Thornton

  The village behind us slowly faded from view as we began our journey to the cabin. The path ahead was well-trodden, a dirt road flanked by towering pines that reached toward the sky like sentinels guarding an ancient secret. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, creating patterns of golden light that danced on the ground as the breeze stirred the branches.

  "I've got to admit," Jade said, breaking the silence, "this is the first time I've been this far from Canu Village. It's... peaceful." She walked slightly ahead of me, her bow strapped securely to her back, her gaze scanning the treetops.

  "Peaceful for now," Emberes replied from behind us, his tone measured. He adjusted the greatsword resting on his back. "But don't let your guard down. This road may be safe, but we're nearing uncharted territory. Bandits and wild beasts could be lurking."

  "Oh, great. Thanks for the comforting thought," Jade muttered, rolling her eyes.

  Despite Emberes' warning, I couldn't help but enjoy the serenity of the forest. Each step seemed to carry us deeper into a world untouched by time. The sound of our boots crunching on the dirt road blended with the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of distant birds.

  "Thornton," Jade called back to me, her voice light. "If you keep spacing out, you're going to trip over your own feet. What's got you so distracted?"

  I hesitated before answering. "I guess... it's just been a while since I've been out in nature like this. I forgot how calm it feels."

  Jade smirked. "Calm? Don't get too used to it. Something tells me things won't stay calm for long."

  Emberes chuckled. "You're not wrong, Jade. This mission isn't going to be a stroll through the woods. But for now, enjoy the quiet. You'll miss it when the chaos begins."

  As we continued walking, the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Shadows grew longer, stretching across the road like fingers reaching for the horizon. The air cooled, and the faint scent of pine mingled with the earthy aroma of the forest floor.

  "How much farther do you think it is?" Jade asked, glancing over her shoulder at Emberes.

  He pulled out a small map from his satchel and studied it briefly. "About an hour, maybe less if we keep up this pace. The cabin should be at the edge of the forest, near a clearing."

  "Good," Jade said, adjusting her quiver. "My feet are starting to ache. Whoever invented boots needs to do better."

  I laughed. "I don't think it's the boots, Jade. You're just not used to walking this much."

  She shot me a playful glare. "Keep talking, and I'll make you carry me the rest of the way."

  "I'd pay to see that," Emberes added with a grin.

  The lighthearted banter eased the growing tension I'd felt since we left the manor. Despite the calm surroundings, there was an underlying weight to our journey—the knowledge of what lay ahead. Yet, for this brief moment, it felt like we were just three kids on an ordinary hike.

  As the sun dipped lower, the forest began to change. The air grew cooler, and the once-lively chirping of birds quieted. Shadows deepened, and an almost eerie stillness settled over the woods. Even the breeze seemed to hold its breath.

  "It's getting darker faster than I expected," Emberes noted, his tone more serious now. "Stay close. We don't want to get separated."

  We tightened our formation, the earlier levity replaced by a cautious focus. I rested my hand on the hilt of my sword, my senses alert for any sign of danger. The trees loomed taller now, their twisted branches forming jagged shapes against the fading light.

  "Anyone else getting the feeling we're being watched?" Jade whispered, her voice barely audible.

  I scanned the forest but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, an uneasy feeling crept over me, like a pair of unseen eyes were following our every move. Emberes must have felt it too because his hand hovered near the hilt of his greatsword.

  "Stay calm," he said quietly. "It's probably just your imagination. But keep your weapons ready, just in case."

  We pressed on, the tension thickening with every step. The path narrowed, forcing us to walk single file. The canopy above grew denser, blocking out the remaining light. I could barely make out Jade's silhouette ahead of me, and Emberes' steady footsteps behind me were the only reassurance that we were still together.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees began to thin. A faint light ahead signaled the edge of the forest. Relief washed over me as we stepped into a small clearing bathed in the warm glow of twilight. In the center of the clearing stood a modest wooden cabin, its roof partially obscured by overhanging branches.

  "There it is," Emberes said, his voice breaking the silence. "The cabin."

  Jade let out a breath she'd been holding. "Thank the gods. I thought we'd never get here."

  The night is quiet, an eerie stillness hanging in the air, until a Emberes lets out a series of thunderous knocks shatter the silence, each one rattling the cabin walls as though the earth itself might tremble. My heart skips a beat, and I glance at Emberes, who's still moving toward the door. The sharp, rhythmic sound echoes in my ears.

  "Why are you knocking?" I ask, trying to steady my pulse. The tension in my chest is almost unbearable.

  "Well, the lights are on, so it appears the other three are already here. It's the polite thing to do," Emberes replies, his voice calm, collected, as if he doesn't share the same uneasy feeling that crawls up my spine.

  Before I can respond, a voice from behind the door calls out sharply, "You can enter!"

  As Emberes slowly opens the door, I feel my palms grow clammy, and I instinctively reach for the hilt of my sword. Something about this moment feels different. Everything has gone smoothly up until now, but I can't shake the nagging feeling that trouble is lurking just beyond that door. The tension builds like the moments before a storm.

  The door swings open, and there they are—three young figures standing with weapons drawn, their faces a mixture of caution and readiness. They're around our age, and though their expressions are focused, there's an undeniable sense of familiarity in their stance, as if they've been in a hundred battles before. The one in the center stands tall, exuding a sense of command. I can tell immediately he's the leader.

  But it's Emberes who speaks first, his voice steady. "We were sent here to help investigate the dark magic in the Forest of the Lost. I'm Emberes of the Char, and this is Thornton and Jade of the Liche."

  The young man in the center, the one I'm guessing is their leader, steps forward. His eyes narrow slightly as he sizes us up. "My name is Hue, son of King Belfour. This is Gashiaz of the Goudoox family, and Aszhauk of the Chonk." He gestures to the two figures still crouched by the door, weapons still drawn but now lowered as they step forward.

  The mood in the cabin shifts, the weight of each gaze heavy, calculating. The five of them exchange greetings and handshakes, but the air remains taut, as if no one quite trusts anyone yet. I can feel my own pulse quicken, though I try to mask it.

  Hue's eyes narrow as he studies us, and then he speaks, his tone cautious but probing. "May I ask you two a question, Thornton and Jade?"

  "Of course," we answer in unison, though there's a subtle tension in our voices.

  Hue's gaze sharpens, and he asks, "I think Emberes was mistaken when he said you two are from the Liche clan. Were they not slaughtered years ago, and any survivors hunted down through the years?"

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  The question strikes like a blow, and I feel Jade's eyes burn into Hue with a glare that could melt steel. Her purple eyes gleam with unspoken fury, and for a brief moment, I'm afraid she might strike, but I place a firm hand on her shoulder to steady her.

  I take a deep breath, my voice steady but firm. "You are right. Almost all of us were killed. But Jade and I are the last survivors. While we are alive, you will respect that, and refer to us as the Liche."

  Emberes steps in, his voice cutting through the growing tension. "Calm down, you two. The Canu hid the truth from other villages to protect you. The information that Hue had was accurate, but there's more to it," he says, his voice smooth, like a balm to a wound. His calm authority fills the room, and I can feel the anger begin to dissipate.

  Hue's frown deepens, but there's a note of regret in his voice. "The news that there are still two members of the Liche clan alive is... astounding. My father always spoke of how the Liche held a very special place in his heart. He always wished he could've saved them during the genocide."

  The weight of his words lands heavily in the room. For a moment, there's a raw silence, as though everyone in the room is reflecting on the past.

  "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding," Hue adds, his tone soft, genuine.

  "It's fine," Jade replies coolly, though I can see the flicker of emotion in her eyes.

  Hue continues, a slight, genuine smile forming on his lips. "My father often mentions the Liche. After this mission, you should come to Belfour City."

  Both Jade and I exchange surprised glances. For a fleeting moment, we forget ourselves, our faces lighting up with excitement. The idea of visiting Belfour City, a place so woven into the fabric of our people's history, fills us both with a sense of hope.

  "Yes, we'd be honored," I say, my voice more earnest than I intended.

  "If you would like to come as well, Emberes, I'll send Guar Knights to escort you," Hue adds, as though offering an olive branch.

  The moment of warmth quickly dissipates, replaced by Aszhauk's harsh voice. "You dare invite them to the palace? We don't even know what they're capable of. And for all we know, they could be spies."

  The room grows colder at Aszhauk's words, and I feel a ripple of unease spread across the group. Gashiaz and Aszhauk are still watching us with wary eyes, but Hue, ever calm, responds with a quiet, unwavering confidence.

  "I can assure you they are not spies. Their armor and weapons are forged from the finest metals and fabrics of Belfour City. And remember, this cabin was constructed specifically for this mission a few weeks ago. It would be highly unlikely for an enemy to know this exact location and send three members of the Canu here. Let's be honest, the Liche were believed to be extinct. No one would claim them."

  Aszhauk's eyes flicker, but he doesn't respond immediately. His suspicion lingers in the air like a cloud. "Whatever. If they give me one reason not to trust them, they're dead," he mutters, his voice low and dangerous.

  Gashiaz speaks up, her voice steady but firm. "Only the Liche have eyes like those. I believe them."

  The words are simple, but they carry weight, and they seem to settle the air somewhat. Aszhauk's glare softens, though his suspicion remains.

  Emberes steps in, his tone firm but measured. "Aszhauk, I understand your suspicions, but remember, until we know for sure, keep it to yourself. We are not enemies here. Let's settle in, and we can discuss what's been happening and plan accordingly."

  The tension in the room finally begins to dissipate as the three of us—Jade, Emberes, and I—head inside the cabin. There's no more conversation as we prepare our things. The unease lingers, but it's quiet now, more like a low hum that we're all trying to ignore. It only takes about five minutes for us to get our food and equipment into the proper places, and once we return to the main room, Emberes wastes no time getting down to business.

  "So, what weapons do you three use?" he asks, his voice pragmatic, cutting through the quiet.

  "I use a quarterstaff as my main weapon," Hue replies, his voice strong and steady, "but I always keep a sword sheathed for emergencies."

  Gashiaz lifts her bow, her gesture a clear statement of her weapon of choice. Aszhauk's reply is short and blunt. "A scythe."

  Emberes nods, his gaze flicking over us as he speaks. "As you can see, Jade uses a bow, and Thornton uses an iron short sword."

  Then, with a flourish, Emberes reaches over his shoulder and pulls a massive sword from his back. It gleams in the low light, radiating heat and power. Mana pulses from it, the very air around us seeming to hum with energy. Even Jade and I exchange looks of awe, unable to hide our amazement at the sheer presence of the weapon.

  "This," Emberes says, his voice filled with quiet pride, "is what I use."

  He returns the sword to its sheath with reverence and then motions for a piece of paper. Gashiaz returns shortly with the paper and ink. Emberes begins to sketch the layout of the cabin, marking it with a square and labeling it simply: "Cabin."

  "This is our location," he explains, pointing at the drawing. "As we scout for signs of dark magic or mage activity, we'll update this map. That way, when the Guar Knights arrive, they'll have a full understanding of the terrain."

  Gashiaz's voice cuts through the moment. "We were actually thinking we could handle this ourselves. We've already scouted the area for two days before you got here."

  Aszhuak glares at her, his eyes narrowing with hostility. I can feel the sharp edge of his gaze, and the tension in my chest tightens.

  "I was thinking the same thing!" I speak up, a little too forcefully. "If we complete a mission that requires a Guar Knight's involvement, we'll get noticed. That'll bring me one step closer to becoming one."

  The mention of the Guar Knights seems to shift something in Aszhauk's stance. His glare falters, and the angry tension in his body slowly dissipates.

  "That's why we wanted to take this mission," Aszhauk admits, his voice quieter now.

  I notice Emberes watching me with a smirk, clearly enjoying the dynamic unfolding.

  "If that's what you want to do, we can go that route," Emberes says, his tone neutral but knowing. "I'll let the elders know we had no choice but to engage in battle."

  "I mean, it's five on one, so I'm in too," Jade sighs, her voice tinged with resignation but also an eagerness that mirrors mine.

  We spend the next few hours finalizing our plans, working out the best strategies for each day. By the time night falls, we've settled on a course of action. Hue, Gashiaz, and I will head into the forest tonight to look for any signs of dark magic or hidden hideouts. Emberes, Jade, and Aszhauk will prepare for a potential strike in the morning if we encounter any mages. If there are no mages, they'll shift their focus to searching for the Mask of Cada before anyone else can claim it.

  "You three will set the tone," Emberes says, his voice firm, "be safe, and rush back if anything too dangerous arises."

  He hands me the map, his expression serious. "Update it with any landmarks and suspected enemy activity."

  We gather our weapons, steeling ourselves for what's to come. Outside, the moon hides behind a curtain of clouds, leaving the path ahead bathed in the soft glow of scattered light. The air is warm, filled with the sounds of croaking frogs and hissing cicadas as we step into the forest.

  "This night is so beautiful," Gashiaz murmurs, her voice filled with awe as she gazes at the sky.

  "Filled with beauty," I reply softly, my eyes lingering on her, captivated by the way the moonlight dances across her features.

  "Isn't it?" Gashiaz replies, oblivious to the way I'm looking at her.

  She doesn't seem to notice my subtle flirtation, or maybe she's simply disregarding it as childish. Either way, I can't help but feel a sense of warmth whenever she speaks.

  We continue walking, passing the time with lighthearted games. I pretend to shoot blasts of energy from my hands, while Gashiaz aims her bow, shooting imaginary arrows at the raccoons and foxes that dart across our path. Hue remains focus as if being a kid isn't an option for him.

  Not much was happening as we walked through the woods. The air was warm and thick with the scent of pine and earth, broken only by the occasional rustling in the bushes. Each time the noise came, we would freeze, only to see a small animal dart out—a rabbit startled by our presence, or a fox rummaging for food. It was enough to keep our nerves on edge, even if nothing seemed to pose an immediate threat.

  About ten minutes away from the forest entrance, we came upon a massive rock, its surface jagged and weathered as though carved by ancient hands. It loomed over the path like a silent sentinel, casting long shadows under the pale moonlight.

  "Thornton, take out the map and mark this rock to update the area," Hue barked, his tone brisk, slicing through the quiet like a blade.

  I nodded, slinging my bag off my shoulder and fumbling for the map. Unfolding it, I knelt beside the rock and tried my best to draw a crude symbol to represent it. It wasn't perfect, but it would do. This spot was significant—a clear halfway point between the cabin and the forest's entrance.

  As I rolled up the map and began to stuff it back into my bag, a sound caught my attention. Another rustling through the underbrush. At first, I paid it little mind. We'd heard it so many times already tonight—just another animal, I told myself.

  But then, I saw them.

  Five figures stepped out from the shadows, their movements silent and predatory. My pulse quickened as my eyes darted over them. They were tall, ranging from about 5'11 to 6'4, and each one carried a weapon—swords gleaming faintly in the dim light, and staffs carved with sinister-looking runes. They moved with purpose, their dark silhouettes blending with the shadows around them.

  "Nice armor, kids," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with disdain as he stepped forward. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but I could see the glint of amusement in his eyes.

  Another chuckled, his voice mocking. "I bet they stole their parents' gear and decided to play hero out here."

  "Doesn't matter where they got it," a third said coldly, his voice low and gravelly. He gripped his sword tighter, the edge catching the moonlight. "We'll kill them and sell every last ounce of it."

  My stomach twisted into a knot. These weren't just travelers or lost wanderers—these were predators, mercenaries perhaps, and they weren't here to talk. I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, my knuckles white. My heart raced as I glanced at Hue and Gashiaz, trying to gauge their reactions.

  "Stay calm," Hue muttered, his voice barely audible but laced with authority. He took a subtle step forward, raising his quarterstaff. "If this turns into a fight, we'll hold the line. Thornton, Gashiaz, be ready."

  My breath hitched as one of the strangers laughed, a cruel, mirthless sound that sent a chill down my spine. The distance between us seemed to shrink with every heartbeat, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

  I wasn't sure if we were ready for this.