On the horizon, a black wave was slowly covering the sky.
Theo suddenly shrieked and got up from where he sat immediately.
" That-t thing! How can we have such a ridiculous amount of bad luck!" Theo was screaming in a high volume and everyone surrounding him was also alerted.
Many people suddenly screamed, "Cursed wave!!" and started panicking.
Lief was stunned as he had never heard or seen such a thing in his entire life.
Theo hurriedly explained," Brother Leif you might not know as you are new here but this is one of the most dangerous things you can ever encounter on this continent. They are one of the most unholy beings that has ever existed since time immemorial, Cursed humans!!"
He said as they hurriedly snatched a horse and started their escape and were forced to abandon all others in the caravan as this disaster left them no other choice.
Theo continued as they rushed forward, "According to legends it is said that they are a race that is cursed by the 'path'.
Leif jolted upon hearing this and looked back at the incoming black wave with terror on his face.
To be cursed by the very 'path' and have their sentience revoked is not something caused by some light and forgettable crime.
It was done towards a race or a person who did something so unpardonable and unforgivable that they were turned 'pathless'.
But the fact that the path could only curse them rather than sever their existence showed the might and glory of that race.
Theo continued his explanation of the cursed humans after seeing that Leif had little knowledge of them.
"Under the direct attack of the wave, it is almost impossible for anyone to survive unless they are a seventh ring martial artist in the very least and I heard that it will take a legendary nine ring martial artist to wip-" Theo suddenly stopped when he noticed that the wave was briefly stopping when it stopped to devour a person and his eyes flashed a cold light and without any prior notice suddenly struck his sword decisively at Lief's horse decisively.
Leif was caught off-guard but he knew why Theo had done this. For the cursed wave to devour a group of ordinary person it would take some moments.
But to devour a single martial artist it would take at least a couple more.
"It seems Felix was right about the ferocious and cunning nature of people," Leif said as he was tumbling down but while he was falling he threw a sharp flint of stone imbued with path energy at the fleeing Theo.
A loud shriek was heard as both Leif and Theo fell down from their horses.
Theo was fidgeting as he clutched his spine and glared at Leif with a murderous look.
Leif stood up almost immediately and without any hesitation, he grabbed Theo's horse and looked down at the now paralyzed Theo, and said in a cold tone with a hint of sadness as he left in a hurry.
"How fugitive and brief is mortal life between the budding and the falling leaf, learn to cherish it at least in your next life."
Theo trembled when he heard this and looked at the incoming cursed wave with a face full of terror.
Soon the unending, brochure-blue sky was filled with unending screams filled with limitless terror.
***************
Long grass seeded with wildflowers, sunlight, bees, dragonflies, butterflies, dry leaves trapped in the grass, tall trees laden with leaves hemming the clearing, birds, mushrooms, wild strawberry plants, ants, beetles, spiders, mice, moss, broken branches at the edge…
As Leif saw this he thought that he had reached the afterlife when he felt a painful sensation.
'My head hurts so badly! he thought as he gripped his head in pain.
But sighed when he saw the terrain.
Unfortunately after abandoning Theo and escaping, he was not able to evade the cursed wave in time.
But due to some luck, he was able to forcefully draw the power of the mysterious path rune in his mind space and evaded the wave to stumble upon this forest.
As he was prepared to get up and further explore this location he heard an anxious but curious voice speaking behind him.
"Who are you? Are you here to capture and kill me?"