Chapter 4: A Glimpse of Power
Alex lingered in the shrine for hours, savoring the slow replenishment of his mana. The restorative aura was a lifeline, and every point of energy restored felt like a step closer to safety. While his physical hunger remained an issue, his mind felt sharper, clearer, and more focused. He studied the shrine's layout, examining its worn carvings and weathered stones, searching for any clues about its origin.
The statue's outstretched hands intrigued him. They seemed to hold nothing, but Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was meant to rest there. A small indentation in the stone suggested an artifact or object might have once been placed in its grasp. Whatever it was, it was long gone.
Turning his attention to the rest of the ruins, Alex began experimenting with his skills. He focused on his mana, willing the energy to respond as he called upon Summon Lesser Undead. There were no corpses nearby, so the skill failed, but he used the opportunity to gauge the flow of energy within him. Each attempt left him a little wiser about the mechanics of his powers.
His newfound focus was interrupted by a distant sound—a sharp, echoing cry that reverberated through the trees. He froze, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. The cry was high-pitched and guttural, a mixture of pain and fury. It wasn't far.
"Great," Alex muttered, gripping the rusty dagger at his side. He knew staying at the shrine forever wasn't an option, but he had hoped for more time to prepare.
A faint rustling came from the edge of the clearing, followed by heavy, uneven footsteps. Alex dropped into a crouch, heart pounding as his eyes darted to the trees. A figure emerged from the shadows, its shuffling gait unsteady but purposeful.
It was humanoid—or had been, once. The creature's flesh was pallid and stretched tight over its bones, with jagged patches of decay exposing sinew and bone. Its empty eye sockets glowed faintly with a pale blue light, and its crooked fingers twitched as if eager to grasp something.
A zombie.
Alex's breath caught. The creature was slow, but its presence made his skin crawl. His instinct was to run, but something stopped him. Instead of fear, an idea flickered in his mind—a chance to test his powers in a controlled environment.
He stepped back cautiously, putting a few more feet between himself and the undead creature. With a deep breath, he activated Inspect.
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Rotting Thrall
Type: Undead
Weakness: Fire, Blunt Force
Threat Level: Low
Description: A mindless servant animated by dark magic. Slow but relentless. Can be controlled by necromancers of higher skill.
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Control. That single word stuck in Alex's mind. He couldn't summon his own undead minion right now, but maybe he didn't need to. He focused on the thrall, reaching out with his will. His mind brushed against something cold and alien—like a locked door.
"Control undead..." he muttered, half-praying the idea would work.
As if responding to his intent, a new screen appeared.
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Command Lesser Undead (Passive Skill Available for Unlock)
Cost: 5 Mana
Allows you to take control of lesser undead creatures within a 10-foot radius. Effectiveness varies based on creature strength and skill level.
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"Yes!" Alex whispered, excitement bubbling in his chest. He didn't hesitate, mentally confirming the skill's unlock. A familiar cold rush of mana coursed through him as the ability took root. He reached out again, this time with purpose.
The thrall stopped mid-step. Its glowing eyes dimmed for a moment before flaring brighter, the eerie light now tinged with green. Alex felt a tenuous connection form between them, like an invisible thread tying the creature to his will. He shuddered, his skin crawling at the sensation, but he held firm.
"Move," he commanded aloud, testing the bond.
The thrall shambled forward, its gait awkward but obedient. Alex's lips curled into a faint smile. The creature wasn't strong or fast, but it was a tool—a weapon he could wield in this strange, hostile world. And it had cost him only 5 mana to take control.
He checked his mana bar.
Mana: 77/100.
Still manageable.
"All right," Alex said, the confidence in his voice growing. "Let's see what you can do."
The forest rustled again, this time from the opposite side of the clearing. Alex tensed, turning toward the sound as another creature emerged—a wolf-like beast similar to the one he'd encountered the night before. Its matted fur and glowing green eyes marked it as undead, but this one was larger, with more muscle and sharper, jagged teeth.
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Rotwolf Alpha
Type: Undead Beast
Weakness: Fire, Piercing Weapons
Threat Level: Medium
Description: A powerful variant of the common Rotwolf. Enhanced speed and strength make it a formidable predator.
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Alex's stomach sank. The Alpha was faster and stronger than its lesser kin. Fighting it head-on would be suicide, but running might only provoke it. He glanced at the thrall, a plan forming in his mind.
"Attack," he ordered, pointing at the Rotwolf Alpha.
The thrall lurched forward, its stiff limbs carrying it toward the beast. The Rotwolf snarled, baring its teeth as it crouched low, ready to pounce. The two collided in a blur of motion, the thrall grappling with the wolf as they tumbled across the clearing.
The Alpha was faster, sinking its fangs into the thrall's shoulder and tearing a chunk of decayed flesh free. But the thrall didn't falter, its cold, unfeeling hands clamping onto the wolf's neck and squeezing with relentless strength. Alex watched, heart racing, as the two undead creatures tore into each other.
The battle was brutal but short. The Rotwolf Alpha broke free, its movements slower now as ichor dripped from a gash on its flank. The thrall, missing an arm and barely holding together, stumbled forward for one final lunge. It clawed at the wolf's eyes, raking deep gouges before collapsing in a heap of lifeless flesh.
The Alpha howled, staggering backward. Alex saw his opening. He raised the rusty dagger, gripping it tightly, and sprinted forward. The wolf turned, too late to react, as Alex drove the blade into its neck with all his strength.
The wolf let out a choked snarl, thrashing wildly as Alex clung to the hilt. With a final shudder, the creature collapsed, its glowing eyes dimming to nothing.
Panting and trembling, Alex pulled the dagger free, ichor staining his hands. The silence that followed was deafening.
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Experience Gained: 15 XP
[Command Lesser Undead] Skill Proficiency Increased.
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Alex dropped to his knees, adrenaline fading and exhaustion taking its place. He stared at the fallen wolf and the remains of the thrall, his mind racing.
He had survived. Again. But this was just the beginning.
Looking down at his bloodied hands, Alex knew one thing for certain: he couldn't afford to hesitate anymore. The forest was unforgiving, and if he wanted to make it out alive, he would need to embrace his powers fully—no matter how dark they seemed.
For the first time, he felt something new: not just fear, but control.