As far as Rick told them, their trip would last, at most, 3 days. The group was going to the refuge where they would get their reward for the mission they made before.
When Dean asked about this mission, he learned something about the Dreads that he didn't know before.
Apparently, they were creatures of habit. Once they start to attack a settlement where they can get enough food to grow stronger, they will start to go there periodically, particularly if this settlement is weak and doesn't cause too much harm for them.
The less they needed to effort, the better for them. After all, those creatures were always willing to do anything and find the best means to keep alive.
What was happening in this refuge was that a Dread was causing troubles there for a long time. They lost a good part of their population, almost fifty percent, which lead them to struggle to find Ascendants to help them in this matter.
Of course, Rick's group was able to subdue the Dread easily and now they would be going there to claim everything that was promised.
Dean didn't know that Ascendants worked like that, as if they were mercenaries who hunted Dreads. However, with confused expressions on their faces, Kevin and Hector explained to him that this kind of work was the most common for Ascendants.
The boy was getting aware of his ignorance about the outside world whenever he talked with his new partners. There was a difference in culture and habits out there that didn't look similar to what Dean lived inside Refuge Sarah at all.
"That's why we call them the Three Greatest, Dean. Those refuges have something that no other has, and it is their way to organize society. Those three refuges look like another country inside Saphyr and they do a great job to make everyone that is living inside there to think that they are in a completely different world."
Dean was both amazed and frightened by all those differences. Anyway, the boy adored the fact that he was finally opening his eyes to the outside world.
Like he predicted when he was thirteen years old, he felt as though he escaped from jail and was facing what life really was.
However, Saphyr wasn't anymore the wealthy country that it once was 7 centuries ago. All those facts about the culture that was built slowly after the Crimson Apocalypse could be seen as interesting, but the dark part of the world outside from the refuges was predominant and Dean was about to discover it.
The group was traveling across the less dense part of the forest that Dean spotted before. It was the best path to take until the refuge they wanted to go, and they wouldn't need to walk too near the river either.
When Dean asked why not walk beside the river, Rick was the one responding, and he just responded with "If we don't want to die, we stay away from the Serpent River. Simple."
Different from the black fields, a short grass was growing on the soil of the forest. The trees made a mysterious and disturbing sound in the air, which made that silent environment get somewhat creepy. They were always paying attention to their surroundings, sharpening their senses, and concentrating on external sounds.
The noise of the trees and their own steps made it difficult for Dean to hear anything coming from far away, but those people were used to survive in that kind of environment and track the dangers that could befall the group.
That's why everyone stopped nearly at the same time and began to unsheath their swords. Dean was the last one to do so, nearly bumping into Kevin who was in front of him on their line.
"What's happ--"
"Shhh..." Kevin didn't even glance at him when gesturing for Dean to be quiet.
The boy interpreted that something was coming, so he unsheathed his sword as well.
Dean's heart began to bump fastly, making his anxiety increase. Consequently, his breath became unsteady as well, and his hands were trembling. All his body was getting into a state to fight or flight, which he couldn't control so well as the others.
"They stopped to do any sound." Clay, who was the most proficient tracker of all the group, announced. The others nodded right after, their resolute expressions never leaving their faces.
"Let's keep moving. They probably already spotted us and are sieging our group. If we can get to the end of the forest, we will have more chances of surviving." Rick whispered to them. It was barely audible, but they could comprehend what he meant and began to give slow and silent steps forward.
Before, they were walking in a line, but their formation naturally began to change. Hector and Clay remained beside each other in the rear of the formation. Rick stayed in the middle. Kevin put on his black helmet and walked in front of everyone.
Dean was left beside Rick without even noticing it. He found their coordination to be amazing and he was both excited by seeing such performance and panicking because of the possible battle that could happen.
"Hey, boy. I don't know if your father told something like this to you before but..." While walking, Rick frowned hard, glancing at Dean. He held the blade of Dean's sword with two fingers. "Don't tremble when holding a sword. Stop to make your blade shiver."
Dean gulped when realizing his mistake, nodding to him and breathing deeply to calm down his body.
The forest's edge could be seen at two kilometers of distance. If they went straight, they could reach it in no time.
Nonetheless, Clay signalized for them to stop. Even if he was on the rearguard, everyone was paying attention to the gestures he made.
"Let this idea behind, Rick. We will need to fight here and now, or then run and die."
Rick nodded, tightening the grip on his long black sword.
"Everyone, eyes on the north, they are coming from there." He pointed north and just then Dean could hear a low growl.