The forest seemed to slowly close in on them, the endless sea of trees appearing to get closer together and smother them. Jack had grown up in a large city, and he was not used to seeing trees all the time. The longer they spent in the middle of the trees, the more he swore that they were getting closer and closer together, and he never brought it up since it had to be in his head.
It had been over two weeks since they left Silvith, and it seemed like they were not being followed so far, only the animals of the forest to keep them company. He gave the trees a look, feeling anxious against his better judgement, before turning to Elaine, who was doing much better. She wasn't skipping around and singing, but her smile had returned to her face, and she was talking again.
He looked up front to the others, seeing Noelle fidget with her spear as Drake talked with her; he seems to have grown fond of the dark elf, although so far she did not feel the same way. Her spear was different than the spears vampires used, with the blade at the end larger, making it a weapon that could stab and cut easily.
"Noelle, how much farther till we reach the end of the forest?"
She looked back, her eyes as cold as they usually were when she looked at him.
"We should reach the forest's edge tomorrow morning, provided you weakling vampires don't need another break."
He shot her a dirty look, saying nothing. Summer might be coming to an end, but it was not going out without a fight, the sun just as bright and hot as usual. The trees blocked most of the light, but the constant shade made it feel stuffy, and he had it the worse in his armor, feeling like he was swimming in sweat at times. The vampires needed to take breaks during the day, and it bothered Noelle to no end.
"Ignore her; she is dealing with everything in her own way." Elaine said, noticing his look. "She was close to my mother, and is grieving, despite how she looks and acts."
He nodded, reaching up and picking a fruit from one of the trees. He looked at it, wondering what it would taste like, before smirking beneath his helmet and tossing it at Elaine.
She saw it at the last second, the apple freezing in the air and being covered in her golden mana. She held her hand out, lowering the apple into it and taking a bite, looking at him and smiling. She had gotten much better at using and controlling her magic, and could use it on reflex like one used a weapon. He nodded his approval, amazed at how fast she progressed when she actually tried.
"I don't think you need me anymore; now you just need to create more offensive magic."
Elaine shook her head, lifting the apple up with her magic again and slowly crushing it, the juices falling to the ground as she tossed what was left aside.
"I only got this far because of you. I am sure you can help me with creating offensive spells...although..."
"Something else than what you saw back in Silvith, right?" he asked, remembering when he impaled multiple soldiers with his ability, killing them and creating a grisly sight. She nodded, shuddering as she remembered it as well. He chuckled slightly, poking her head as they walked.
"Your magic is more powerful than my ability; you don't need anything complicated for it to be a weapon. Just remember that your intent is important; if you don't have the intent to kill, then your spells wont kill."
She nodded, looking hesitant as she had yet to kill anyone, and they spent the rest of the day traveling through the forest and talking, Jack glad that she could hold a conversation again; Noelle despised all vampires, Drake was to busy trying to get Noelle to not despise him, and Midnight had been quiet for a while now, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. He would rather talk to the cute elf than be left with his own thoughts about the trees turning against him.
They did not stop to camp that night, walking on as he took off his helmet, glad to feel the cool breeze of the night against his pale face. He saw Elaine make an orb of light, the spell floating above their heads and lighting the way for them. It was risky, since anyone else in the forest would see the light, but Elaine and Noelle couldn't see in the dark as well as they could, and Noelle refused to let one of the vampires lead her.
He nearly jumped when he felt something grab his hand, turning to see that Elaine was the culprit. He raised an eyebrow, wondering what this was about; he didn't hear or see anything besides them, and guessed that something spooked her. He looked away and frowned, remembering the queen's conversation with him. He thought she had been exaggerating a bit, but he noticed that he did not mind the fact that she was holding his hand, and was surprised to find that he was fond of something so simple.
He shook his head, trying to get rid of these thoughts, and said nothing as they walked for the rest of the night. As the sun was beginning to slowly rise, he noticed that the trees did not feel so suffocating anymore, and it felt easier to breathe. He looked over at the elf, not understanding how holding her hand made him feel so at ease, and saw her notice and look back at him, smiling warmly.
The trees finally began to thin out, and just as the sun was climbing over the horizon, they left the forest behind them, seeing the plains of Duluhan before them, tall grass and fields for miles and miles. He frowned, not having been this far and not liking what he saw so far. Besides a few houses and farms in the distance, there was nothing to provide them cover unless they crouched in the tall grass. If anyone was hunting them, they would be able to spot them from miles away, and now he felt wary of leaving the cover of the trees behind, no matter how smothering they felt before.
He sighed, hearing Elaine giggle at his expression as he let go of her hand and slid his helmet back on, the weight of it like an old friend at this point. Noelle looked back, seeing them all there and nodding before she continued, and they took five steps before they were stopped, multiple people rising from the grass in front of them and blocking their path.