Reflections of the Slough

As Cormag's gaze lingered on his reflection, the Echo's laughter seemed to wash over him like a dark wave. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he beheld the monstrous creature staring back at him. The glowing green eyes, the mottled grey skin, the twisted limbs - all of it seemed to scream that he was a creature of the Slough, a monster forged from the forest's dark magic. The water's surface rippled, distorting his reflection, and for a moment, Cormag thought he saw a glimmer of his human form, the person he once was before the forest's power twisted him. Sith's voice cut through the haze, his words barely above a whisper. "Cormag, what's wrong?" Cormag's gaze snapped back to his friend, and he saw the concern etched on Sith's face. For a moment, he hesitated, unsure of how to respond. The Echo's laughter had stopped, and the chamber was silent, as if waiting for Cormag's next move. Cormag's grip on Sith's arm relaxed, and he took a step back, his eyes never leaving his friend's face. "I'm fine," he said, his voice rough. "I just...I saw something." Sith's eyes flicked to the pool of water, and then back to Cormag's face. "Your reflection?" he asked, his voice gentle. Cormag nodded, feeling a surge of uncertainty. Was he still human, or was he just a creature of the Slough? The question echoed in his mind, taunting him. The Echo's words came back to him, her voice dripping with malice. "You're just a twisted creature, a monster forged from the forest's dark magic." Cormag felt a pang of doubt, and for a moment, he wondered if he was still capable of making choices, or if he was just a puppet controlled by the Slough's power. The crystal formation pulsed again, its blue-white light illuminating the chamber. Sith's eyes were drawn to it, and Cormag saw his friend's resolve begin to waver. The Echo's smile returned, her eyes gleaming with malevolence. "The Slough's power is calling to him," she said, her voice low and husky. "And soon, he will answer." Cormag knew he had to act fast. He couldn't let Sith succumb to the Slough's power, not now, not when he was so close to losing himself. With a surge of determination, Cormag reached out with his mind, trying to connect with Sith again. This time, he was met with less resistance, and he felt a glimmer of his friend's thoughts. The connection was tenuous, but it was enough to give Cormag hope. As he touched Sith's mind, Cormag felt a rush of memories, fragmented and disjointed. He saw Sith's childhood, his family, his friends. He saw the events that had led Sith to this moment, the choices he had made, and the paths he had taken. And in that moment, Cormag knew that Sith was still in there, fighting to maintain his grip on reality. With newfound resolve, Cormag pulled Sith back from the crystal formation, his grip on his friend's arm firm. "We're getting out of here," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We're going to find a way to stop the Echo and break the Slough's hold on this place." Sith's eyes snapped back into focus, and he looked at Cormag with a glimmer of determination. "Together?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Cormag nodded, a sense of purpose rising within him. "Together," he said, his voice firm. The Echo's laughter echoed through the chamber once more, but Cormag didn't flinch. He knew that he and Sith had a long way to go, but for the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of hope. They would face whatever lay ahead, together.