Penitence and Light in the Deep Forest

In such a forest, mere survival was a formidable challenge. When Anto and Knight Ilivy finally returned, the Captain and the others were already being led away by a contingent of monks from the Black Brotherhood. Upon reaching the borderlands, the Old Priest spoke.

“Take your people and leave this place. For the next few days, it would be best to avoid the border villages entirely; no living soul will remain there. This offensive by the Legion of the Undead is far more severe than any before it. Everyone here must be prepared to fight today and die tomorrow without warning. Mere courage is utterly insufficient here. Resolve, virtue, and spiritual guidance will lead us to our ultimate destiny.”

“Those monsters, you understand them far better than we do,” the Captain stated at that moment. “If you are willing, you could help us endure this extraordinary winter.”

“We cannot do that,” the Old Priest replied. “We are incapable of protecting anything, just as it was in the past. To this day, we atone for our former sins. It was so then, and it remains so now. This burden of guilt will forever cling to us, a chain we can never break free from. May you find safety in the watchtower, warriors who guard humanity.”

Upon hearing this, the Captain said no more. The Old Priest’s words had been abundantly clear. This was the core tenet of the Black Church: those who dwelled closest to the abyss never saw themselves as guardians of human civilization’s borders. They perceived themselves only as penitents, and everything they did was an act of atonement.

“The entity within the woods, we will take responsibility for hunting it,” a Black Brotherhood monk declared from the side. “As for you, you must return to the outpost before nightfall. Leave before the corpses fall into a frenzy.”

“How do you contend with such presences?”

“We do not need to contend; we merely need to face them,” the Old Priest said, concluding his words. The Captain then led his warriors away from the forest. After confirming their departure, someone looked back.

The Old Priest gazed intently at the old cross he had received from the Captain, lost in thought.

“Father, if I’m not mistaken, isn’t that Father Corvin’s cross?” a younger Black Brotherhood monk inquired. “If that’s the case…”

“No wonder it was drawn to the Holy Light,” the Old Priest mused. “Corvin was one of the few individuals I’ve ever met whose faith was so steadfast it moved one to tears. His belief allowed his heart to yearn for that light, even as his body plunged into the abyss. That is why he followed that nun to this place… my comrade…”

The Old Priest traced a cross upon his face before continuing, “Since that is so, we must ensure he finds peace, that his body and soul are released. He upheld his oath, and now, it is our duty to liberate him. We must protect his honor, purify his vessel, and allow him to depart with glory. To achieve this, we must find him quickly. Let us go.”

“Can our small squad truly handle a fallen Holy Light wielder?” someone questioned. “Do we not also require… assistance?”

“Do not let Alaiya come to a place like this,” the Old Priest stated firmly. “I do not wish for her to join us this time. Let her continue to watch over our camp. Do not let her come.”

“Why?”

“Because Father Corvin was Alaiya’s guide,” another voice from the side explained. “For her, this would be too cruel.”

Silence fell upon the team. They had long ago sworn oaths, forsaking countless things: their emotional responses to external opinions, their attachment to the civilized world. Yet, this did not mean they could truly be utterly heartless. They remained a group of humans with feelings, but they saw themselves as exiles. No one had banished them; they had willingly cast themselves into this desolate wilderness. For them, it was a form of asceticism, an act of penance.

“Do not stand idly here any longer; I have given my instructions,” the Old Priest commanded. “Let us go. Oppose the abyss, guard the other shore.”

“Oppose the abyss, guard the other shore,” the Black Brotherhood monks chanted their oath. One by one, they advanced with the Old Priest. The forest grew increasingly perilous as night descended, yet they pressed onward, unhesitatingly, step by step, deeper into the terrifying and profound depths, towards the abyss.

****

The sounds from below grew increasingly terrifying. All manner of noises, amplified by the onset of night, became even more dreadful. The creatures of the night slowly began to reveal themselves. Lu Wei huddled on her small, makeshift platform in the tree, trying desperately to forget everything unfolding before her.

However, the reality was undeniable; she could not ignore her surroundings. The constant, roaring sounds made her nerves fray, her lips and teeth chattering uncontrollably. Amidst this struggle, the encroaching darkness steadily devoured her last vestiges of sanity.

‘Hoo… hoo…’ Lu Wei understood her predicament. The longer one remained in a forest saturated with dark aura and miasma, the more one’s spirit would be affected by this darkness. This was the first stage of erosion. Those unable to maintain their reason would descend into madness, falling into the embrace of the dark abyss, becoming its captives. Once their minds were completely twisted, their bodies would follow.

Their forms would continuously contort, transforming them into the very monsters she had witnessed. At that point, there would be virtually no chance of returning to their normal state; it would truly be over. Therefore, the first thing Lu Wei had to do was prevent the miasma from influencing her thoughts. She had to fill her mind with anything but negative thoughts.

‘Pull yourself together, pull yourself together. You’re not such a pessimist. Survive this night, and someone will surely come to save me. I can save myself too. Now, I mustn’t give up hope. I am not completely without resources… I still have light.’ As she spoke, she extended her hand. A faint glow emanated from her palm, becoming the sole heartwarming light in this long and terrifying night. She did not possess much Holy Light to wield, but she needed this meager glow to maintain her sanity.

‘Xi’er An… you’re praying for me, aren’t you?’ Lu Wei whispered, looking at the starlight in the sky. ‘Is that light among the myriad stars your prayer for me? It’s a bit too sentimental for me to say something like that, isn’t it?’ The young woman spoke softly amidst the perilous, almost desperate situation.

‘But… if this really is the only outcome… would you cry for me? Don’t cry too loudly, you silly girl.’