THE HEART BENEATH THE BEAST

The forest was rocked by the beast's loud roars as its enormous body crashed through thick bushes, its ravenous claws shining.Elriya is in fear,her heart pounding, as he ran through the trees, dodging low branches and twisted roots.Her mother had been transformed by some malevolent force, and Kelvin had just moments before rescued her from the beast's jaws, his sword flashing as he deflected its vicious blows. Even though they were in danger, he placed her down gently in a small clearing that was illuminated by broken moonlight.

"Elriya, stay back," Kelvin said, his voice steady but firm, his gray eyes watching the shadows where the beast moved. Blood dripped from a small cut on his cheek, showing how close danger had come.

Elriya's mind was divided between admiration for Kelvin's courage and fear for her mother, and her green eyes began to well up with tears. "I can't just stand here, my lord! I can help!" Her fists were clenched, demonstrating her bravery, but her voice faltered.

Kelvin's eyes softened for a second, but his voice stayed strong. "Elriya, listen to me. That thing....it's not just your mother anymore. It's a monster using her body. I'll do everything to save her, but you need to stay safe. Please."

"But she's my mom!" Elriya's voice broke, full of pain. "I can't lose her again!"

Kelvin knelt, his rough hand on her shoulder, his eyes meeting hers. "I know, Elriya. I swear I'll fight for her. But if you go out there, you'll give that thing another target. Trust me, just this once. Stay here."

Before she could argue, a terrifying roar cut through the air. The beast burst from the shadows.

System Warning: Dangerous Object Found. Level of Threat: Serious. Raising his sword to deflect a stone-breaking claw, Kelvin shoved Elriya behind him. With a deep cut on his arm and blood soaking the floor, the blow sent him staggering.

"Kelvin!" Elriya screamed, her heart racing. Her fear turned to action, and she stepped between her wounded master and the beast. "Mom, please! You're still in there...stop this!"

System: Notice- Beast core unstable. Analysis: Core is two mana hearts fused into a dangerous orb. Destroying the core will free the host from the beast's control.

With his vision blurry but his will strong, Kelvin gritted his teeth and held his bleeding arm. Elriya raised her hands and spoke loudly in a desperate spell, trembling but determined."O keepers of life, spirits of wood and wind, grant me the courage to defend those I love!" Ancient magic filled the air as the forest responded to her call. "The binding of roots!"

Huge, robust roots that grew thickly and wrapped themselves around the beast's legs like chains caused the ground to tremble. The roots held firm as it roared and struggled, its luminous eyes brimming with rage.

"Now, Kelvin!" Over the crazed screams of the beast, Elriya's voice could be heard clearly.

Ignoring his pain, Kelvin hurried forward, his dagger gleaming in his good hand. He pierced the glowing core of the beast in its chest with a single, flawless blow. The core shattered, and the creature screamed, its body trembling. The beast's hideous form started to wane as a flash of intense light split its skin into cracks.

From the fading light came a weak voice. "Elriya… my darling, I'm so sorry."

"Mom!" Elriya cried, running to her as the light formed a frail elven woman, her silver hair messy, her green eyes like Elriya's. Mariya fell to her knees, free but weak, her body shaking from the ordeal.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Elriya knelt next to her and gave her mother a hug. "You've returned. You have truly returned.

Mariya's pale lips formed a faint smile, her hand touching Elriya's face. "My beautiful girl… you've grown so strong," she whispered, her voice weak. "I thought I'd lost you forever."

Kelvin watched, his heart full of relief, but a bad feeling grew. A strange pulse came from Mariya's chest, her body trembling as if something still held her. Elriya's eyes widened, panic rising. "Mom, what's wrong? You're shaking!"

Mariya's smile faded, but she held Elriya's hand. "It's nothing, my love. Just… tired. Don't worry."

System Notice: Strange mana detected in host Mariya. Likely a leftover beast core piece, acting as a curse. Analyze cause? Yes/No.

"Yes," Kelvin said, his voice quiet but urgent, hope and fear mixing inside him.

System: Examining each Mariya The analysis is finished. Her mana flow is being disrupted by a leftover beast core piece. Her life will be drained in hours if it is not fixed.

Kelvin's voice broke and his face turned pale. "No, we haven't come this far just to lose her now. Tell me there's a way to save her, System!

Mariya's breathing grew weak, her face looking hollow, as if the curse was eating her from inside. But she held Elriya's hand, her voice soft but firm. "Elriya, you've given me more than I ever deserved. I was weak… I couldn't protect you, couldn't give you the life you should've had. But seeing you now, so brave… I can go in peace."

"No!" Elriya's voice was fierce, as rain started to fall, first soft, then heavy, like the sky was crying. "You're not leaving me! Kelvin, please—there has to be something we can do! I'll do anything, my lord. Anything!"

Mariya's eyes closed slowly, her smile calm despite the pain. She was ready to let go, but Kelvin's eyes burned with determination. "System," he said, his voice steady despite the storm, "tell me how to save her. Now."

System Notice: In order to break the curse without harming the host, it is possible to remove the remaining core piece, but doing so requires careful mana control. Method: To isolate and eliminate the piece, direct pure mana into the host's core.

Kelvin's face was set with resolve, and his eyes were focused. That's what we'll do then. Elriya, hold her steady. We won't lose her today.

The forest was alive with their resolve as the rain came down more forcefully. As Kelvin prepared his blade once more not to kill, but to save Elriya held her mother close, her tears blending with the rain. The battle was far from over.

....THANKS FOR READING.......