With a gentle rustle, the group nudged the thick, verdant curtains of foliage aside, stepping once more onto the well-trodden path.
"We made it back home!" Glucia's cheered, dancing on the soft, floral-scented breeze. The path beneath their feet was a jubilant riot of rupentile daffodils, each one a burst of brilliant yellow basking in the sunshine.
The delicate fragrance of the flowers filled the air, mingling with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. The path led them further into the heart of the village, and soon they reached the entrance.
The entrance of the village stood tall and proud, welcoming the group with its enchanting charm. The pathway they followed led them through a stone and compact structure that exuded a sense of permanence and stability. The stones were meticulously placed, forming a sturdy foundation that had weathered the test of time.
Upon closer inspection, the stones revealed a subtle silver sheen, catching the light and casting a soft shimmer as the sun's rays danced upon them. The glistening surface gave the entrance an ethereal quality.
At the center of the entrance, a beautifully crafted sign adorned with the village's emblem caught their attention. The emblem depicted the silhouette of a majestic sliver oak tree, its branches reaching towards the heavens. Surrounding the tree were delicate vines, intertwining with vibrant flowers in a display of unity and growth. The sign proudly displayed the village's name in elegant lettering: "Silverglade."
Drawing nearer to the entrance, an anticipatory thrill tinged with homely warmth hummed in their bones.
Stepping through the proud gates of Silverglade, they were embraced by serene tranquility. The heart of the village bustled with activity; laughter and chatter painted the air with a joyful palette. Men and women exchanged greetings as children chased after one another, their glee-filled shrieks puncturing the tranquil afternoon. The knotted tension wrought by their journey through the thickets slowly ebbed, supplanted by a profound sense of relief, a returning to roots that felt almost primal.
"This feels like home," whispered Cain, his voice barely audible above the soft hum of village life. There was a certain reverence in his tone, almost as if he was afraid to disturb the village's reality. "No matter how far we roam, there's nothing quite like the comforting embrace like this."
Hilda's response was an agreeing nod, her gaze drinking in the familiar sights, her eyes alight with joy. "I didn't realize how much I missed the village," she admitted, her voice barely more than an exhilarated whisper. "Even though it's been... what? Just a handful of nights?"
The breeze stirred again, rustling the leaves overhead, as if the village itself echoed her sentiment.
Venturing further into the comforting folds of their village, their return was affirmed by a various of warm greetings. Familiar faces blossomed into welcoming smiles. The villagers had been eagerly awaiting their arrival, acknowledging their first trek into the wilderness.
The village had bid farewell to them as kids, and now opened its arms to them, transformed into adults—one of them.
The air was filled with a chorus of heartfelt welcomes and expressions of relief. "You've returned!" cried one villager, embracing Glucia tightly. "We were worried sick!"
"Mother! You're here," Glucia's voice drowned in the comforting blanket of the hug, her words reduced to a muffled echo of relief and joy.
A middle-aged man, straight-backed but with soft eyes, offered a formal salutation. "A joy to have you home, young master," he bowed slightly.
A grin, painted with hues of joy and relief, unfurled on Cain's lips. "Uncle Aurious! Your presence is a surprise gift," his words interlaced with the warm familiarity of a homecoming.
An elderly woman approached Preston with a smile in her eyes. She enveloped his hands in her own, the warmth in her gaze spreading through him. "Bless you, Preston. We've been awaiting your return since the crack of dawn. Heard your party was finally on its way back, all hale and hearty."
Preston, feeling the tide of pride surge within him, causing his cheeks to bloom with a flushed rosiness, shrugged off the compliment with a dash of modesty. "It's nothing, really, Mrs. Elsie. We managed to stay out of trouble. But the credit goes to the whole group!"
Suddenly, a cluster of wide-eyed children orbited Hilda, their faces aglow with curiosity and wonder. One pigtailed girl plucked up the courage to tug at Hilda's sleeve. "Miss, did you journey into the forest? Is it as scary as they tell us?"
Hilda crouched down to meet the girl's earnest gaze, her grin warm and encouraging. "Well, it's not quite the beast it seems! Sure, the Sormatilian forest is vast and imposing, but if you manage to overcome your fears and go with gusto, you'll see travel through the Sormatilian forest safely. Maybe one day, when you're older, you can join us on an adventure and see it for yourself!"
The children gasped in excitement and exchanged excited glances, dreaming of their own future expeditions. The villagers chuckled at their enthusiasm, grateful for the group's ability to inspire the younger generation.
After spending some time catching up with the villagers, the group bid their farewells.
"Bye, Mom! See you soon at home," Glucia's voice fluttered on the breeze, her hand waving in a farewell arc.
The party, their hearts filled with anticipation, then began their journey toward the mission center, eager to present their bounty and claim the just reward for their completed mission.
Hilda turned to Preston, her brow furrowed in thought. "Do you reckon he made it back here?"
"He might have, if he didn't lose his way," Preston responded, casting a glance at the setting sun. "If we don't see him by tomorrow, then we might have to go to the council."
Cain and Glucia merely nodded. Together, they continued their march, their boots rhythmically marking the cobblestone pathway under the dying embers of the sun.
As they walked along the village route, lost in their thoughts, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "Were you guys talking about me?"
Startled, they spun around to face a grinning Osric. Glucia's shriek of joy shattered the evening calm, darting through the air like a sparrows' fluttering wings. She propelled herself towards him with the force of a tidal wave, ensnaring him in a hug that exuded welcome and relief in equal measure. "Osric! You're unscathed! You gave us quite a scare!"
Osric mirrored the embrace, his voice tinged with the warmth of relief. "It was rough, but I managed to find my way back. Couldn't bear to miss out on all the tournament, could I?"
Cain met Osric with a robust clap on his back, a wide smile spreading across his face. "It's good to have you back. Not that we were losing sleep or anything."
With a playful wink, Hilda chimed in, "Oh, just a tad worried," she teased. "Just a tad."
"How could you get lost?!" Glucia's voice erupted in anger, her punches thumping against his chest in a flurry of concern and anger.
"Sorry, I tripped on a hidden root, and before I knew it, I had wandered off the charted path before I knew it." Osric's response shimmered with a light-hearted grin.
The words seemed to snuff out Glucia's indignation. She fell silent, her gaze fixated on the cobbled path. "I thought..." her voice, when it finally sliced through the tense silence, came out cracked and hoarse, as if forced out of a parched throat, "We feared you might have... might gotten hurt or possibly never see you again." She sniffed, her tears carving paths down her cheeks, landing on the cobbles below.
Osric moved towards her, wrapping her in yet another comforting hug. "I apologize, Glu. I wandered off."
Glucia hugged him tighter.
Once the dust of emotions had settled, the group, now complete, resumed their journey towards the mission center. As they approached the building, its grandeur came into view, standing tall against the backdrop of the village.
It was an essential hub, a bustling place where the web of logistics came together. From the outside, the mission center appeared unassuming—a tall, sturdy structure crafted from weathered stone and aged timber, blending harmoniously with the rustic charm of the village.
Inside, however, it buzzed with purposeful activity. The spacious main hall served as a central command post, adorned with maps pinned to the walls and a large wooden table strewn with parchment and quills.
People bustled in and out of the mission center, carrying scrolls, maps, and artifacts. Seasoned warriors strode with a casual grace, their armor speaking of countless battles, while novices like their group buzzed with fresh excitement, the taste of their first mission still sweet on their tongues. The atmosphere was vibrant, with conversations filled with tales of triumph and camaraderie.
As the group entered the mission center, they couldn't help but notice a few familiar faces. A team around their own age stood near the counter, eagerly chatting amongst themselves. They had an unmistakable look of accomplishment on their faces.
"Euron's crew," Preston observed, his eyes narrowing on the group. "It seems they sprinted ahead while we took the scenic route. They beat us to the punch."
Behind the counter, a staff member, her smile radiating welcome, greeted them. "Good to see you back, Cain. How may I be of assistance?"
Cain took a step forward, returning the warm smile. "Hey, Stell, always a pleasure." He held up a bag filled with the group's collected inventory. "We've returned from our first mission in the Sormatilian forest. We're here to claim our mission rewards. Managed to gather a handful of Moonwine Vines and stumbled upon some Newtwater Parchment as well."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Stell accepted the bag, her hands dipping into it with a practiced ease. "Impressive haul. Allow me a moment to gauge the worth and I'll be back."
Cain swiveled towards Osric, his features tensed with unease.
"I get it, Cain," Osric assured, a small smile softening his features. "I got lost, didn't pull my weight. Rules are rules. I'm prepared for a smaller cut from the mission spoils. It's no feather off my hair."
Relief flooded Cain's face. "Phew, good to know you're not mad."
As they waited, the group observed the mission center more closely. There was a sense of organized chaos, with hunters preparing for their next journeys, sharing tips and advice, or studying ancient texts in search of clues for upcoming quests. The murmurs in the room were energetic.
Their eyes meandered back to the cluster of hunters by the counter. Their transaction appeared to be complete, their features now etched with a blend of exuberance and accomplishment. Spotting the group, one of them hailed them with a wave.
"Oi! You're the fresh blood, yeah?" he shouted, a hint of mischief sparkling in his eyes.
A chuckle bubbled up from Hilda. She sauntered over to the group of hunters, trailed by Cain, Preston, and Glucia. "That we are. Just wrapped up our first mission."
The hunters introduced themselves as Tristan, Elysia, and Marcus. They eagerly shared their own experiences, recounting the thrill of their first mission and the challenges they faced as a team. They were a Rank 1 team that was a generation before them.
Most of the active hunters in the village were Rank 1's. Most of them were a part of some associations, while some free agents. They were the most available force within the village.
Their conversation was interrupted by the return of the staff member. With a gracious smile, she handed Cain a pouch filled with stones – their much-anticipated mission rewards. "Commendable work on completing your first mission. Bravo!"
Their business concluded, they bid farewell to their newfound acquaintances and the mission center itself, returning to the embrace of the village.
***
"The mission went according to plan. No injuries, everyone returned safely, and valuable experience was indeed gained," reported a figure swathed in an attire as black as the night itself, Rank 2 engraved in his insignia.
"Any unexpected occurrences?" the elder standing in close proximity to the figure queried, his own badge writing out Rank 3.
"Everything went to plan. The route they set was mostly followed. The forest still acting unusual. Nothing other of note." he replied, "Well, there was a minor hiccup. A lad named Osric lost his way in the Misty Swamp, but he managed to find his way back to the village. We might have had to send a rescue party if he hadn't returned, given that the team's welfare was our priority."
"Very well. I knew I could trust you with his association head." the elder complimented. "How are the preparations for the tournament coming along?"
"All teams are expected to return within the next few days. The betting pools are filling up, and we are on track with the schedule. We are prepared."
"Excellent."