After a quiet night, the group once again started moving toward the north.
They were in much better shape now since their hunger had been alleviated.
Hope had been rekindled, now it would only take them 2 weeks to reach the city, and they reminded themselves of it constantly.
However, this enthusiasm wasn't shared by all, currently, the warriors were drowning in anxiety. Ever since their group left their camp, two packs of magical beasts had been following them.
They followed Leopold's order by ignoring their presence for now, but they couldn't help but tense up at what they were going to face.
The mercenaries continued walking as if there was nothing wrong, seemingly already used to this kind of scene.
Unlike other warriors, they, who spent the majority of the year outside, in the wilderness, knew many stratagems that others didn't. That was why they seemed confident even when surrounded by voracious creatures that wanted nothing more than to tear them apart.
There were 40 of them combined, if they attacked, it could prove to be a disaster even though they were all stage 1.
However, the two packs kept each other in check, following the crowd on both sides as if escorting them.
[They're waiting for the competition to strike first. Those two species don't get along.]
Castiane commented from the side. Giving a glance at Oresus, as if asking him if he's going to do something about it.
It was already past lunchtime but nobody had eaten anything yet. If someone took out their ration to eat, it could trigger the beast's aggressivity.
[What would you have done if it was in your forest, with your people being at risk of being killed?]
Oresus asked with a tinge of curiosity in his voice.
His eyes staring straight at a male wolf crouching on a tree branch, staring back at him with a smirk of disdain, as if looking down on his prey.
[It could not happen. We, elves are blessed by the Beast King. The magical beasts would not attack us without reason. And even if they did, we are one with nature, escaping from stage 1 beasts is easy for us inside a forest. In fact, were it not for that cursed 2nd branch bloodrainist, no matter what devious plans the humans prepared, I would never have fallen in their hands!]
Her anger was so intense it disfigured her beautiful face into a mask of hate.
The hostile aura emanating from her brought her much attention from both warriors and magical beasts. If she did not immediately revert her aura inside her body, the magical beasts may have directly attacked.
[A 2nd branch bloodrainist? Why did I not see him before?]
Oresus's surprise was genuine. A 2nd branch could wipe out at least 20 1st branch bloodrainist on his own, the difference between both was immense.
In Lingston's town, he had never seen anyone above 1st branch.
[After reaching the town, she left on her own. Wait until I rank up, I'll be sure to track her down and kidnap her to bring to my tribe as a pet.]
Suddenly, both of them stopped talking. They could feel a powerful aura coming for them in the forest.
The packs of magical beasts stalking them whined before fleeing with their tails tucked between their legs.
Oresus's expression became serious. He took out a talisman from his treasury chest, hiding it in his sleeve. Unlike those he used before, this one had many more lines and words drawn on it.
Soon, the mercenaries in charge of leading the way also noticed the aura that was openly revealing itself to the world, as if proclaiming its might.
It was at least a 2nd branch bloodrainist, or an apprentice ranked magicalist.
When people came out from the distance wearing dark robes and riding powerful horses, everyone stood still. Even the mortals who had no power could sense the crisis.
[Follow us.]
Only two words came out of the man leading the group of 20 eerie dressed men, but no one spoke back. The crowd meekly followed them in the forest.
The mercenaries did not show any intention of fighting back. Only terror and despair were shown on their faces.
Oresus glanced quizzically at Castiane, but she only raised her shoulders in a "I don't know" manner. Keeping his doubts inside, he stood still, watching them surround the crowd when a person came to him stealthily.
[Leave now, I know you can. Those are cultists from the Chaos temple, you need to leave.]
Oresus stared at Kali with a confused expression. She had came all the way here to warn him, but didn't seem intent on leaving herself.
[Why aren't you thinking of escaping instead of warning me?]
It seemed she had misinterpreted his question and briefly showed a hurt expression.
[I am not trying to use you. We, none of us can leave. They are too strong, it's a death wish to oppose them. But I know if it's you, you can do it. You are an odd man full of secrets but I do not wish for you to die here...]
They stared at each other silently for a few moments, as if they were enjoying this moment of deadly threat while sharing their affection with their eyes.
[I won't leave. I want to see what's this church of Chaos is about. As you said, I can escape whenever I want, so don't worry about me. Rather, think of a way to save yourself.]
A tired smile appeared on her face as she corrected him.
[It's the temple of Chaos...]
Castiane stared at the new member of their group with dissatisfaction as they followed the rest of the crowd into an unknown direction.
Maia held her hand, trying to calm her down by whispering a few words.
Oresus and Kali kept a distance between each other, even in the face of death, they each had their secrets and worries that they did not share with each other.
Soon, the trees in the surrounding changed colours again, showing brown trunks and grey leaves.
A tall gate appeared outside a cave with nobody in the proximity. But when one cultist touched the gate with his palm, a strange energy went through the gate, slowly opening it.
[Enter, and welcome, to our temple.]
Their leader stepped first inside the darkness of the cave, soon followed by the mercenaries and the refugees.
Oresus glanced at the cave's structure, before concluding that it was manmade.
At an unknown time, Kali took hold of his hand in the darkness.
He could feel her heartbeat speeding up in her chest, her body showing signs of fear.
Yet, he, who had eyes that could see in darkness wasn't afraid.
His eyes briefly glanced at the women in his group, before peering deeper in the tunnel.
The whole cave lead underground, with countless tunnels intertwining, leading in different directions.
The cultists were leading them to the east, deep in the earth, where a few torches lit the way.
As soon as light returned to her eyes, Kali removed her hand fromOresus's hold, her face blushing slightly.
Even though she claimed to her teammates to have forgotten him, whenever she came close to him, her heart would accelerate and she would long to have a discussion with him.
She cursed herself in her mind, for not being with her friends and mentor when she was about to die. Instead, she ran to a male she barely knew, and could possibly be manipulating her. However, the kiss they shared that night would never let her sleep in peace, she wanted to ask him before dying, ask him what he truly held inside his heart.
They arrived in what seemed to be a hall, many cultists could be seen kneeling on the ground silently. The high ceiling made it seem like they were under a night sky, with a few torches illuminating the hall, but too few to light up the centre of the hall.
The outline of a dark beast stood at the end of the hall, making them suffocate in fear.
It was a pitch-black creature, at least 3 meters long. He looked like a mix between a tiger and bull. His eyes slowly opened when the crowd stepped in the middle of the hall.
The two green slits in his eyes made them shiver unconsciously, dread overtaking their bodies and souls.
[Lowly humans have defiled the divine beast's temple, lord of chaos, please bestow upon them eternal misery.]
The leader of the cultists who brought them here announced with a malevolent voice, frightening all who heard him.
A young man who could not handle the fear in his heart, nor the pressure from this eery place tried to run back the way he came.
He only managed to take three steps before two cultists standing behind stopped him with ease, one of them dragging him closer to the beast.
[NO! Let me go! I don't want to be here! Let me go!]
His screams resounded around the hall, affecting the rest of the refugees. Tears came out of those who knew the young man, but they did not try to save him. Nobody moved, paralysed by unparalleled terror.
[Disgusting human, plead for the Chaos Beast to save your pitiful soul and flesh from this world.]
[No, I am sorry, please don't eat me. I don't want to die!]
Tears and snot covered his face as he begged, screamed and tore at his hair with all his strength.
But none of it mattered. Oresus watched with stupor as the dark beast slightly opened its maw, a strong suction force erupted, sucking a transparent orb of energy from the man's head, then the beast closed his mouth with a disdainful expression.
Oresus was shocked. That beast directly ate a human soul!
He had never heard of this before.
Then, the name of the beast struck him: Chaos beast! Chaos!
A magical beast affiliated to the extinct chaos element.