Time seemed to thicken. In that fleeting moment, Yanaki could clearly see every detail on the approaching ethereal claws: the veins of wrathful energy, the chill of death, and the absolute void within them. She was cornered. Her mind went blank, accepting the inevitable outcome.
But Elara did not.
The silent guide, her newly-forged companion, used the last dregs of her energy. She didn't create another circle of light. Instead, she held her transparent hand out towards the ground directly beneath the Wraith.
Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!
From the arid ground, three ethereal vines, shimmering with the silver-green light of the moons, suddenly shot upwards. They were not physical vines, but manifestations of sorrow, of a desperate plea to hold on. They wrapped tightly around the Wraith's legs, pinning it in place.
The Wraith shrieked in fury, the power of its hatred causing the spiritual vines to begin to crack. They wouldn't hold for long.
But a single moment was more than enough.
Yanaki's hesitation vanished, replaced by a fierce survival instinct. She didn't retreat; she lunged forward, ducking under the restrained claws. Her hand snatched the hilt of the dagger stuck in the ground.
Without wasting a second, she spun around, taking two final, gliding steps to the wooden knight figurine.
CRACK!
Elara's vines shattered. The Wraith was free and launched itself at Yanaki with even greater speed than before.
But it was too late.
Yanaki put all her strength into it, plunging the dagger straight into the wooden toy. The blade pierced the rotten wood, and the toy shattered into splinters.
The final anchor was destroyed.
The charging Wraith froze in mid-air. Its hiss was no longer one of anger, but a long, regretful sigh. Its twisted body began to dissolve. But this time, it was not cold blue motes of light. Because its anchor was a toy, a symbol of hope and innocence, upon its release, the soul reclaimed a part of its true nature.
It dissolved into warm, green particles of light, as gentle as fireflies.
[You have "liberated" the [Shattered Wraith]. Received 50 EXP.]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 2!]
[All stats +2. Your HP and MP have been fully restored.]
Amidst the countless motes of light, a single, brighter, and warmer particle slowly floated over and gently landed on the back of Yanaki's hand, sinking into her skin.
[You have completed a profoundly meaningful act, liberating a soul bound by an object of life.]
[You have received a special reward: [Seed of Growth (Quest Item - E-Rank)].]
"Hah... hah..."
Adrenaline receded, leaving her body exhausted. Yanaki sank to one knee, panting heavily. Elara drifted beside her, her form even more translucent, clearly drained of energy. Yanaki looked at her companion, an infinite gratitude welling up inside her.
"Thank you, Elara."
Elara couldn't speak, but a current of warm emotion, of unwavering trust, was transmitted to Yanaki through their covenant. They had faced death together and won.
After regaining some strength, Yanaki sat up and examined her reward. She focused on the seed she had just received.
"[Appraisal]."
[Seed of Growth (Quest Item - E-Rank)]
Description: A seed containing the residual life energy and hope from a liberated soul. It has a weak link to the [Shard of Growth].
Effect: This seed can be nurtured to grow. It emits an energy that makes natural spirits (elementals, treants, etc.) feel more amicable towards its owner.
Yanaki's heart pounded. This wasn't just an item; it was a key, a compass for one of her three main objectives. Its secondary effect was also extremely valuable for a Covenant Summoner.
She looked at Elara and saw her companion looking deep into the ruined city. Elara's gaze was fixed on an area with many small, tightly packed buildings—an old residential district. It was where they used to live. It was where there might be fragments of memory about the little girl, Alia.
Yanaki understood. The next objective was clear.
She stood up, dusting off her clothes. Level 2. HP and MP full. A trustworthy companion. And a key to the path forward.
She looked at the seed glowing with a soft green light in her palm, then raised her head to look into the deep darkness of the city. The first trial was over, but the vast kingdom of Erathos had only just begun to reveal its secrets.