VIP System

Amanda paused, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. The elder's offer was one of unimaginable power, something she had longed for since her runes had failed her. But at the same time, there was a nagging doubt, a sense of unease that she couldn’t quite shake.

It felt too easy—too tempting.

But the desire to protect those she loved gnawed at her doubts. She swallowed hard, pushing aside her misgivings. "Alright," she whispered. "I'll do it."

The elder’s face lit up with genuine joy, his smile broadening as he nodded in approval. "Thank you, Amanda. You have made a wise decision." He waved his hand, and a glowing mark appeared in the center of her chest, pulsating with ancient magic. Amanda felt the power surge through her, the familiar warmth of her runes returning, filling her with a renewed sense of strength and determination.

Her thoughts turned to Leo and the adventures that still lay ahead. With this new power, she would be able to protect him, to fight alongside him without fear. The elder stepped forward, interrupting her thoughts as he moved closer.

"There is one more thing," he said, his voice taking on a more formal tone. "Participants in the selection must wear a specific piece of regalia to signify their involvement."

He raised his hands, and a necklace appeared, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. The design was intricate, with twisting patterns that seemed to dance with hidden magic. Amanda instinctively lowered her head as the elder moved to place the necklace around her neck.

For a moment, Amanda felt invincible. The power of her restored runes coursed through her veins, and the promise of ascension filled her with hope. She could do anything, be anyone. She smiled, ready to take on the world. Then, as the necklace touched her skin, everything changed.

It started as a slight tingling, but quickly grew more intense, spreading through her body like wildfire. Her muscles began to stiffen, her limbs growing heavy as if they were being weighed down by an unseen force. Her mind, once sharp and clear, started to waver, her thoughts becoming sluggish and disjointed.

The elder who had once smiled at her with such warmth now sneered, his face twisted with cruel satisfaction. His eyes gleamed, devoid of the kindness they once held, as though a mask had slipped away, revealing the monstrous truth beneath.

A sudden chill swept through the chamber, extinguishing the warm glow of the fungi. Amanda's newfound power flickered within her, like a candle in a gale. Something was wrong.

"It is done," he said, his words suddenly sharp, the warmth draining from his tone like the setting sun.

Amanda’s heart skipped a beat, her skin prickling with a deep, primal unease. Before she could react, the shadows around them shifted. From the dark corners of the room, four elders emerged, their expressions hard, devoid of the kindness she had once known. An icy shiver ran down her spine. This wasn’t right.

The first to speak was tall and broad, his body as unyielding as an ancient oak. When he spoke, his voice rumbled like a distant avalanche, each word a boulder crashing down. "Hah! The little sapling walked right into our trap," he boomed, slapping his thigh with a sound like thunder.

The second elder moved like a shadow, his words a sharp whisper. "It doesn’t matter," he hissed, a hint of amusement in his tone. "We only needed her for her mana. The rest is irrelevant."

The third elder smiled, his tone syrupy but cold. "Oh, what a delicious irony," he purred, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Her loyalty, so foolishly given, has delivered her right into our hands. Such potential, now ours to mold."

The final elder, whose demeanor was icy and unyielding, chuckled darkly. His eyes, cold as winter frost, gleamed with cruel satisfaction as he surveyed Amanda's struggling form. "It's remarkable how well the same technique worked on her as it did on Halodor," he said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration for their own cunning.

He turned to the Spirit Elder, a twisted grin spreading across his face. The dim light of the chamber cast deep shadows across his features, making him appear more monster than elf. "Just as you planned, old friend. Your foresight never ceases to amaze me."

Amanda's mind reeled, her heart hammering so hard she thought it might burst from her chest.

How could this be happening? Betrayal coursed through her veins like venom, burning with a pain that was far worse than any physical wound. She tried to scream, to fight, but her body failed her, refusing to obey. Tears of frustration and fear welled in her eyes as the enormity of her mistake crashed over her.

She felt like a child again, small and powerless. The strength she'd built over years of survival crumbled, leaving her adrift in a sea of betrayal and regret.

Her body tried to resist, her soul fighting the creeping paralysis. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fury and panic fueling her movements. But it was futile—the magic was too strong, too ancient, and her body, once powerful, began to fail her.

Her vision swam, darkening at the edges as her consciousness slipped further away. I trusted them… how could they—? The thought was cut short as her body crumpled, her mind plunging into darkness.

The Spirit Elder’s laughter echoed through the chamber, a sound that was now devoid of any warmth or kindness. "Prepare yourselves," he said, his voice laced with dark triumph. Soon, we will proclaim our new King and Queen. And our dear Amanda here will play a crucial role, whether she likes it or not.

These were her elders, her people—how could they twist everything she'd fought for? Her body might have been bound, but her mind raged. She wanted to shout, to demand answers, but no words came. All that remained was the sinking, cold realization of how thoroughly she’d been fooled.

Amanda's world darkened, her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind, as her consciousness faded completely. The last thing she saw was the twisted smiles of the elders, their treachery the final image burned into her mind as everything went black.