Chapter 131 - Dark Lands Part 5

It was daytime but the fog was thick, thicker than yesterday. Riding on horses, the guards were more alert this time. Torches were lifted to their head level, riding close to the carriages. The road was just made of dirt and the hooves clattered as the horses walked.

The adventurers were still on edge thinking that yesterday's attack could come or even much worst. Their breathings were silent as a whisper. Ready for an upcoming battle anytime soon.

Joan on the contrary was just sleeping. Or so they saw him as in such a predicament. But Joan was looking in the eyes of Tengu. Having a [Share vision and mind] was comfy on his part. He didn't think that crows were that useful. By using the [Beast aura] white, they can see the surroundings having no creatures in their radius.

While looking at a bird's eye view, they were being watched by Joan silently. Anything could happen and Joan was more prepared than them. A one step further in terms of preparedness.

[Beast call]

Joan used the skill and his wolves scattered throughout the area. Without making the guards notice of their presence. Some were in the sides and the rest were scouting ahead. Trifling monsters were obliterated by Giant wolves ahead of their current positions.

"The way was clear and it seems silent? What could be happening?" The Captain was thinking about what could be the case. In his thoughts, it couldn't be that silent.

Moving forwards, the way was swerving left and right. Dried or decayed tree roots were seen by their naked eyes. Bugs littered the roots but it was such a trifling matter to be aware of. The path was full of tracks from weeks before and others were months old. It was their tracks from before but it was still visible.

They travelled deeper into the foggy path. Newbies felt on-edge while they haven't been in the said place before. Just as they heard wolf cries, their skin hairs went up. The veterans were just chuckling as they have seen much more worst. It was normal for them to see newbies in such a pitiful state. But there was a newbie who was just sleeping. They saw how he combat and felt that he has a veteran aura too like them. The mind bugging was he was just the only kid in the adventurers at the current time. Looking at his steel badge also was disturbing.

The road then was muddy. Rain droplets soon slowly trickled the road and a few moments later, the rain poured angrily. Making them soak in the rain. Torches were useless in the rain but they still travelled. Making the newbies wonder why they have to continue.

"We have to stop and let the rain pass. Why do we have to continue further even with the great downpour?" Asked the girl in Priest uniform.

"We have to continue the pace if we want to arrive at the Lukarian Stronghold by night. Any more delays will make us attacked at night by night stalkers. You don't want to be ripped apart right? Hahaha!" Said the axe-wielder Chaos Knight.

"Don't scare the girl. But it is true, we have met some pitiful mistakes and saw our brothers ripped apart by those monsters. You can also take that as a lesson," Said the Holy Knight. Having a bronze badge made sense to her. The Holy Knight can only sigh after remembering those things.

The place then was silent, only hearing the horses' neighs in the background and the wheels colliding with rocks. The rain then went harder this time making them silent. The temperature drops and they were shivering as a result of it. Joan then was also shivering, as it was not good to use the fire element in front of them. Not wanting them to make unwanted thoughts about him. But still, the fire element has three forms. Which was flame, spark, and last, ember. Joan used the ember form and was heating himself. His company beside him felt the heat too and was confused.

The rain still poured until afternoon. The fog became worst as the temperature dropped. Making all of them breathed steam on their mouths. The road became muddy and the rain made puddles on the way. Making their travel became more laborious. The carriages sometimes were stuck in the mud. The adventurers helped to push them out of it. Their travel has been now delayed by an hour. Making their Captain's complexion worst. All the veterans know why the Captain felt alarmed.

The afternoon came and they made it out of the muddy roads. The sky went dark and the sun has set. Burning their torches again to light the way. Even the fog was there, they continued towards the way. The wind blew colder and colder and their torches were being blown by it. It felt like the wind was freezing and it sent shivers down to their spines.

They went deeper into the wilderness but they were getting nearer and nearer to their destination. The place they will go to was none other than the Lukarian Stronghold. The first stronghold that humanity has reclaimed from the dark lands. Moving further, they saw an upcoming entity that carries a torch. A man in his horse and was travelling fast towards them. He was shouting but it was unrecognisable.

"Help! Help! The stronghold! The stronghold! Help!" He shouted at the distance. Approaching them at full speed then stops abruptly. Making his horse stand in its two on the process. He climbed down and stumbled, slammed his chest on the ground and he dropped his torch on the process. He jerked when he slammed his body but ignored it and stands up immediately.

"Stop! Who are you?" Shouted one of the guards. The Captain then approached him. Making way for him to see who it was.

"Who are you, soldier? Report to me what happened!" The Captain said to him.

"I am from the Lukarian stronghold! Help! It was attacked by flying creatures! Gargoyles! Gargoyles! Thousands of them!" He said hysterically, mouth still shivering from fear.