For now, the best thing Aurdis could do was contact Saeldir. He must know more about these sinister mountains than she does.
Aurdis clutched a pentagram-shaped amulet on her chest. Then with her will, she contacted Saeldir.
However, strangely, even though she tried to contact him, Saeldir didn't answer the signal.
This made Aurdis frown as she looked at the amulet on her chest with anxiety.
'Didn't you say you would always be ready if I called?!'
Aurdis cursed Saeldir in her heart.
But in the end, she could only sigh and continue her steps up the muddy and slippery road because of the rain.
Surprisingly, in these mountains, there were not even the sounds of animals.
No birds were chirping at each other or some other animal making a rustling sound around her.
These mountains were so quiet like a long abandoned tomb.
This atmosphere made Aurdis uncomfortable.
Even when she had put on the protection of the clothes and accessories she was wearing, Aurdis still felt anxious.
Aurdis knows that the protection she uses is very strong.
But all that protection could only protect her body, while her mentality, which had never traveled alone, still felt vulnerable.
Aurdis just sighed. There was no other choice if she wanted to reach the Forest Elves.
So Aurdis braced herself and guided Star further and further to the top.
"Hhh... Hhh..." The breath that came out of Aurdis' mouth blended into the gray fog around him.
"(This is very tiring. Right, Star?)" Aurdis asked Star to get rid of her loneliness.
This forest area in the mountains was very quiet. So Aurdis needed at least one creature she could talk to.
Because Saeldir - who said that he would soon come to her summons if needed - did not answer the call.
Star snorted as if confirming Aurdis' feeling. The Stallion must have been tired of climbing this path too.
He even slipped a few times. If Star could talk, he would have said a few swear words on their way here.
But Aurdis couldn't really blame Saeldir too much either.
The man must not have answered because he was also dealing with something that caught his attention.
*swuushh!*
*swuushh!*
*swuushh!*
...
Aurdis heard a strange voice from behind. She immediately looked back.
Star snorted in a wary tone as if he too could sense that something was off.
"(Don't worry. Everything will be fine,)" Aurdis rubbed Star's neck to comfort him. "(I will protect you.)"
Aurdis spread her gaze around. That voice seemed to indicate that something was moving behind this gray fog.
They are on the branches of trees hidden behind the fog. Waiting for the opportunity to attack.
Aurdis started to prepare Magic on her bracelet and ring.
She also channeled her Magic into the ground and surrounding plants so that she would be easier to manipulate them later.
If she brought Magic weapons like Aerchon's Arrondite and Saeldir's sword - which he had not yet named - then Aurdis had nothing to worry about.
Weapons like that have their Magic power. That way the user doesn't need to use their own Magic energy.
Weapons like Arrondite seem to have a soul of their own. So they attack as if with their own power to protect the wielder.
But Aurdis never wanted to be a warrior before. So she never thought of getting one of those weapons.
Even though she had the same Magic talent as Aerchon and Saeldir, Aurdis only wanted to use it to heal and treat. Not hurt.
However, as she grew older, Aurdis realized the fact that she had to have the heart to hurt other creatures.
Because the world is full of creatures who also want to harm them. Even when Aurdis know the reason behind that animosity is her own race attitude.
Daemons of Calamity and Ogres Kingdom were the only few who attack openly.
Now that Aurdis has finally decided to travel alone, Aurdis knows that she must fight to defend herself.
Especially now that she had arrived at Grayfog Mountain. A place she didn't understand. Aurdis did not know what was targeting her behind this gray fog right now.
*SYUUUT!*
*SYUUUT!*
*SYUUUT!*
*SYUUUT!*
*SYUUUT!*
The five daggers shot toward Aurdis very quickly.
The daggers also came from all directions making it difficult for the target to dodge.
However, Aurdis does not need to dodge.
*TANGGG!*
*TANGGG!*
*TANGGG!*
The daggers bounced off the invisible dome surrounding Aurdis and Star.
Of course, she had already prepared the dome from the start when she heard a rustling sound between the branches of the trees.
Aurdis looked up. She saw that three black figures were jumping between the tree branches.
They disappeared a moment later in the fog. Aurdis then closed her eyes.
Her magic had spread in all directions, blending into this thick fog.
With that, Aurdis tracked down the whereabouts of her attackers.
Aurdis felt one that was right above the tree branch behind her.
Aurdis could see in her mind that the figure was raising its hand holding a dagger.
Before the figure could throw the dagger in its grip, Aurdis stretched one hand towards it and formed a gripping motion.
Then she formed a movement like pulling. The attacker immediately pulled from the top of a tree branch towards her.
Her assailant stopped a few meters above the ground. It wore a shabby, thick gray robe. The robe covered its entire body.
It also wears a gray mask that covers its entire face. Leaving a pair of eyes that look like human eyes.
However, it had a strange feature that made Aurdis frown. It had a pair of hands so long they touched its calves.
"(I've caught your friend! If you don't want him to die, stop this quickly!)" Aurdis said threateningly.
She didn't know if these creatures understood what she was saying.
The Elves' communication Magic couldn't work unless they knew who or what they were talking to. And for now, Aurdis doesn't know.
Aurdis could sense that these creatures were hesitating. It seemed they understood what she was saying.
Or at least, they understood the situation their friend was in.
"(Come down and let's talk,)"
Aurdis said while making a gesture to get them closer with her hand.
~~~