Chapter 81 - Call From The Mountain

After the two leaders had given their decision, no one could affect the result. Even if some of the advisors had another opinion, or even if the members were afraid to continue, the single order of their clan chief, Darias, was enough to make them all shut their mouths.

Such leadership was without a doubt incredible, and it couldn't only be because of strength. The Blackwolf clan had full confidence in their chief, while the Greybat one could only follow behind the strong.

For the Blackwolf clan to be one of the top 3 clans of the external ring, it wasn't because of their strength initially. After all, no clan was great and lucky enough to nurture a couple of warriors among only a few hundred people.

Now feared for their might, this clan was only a small and weak clan a few decades ago. Garrold was the only warrior back then, and they were among the weakest clan. After Darias had become the chief clan with his strength after becoming a rank 1 Beginner Warrior, he had swept through the Barren Lands.

Garrold had always been stronger than Darias, but he had never fought for the place of the leader. He would be fully under the command of this man, and this until he died. It was his oath.

Rohan didn't know the story, but this man wasn't as simple as his joyful smile could make him appear.

From the day Rohan had appeared, Darias always acted like an easygoing person near him. Even the clan admitting him that easily was without a doubt coming from this man.

Since Rohan had seen the true face of the great leader that was Darias a few days ago, watching with cold eyes as his warrior killed his opponent, he assumed that he should always be prepared for the worst.

He even felt that he was becoming closer to the people of the clan. Too close. Such a thing mustn't go too far, as there was a great chance to become their enemy once he would try to enter the mountain.

After the decision was taken, no one dared to express their disagreements. They all dismantle the camp which only consisted of the carts surrounding them and the karags lying on the ground. Now that all members were ready and the beasts pulling their homes, it was time to advance.

The two clans took back the road inside this canyon and moved forward, at a snail pace. Even if they believed the beasts to be already gone, they wouldn't play with their lives, and the warriors were thus placed at the front within their carts.

A few more traces were discovered along the way, all dating from quite a time already, further enhancing the belief of the beasts leaving this place. Although the width of the path was considered to be quite huge, it would be too restrained for a pack. Plus, as there was no prey or water for them here, it made sense for the clans to think they had already left a long time ago.

The karags were slowly pulling the carts, marching without exhaustion while dodging the few trees growing up. A light warm wind was making those trees move, while a few yellow leaves fell to the ground, nourishing the dead soil.

Some hours later, as the sun started to descend, the end of the path between the internal and external ring could be seen. Rohan crisped his hands in the leach as he directed his horse forward.

If it wasn't for the robust and large animals all around him, he would probably already sprint to reach the edge of this canyon, with the sole goal to look at the mountain. After a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity to Rohan, the clans finally left the shadows of the path. The light of the sun shone down and blind Rohan for a while. A hot wind welcomed him on these lands. He was back on this wonderful desert.

After a short moment, Rohan fully opened his eyes to look in front of him. The sight cut his breath.

Far away, at an unimaginable distance, the shadow of a peak stood there. As it was the only mountain of the Barren Lands, with nothing to compare with the ridiculously small hills behind him, the Kolmos mountain couldn't be missed.

It was alone, pointing to the sky where clouds gathered there, attracted by this mighty mountain. Even from this distance, Rohan could see the white of the mountain, while the real peak was hiding inside the pack of clouds. Or maybe he was simply imagining it.

Rohan stood there, on his horse while this one kept advancing. His eyes were locked against this crushing being. His mind spun. His face became ashen. It wasn't the magnificence of the mountain that was dazzling him. It wasn't the height, nor the snow. His whole body was paralyzed, and none of his muscles wanted to move.

His heart raced, ready to jump off his chest at any moment. His blood rushed inside his veins, running through the veins. His mana boiled inside his mana core, flowing toward his meridians. His mana condensed and constricted inside his mana stone, crashing against the stone here and there.

The mountain. The Kolmos mountain. It was calling him. The pressure descended against his mortal body, crushing every bone, ordering him to come. Chills ran down his spine as he stared at the mountain.

It wasn't chilling due to the fear he was feeling, or the confusing sensation he had. It was because of the warmth growing from his heart, spreading to all his body. He had never seen this mountain. He had never seen any mountains in all his life. But even so, the sight in front of him made him feel as if he had encountered someone he hadn't seen for many years.

Rohan blinked. The sensations all disappeared like snow under the sun. His limbs could move again, without any restraint. His eyes were sore as he had kept them open for a long time, and a tear rolled down his cheek. Was it because of his emotion, or because his eyes were kept open too long? He didn't know. But he didn't want to.

The noise of the thousands of people embarked inside their carts came back to fill his ears. The wheels crushing the rocks, pebbles, and sand, as well as the chatter here and there encompassed the whole area around Rohan.

The heat from the sun came back to burn his skin, and with a heavy and slow gesture, he put back his cape around his face. He was still looking at this strange mountain, but nothing happened.

It was simply a mountain, all alone as it was holding the sky with its might.

They were now inside the internal ring, where the clans were all stronger. Since the gathering was approaching, the chance to meet any other clan there was extremely small. Even so, no one let their guards down.

The landscapes were a bit better than the desertic area from the other side of the canyon, as at least there were rare patches of yellowed and dying grass standing over the rocks.

The clans moved in the direction of the mountain, and everyone was smiling while doing so. They hadn't met any dracasses along the way, and that was a relief. Now that they had left the tight canyon to the huge desert, they shouldn't encounter these dangerous beasts.

The days and nights succeeded each other with a peaceful atmosphere.. Unbeknownst to everyone, a man was trying everything he could to attract the dracasses.