Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls-Chapter 206: Going to the Capital.

Kael, Exalia, and Liora left the clearing with steady steps, the weight of battle still weighing heavily on their bodies, but their determination stronger than ever. The surrounding forest seemed to have returned to calm, as if it were just waiting for the next move. The air no longer carried the metallic taste of demonic magic, but it still held the tension of a territory that had been narrowly conquered.

In the distance, the makeshift camp they had set up for the night stood out among the trees, a collection of improvised tents and extinguished campfires, marking the presence of those who resisted against much greater forces. The group quickened their pace.

"We need to get there fast," said Kael, his tone firm but tired. ’They’re still under the succubus’s spell, and the more time passes, the worse it gets.’

Liora nodded, looking at the horizon. "I can already feel the evil infiltrating their dreams, like a shadow that corrodes from within."

Arriving at the camp, they found the elves in critical condition: stiff bodies, shallow breathing, half-closed eyes, trapped in a limbo between sleep and wakefulness. Some trembled, others cried silently, and the atmosphere was heavy, charged with palpable fear.

Kael knelt next to a young elf, his hands emanating a bluish light as he began the healing ritual. His voice was a powerful whisper, chanting ancient words of restoration and protection.

"Awaken... return to yourselves..." he murmured, focused.

A calming aura spread throughout the camp. The bodies began to relax, the trembling subsided, and slowly the eyes opened, revealing confusion, but also relief. The elves regained consciousness, as if pulled from an invisible abyss.

Exalia watched the scene with a mixture of respect and apprehension.

"Kael... can you really keep using this healing spell?..." Exelia was genuinely concerned; after all, healing spells usually come at a price, and he seemed to be using it without paying anything...

"It’s okay, this is just the beginning," he replied, without taking his eyes off the next person who needed help. "The succubus didn’t just attack their bodies. She took possession of their dreams, their minds. If we don’t heal this, they may be lost forever."

Liora walked among the healed, holding the trembling hands of those who were regaining their strength.

"I need to set up a vigil to protect them while they sleep. This creature is a master of illusions," she said, her eyes shining with the urgency of the moment.

Kael paused for a moment, catching his breath. "What about the others? Those who are still sleeping?"

"They’re in the larger tent," Liora pointed to a makeshift structure made of dark fabric and branches. "But their numbers are dwindling... We need to act fast."

Exalia lifted the fragments of the broken sword, the metal reflecting the light of the last embers.

"I’ll accompany you there. If the succubus is still around, she may attack again. And this time, we won’t let her escape."

The group advanced to the main tent, where those most affected were gathered. Inside, the air was thick, heavy with nightmares and distorted whispers that seemed to echo from the depths of the mind.

Kael closed his eyes, extending his hands over the sleeping bodies, chanting words of power and healing. The greenish light intensified, enveloping each one in a protective bubble, expelling the darkness that imprisoned them.

Liora, around the tent, drew symbols on the ground with magic powder, forming invisible barriers against the invasion of evil dreams.

Exalia held her sword firmly, ready to cut down any shadow that dared to approach.

The minutes seemed like hours, but little by little, the elves began to move, awakening from a sleep that did not belong to them.

One by one, they opened their eyes, now free from the torment of the succubus. The relief was evident, but so was the fragility of those who had faced something that neither their bodies nor minds were ready to endure.

Kael sighed, exhausted but relieved. "They’re not out of danger yet, but we’ve gained some breathing room."

Liora looked up at the sky, already brightening on the horizon. "The danger is still out there. That succubus will return," she said, her voice firm. "We need to be ready."

Exalia nodded, pulling out the new sword she had just received, forged especially to face this threat. "Let’s rest and wait for them to wake up completely. When that happens, we’ll continue on to the Kingdom’s Capital."

Two hours passed. The sun was already high, marking almost noon, when all the elves finally woke up completely, their bodies and minds free from the succubus’s influence. The camp, which had previously been filled with a tense and heavy silence, now resounded with murmurs of relief and sighs of gratitude.

Kael sat on a rock, resting his elbows on his knees, breathing deeply. The healing had taken a toll on him—his mana was nearly depleted, and fatigue was beginning to weigh on his muscles and mind. Still, he felt sincere relief at seeing his companions recovered, their strength slowly returning.

Exalia was at his side, carefully sharpening the new sword, while Liora organized supplies and checked maps carefully, her eyes always alert for any sign of imminent danger.

"Kael, you should rest a little," suggested Exalia, noticing her Young Master’s exhaustion.

"I know," he replied with a slight, tired smile, ’but we can’t waste any time. The succubus is still out there, and the sooner we get to the Capital, the better.’

Liora nodded, looking at the path ahead, where the forest opened up to clearer, well-marked trails.

"The Capital of the Elven Kingdom is our best chance to find help and alert the others. If we wait too long, the evil may spread."

Kael stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes and stretching his sore shoulders. He took one last look at the camp—now safe, but vulnerable.

"Let’s go. The sooner we get there, the more prepared we’ll be for whatever comes."

The group followed the trail, their steps firm and careful. The forest, illuminated by the midday sun, seemed less threatening, but the tension did not completely leave them. Every sound, every movement in the treetops was analyzed with caution.

Liora walked ahead, her expertise guiding them through roots and bushes. Kael and Exalia followed close behind, alert to their surroundings, ready for any surprises.

"Do you think the succubus is following us?" Kael asked, his voice low so as not to alert anyone.

Liora frowned. "Hard to say. Creatures like her prefer to attack when we’re vulnerable, in silent ambushes. But I know she won’t give up easily."

Exalia gripped the hilt of her sword. "Either way, we’ll be ready. We won’t let her claim any more victims."

The group advanced through the forest with their guard up. The silence was almost absolute, except for the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant song of a bird. Tension hung in the air, as if nature itself were watching, restrained, waiting for what was to come.

Kael felt the weight of his drained mana, but he remained focused. The intense healing was not only physically exhausting, it was also a mental and spiritual effort. The succubus had left deep marks—not only on the bodies, but also on the souls of those who now walked beside him.

As they advanced, Liora suddenly stopped, her eyes fixed on a shadow among the trees. Exalia gripped the hilt of her sword, ready to react, but Kael raised his hand in a gesture to remain calm.

"Just a deer," whispered Liora, relaxing her shoulders. "The forest still breathes, despite what we face."

Kael smiled slightly, though the shadow of danger continued to loom.

"We need to reach the Capital before the succubus can recover. If she returns for a bigger attack, we won’t be so lucky."

Exalia looked up at the sky, where the sun shone high, warming the leaves and revealing the path that stretched ahead.

"The Capital is three days away," she said firmly. ’If we keep up this pace, we can arrive before nightfall tomorrow.’

Liora consulted the map, confirming the route. ’We have to cross the Whispering Winds Valley. It’s dangerous, but faster.’

Kael nodded, already preparing to face the next challenge. "Then let’s go. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can avoid unnecessary problems."

As they continued, the group reorganized. Some of the recovered elves joined them, reinforcing the escort and encouraged by renewed hope. The wind brought a coolness that seemed to wash away some of the fear that still clung to each heart.

[Some time later...]

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, tinging the sky with golden and orange hues when the group reached the edge of the Whispering Winds valley. The forest there seemed different—denser, with tall trees arching their branches to form an almost closed canopy, and an eerie silence that made the wind whisper disturbingly among the leaves.

Liora stopped and gestured for everyone to halt. She looked around, her expression tense.

"This is the Valley of Whispering Winds," she said in a low voice. "They say that dark creatures inhabit it, drawn by fear and darkness. We must be vigilant." freewebnøvel_com

Kael felt the atmosphere heavy, as if the winds themselves carried distant voices, whispering threats. Exalia gripped the hilt of her sword, her eyes alert to any movement.

They advanced cautiously, each step measured, their senses sharpened. Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the air—a guttural scream that echoed through the valley.

From the shadows emerged creatures with gray fur and red eyes, agile and fierce, which advanced on the group with ferocity.

Exalia was already in attack position, spinning her sword deftly while protecting the less prepared elves.

Kael raised his hands, channeling magical energy to create a barrier of blue light that blocked the beasts’ first attack. At the same time, Liora conjured flames that danced between her fingers, throwing them at the enemies with precision.

The fight was intense—sword blows, bursts of fire, and magical shields intertwined in a deadly dance. The sound of metal against flesh, moans, and screams filled the valley.

Despite their exhaustion, the group maintained their coordination. Exalia slashed quickly, Kael sustained the magical defense, and Liora used her spells to control the field, driving away the most aggressive enemies.

Finally, with one last combined blow, the creatures were defeated, falling silently onto the foliage.

The group took a deep breath, catching their breath. Kael ran his hand over his forehead, feeling the sweat trickle down.

"That was close," he muttered.

Liora looked up at the sky, now tinged with purple-red by the coming of night.

"We need to set up camp before other creatures appear. This valley does not forgive the unwary."

Carefully, they chose a space protected by sturdy trees and large rocks, where they could set up their tents and form a magical barrier of protection.

While Exalia set up defenses with improvised traps, Kael and Liora worked together to create an enchanted circle of protection, which glowed softly in the light of the first stars.

The group finally settled down, silence returning, but now with a sense of temporary security.

Kael looked at his companions, exhausted but determined. "Tomorrow is another day. We need to be ready for whatever comes."

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