Kael paused at the entrance to the passage, casting one last glance at the room where the majestic dragon had been. Something still felt off. He looked at Umbra, who was floating cheerfully by his side, and couldn’t hold back the question that had been echoing in his mind since he first met her.
"Umbra, that dragon up there... What was that? I mean, it seemed so real. And that whole talk about you and the forest... It was all true, right?"
Umbra stopped mid-air, turning to him with a mischievous look that immediately put him on alert.
"Oh, the dragon?" She started, suppressing a giggle. "Well, about that..." She paused dramatically, as if holding back an impending laugh. "It’s just an illusion. Something I created to make things more... interesting."
Kael blinked, incredulous. "What?! You’re telling me all that drama, the pressure, even the deep conversation with her... it was all fake?!"
Umbra laughed out loud, spinning in the air purely out of amusement. "Of course it was fake! You really think I’d let a real dragon roam around here? Oh, please! It was just to set the perfect stage for you to accept the contract."
Kael rubbed his face in frustration. "I almost had a heart attack! It felt so real! The water disappearing, the pressure, even her talk about ’different’ and all that..."
"Yes, yes, I admit it, I outdid myself with the performance," Umbra winked, clearly proud of herself. "Don’t you think it was genius? The old forest friend, the wise spirit... I should win an award for that!"
"This is not funny, Umbra," Kael retorted, trying to ignore the rising anger. "I could’ve rejected the contract thinking I was about to be burned alive by a dragon!"
"But you didn’t," she replied with a smug smile. "And here we are, bound by an eternal bond. See? It all worked out in the end."
Kael huffed, trying to calm his frustration. "You’re unbelievable..."
"And adorable!" Umbra finished, spinning in the air. "Now stop complaining and let’s move on! After all, who needs a dragon when they have me?"
Kael could only shake his head, a small smile escaping despite everything. She could be insufferable, but somehow, Umbra made everything a lot more interesting.
Umbra floated beside Kael, radiating a playful energy as they continued along the passage leading out of the cave. Natural light began to slowly filter in, replacing the supernatural glow of the webs and glowing roots inside.
"Alright, young master of courage," Umbra said with her melodic and sarcastic voice, "I promised I’d get you out of here, and an entity like me always keeps her promises!"
"As long as it includes a few scares in the package," Kael retorted, looking at her with a tired expression. "You know, I’m still trying to get over the ’dragon illusion.’"
"Oh, but admit it, it was brilliant, wasn’t it?" Umbra laughed, spinning in the air as she led him along a narrow trail winding through colossal roots.
Kael didn’t respond, only sighed as he continued following the spirit. He noticed the environment was changing again. The mana density in the forest was decreasing as they moved forward, but the place still carried an air of mysticism, as if every leaf and branch were conscious.
"We’re almost there," Umbra announced, pointing to a clearing ahead. "Just over that hill, and you’ll officially be out of my forest."
"Finally," Kael muttered, his body still tired from the battle with the Queen Spider and the constant tension that strange forest had put him under.
As they moved forward, Umbra began chattering about the forest. "Did you know that once, a hero tried to invade this place to steal the essence of the World Tree? Ah, he didn’t even make it halfway before I scared him off with my ’giant shadow serpent.’"
"Let me guess," Kael interrupted. "Another illusion?"
"Of course!" Umbra replied, her pride shining through. "Why waste real energy when a good illusion does the job?"
Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You’re one of a kind, Umbra. And honestly, a little scary."
"Oh, thank you!" Umbra responded, clearly taking the comment as a compliment.
Finally, they reached the top of the hill, where the golden sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating a wide path that stretched out before them. The air felt lighter there, and Kael could sense the magical pressure completely dissipating.
"Well, here we are," Umbra said, with a hint of melancholy in her voice. "Beyond this point, you’ll be out of my forest. And out of my ’jurisdiction,’ let’s say."
Kael stopped, looking at the path ahead and then at Umbra. "So, this is it? We go our separate ways now?"
Umbra floated, crossing her arms as she gave him a mischievous look. "Hm? What are you talking about? I’m coming with you."
Kael raised an eyebrow, surprised by Umbra’s declaration. "You’re coming with me? I thought you were stuck in the forest."
Umbra huffed, making a dramatic gesture with her hands. "Stuck, free, who cares about the details? Now that we have a contract, wherever you go, I go. It’s like... you know, a partnership!"
"Partnership?" Kael repeated, incredulous. "I thought it was just an agreement to get you out of the forest."
"Oh, Kael, my dear naive human," Umbra said, spinning in the air. "You gave me something far more valuable than just freedom. With your soul, we’re connected, and I’m curious to see where your little adventure leads. Besides..."
She stopped, hovering close to him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You’re fun. A lot more fun than being stuck in this forest full of bugs and grumpy trees."
Kael sighed, rubbing his face. "Great. Now I’m a ’project of entertainment’ for a spirit."
Umbra let out a melodious laugh. "Don’t worry, I’ll be useful too. Who knows? Maybe I’ll save your life once or twice... or just scare you to death."
Kael laughed despite himself. "I really don’t know if I won or lost with this."
Umbra pointed toward the path ahead. "Well, we can find out together. Come on, Master Kael! The world awaits us!"
Kael rolled his eyes but began walking down the path. "Master, huh? That’s new."
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
"Of course, I’m trying to be polite. For now."