Chapter 350: Reunion

It didn't take long before I teleported us to the edge of a sprawling dark forest. As we stood at its threshold, its ominous presence extended before us. The massive trees loomed overhead, their towering forms casting deep shadows that swallowed the sunlight. The air was thick with an enigmatic aura, as if the forest held its own secrets and whispered tales of ancient powers.

As I scanned the surroundings, I marveled at the forest's resilience. Despite the chaos that had befallen the realm, this pocket of nature seemed to have withstood the worst of the turmoil. The dense foliage, though bearing some scars from the battles waged nearby, remained largely untouched. The steadfastness of the forest stood as a testament to the enduring power of nature itself.

I landed down on the ground and Breta jumped off my back before we stepped into the forest. The trees were large enough that I managed to fit through even with my large frame. Walking through it, we were quickly engulfed by a silence that seemed to reverberate with ancient knowledge. The trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches reaching out to the heavens in a majestic display of strength and wisdom. The ground beneath our feet was carpeted with fallen leaves, whispering tales of seasons past.

As we continued to venture deeper into the forest, the shadows seemed to grow denser, obscuring our view and heightening the sense of mystery that enveloped us. It was as if the forest itself guarded its secrets, allowing only the most courageous or desperate to tread its paths. The eerie stillness was occasionally broken by the rustle of unseen creatures, further fueling the air of intrigue. I could 'see' them, however, so I wasn't that concerned.

We moved cautiously, alert to the subtlest shifts in the environment, my eyes occasionally darting to the blocked sky, worried about the next attack. The forest seemed to be alive with magic, its very essence pulsating with elemental energy. I relied on my heightened senses and the guidance of my mana element companions to navigate the labyrinthine paths that wound through the ancient trees, all the while following behind the faint trail of Sidus's presence.

Soon, we found ourselves walking past a rather normal-looking line of trees, as normal as one could get in a massive creepy forest. As we navigated cautiously through their line, my senses were on high alert. Despite their unassuming appearance, an instinctive unease gnawed at my core, urging me to investigate further. As I paused, Breta mirrored my actions, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern.

"What is it? What do you sense?" she inquired, her voice laced with anticipation.

"Something is not right," I answered.

Taking a step closer to the seemingly innocuous trees, the scales on the back of my neck tingled, and a surge of recognition coursed through me. The faintest trace of mana disturbance permeated the air, barely detectable but undeniable in its presence. My intuition guided me forward, drawing me closer to the source of this hidden disturbance.

With each step, the resonance between the darkness mana inside my soul space and the hidden energy grew stronger, urging me onward. As I reached the threshold, it was as if an invisible barrier dissolved before me, revealing a new scene that defied the perception of the outer world. The once ordinary trees transformed into a veil of concealment, masking the truth that lay beyond.

Stepping through the veil, I entered a clearing bathed in eerie light, surrounded by broken and fallen trees that bore the weight of past battles. And there, lying amidst the debris, was the figure of my brother, Sidus, his form crumpled and still.

A mix of relief and concern flooded through me as I rushed to his side. Lowering myself, I gently brushed his face with my tail and scanned his body for injuries. His expression was one of exhaustion, his features etched with the marks of the trials he had faced, countless scars that were healing at a visible rate littered his body. My heart ached at the sight, but I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy at finding him alive.

"He's here," I called out, my voice filled with a mix of emotions. "Sidus, can you hear me?" I whispered, my words laced with concern, as Breta walked from behind me.

The forest remained silent, save for the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant echoes of unknown creatures. I waited anxiously, hoping for a response, before I summoned my water element and wrapped him inside a healing bubble in hopes of speeding his recovery. As the moments stretched on, a glimmer of hope rose within me, urging me to believe that my brother would soon awaken.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sidus's body gently steered before he slowly opened his eyes. The moment he did, however, his body convulsed instantly upon awakening, a surge of darkness mana shrouded him protectively. His form shifted, transforming into a being of shadows, with only the piercing glow of his eyes visible amidst the darkness. The sight was both awe-inspiring and concerning, as I watched my brother retreat, his instincts on high alert.

"Sidus, it's me! You're safe," I called out, my voice carrying a reassuring tone that I hoped would reach him.

His gaze flickered between me and Breta, uncertainty and caution etched across his face. The atmosphere hung heavy with anticipation as I waited for him to recognize us. Gradually, the darkness mana receded, revealing his anxious expression.

His body relaxed, though his eyes still held a glimmer of suspicion. "Aether… Breta," Sidus murmured, his voice a mixture of relief and wariness. "Is it really you?"

I nodded, a small grin gracing my face. "Yes, it's us. We've come to find you, Sidus."

Sidus's tense posture eased further, and a sense of familiarity flickered in his eyes. He took cautious steps forward, his gaze fixed upon us. As he drew nearer, I lowered my head, waiting for him to approach. With a mixture of trepidation and hope, he reached out, his head meeting mine.

"Good to see you, little brother," I said.

"It is, I'm happy you made it," Sidus answered as the tension finally drained from his body. We stepped back, as Breta approached, her eyes curiously fixed on the broken sky.

"What happened?" She asked.

Sidus sighed before answering, "What didn't happen? All hell broke loose, I was attacked, and I barely made it out with my life," he said through gritted teeth.

As I sensed his emotion threatening to erupt, I spoke, "That doesn't matter, what matters is you are still alive," I paused for a second before continuing, "And now we have to go get our muscle brain."