My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

The sight of the horror they were expecting was not there. All that stood before them was a harmless-looking, beautiful woman.

Her presence seemed so at odds with the terror they had just escaped, her features soft, and her expression gentle, almost serene.

She looked at them with a warm smile, her voice flowing like honey, "What brings children into this horrible place...?"

Evangeline's hand gripped her sword tighter, the tip of her blade pointing directly at the woman, her stance firm.

The others quickly followed suit, weapons drawn in a protective stance. Leona and Sylvia stood especially close to Damon, ensuring he was shielded from any potential threat.

"What... who are you?" Evangeline demanded, her voice steady but sharp, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

The woman blinked, clearly puzzled by Evangeline's reaction. She raised a delicate finger to her lips in a gesture of surprise, as if taken aback by the tension in the air.

"Oh my word, where are my manners?" she mused softly, her tone almost playful. "I haven't seen people in such a long time…"

Her demeanor shifted then, straightening like an old noble. With slow, graceful movements, she placed a hand over her chest and made a small, elegant bow.

"My name is Bel. It's nice to meet you," she said, her voice calm and warm, as though welcoming them into her home.

Evangeline narrowed her gaze, glancing at Sylvia. The elf girl nodded, whispering as she looked at the book that was invisible to all but her.

"She's telling the truth..." Sylvia's voice was faint, her words carrying the weight of a revelation.

Evangeline nodded, her eyes still fixed on the woman. She could see the faint dullness in Sylvia's eyes, a sure sign that the elf was paying the price for the information she had extracted from the book.

Despite the price, Sylvia was still standing, and that was enough for now.

Still keeping her sword pointed at the woman, Evangeline hesitated. She wasn't sure what to make of this sudden turn of events, and just as she was about to speak, the woman's gaze fell on Damon, still unconscious on the ground.

"He's hurt... let me help him..." The woman's tone was soft, almost motherly.

Without waiting for any kind of approval, the woman discarded her broom and moved toward Damon, walking past Evangeline's sword as if she wasn't even concerned with the weapon's threat.

It caught them all off guard—no one expected her to be so fearless.

Evangeline reacted instinctively, trying to stop her.

"Wait!"

But it was too late. The woman placed her hands on Damon's forehead, a gentle touch that seemed to emit some sort of calming energy.

Leona, who had been standing vigilant, her hand still gripping her gaunt axe, exploded with anger. She shoved the woman away, brandishing her sword.

"Get away from my friend!"

Electric sparks danced in Leona's eyes as her body tensed, ready for a fight. The woman—who had introduced herself as Bel—sat back in surprise, her hands raised in surrender as the group surrounded her, weapons drawn.

"There's no need to be cautious," Bel said, her voice still calm. "I mean you no harm."

She glanced at the vials of potions scattered around the room. "I'm an expert in dealing with herbs... I can cure him."

The group, still on edge, exchanged wary glances, but Bel's gentle smile didn't waver. She then looked at each of them, noting their haggard and frightened expressions.

"You children seem lost and afraid... don't worry, you're safe here. The forest has no power here."

Their eyes lingered on her, the words hanging in the air, but the tension didn't fully dissipate. Matia bit her lip, unsure of what to do. Damon was still unconscious, and with his condition, they were at a loss without his guidance.

Xander's voice was cold, filled with suspicion.

"How can we trust someone we met in the heart of the Whispering Forest...?"

Bel nodded slowly, acknowledging the concern.

"That would be most unwise. However…" She tilted her head slightly, her gaze unwavering.

"If you slay me, children, would that not make you worse than the monsters? I'm just a woman who lives in the woods. You came to my house… I just want to help."

Evangeline's teeth clenched as she fought with her moral compass. She understood what Bel meant—it was true that they were the intruders. Still, she wasn't sure if she could trust someone they knew nothing about. Her hand tightened on her sword as her mind raced.

'What would Damon do if it were him?' she thought, her eyes drifting toward Damon.

His shadow writhed with unseen agony, his body convulsing with an internal torment she couldn't understand. They couldn't just leave him like this, not with the horrors lurking outside, nor could they risk traveling with him in such a state.

She looked at the others—Sylvia, who was still trying to hold herself together despite the price she was paying for the information from the book; Leona, whose eyes flashed with uncertainty; and Xander, who still seemed hesitant to put down his weapon.

Sylvia was suffering too. Her sight was deteriorating, and though she hadn't said a word, it was clear the effects were starting to take their toll.

While Her flesh was rotting from the inside out, and the pain was evident in every labored breath she took.

With a deep breath, Evangeline slowly lowered her sword.

"One suspicious movement, and we'll… we'll kill you," she warned, her voice steady, though her gaze remained wary.

Bel smiled, unfazed by the threat.

"As long as you let me help him, you can do whatever you want," she replied, her tone calm.

"I can't abide seeing a child suffer…" She smiled softly, her eyes warm. "It's against my nature."

Leona's eyes glimmered with caution, but she turned her attention back to Damon. She glanced over at Xander, who still held his spear close, ready for a fight if necessary.

"You look like a big, strong boy. Help move your friend while I make some medicine," Bel suggested, her smile never faltering.

She then glanced at Evangeline and Sylvia. "Why don't you two help me make the potions? But I need to know what attacked him, or rather what contaminated his mind…"

Sylvia, her vision fading and blurred, nodded despite her discomfort.

"We got attacked by a giant entity… we didn't see it, only its feet and some tentacles… but it was terrifying…"

Bel raised her hand, stopping Sylvia from speaking further.

"That's enough. Don't say anymore," she instructed, her tone gentle but firm. "I know what you mean."

Her expression softened, filled with a kind of understanding that only a mother could express.

"You children are lucky... you survived. Not many could make that claim."

She ushered them to her work table, moving with surprising speed for someone so composed, quickly mixing herbs and potions as best as she could.

Sylvia, though her vision was failing, could still tell that none of the concoctions were harmful. Everything seemed medicinal—nothing out of place.

The woman worked swiftly, crafting a potion and then moving toward Damon, who lay still on the couch near the hearth. Bel held the potion in her hands, ready to administer it.

Leona raised her sword again, her eyes narrowing. "Don't come any closer," she warned, still skeptical.

Bel smiled warmly, unfazed.

"You're quite a cautious young lady, aren't you?" she remarked, almost as if she appreciated Leona's care. "I suppose that's good."

With a sigh, she raised the potion to Leona.

"Here, feed it to him. He should get better."

Leona, hesitant but desperate to help Damon, took the potion from Bel. She turned to Damon, carefully prying his mouth open and slowly pouring the contents inside.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, Damon's body let out a relieved gasp as his shadow, which had been writhing in torment, slowly stopped. His body relaxed, returning to normal.

The group watched in silence, their expressions slowly shifting from tension to deep relief. The weight that had been pressing down on them lifted, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they were allowed to breathe.

Leona eased, looking down at Damon with a small, relieved smile.

The woman, Bel, smiled gently, her eyes soft with relief. She glanced at the group, her gaze lingering on Sylvia and Evangeline.

"I have some healing potions. You two need healing the most."

Her eyes softened as she took in the exhausted group.

"You all do. How about a warm bath, a change of clothes, and then we can have dinner?"

Her smile was genuine, full of care.

"I'd like to know how children as young as you ended up in the Whispering Forest…"

They looked at her with lingering unease, unsure whether to trust her completely. But when she spoke again, her voice offered something they hadn't dared hope for in this forest of horrors.

"Maybe I can guide you back home."

Those words, simple and full of promise, gave them something they hadn't dared to feel in a long time—hope.