Arachnoid Unleashed

16- Trial of the Forest II

As he got closer, he was greeted by the sight of a camp in a shady clearing adjacent to a river.

"Is this a camp, and is there anyone else here? I can't believe it; I thought I was the only one "Siphex said as he took a cautious step into the clearing toward the camp.

" Hello, anyone here?" said Siphex as he looked around and surveyed the camp. A tattered tent, the remains of a fire, and several leathers hung on a rope next to the tent were all there.

Right next to the tent was a tree with a ladder leading to a small shack on top that resembled a watchtower, with a weapon holster filled with wooden sticks and a steel apear, which Siphex assumed was what reflected the sunlight from afar.

The camp was empty but had recently been used. As he searched around for the presence, he noticed it was a little further ahead.

As he approached the presence, Siphex noticed several blood traces that led directly to the river. He started following it until he came to a halt

A naked red skinned muscular male sitting by the river washing his wounds, he had square bald head with several piercing on his eyebrows, he was washing the big wound at his chest while chanting something in a strange language.

As Siphex approached, he looked at him, his face expressionless and pained.

"Dok mah ke lar...I didn't think I'd see anyone else.. are you another unfortunate challenger who's lost his way, Huh or purhaps I took too long they sent u here to kill me Demon." said the strange man as he looked at Siphex with an expressionless look.... Eyeing the unusual horned humanoid creature infront of him

What's the matter with him?' Siphex, on the other hand. "I'm a challenger, too," Siphex replied. "I arrived at his trial several hours ago, after meeting with the guardian, and you're the first living being I find in this empty forest."

" You said you met the guardian," the man said, standing up and facing Siphex, his face betraying his incredulity.

"Mel kar do vii, is it in your possession,  Are you in possession of the seal? "enquired the man, longingly and ecstatically.

Observing the bizarre strange man's behavior Siphex took a few steps back and asked the man a few questions.

"What's with the abrupt reaction? What do you know about the seal and who are you? "Siphex stated as he prepared for combat.

" Meh bal roh, I have no desire to battle you demon; please pardon my loose emotions; it's just that I've been without my seal for a long time and have been trapped in thie illusion of a forest."

" I'm not sure who I am anymore. But my name is Turok, and I'm an orc, or rather, was an orc. I was a traveller who was erroneously summoned here by magic.

Even so, I'm now renowned as a challenger. Like so many others, I'm trapped in this delusion. "Until we could break free," the man replied as he sat down and looked at Siphex calmly. "As for your seal, it's the only way to get out of the first illusion," he continued.

" As you can see. When I and another came here together, I had my own seal, but after we found a route out, the other betrayed me. My seal was stolen, and I was trapped in here for an unknown amount of time...

My wounds, demon, are due to the lack of the seal. Fighting the Sprign is the only way to break the first illusion without the seal. This deserted wilderness is ruled by a monster. Me la rok keh zol "As he got up and equipped his not-so-well-maintained armor by the river, Toruk said.

"So you've lost your seal and are still unable to kill the sprign... What happened to the rest of the group? Is there anyone else in this forest other than us?" Siphex enquired.

" Keh ro de, as far as I know, I'm the only one here... until you came," the man replied, his gaze fixed on the sel amulet around Sophex's neck.

" Toruk will show you how to use the seal and break the first illusion, but only if you promise to take me with you," Toruk said as he pointed his finger at Siphex. " If you do not accept, we will fight for the seal, I welcome death in battle rather than being stuck in this illusion, make your choice demon," Toruk said as he walked and picked up a battleaxe that was  stuck in a tree next to where his armor was.

'Why does he keep calling me a demon? 'Can't he just look at me and see what race I am?' Siphex reflected as he attempted to use inspect on Toruk.

< Inspect >

< Name: Toruk the skullcracker>

' why doesn't inspect work on him? But I thought it  worked on the guardian earlier?, Since only his name is displayed,

Based on my appearance, I believe he is referring to me as a demon. 'Because they probably couldn't inspect me as well'

"If you truly understand how this trial works, then show me what to do; I don't care if you follow or not." "As long as you don't get in my way," Siphex said, confident in his new body's ability to defend or flee.

"Ye lo zik, you made a wise decision, demon; now that you have the seal, let us return to camp. I need to collect my belongings. Then I'll demonstrate how to use the seal "Toruk said as he made his way toward the camp.

Siphex was about to follow Toruk as he left, but he stopped just before he did. He realized he had a need to do something.

Siphex took a step forward and stood next to the river, looking at his reflection in the water.

Looking back at him was a face he didn't recognize, as he had come to terms with the fact that he had become a monster, and as long as he gained power, he welcomed all the ugliness that came with it.

But seeing his reflection now, Despite being a monster, his facial features were all human-like, except his eyes were purple, and his human-like mouth had a lot of sharp pointy fangs plus the two horns above his eyebrows.

Siphex was surprised by his'monster' appearance, as his expressionless slowly formed a smirk. "Oh, I guess I definitely resemble a demon... a handsome one "Before following Toruk back to the camp, he said

...

..

.

A while later. While Siphex waited for Toruk to gather his belongings, he was laying down bored carving a piece of wood with his claws and wondered, "Don't you get hungry? "What do you eat?"

" Re ki, where we are now is not the real forest. The real forest is teeming with ferocious beasts, animals, and dangers. It's where we'll go after we use the seal to get out of here. The look on your face, demon, me yav eri. Do you think you'd like to eat me? Toruk laughed strangely, "I know your kind can't survive on mushrooms and fruits like I did... hehe." As he stood up and finished, .He had a steel speer in his hand and a large leather sack on his back, as well as the battleaxe.

"Ki nas el, stay near to me demon, you don't want to get lost." Toruk said as they started strolling through the woodland.

Siphex took notice of this and questioned, "So, do you know exactly where you're going?"

" You don't have to waste time solving the first puzzle because I'll show you exactly where you can use the seal; I've already solved all the pieces many times." Toruk said as he turned around to face Siphex and added "But beware if the person utilizing the seal has a poor level of willpower. We'll be discovered by the Sprign, and we'll have to fight it.  If you do not have the required willpower you will not be able to see or fight the Sprign... Also the seal won't be able to help us in that circumstance "Toruk explained as he proceeded, motioning Siphex to follow.