{AN: Made a discord server with the help of my friend, here is the link:
https://discord.gg/ZCX5F5cfKq
Don't worry I will also post the link in the comments session.}
.
.
.
We continue walking and sometimes making small talk, to my surprise Shuten appears to have a lot of talent manipulating the positive energy of the sun, and slowly she is able to get the breathing rhythm right, her progress is honestly quite a bit staggering. And this is coming from a guy that learned cultivation alone, without a master or any kind of guide. Yeah, I had my [Sharingan], but that doesn't make this less of an impressive feat.
Turalion seems to be fairly attentive towards the road, searching for anything that could be a bother. Altair seems a bit distracted mumbling different words and training his [Ripple] a bit. Elii and Aahin seem to be also observing their surroundings.
I took this time to think for myself a little bit, this bunch of new memories I've gotten from the [Dragon Break]. Some of them were about me modifying my cultivation technique, and while I didn't have any huge success yet, I had plenty of memories trying to do so. Meaning that I may be quite close to coming up with my own cultivation technique. And while the [Black Heaven and Earth Technique] is an excellent [Ki] cultivation technique, and I am quite compatible with it, it is quite lacking when it comes to [Wave]. And seeing that wave became my base now, I saw fit in many alternative timelines to try to create a cultivation technique compatible with it.
Sadly I had too little time, the five days were too much of a short period to create something like that. But that doesn't mean I wasn't able to come up with a base, with a start to this journey that will be creating a cultivation technique. I learned that a great part of cultivating is linked to cycles, I basically cycle my [Wave] on my body slowly strengthening and improving it. So I had thought about adding rotation to my cultivation technique, I tried it multiple times but not even once was I successful. But that is a good thing, as Yoda says: "The greatest teacher, failure is.".
Soon we reached the road, but calling it a road is kind of a stretch, this is basically a path that formed itself due to people walking too much in the same place.
"Hah, finally the road. Reaching Sentinel now would be way easier."(Turalion).
"*Sigh* I am just kind of lost on what to do when we arrive."(Elii).
"Hmm... I don't want to split the group, I think we make a good team and we should stay together."(Altair).
"Altair is right, I also think we make a good team. And we have higher chances of staying alive if we are working together... Huh, I also never asked does anyone here would like to disband? Or go by themselves? This isn't a cult or something, you are free to come and go."(Jin).
"Khajiit likes the prospects of working on a team. Khajiit will stay."(Aahin).
"Huh, we didn't interact much yet, but I can see you all are good teammates. I'm in."(Shuten).
"Good to see that. Now turalion, is it really Sentinel this read will lead to? Are you sure about that?"(Jin).
"I am pretty sure. But I will still cast a simple divination spell to be certain, I am not that good with those, but a simple spell to see if I am going in the right direction is well in my abilities."(Turalion).
Turalion waved his hand, and the [Magika] inside of his body moved in a specific pattern, he also moved his hands which helped to cast the spell upon the world. A pale blue light surfaced and formed a plate blue line of smoke for a good five meters, seeing the direction the smoke was pointing,g everyone sighed in relief seeing we were going in the right direction.
I was all the time paying attention to the simple spell Turalion cast, using my [Sharingan] to record every movement, every muscle twitch, every once of [Magika] he used. I may not be able to use magic right now, but if my plans for the future are anything to go by will be able to use it soon enough.
And yes, I already checked. My [Elder scroll(Eye)] is already back into my backpack, it is quite impressive how much this fella likes to come back to me. Alt Jin wasn't joking about it. I expect for it to return but I sincerely still had my doubts, I am quite happy it turned out alright.
"Let's go people, if I am not mistaken there is quite the big forest forward. And I don't want to spend any more nights in the desert. the forest is quite big so we probably will need to alter our pace to a slight jog, hope everyone has rested enough?"(Turalion).
"I am cool. [Ripples] helps a lot when it comes to recovering."(Elii).
"Khajiit is is good, increasing the pace wouldn't be a problem."(Aahin).
"Fine for me. I was just waiting for you to ask."(Altair).
"I am fine. I am good enough with [ripple] that increasing the pace won't disrupt my rhythm."(Shuten).
"I am fine here."(Jin).
Turalion nodded and started walking forward, he seems a little nervous about something so I decided to talk with him. Coming closer to I talked in a lower voice.
"So what go you so worried?"(Jin).
"*Sigh* It's just that I don't think we will be arriving by nightfall in Sentinel, it will probably be later at night."(Turalion).
"Turalion, I know you better than that. That is just a minor mistake. Something like that wouldn't make you this worried."(Jin).
"You are right... I am just worried that after the forest there is a little bit more of the desert before we arrive at Sentinel, and it was there that I was captured, heck there is even a beach closer to that, I remember that I loved to take a dip in the water after training. But then..."(Turalion).
"Don't worry friend. This time the whole team is here. We go your back, and we are also pretty tough, considering all the trouble we survived."(Jin).
Turalion visibly relaxed a bit, guess going back to the place where he was captured must be awakening some traumatic memories. I would've been like that too if the same happened to me. turalion seems to think for a bit before asking something.
"That new girl, Shuten right?"(Turalion)
"Yeah, that is her name."(Jin).
"Hmm, I don't trust her. Neither does Altair, Elii, and Aahin."(Turalion).
"Understandable. You can't simply trust someone you just met."(Jin).
Turalion looked at me funnily for a few seconds before smirking.
"The joke wasn't missed, pal. But you know our situations were different. The only reason everyone accepted her so easily on the team is because of You."(Turalion).
"Me why would you all do that? If anyone has any objection they can just-"(Jin).
"No, that is not it. I can see that she isn't a bad person per is, but I still don't trust her. the only reason we aren't more vigilant is because we trust you. And if you trust her enough to teach her [Ripple], we can give her the benefit of the doubt."(Turalion).
I was kind of speechless at such information, something that Turalion seems to have noticed even with my face fully covered.
"Why would you all trust me so much-"(Jin).
"Dude, you just saved our ass and fought thick and thin to survive in the desert for these five days. We trusted you because you earned our trust more times than I can count. The girl is simply a newcomer, we don't trust her, yet. We are just giving her the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise."(Turalion).
"Well, damn. I didn't expect you all to simply trust her, but I also didn't know you all had so much faith in me."(Jin).
"You are a friend Jin, of course, things would be like that... Just try to ask everyone before simply bringing someone new to the group."(Turalion).
I sheepishly scratched the back of my head, while my covered face was in a sorry expression, sadly it wasn't visible.
"Sorry man, I didn't think about it at the time. I will be sure to do that next time."(Jin).
"*Sigh* Don't treat this all too serious will ya. I know the circumstances weren't ideal so no one is upset. Just remember that you aren't a lone wolf anymore, you have a pack now."(Turalion).
"Wow, I didn't expect Turalion the philosopher at the end. What a surprise."(Jin).
Turalion just smirks and with a lot of sarcasm answers.
"Haha very funny. Now that the situation isn't as tense as before we can relax a bit."(Turalion).
"Yeah, I don't think there is any place more dangerous than that desert."(Jin).
"You just jinxed us."(Turalion).
"Indeed. But now is too late."(Jin).
"Indeed."(Turalion).
There was an awkward silence for some seconds, we lowly started seeing trees and entered a lush green forest. I don't know how the forest came to be, but it looked like a tropical forest fused with a Savana, with a little bit of magical nonsense attached to it. you would oftentimes see some strange colored plants like blue, gold, or even red, normally that wouldn't be very weird, but when a whole tree ahs bleu leaves you will undoubtedly rectify that.
Our pace was pretty fast, thankfully the path on the forest was still pretty clear so our speed didn't decrease with the new terrain. Unfortunately, I didn't see any animals until now, but according to Turalion the animals generally try to stay away from the paths, knowing that the humans travel through them.
After walking for some time in the forest I could visibly see that Elii was feeling more comfortable. I guess the desert is no place for an Argonian, they love water simply too much. Suddenly a doubt sparked in my mind and I decided to ask Turalion.
"So, do you have any suggestions for when we arrive at sentinel?"(Jin).
"Well, I was thinking we could at least ask my sister for help. She is part of an organization and pretty sure she would help us if we ask."(Turalion).
"I imagine it won't be for free right?"(Jin).
"Indeed. We probably would need to work for her a little bit, but considering that Elii and Aahin are already part of the same organization I don't see any problems."(Turalion).
"Hmm, explain to me the organization a little bit. I want to at least see where I am getting myself into."(Jin).
"Well, I don't know much because I am not necessarily part of it, all I know are things my sister told me or I overheard somewhere. Well, the name of the organization is Sirverhood, my sister is a Silver Dagger, and Elii and Aahin were probably Silver Rings. I know there are more ranks but I never heard them in specific. If you want more details you probably will have to talk with Elii."(Turalion).
"Hmm, do we really need it? can't we just work as a sellsword like Altair did?"(Jin).
"We probably could. But this alternative is more certain than a sellsword's job. And we really need to check up in the temple."(Turalion).
"Hmm, that sounds like a good idea. Someone could be sick or carrying some disease we got in the desert, or simply have a hidden wound he is not feeling. Or simply to see if the Necromancers did anything strange to your bodies. Or just to-"(Jin).
"Stop. I know the motives. I was the one to suggest it in the first place. My sister hammered in my head the importance of those things, normally I wouldn't care but being captured by those crazy necromancers changed my mind a bit. "(Turalion)
"Indeed. I guess it would also be appropriate for me to get a check-up, maybe I can heal my blindness with [Restoration Magic]?"(Jin).
"That is actually a good idea."(Turalion).
Nodding my head towards Turalionw e talked for a bit, he told me some of his adventures of when he was younger, like the time he fought against a tiger with just a stick a rock, and a lot of magic glue. I gotta admit, it gave me some good laughs.
After some time I decided to ask Elii about the Silverhood, Turalion said she can tell me some more about it. And I also wanted to apologize to them for bringing someone to the team without asking. Approaching Elii and Aahin, they were relatively quiet just appreciating the forest while they jog and breathed with [Ripple].
"So ladies. I would like to first say sorry for inviting someone without asking first."(Jin).
"*sigh* No problem. But next time be sure to ask, we know the conditions weren't ideal and all..."(Elii).
"Khajiit doesn't care much who Jin invites. Khajiit thinks a bigger group means a higher chance of survival. So Khajiit approves."(Aahin).
"Thanks, Aahin. Thanks, Elii. I will be sure to pass through everyone before making a big decision first. I try to not commit the same mistake."(Jin).
"Don't worry. Nothing bad happens so everything is okay for now."(Elii).
There was silence for some minutes, everyone simply enjoying the jungle scenery, and using this time to be under a shade and not have to endure the shitty scorching sun. Seen an opportunity I decided to ask.
"Hey, Elii, Aahin. Can you two tell me more about being Silver Ring? Turalion was thinking about asking his sister for help when we arrive, and I also thought it would be good to inform you two. If you want to veto that suggestion now is the time."(Jin).
"Khajiit don't see a problem here. Silverhood is very convenient. Khajiit likes Silverhood."(Aahin).
"I also don't see any problem either, the organization is very convenient. And we can probably earn a good coin if we play right and smart."(Elii).
Elii seems to think for a moment, as if she was recollecting memories of a distant past. after some time she opened her mouth and said.
"Well, the Silverhood basically owns half of the criminal underworld of Hammerfell. And as expected of a city as big as Sentinel crime runs quite rampant, corrupted officers, thieves, homeless people, anything you can imagine really. I already told you that I and Aahin were some small-time thieves, we stole most out of necessity, to be honest. But then a member of Silverhood saw our potential, he recommended us to the organization, we accepted because of all the advantages it brought us; better money, a more stable income, a place where we can sell stolen goods, organization, food... you get the picture. We had to go through a simple test, we passed, and got in."(Elii).
"We started in the organization as simple [Silver Coins], the lowest position really. A [Silver Coin] is basically an errand boy/girl, information gatherer, small-time thief, we did a lot of minor varied jobs really. After some time, and showing promise we were recommended to take our test as a [Silver Ring], we of course passed. A [Silver Ring] is basically an upgraded version of [Silver Coin], we dealt with more valuable goods, smuggling, and generally more valuable and important things than a [Silver Coin]. We also got better prices, discounts on the organization stores, better prices when selling something, better meals, better treatment. An overall improvement really."(Elii).
"Khajiit would also like to add, that we also had access to better training too. But training instructors are relatively expensive, so we rarely used them."(Aahin).
"They also give you different and better training facilities depending on your rank."(Elii).
"Interesting. This Silverhood seems like a pretty good way to establish a foundation in the city, do they allow teams or things of the sort?"(Jin).
"Of course they do, as long as it doesn't cause problems you can make a team as big as you want."(Elii).
"Interesting, do you think me Altair and Shuten can enter without problems?"(Jin).
"Sure, the organization doesn't care much about who you are or what you did. ~As long as you are useful even a goblin can enter~ that was something the man who recruited me said, and if I am not mistaken he was also a [Silver Ring], so I am pretty sure we can recommend you and Altair. With the help of Turalion's sister, things will be even easier. I know for a fact that [Silver Dagger] is quite the respected rank in the organization."(Elii).
"Good to know. Any more hidden organizations I should be wary about?"(Jin).
I asked ti in a slightly joking tone, not expecting to find more hidden organizations this soon. Sadly I was sorely mistaken.
"I don't know much about the other, but you'd definitely should be aware of the [The Tome]. They are a more underhanded mages guild, they are also the biggest client and also the biggest competition of the [Silverhood]. The situation is so complicated that I didn't even understand it fully, even being in the organization for quite a long time."(Elii).
"Khajiit just thinks they are using each other to gain more money and power. Khajiit often finds that the simplest answers are mostly correct."(Aahin).
"Yeah, or it could simply be like Aahin said too."(Elii).
"Hah, that is a good one, but I can't seem to find a reason to disagree with you Aahin. Ah, before I forget, the first thing we are doing is getting a check-up at the temple. If you want some more details you can always ask Turalion, it was his idea, I think?"(Jin).
"Sure no problem."(Elii).
"Khajiit also thinks that is a sound idea. The fact that the temple is also good-"(Aahin).
"*Groan* How many times I need to tell you Aahin, it is not free. We are expected to ~donate~ to them, if we don't- "(Elii).
"Khajiit just thinks you aren't being-"(Aahin).
Then they started one of their typical friendly discussions about superfluous things. Both of them know we needed to pay the temple, but Aahin likes to get fixated on some details and won't simply let it go. While elii likes to correct her. It is closer to friendly banter than anything else.