The Legend of the Woods – Uncle Istvan

Chapter 11: The Sacrifice
István knew that the forest would claim him once more, binding him to the darkness as it always had. But he felt a sense of peace, knowing that Lila was safe. He had chosen to protect her, even if it meant losing everything.

As the villagers fled, István turned inward, seeking the remnants of the humanity he had rediscovered. He could feel the forest’s spirit stirring, its dark presence ready to reclaim him. But István refused to succumb without a fight.

Drawing upon the ritual that Lila had uncovered, István chanted the ancient words, his voice a low, resonant hum that echoed through the trees. He felt the forest resist, its power seeking to bind him once more, but István’s resolve was unyielding.

With each word, István’s connection to the forest weakened, the bond fraying as he called upon the strength of his humanity. He could feel the darkness receding, the hunger that had plagued him for centuries beginning to fade.

The forest’s spirit roared in defiance, its power crashing against István’s will like a storm. But he held firm, drawing upon the love and light that Lila had brought into his life. It was this connection, this bond, that gave him the strength to break free.