25 Corruption (1/2)

In Morgana's new lair, the dark wizard sat on a crude table, drinking tea and playing with the most beautiful white gem.

As the diamond in the rough ran through her fingers, she gave an amused smile.

”I am so glad for taking the right decision back then.”

Morgana lived for months on a dungeon on the other side of the forest and as she searched the underground for useful things, she came upon this treasure.

It was nothing like the golems' hearts.

No. This was much more precious.

The natural world was infused with magical energy. Some places more and others less.

So, found in particularly rich areas, there were ores, stones and other such substances of great value. Objects that fed on pure natural magic.

Druids particularly loved these materials as they evoked the purest and most untainted forms of power, something that was particularly dear to their hearts.

However, this also made so that, for someone like Morgana, it was the most difficult kind of material to use.

As soon as the core felt the advances of Morgana's corrupted soul, it would actively resist until it was destroyed, which was very troublesome.

The dark wizard originally wanted to use the stone to create a better defensive system for her dungeon. After all, this would not require the gem to be changed on a deeper level.

However, this would be a terrible waste and so she resolved herself to wait for the discovery of a new method. Something which eluded her...

At least until the Wisdom Tree shared its enlightenment.

....

A unicorn was held by chains made of the purest silver in a poorly lit room.

On the pillars supporting the chains, Morgana set many restriction spells.

When it came to such spirit guardians, it was always better being excessively careful than the opposite.

Its fur was magnificent, having a shade of shining and stainless white. But the unicorn's most distinguishing characteristic was a great horn which adorned its head like a kingly crown.

Even now the creature stood there proudly, looking at Morgana with disdain.

The dark wizard knew this look all too well, as many defeated heroes had shown it to her in the past.

It was the manifestation of a unique kind of overconfidence. One which was born from a deep and annoying sense of self-righteousness.

”Disdain me as much as you want. No spirit is unbreakable and no hero is incorruptible. None.”

The dark wizard thought to herself in amusement.

A bowl of delicious-looking meats and a basin filled with water were placed in front of the creature.

”Feast.”

Morgana commanded.

At first, the unicorn attempted to resist her word of command, but its determination proved futile.

With practice and new knowledge, Morgana's charms had become much stronger. The creature could only resist her will for a short time before submitting.

This continued for twenty-eight days and twenty-eight nights during which the guardian spirit ate fell meats and drank cursed water.

At each day, the unicorn appeared just a little bit weaker and more submissive, making Morgana's job much easier.

On the last night of the full moon, Morgana pulled a lever and many doors on the ceiling opened, allowing the light rays to shine upon the creature.

However, those rays were tempered with by glass obstacles and, as they came down, the glow changed its color to red.

Under the moonlight, the unicorn started to change. It's hair, once white, became jet black, having an eerie luster to it. The horn turned crooked and horrible to behold.