No more than three hours have passed since we left the inn, nothing noteworthy had happened. Silence lingered in the air between our members. It was occasionally broken by Zeraf commenting on the smell of the swamp and though it was humorous at first, it has become annoying. Maybe this was her way of trying to break the ice.
Ghost was relatively silent too. All I could make out from her was an occasional nod to Zeraf's regards. She attempted to start a conversation once but backed down after Zeraf complained again. Zeraf really needs to learn to read the room, better said, the atmosphere.
The ground below us was a mix of dirt gravel and sand. Reeds at the side of the road seemed to stop the spread of swampland. Each step we took raised a cloud of debris blocking our field of view. Though that only happened when we all stepped in unison so it was a bit of an off occurrence.
(''Say, Ghost, do you know any kind of magic? Any attributes?'') How smart of me, to break the ice and gain information. Her head turned around and stretched out a hand. Waves of distortions encompassed her palm. Debris started gathering in her hand before she nulled the spell.
Her eyes shifted from her palm to me. (''I guess wind is my magical attribute, quite handy!') She smiled warmly at me and turned back around. Having wind as your magical attribute is quite rare.
Magical attributes are special in the way that you receive them at birth. Anyone can learn any sort of magic, but if you are born with it your affinity is much higher than what anyone else can reach. That's why no one bothers to learn wind if they are not born with it. Anytime someone is born with one of the six rarest attributes, Bitum is immediately informed. The six rarest are Light, Shadow, Death, Time, Creation, and Destruction.
I possess the shadow magical attribute but I heard the elder has not informed Bitum. My show of magic will be spectacular! I will indulge them with something never seen before!
So far from the books I have read, there are only four shadow users aside from me. In terms of Time and Death, there is only one of each. Lord Kronos rules over time and governs the church of Kronos. Lady Israh was blessed with Death, though her organization aims to put an end to the Kings Game.
The goddess of Light and her subordinate disappeared a few days previous to this. I remember reading about it in the village. She and her subordinate are the only light users currently known.
Now the two most powerful magical attributes. These two can not even be learned as they are viewed as taboo. Creation and Destruction. The only known instance of Creation magic being used is by Rosedreamer, the founder of the Kings game. He plucked the world out of chaos and established order in this world. Sadly he vanished long ago after the creation of the Kings Game.
And Destruction… Legend tells that anyone born with that magical affinity is put to death at birth. One of each magical affinity must be alive every day. So every birth when destruction isn't alive has a chance to receive its blessing. The terrifying fact is that someone with Destruction hasn't been killed in over eighteen years.
Hopefully, we don't encounter destruction incarnate on our travels to the Kings game. We would stand no chance against it if even we three fought together. Or so the legends say.
(''Zeraf, spot anything interesting?'') I should really get my mind off such grim thoughts. She twisted and turned her head before looking back at me.
(''Nothing aside from bubbling swampland and blackened dead trees.'') I tried not to think about the dried trees scattered across the swampland. Knowing nature magic has opened up new doors to me where I can view the whole world as a living organism. The sight of dead trees sends a stinging warmth up my throat.
Far below the ground, there was a large network of roots carrying freshwater throughout the swamp. That's what enabled me to raise the root wall yesterday. A place as open as this is dangerous during light hours. There aren't any places to gather enough shadows for any major attacks without artificially creating one.
Zeraf is lucky and has a powerful one for nearly every situation. She is practically my direct counter, thankfully we are on the same side. At least… we are supposed to be. Ghost can cast basic spells to fan the flames when we set up camp. I don't think she would be capable of fighting.
(''What?!'') My head snapped towards the left side of the path. I could've sworn someone was watching me. Far on the horizon, there was a figure. Different than the crooked trees with their burnt branches. From this distance, I could only make out the outline of what seemed to be a woman waving. She seemed to be quite curvy which leads me to believe it might just be a female adventurer.
(''What's wrong Abby?'') Zeraf and Ghost called out to me after my sudden outburst. They looked worried as Zeraf swiped away my sweat. My heart felt like it would rip right out. Ghost cast a wave of wind to cool me down.
(''Did you guys not feel that?'')
(''I didn't feel anything. Did you Ghost?'') She shook her head in agreeance with Zeraf. Why am I the only one that feels that? I glared back to the now figureless horizon.
The ground below us shook violently with the surrounding swampland bubbling loudly. A large swarm of giant toads exploded from the holes of the swamp. Every direction was blocked by toads. There are at least ten, each croaking their stupid melody.
(''Zeraf. You take five, I will take the other five. Ghost, try to defend yourself however you can.'') They both nodded and kicked off the ground.
The tome to my side unbuckled from my hip and opened to reveal its spells. So far I only know three nature spells. One of which is Root Wall. It is time to get creative!
(''Seedling Pod!'') The road cracked below. A flurry of roots exploded through to form a giant flower-like tree. It shook violently causing petals to float down. This is where shadow magic will truly shine.
(''Shadow Garden!'') Long dark spikes exploded from thin air to impale each one of the five frogs. The small shadows cast by the petals create enough of a platform for my shadows to take action.
The toads squealed and squirmed around trying to break loose of the spikes. Now to put the finishing touches on the spell.
I raised my hand high above my head. (''Spread!'') A torrent of spikes flew from toad to toad, decapitating their gelatinous heads. This is currently my strongest move which took me months to develop.
Zeraf moved around like a fiery blur leaving little behind. Each hit to the toad took out large chunks of its flesh. It took no time for her to take down her few.
(''You both are amazing!'') Ghost celebrated excitedly, jumping around the both of us. This is the first time I have shown anyone my best spell. I couldn't help but blush a little.
Zeraf reciprocated Ghost's excitement by joining her in jumping. This was a great victory for all of us! I reached into the bag and pulled out the cookies given to us yesterday. We helped ourselves to these delicious snacks as a victory celebration.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
A few more hours passed since our large battle. I couldn't shake the uneasiness off after seeing that figure. Who the hell was she? I have a strong feeling that wasn't our last encounter with her either.
The sun barely peeking its head over the horizon casting long shadows over the distant swampland. Up ahead was a large forest which we had to navigate through. This was the top half of the Lloesy Woods. Between the parts, this one was by far the safest.
It wouldn't take longer than thirty minutes to reach the wall of wood topped with dense heads of green leaves. Lots venture into these woods for hunting due to the over-abundance of animals to hunt. Though there are some who simply go camping. Bitum had bought the land from the original owner and made a huge killing from renting out spaces.
We will be spending our night between the bushes, to avoid having to pay their hefty prices. I doubt any official would even be guarding the forest so there shouldn't be any risk. From what the map portrays there is also a small spring with the cleanest water in the west.
Time seemingly flew as I swam in my head. Exploring the routes on the maps I memorised. Analysing the types of enemies that we are bound to fight on our journey. There is not a single thing I didn't prepare for. The only thing that could go wrong is an unexpected factor like… that figure.
(''Come one slow-pokes! We are nearly there!'') Zeraf picked up her pace into a light jog. She kicked up the dust behind her and quickly created some distance between us.
Ghost and I stared blankly at each other before following Zeraf. Even if the distance was small she made the jog look like child's play. My lungs are not prepared for this!
I trudge along as every icy breath dug its claws into my neck on the way down. My shoulders shuddered from the change of temperature in my body. It felt hot yet my body reacted to it as if it was freezing. Note to self, work out more in the future.
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I would like to say that the thirty minutes flew by but it felt more like an eternity. My muscles screamed in retaliation with every step I took. Thankfully we reached our destination just as the blazing ball tucked itself away behind the horizon. Now a blanket of stars covered the world. A surge of frin flowed through my body from the dark atmosphere.
(''Let's set up camp here. The spring is five minutes away and we are well hidden.'') Ghost and Zeraf didn't object and immediately started unpacking a makeshift tent. Two long pieces of rope hung loosely on the ground.
With a flick of my finger two branches stretched out to grab the rope. It pulled back and phased the rope into the tree and the tent was fully erected. I reached into my bag and took out a small gem. Frin flowed from my veins into the small crystal and light glistened. With small piece of twine I tied it to an overarching branch.
(''Let's rest for the night now, tomorrow more walking waits for us.'') I was the first to lay inside the tent. The flaps flutered as two more walked inside. I can't say that the ground was comfortable but this will have to do for now.
My mouth opened as a loud yawn spooked the two beside me. They kept quite and turned in their sheets as they tried to embrace the welcoming slumber. It beckoned me too. Its loving arms that rob everyone of worry and pain only to replace it with comfort.
My vision grew blurry with darkness spreading from the corners of my eyes.
Goodnight.