The group of three made their way farther into the darkened forest until they came upon a placid clearing that gave off the impression that it would be a good place to take a break. The moonlightThe group of three made their way farther into the darkened forest until they came upon a placid clearing that gave off the impression that it would be a good place to take a break. The moonlight seeped into the open area, illuminating the ground below with its ethereal sheen and leaving a silvery shimmer. The logs were arranged in a nice stack next to the fire pit that Gaia had conjured using her powers over nature.
Kyn occupied himself with the process of putting up camp, his motions being precise and practised due to his previous experience. He unfolded the swags, fastened them to the trees, and then organised their goods in a methodical fashion. Bertha, who was always there and watching, emanated a soft radiance, and her ethereal figure flitted around with a tinge of mischief. She personified the spirit of an inquisitive observer.
"Oh, Kyn, do you mind if I enjoy the comforts of your camp?" Bertha asked in a sarcastic manner, as if he had any say over their field trip mascot.
Bertha, you are more than welcome to come along, but you will be expected to contribute equally to the group effort. Hehehehe, let's see what she'll cook up this time around.
Gaia's presence seemed to mix with the surrounding woodland as Kyn and Bertha shared a moment of light banter. Her ethereal form was almost discernible from the shadows as she assumed a shape that blended in with the trees. Before she set the logs ablaze with a beautiful glimmer of flame from her fingertips dancing through the air, she fixed her eyes on the firewood for a brief period of time and allowed a gentle grin to play across her lips.
The fire began to crackle and smoke billowed into the air as its warmth spread around the clearing. This straightforward demonstration of Gaia's dominion over the natural world exemplified the divine aspect of her being, as did her relationship to the environment in which she found herself.
While Kyn worked on his responsibilities, an abrupt and jarring sound unexpectedly broke the tranquilly of the environment. A resounding boom came from the West, and it was immediately followed by a series of curses that hung in the air like an off-key song. Kyn gave Gaia and Bertha a short glance, as his head shot up and his instincts went into high gear. At the same time, he checked his link to see a new message pop up.
In a hushed voice, Kyn asked, "Did you hear that?"
"I felt it before camp," Gaia answered nonchalantly.
"WHAT!!! Your saying this right now," Kyn
"How was I to know there were bad guys around?" As if trying to prove she was the damsel in distress, she shrugged off all the responsibility over their safety to him, adding on, "I'm currently your package; hence, I'm in your care, Mr.Knight."
Bertha said in a low voice, "It seems that another presence has joined our little corner of the world."
Kyn's hand reflexively slid towards his side where his divine revolver pistol was resting, as the night air became tense. The group of three reached a mutual understanding through their silence and a shared preparedness to face any mystique or peril that may materialise from the depths of the forest.
The clearing appeared to hold a promise with each passing heartbeat, a threshold between the known and the unknown, and as the moonlight wove its tapestry of silver shadow, eager to embrace the mysteries that awaited them in the depths of the night.
The echoes of the curses gradually disappeared into the darkness, and as they did so, a tense silence descended upon the clearing. As Kyn's senses became more attuned to the ever-changing sounds of the forest, he tightened his grip on the heavenly revolver. In the midst of the unpredictability, the ethereal figure of Gaia seemed to meld with the trees, and her presence was a calming influence. As this was nothing new to her, the woman herself was more calm as compared to the princess she claimed to be.
It was as if the night itself had stopped breathing, as if the very air itself had turned electric with expectancy. The glow that Bertha emitted became noticeably brighter, as if she, too, had become aware of the approach of a mysterious figure. To be sincere, anyone who shines a light to their enemy, is literally begging to get caught, damn wisp.
A rustling sound coming from the clearing's edge announced the unexpected visitor. A figure was seen stumbling into view as it emerged from the darkness. The individual gave off the impression of being dishevelled, with his clothing torn and covered with grime. He mumbled something beneath his breath, the displeasure in his voice clearly audible.
The man said something along the lines of, "Stupid bounty hunters... you can't even let a guy have a moment's peace."
As Kyn assessed the man's appearance, his first feelings of unease gradually gave way to interest. Gaia's look contained a mix of fascination and caution, while her presence in the moonlit background remained calm and collected.
Kyn asked Gaia in a hushed tone, "Should we approach him?"
Gaia said in a hushed voice, "Let's see what he wants first."
The man's eyes suddenly shifted towards the three of them, as if he had become aware of their presence. As he took in their camp and the ethereal figure of Bertha, who hovered nearby, his eyes widened as he processed the information.
A man said in surprise, "Oh, wonderful. Some additional visitors… not to expected on this side of the woods."
The man approached the camp in a cautious manner while maintaining a look that was both wary and resolute. Kyn maintained vigilance over the situation while keeping his heavenly revolver pistol within easy reach.
Kyn asked with a calm voice, "Who are you, and what brings you here?"
The man smiled wryly and held up his hands in a friendly manner to indicate that he did not intend any harm.
(In a mocking tone) Man "Hello, my name is Chris. I hunt, or at least I used to when I was younger. It would appear that I am the one being pursued at this point."
"Bounty hunters, I presume?" Bertha asked in a questioning tone.
Chris confirmed by nodding that there were three of them hailing from the Pantheon of Ares. They have placed a large price on my head, to be accurate, 47,000 light rubies.
The sudden raising of Kyn's eyebrows indicated that the mere mention of such a large bounty aroused his interest. Gaia's stare did not waver as she evaluated Chris's demeanour and the story he related to them; her eyes did not blink.
Inquiring about it, Kyn asked, "Why are they after you?"
Chris muttered under his breath (a lie or truth), "I've been a pain in their side. I was able to eliminate a few of their lower-level servants and raid their encampment. You know, the typical things that happen in Tomb Raider."
Gaia asked in a reflective manner, "So, you're a rogue tomb raider?"
Chris, with a sneer on his face, said, "Rogue, maverick, you can call it what you want. I'd much rather think of myself as an opportunist, if that's okay.
The tense atmosphere in the meadow seemed to significantly lessen, and an intriguing and curious assortment of questions took its place. The unanticipated meeting with Chris had added another layer to the secrets of the night, interweaving their destinies with that of a hunter on the run from divine bounty hunters.
"You're welcome to stay, 'Chris'," Kyn said with a hint of caution. However, let it be known that if your pursuers show up, we will not think twice about leaving you behind and going our separate ways.
Chris nods his head and says, "Fair enough. I am capable of holding my own."
Under the starry canopy, the three friends and the unexpected visitor fell into an awkward companionship. This was all done without any words being exchanged between them. The clearing, which had been a peaceful sanctuary in the past, now carried the promise of a fight that might ensue and some secret truths, leaving aside the interweaving strands of fate that had drawn diverse individuals together in the middle of the night.