After the struggle with the starved werewolves, the rest of the cave path seemed almost too quiet. It almost felt like someone had removed all obstacles in their way. But they didn't drop their guard as they kept moving.
Finally, they spotted a light ahead, and they approached the cave's exit. But just as they neared it, six centaurs appeared, blocking the exit. They halted, looking at the three males and females adorned in armor. Their weapons were already trained on YuWon and the rest.
They didn't look hostile, but that didn't mean they couldn't turn hostile. However, when the elder saw them, he immediately bowed, showing his respect to the warrior tribe... the Chiron.
"My ancestors," he said, his voice trembling slightly from the excitement. "It is an honor to be in your presence."
The elder babbled on. But the more he talked, the more annoyed the Chirons' became. Instead of listening to the babbling centaur, they turned toward YuWon.
After a minute, one of the Chiron's steeped up, ignoring the elder.
"We've been waiting for you, mortal," she said. "Please, come with us. Our leaders would like to discuss certain... matters with you."
YuWon looked at the rest before walking off. The rest of them followed him as well. Even the elder looked up and followed. But as he tried to step past the Chiron, one of them blocked his way, holding out a hand.
"The cursed bloodline is not permitted beyond this point," he said, coldly looking at the elder.
The elder's face fell immediately. He had accompanied the humans, hoping to find the Chiron and possibly joining their clan. But the Chiron had already expected it and preemptively blocked him.
"I-I must accompany—"
"Turn back."
The elder looked pleadingly at the Chiron, but they held firm. They wanted nothing to do with the centaurs. Even the kindness they were showing him was too much, and eventually, their patience ran out.
Suddenly a Chiron pushed the elder back into the cave while the one who spoke to YuWon cast a spell, sealing the cave entrance behind them.
Meanwhile, outside the cave, the entire scenery around them changed. Leaving the dense forest behind, they found themselves surrounded by a desolate mountain range.
***
A day later...
Once again, they stopped for lunch. Unfortunately, it wasn't an extravagant affair. The Chiron didn't allow them to eat the food they had brought from the outside. They didn't want to get infected with any foreign bacteria they might have brought along.
Instead, the Chiron offered them an assortment of dried berries and water. It wasn't enough to fill their stomach, but it boosted their energy for the ride ahead.
Meanwhile, the centaurs quickly wrapped up the unused food and ran ahead at full speed.
After the chat they had yesterday, the Chirons had spoken little. So much so that they didn't even know the names of the Chiron carrying them. Hence, YuWon and the others didn't either. Thankfully, they didn't have to tolerate each other for long.
"We're here," the Chiron carrying YuWon announced.
The Chiron stopped, prompting the humans to get off. YuWon jumped off before helping Yeji do the same. As he did, the rest of them suddenly wanted his help as well. YuWon rolled his eyes and helped Anna and Gina too, before taking in the scenery.
Everything was more or less the same as before. Desolate mountains surrounded them. But this time, in the valley, they could see a patch of green that felt out of place.
That patch of green was the city founded by the Chiron... or so the Chiron wanted them to believe.
"You can follow that path if you want to die," one Chiron replied and turned to the massive wall behind them.
Of course...
The Chiron, a secretive race of Centaurs, wouldn't build a city in such an obvious spot. Instead, the green patch they saw was a breeding ground for countless deadly creatures. If anyone accidentally fell in, there'd be no way to escape, and the beasts would eventually devour them below.
Meanwhile, the Chiron hugged the wall, looking for something. Then they hit it simultaneously, and a lever emerged from the ground below. It took all six of them to pull it, and when they did, a hidden path appeared within the mountain they were standing on.
...fuck me.