The Author's Viewpoint
Chapter 152 - Beneath the Weight of Her Voice

Chapter 152: Chapter 152 - Beneath the Weight of Her Voice

Tave had sent Fang away, deep into the forest, to scout for any approaching demons. It was only a matter of time before they realized he and Vanya were no longer hiding in the cave, and, as expected, it didn’t take long.

The demons outside had begun to spread. More of them were patrolling the forest, and some even flew overhead, passing right above the golem. But they didn’t seem to care for the dormant giant. They simply ignored it, as though it were just part of the scenery.

Vanya needed time. At least an hour.

The golem’s core had to be overcharged, flooded with so much energy that it would not only awaken fully but also fall under her control. It was the only way for her Echo’s authority to override the original directive etched into the golem’s command.

And that process... it would drain her.

Soon, Fang sent a signal. A group of demons was moving toward the golem’s location.

Tave reacted instantly. He leapt down from the golem’s shoulder, dashing into the underbrush with barely a sound, heading toward the direction Fang indicated. Hidden behind thick trunks and heavy leaves, he watched, breath held.

But the demons turned.

At the last second, they veered, changing direction, unaware of how close they’d come to finding them. He waited, tense, still, until the threat had passed.

This forest was far from safe. The number of demons still prowling was overwhelming, and the more Tave and Vanya killed, the more attention they drew. It was only a matter of time before someone tracked their trail.

But against all expectations, Tave’s worst fears didn’t come to pass.

When he returned to the golem, he was greeted by the soft rustle of movement above. Vanya was already leaning out from the chamber in its chest, waving down to him.

"The core charging is complete," she said softly.

Then, with effortless grace, she leapt down, landing with a light thud before the golem, then jogged gently toward him.

But Tave noticed it immediately, the slight strain behind her composed expression. The exhaustion just barely hidden in her eyes.

"How are you holding up?" he asked gently.

"It nearly drained all my stamina," Vanya admitted. "But I’ll recover soon."

Tave nodded. "We need to be at full strength. Rest now. Let’s just hope the demons don’t find us too soon."

Tave guided Vanya carefully behind the golem, into a narrow, concealed space nestled between the thick roots and massive stone limbs. It wasn’t much, but it was shielded and for now, it was enough.

The golem, despite being fully recharged and ready to fight at its maximum strength, remained still, completely motionless. From the outside, it looked no different than before: a slumbering giant lost in time.

Vanya needed rest. Her stamina, even if only slightly depleted, was crucial. Every ounce of energy they could conserve might be the difference between victory and defeat. And right now, they had no one to rely on but each other.

Tave kept his senses sharp. Fang remained out in the brush, scanning for any approaching threats. The demons could return at any moment, and when they did, they wouldn’t come alone. If even one scout spotted them, the others would follow. Fast.

And that wasn’t the only threat.

This forest, thick and ancient, held more than demons. Monsters prowled its depths, creatures with no allegiance, no agenda beyond instinct and hunger. Though Tave and Vanya had grown far more powerful, enough to handle those beasts with coordination and precision, it didn’t change the fact that their energy was limited.

They had to fight smart.

Use every advantage. Every bit of terrain. Every moment of surprise. Especially now, while the demons still underestimated them, still believed them cornered and outmatched. They had no idea how much had changed in just the last hours.

Tave had broken through to Gaia Master.

Vanya had awakened her Echo.

And now, they had a golem. A third force waiting to be unleashed.

They would use everything. Every gain. Every shadow. This war was far from over.

But the next move would be theirs.

It was a brief moment, but to Tave, it stretched endlessly, like time itself had slowed around them. He sat in silence, eyes fixed on Vanya’s face, watching closely as the signs of fatigue faded from her expression.

Her breath was steady, her posture calm. She turned slightly, meeting his gaze.

"I’ve recovered," she said softly. "Almost completely."

There was no attempt to hide it, and she didn’t need to. She couldn’t if she tried, Tave would’ve known either way. Their bond ran too deep. They could sense each other’s state like instinct.

"Now," she began again, "how do we..."

But Tave simply smiled.

Without a word, he rose and climbed swiftly up the golem’s massive arm. His movements were sure and silent. Vanya followed, leaping with an almost graceful effortlessness, the elements bending under her feet to give her momentum.

Tave reached the top of the golem’s head and settled there. A moment later, Vanya landed beside him. They sat together, side by side, staring into the vast dark forest before them.

It was surreal.

Just weeks ago, they had hidden in terror when this same golem had passed by, too powerful to even consider confronting. They had run for their lives, struggling to outmaneuver ten demons.

Now... they would fight beside the very force they had once feared.

They sat in stillness, letting the silence between them stretch out like the breath before a storm. Then, without turning his gaze, Tave spoke, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Can you feel it?"

Vanya didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes remained fixed on the forest, on the endless shadows beyond. Then, slowly, she nodded.

"The golem holds a deep concentration of the Forest element. It’s like... the earth itself is awake."

And then, her lips parted.

Softly at first, but with growing resonance, Vanya began to speak. No, to sing. It wasn’t in the common tongue. Her voice wove through the air like a breeze slipping through the trees. The syllables were foreign, melodic, ancient. The language of the forest elves, used to summon the very essence of nature itself.

"Sylren t’havellea, myrien ve’lara, Ysil’norae syndarra felin, Nae’vel ythari, soriel en’vanna. Vaell thae’lae, en’yae loren."

"For the forest! For the balance! To the unworthy who defile these lands. Awaken, ancient guardian. Stand, rise, and charge into battle!"

With each word, the air stirred.

Elemental particles flickered into view, shimmering green and golden specks dancing around them like fireflies drawn by the call.

Then, the earth rumbled.

A deep, guttural sound rolled beneath them as the golem stirred. Its massive limbs groaned. And then, it rose, fast and certain, each movement sending a gust of power rippling through the forest floor.

Tave adjusted his footing, steadying himself atop the living giant, and Vanya mirrored him, now glowing faintly with the echo of the summoned energy.

Then her voice rose once more, this time stronger, echoing across the trees like a battle hymn forged in roots and stone.

"Velith’na suren, torae’nem yllae."

"Rise and strike, go forth into battle!"

And the golem... obeyed.