Amid the stillness of the darkening and biting forest, Fitran and Rinoa continued to navigate the uncertain paths of the Forest Labyrinth. A thin mist enveloped them, and the almost inaudible sigh of the wind added to the impression that they were walking in a world that was not entirely real. Each step grew heavier, as though the forest was attempting to hold them back, trapping them in an illusion.
Yet, they could not stop—behind the obstacles and difficulties, they had to keep moving, had to seek a way out.
Fitran stepped ahead, his weary body swaying, but his eyes remained filled with determination. Rinoa followed close behind, her heart full of doubt yet also strength, always ready to protect and assist Fitran—no matter what happened. They understood that this journey was more than mere survival. It was a struggle to find the right path, even in a world that continuously changed and deceived them.
Suddenly, their steps came to a halt. Something felt different—the atmosphere around them shifted abruptly. The air grew colder, and for a moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath. Then they saw it—among the tall, moss-covered trees, figures moved slowly. No sound was heard, only the gentle and silent movements that stirred unease in their hearts.
The figures were the Erdant Hollowmen—humanoid creatures entirely composed of rotting wood and moss, dark and damp, as if they had just emerged from a grave. Their skin was cracked and fragile, emanating a foul odor reminiscent of untouched, damp earth. Their unsettling allure was in the fact that these hollow figures appeared to be built from chunks of lumber that had been cut and nailed together, giving their bodies an unstable look, as if they could collapse at any moment. Yet, beneath this eerie appearance lay a terrifying aura of calm, as if they were forgotten guardians, imprisoned in the embrace of the endless forest.
Each Hollowman possesses a large dark void in their chest, symbolizing a lost soul. These voids emit a chilling aura, as if each breath from their depths could reach out to the living beings around them. They stand frozen, seemingly suspended in time, and in that silence, it feels as though time itself has stopped, heavy with uncertainty. There is no movement, no sound, except for the soft whisper of the wind caressing the fragile leaves and murmuring fears into the ears of Fitran and Rinoa. As their eyes adjust to the haunting presence among the trees, the Hollowmen suddenly begin to move. Their steps are slow yet deliberate, proceeding with an unnatural, stilted motion, akin to the mechanisms of a long-dormant statue. They encircle the two travelers with a terrifying silence, transforming this forest into a realm of darkness that they alone command.
The tale of the Erdant Hollowmen traces back to ancient times when humanity first ventured into this forest and disrupted the balance of nature. They are lost souls, trapped within wooden forms born of the forest's regret and wrath. Haunted by vengeance, they have returned as life-draining beings, seeking retribution against those who dare trespass into their domain without respect.
Rinoa felt a tingling sensation in her chest—worry rising within her. "Fitran... be careful," she whispered, her voice trembling. "They don't move just to intimidate. There's something more terrifying behind this." Every time they approached, Rinoa sensed a biting cold, as if the energy within her was evaporating, signaling the presence of their Life Leech Touch. These Hollowmen could extract the life force from any living creature they touched; each gesture of their hands felt like more than a mere touch—it was a harvesting of life and hope. With each slow movement, they marked their steps toward darkness, and Rinoa realized she needed to seek refuge from this ravenous power.
Fitran scanned the surroundings, his eyes carefully observing the advancing movements of the Hollowmen. "We need to move quickly," he responded, his voice slightly hoarse yet filled with courage. "Don't let them surround us."
But suddenly, one of them lunged with shocking speed, rushing towards Rinoa with outstretched hands—a deadly touch. Life Leech Touch.
Rinoa deftly dodged, releasing wind magic that swirled around her, attempting to hold back the creature. The intertwining gusts of wind enveloped her body, yet the Hollowman continued to advance, seemingly unfazed by her resistance. Its rough, wooden hand was nearly touching her skin. That touch seemed capable of , sapping their strength with every passing second.
Erdant Hollowmen are fearsome creatures, born from dead wood and the deepest darkness of the forest. With bodies made of shattered branches and peeling bark, they bear a terrifying appearance, far from that of humans. A gaping hole in their chests seems to absorb the surrounding light, creating a chilling aura. As they move, a soft creaking sound reminiscent of the night wind brushes past, heightening the tension for anyone who hears it. With each step they take, they exude the scent of moist earth and rotting decay, as if fresh life has been kept at bay from their surroundings.
The Hollowmen are believed to have emerged as a result of an ancient curse that befell the Erdant forest, where trapped souls lie within the wood, forming creatures that yearn for life. They serve as the guardians of the woods, watching over intruders with eyes from another realm, seemingly documenting every movement. In a cult that venerates darkness, they are elevated as guardian spirits; however, in truth, they are harbingers of doom, insatiable siphons of life.
Their ability, Life Leech Touch, serves as their primary weapon against foes. With every touch, a dangerous flow of energy surges from the victim's body into their hollow wooden hands. Rinoa can feel the cold, stinging sensation, as if her vital essence is being gradually drawn away. The fading desire to live cultivates a profound sense of fear, coinciding with the growing power of the Hollowmen. With each contact, they drain not only the physical stamina of their opponents but also their spiritual resolve, leaving their adversaries weakened both physically and mentally.
Rinoa leaped back, desperately trying to avoid the touch, but another Hollowman emerged from behind a tree, almost unseen. This time, the Hollowman managed to touch Fitran, who immediately felt weak. Like a rope binding his soul, that touch stole part of his life energy.
"Fitran!" Rinoa shouted, but her voice was drowned out by the increasingly fierce wind. Fitran's body nearly collapsed, weakened by the Hollowman's touch.
The Erdant Hollowmen are terrifying creatures born from dark forests, made of old, cracked, and peeling wood, with eyes glowing faintly like embers buried in the earth. Their chests yawn wide open, revealing a darkness that seems to harbor all pain and loss. Their presence emanates a damp, decayed scent, creating a chilling aura that raises the hairs on one's neck. Each step they take is accompanied by the creaking sound of wood, enhancing the fear that envelops the surrounding area.
The history of the Erdant Hollowmen is rooted in the souls of the wounded, beings abandoned by their lives and betrayed by those closest to them. Filled with anger and sorrow, they are trapped in wooden forms, capturing the essence of the lives they have lost. This is why, each time they are destroyed, they do not truly die; they merely transfer to the nearest tree, crawling back into this world with even darker strength.
These Hollowmen wield their Life Leech Touch ability with ruthless precision. When their wooden hands touch someone, they not only siphon physical energy but also drain hope and the spirit of life itself; they bind themselves to their victim's soul, leaving behind hollow remnants of a once-vibrant existence. It is as if they clutch the shimmering essence of life, draining the vital strength and making their victims feel as though the entire world has instantly turned dark, devoid of any hope for revival.
With the remaining strength, he unleashed the ice power clinging to his hands and hurled it towards one of the newly risen Erdant Hollowman. A large ice shot struck its body, instantly freezing it before ultimately cracking and shattering into splintered wood. Yet, in the blink of an eye, their souls shifted to another tree, and that Hollowman rose again, more terrifying than before.
"Fitran!" Rinoa shouted once more, stepping closer to him. Quickly, she gathered a strong wind energy, propelling herself towards another Hollowman that was ready to attack again.
Each rising Erdant Hollowman appeared menacing, with dark, gnarled, and cracked wooden bodies, as if they had just emerged from ruins. The hollow cavities in their chests evoked a deep and mysterious darkness; as they moved, a terrifying cracking sound reminiscent of splintering wood sent shivers down the spine. Their eyes glowed yellow with a reddish tint like embers, emanating fear and hunger, as if they were thirsty for life. Their cold and heavy aura embodied a dreadful reach that could ensnare anyone who approached.
With their Life Leech Touch ability, the Erdant Hollowman can absorb the life energy from living beings around them. Their attacks are not only physically painful but also leave a deep mark of exhaustion and sorrow in the souls of their victims. As their rough, moss-covered hands make contact, it feels as though the creature is being drained dry, its vital energy flowing into their wooden bodies, strengthening and renewing their power to rise again, more formidable and terrifying.
Fitran, who was gradually recovering, felt his body grow heavier. With a weak but determined voice, he said, "We... we must destroy everything... before they keep rising again."
Without mercy, Fitran drew Excalibur from his waist, the sword glinting in the dim forest light. His eyes gleamed sharply; despite barely being able to stand, he knew that the only way to stop them was to break this horrific cycle. "I will end it all now," he declared, gripping the sword tightly.
With sword magic flowing powerfully along the blade of Excalibur, Fitran raised his sword high. The sword's magic exploded with incredible force, slashing through one of the approaching Erdant Hollowmen. The hard wooden body shattered into splinters, consumed by the energy of Excalibur, yet their souls continued to shift.
Despite the immense power of Excalibur's magic, Fitran understood that the surrounding trees could still serve as a source of resurrection for these creatures. He stepped forward, challenging every Hollowman that rose from this forest—a forest that seemed alive and would never cease to fight against them.