Dean and the rest of the group made their usual quick morning routine, disassembling the tents while eating and getting their equipment. It was always a struggle to start the mornings doing such a thing, but it was a good thing, regardless. After just a few hours of sleep, get agitated right after waking up was a good way to keep awake and energetic.
Rick, as always, just looked to the group while they did everything, threatening to leave them behind at times, or just scolding someone when they did something wrong.
Dean was getting used to that behavior. All the other members of the group always said that he did it to maintain order and impose himself. He had to set himself as the leader there, after all. Otherwise, they wouldn't listen to him, nor give due respect.
Anyway, the boy couldn't stop himself to find it a hassle, and to doubt that there was something more behind it. He found that way of acting strange, for some reason.
While finishing to disassemble his tent, he thought to himself about that matter. Rick was already looking at them as if he was about to eat them alive. His exhausted face made it seem even more threatening, somehow.
They delayed a bit to organize their things. After those nights without proper sleep, no one could keep going at the same pace as the first day.
'I wonder why I am overthinking this… I mean, I have been finding a lot of things strange since I was teleported to the outside world. There are amazing things, new experiences, and the weirdest situations. Maybe I am just not used to receive such treatment. However, my father was also strict, but it never was a problem! Is Rick bad at leading, in the end? Or do I think like this just because it was my father, so it felt more natural at the time? Argh! I don't know!'
Dean had the bad habit to overthink things, even though those subjects weren't the ones which he could get to a conclusion just by reasoning for long periods. He couldn't judge that situation. Being as inexperienced as he was, he couldn't measure how good or a bad leader Rick was. And things worked differently outside of Refuge Sarah. Maybe it was a cultural thing.
The boy decided to let it aside, but sometimes the same question appeared again. The good thing was that it didn't get in his way when he was accomplishing his tasks.
As per usual, Rick ended up getting too impatient and began to walk ahead of everyone. Clay was the first one to finish things and didn't bother to help the others, just walking hurriedly toward his leader.
Kevin and Hector weren't having a good time accomplishing his things. It was difficult for them to keep going when so sleepy as they were.
Dean decided to help them, even though he finished his own tasks a good while ago, even before Clay.
The trio started to walk in the same direction as Rick some minutes after. They were exhausted, particularly Dean. Even so, they kept a fast-paced walk.
Dean was doing exercises with his "Willpower" that morning, trying to make it become a habit. It tired his mind and body at the same time. Adding to that, he was getting three hours less sleep than the rest of the group. That's why he was the most exhausted of the group, even though he didn't want others to notice it.
The rest of the day followed with a calm walk. According to Rick's measures, they would arrive at the refuge close to their time to sleep, so they had a long distance to cover.
During the daylight, it was always fine to walk. However, when their 3 remaining hours of the day ended and the nightfall came, things got grim.
Dean didn't get used to walking outside in such an environment yet. The silence of the night, the apprehension of being stalked in the shadows by a Dread, and their over consciousness about the surroundings, always made the boy get anxious and tremble.
Nonetheless, that was the kind of situation which all the Ascendants needed to deal with constantly. They learned how not to depend on the daylight and live most of their lifetime on the fearful darkness of the extended night of their world.
That anxiety that they always carried in their shoulders was like the weight of their swords in their backs. It was necessary, at some point even comforting.
During that travel, they had just one encounter with Dreads. However, that day would be the second and last.
This time, they were in the black fields. That part of Saphyr was filled with nature before, but the trees died, and most of the grass got black. It made huge black fields, generally plain, or with slight slopes, turn into the new ambiance of that place.
Those black fields were dangerous to set camp since the group stayed exposed during the end of the night. However, they were the best ones to use to travel, since you could see the enemy coming from far away, also as hearing them better. Besides, it didn't have any obstacles in the way to make the fight trickier, which was a good point for them.
This time, some hours after the night began; the group heard strange sounds coming from the direction they were walking.
Differently from last time, Dean could hear what was happening around. He was sure that he noticed something.
Rick didn't even need to give the command, all of them drew their weapons and organized in their usual battle formation.
Dean was beside Rick. His legs, nor arms trembled anymore. His eyes were focused on the spot where the sounds were coming. He could now slightly sense "Chaos" on the air, thin and waving lines traveling in the air.
Rick was aware of the new behavior of Dean in battle. He was curious if he would keep up with such an attitude.
'That's good. The boy has improved without anyone noticing. Very good...' He smiled faintly.