaves into the air.

"You've got to be kidding me," James growled, scrambling to his feet. His scythe materialized in his hands, it's dark energy humming with readiness. The chimera's glowing eyes locked onto him, its head and tail moving in a discordant rhythm that threw James off as it prepared to strike again. James activated [Shadow Tentacles], and 2 inky tendrils erupted from him, wrapping around the beast's limbs. The chimera roared in defiance, its lion head snapping at the shadows while its goat head gnashed its teeth, tearing through the restraints with brute strength.

[-2 Mana] [-2 Mana] [-2 Mana] [-2 Mana]...

The serpent tail lashed out with blinding speed, its venomous barbs slashing James's arm. A searing pain shot through him, and a notification flashed in his vision:

[-20 HP]

[Health: 40/120]

[You have been poisoned: -5 HP every 10 seconds.]

"Damn it," James hissed through gritted teeth. The poison burned as it coursed through his veins, leaving him lightheaded. He staggered back, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his fingers. The chimera wasted no time, its lion head roaring as it charged. James swung his scythe in a desperate arc, the blade slicing into the beast's shoulder. The chimera howled in pain, but the wound only seemed to enrage it further.

James activated [Grasp of the Fallen], summoning his spectral wolf. The ghostly creature lunged at the chimera, biting and clawing at its flanks. For a moment, it seemed to distract the beast, giving James a chance to catch his breath. But the chimera's goat head turned, its twisted horns ramming into the wolf with devastating force. The spectral form dissipated into shadow, leaving James alone once more.

[-3 Mana]

The poison's effects were growing worse. His movements became sluggish, his vision blurring at the edges. He could feel his strength waning, each breath more labored than the last. The chimera advanced, its claws tearing into the ground as it prepared to strike. James swung his scythe again, but his arms felt like lead, and the attack lacked its usual force. The blade glanced off the beast's hide, leaving only a shallow cut.

The serpent tail struck again, this time coiling around James's leg and yanking him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him. The chimera's lion head roared triumphantly, its jaws opening wide to deliver the killing blow. James tried to move, to fight back, but his body refused to obey. Blood loss and poison had taken their toll.

Just as the chimera lunged, a blur of silver flashed through the air. The serpent tail recoiled with a pained hiss, its severed head hitting the ground with a wet thud. James blinked, barely comprehending what had happened. A figure emerged from the shadows, moving with grace and precision.

An elf of the elusive female species stood between him and the chimera, her long silver hair catching the faint light. Her emerald eyes glowed with fierce determination as she wielded a pair of curved blades, their edges shimmering with enchantments. She moved like a dancer, her strikes swift and calculated. The chimera roared in defiance, its remaining heads snapping at her, but she was too quick. Each movement was fluid, her blades finding their mark with deadly accuracy.

James struggled to stay conscious, his vision fading in and out. He could barely make out the elf's lithe form as she dodged the chimera's attacks, her blades slicing through its vital points. The beast's roars grew weaker, its movements more sluggish, until finally, it collapsed with a heavy thud. The forest seemed to exhale, the oppressive tension lifting as silence returned.

The elf turned toward James, her expression a mixture of concern and wariness. She knelt beside him, her hands glowing with a soft green light as she inspected his wounds. "You're poisoned," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "Hold on. This will sting."

James tried to speak, to thank her, or ask who she was, but the words caught in his throat. The poison's grip tightened, and his vision darkened. The last thing he saw was her face, framed by the faint glow of her magic before the world faded to black.