Regret

"I'm right here, Alleria."

Those smoldering scarlet eyes moved through the darkness. Alleria Windrunner was trapped in this silent forest of terror, and as she pushed through it, she could feel the dead branches and fallen leaves around her constantly cutting her cheeks and skin, scraping against her exquisite cloak.

Nathanos was nearby. He was laughing at Alleria.

A heavy, lingering black fog had appeared at the edge of Alleria's vision at some point, endlessly roiling and curling. The entire forest provided Nathanos with the best cover while also preventing her from getting closer to her target. Yet Alleria still refused to give up hope. She persisted, leaping lightly from one dead tree to another, until at last she saw the faint silhouette of her husband's cloak ahead. The Female Elf charged forward without hesitation.

Just as she was about to seize that somewhat tattered cloak, her hand touched nothing. It passed through the black cloak, and then a strange pull dragged her entire body inside. The sight before her made Alleria recall that crucial moment—when she had returned to Marius Farm. Just as it was now, the farm's ruins were the result of her fire. No one should have remained here, yet a figure was kneeling before the ruins, head bowed in contemplation.

Alleria did not approach him immediately. A Ranger's instincts filled her with vigilance.

"What are you still hesitating for?" The voice came low from that person's mouth, like puppet strings constantly controlling Alleria's movements, forcing her to raise her bow and arrow and aim it at him. The Female Elf was both shocked and at a loss.

"Nathanos?" Alleria murmured. "You... really are alive."

Suddenly, Nathanos stood up. The instant he turned around, it was like thunder exploding in Alleria's mind. Was this what an Undead