Colton began to wake up, the taste of the food still fresh in his mouth. He was surrounded by his teammates and empty bowls. Outside, the field and river were brightly lit by the morning sun. Birds and insects gave noise to the forest.
One by one, they began to wake up, ready for the journey ahead.
"That was a nice meal. Especially from a few random forest stuff." Celestine stretched her arms, her hunger now gone.
In a few minutes, everyone had woken up. Colton noticed Oliver was visibly relieved, no longer tired or sad.
Quill seemed happier than before, making food for the team seemed to have lifted her spirits.
"The visibility is reduced despite the sunlight. Unless we find an area with fewer trees in this forest." Calliope spoke, standing up from the ground.
Marcus grabbed the torch sitting next to the now dead campfire.
"Perhaps these utensils and cutlery may be used for future resting periods. They are made rather well." Calliope looked at Myo after speaking, as if saying thank you.
She began grabbing the bowls and spoons, quickly sending them to her storage.
Once everyone was fully prepared, Calliope stood in front of them.
"From the map, it seems we are near to the target, if my calculations are correct. I assume it may take an hour or two before we finally reach it. Until then, remain vigilant. This forest may be unpredictable." Everyone started climbing down the tree to begin their journey once more.
Quill and Calliope both led from the front, with Quill observing the environment and hearing for any noises, while Calliope continued looking into the map. The light of the sun struggled to pierce through, with the torch of the team being the main source of light for now.
The leaves and branches were dense, some taking out their weapons to hack and slash at it to clear a way ahead.
Minutes passed, and their journey was halted as a loud ear piercing howl echoed out into the forest, similar to the one last night. Everyone covered their ears in pain until it ended.
Everyone's faces turned more serious, with Oliver being the only exception, deathly terrified of what they may face ahead.
"It seems the creature from last night still lingers around this place." Calliope explained, rolling up the map and taking out her sword for a possible fight.
"Indeed Leader, and the area may be more difficult to fight in, our best chance of survival is to try evading this wolf." Quill added, her personality from before with the food had returned, either from being the cook of the team or from the food she had prepared.
Colton took out his warhammer, looking for any movement, ready to swing at anything.
The walk went on for a few more minutes, the noise of other distant wolf howls could be heard, adding to the fear and vigilance of the team.
"Leader, maybe it will be best if I scout ahead for any possible threat." She turned to Calliope, her bow ready to fire.
"Go ahead, report back if a threat is nearby."
"Understood." Quill suddenly jumped onto one of the trees, rapidly climbing upwards until she disappeared in the leaves and branches, the noise of her movement quickly becoming more and more faint.
"How much longer Ms leader?" Marcus asked, his hands gripped tightly onto his sword, protecting the side of the group while staring at the thick bushes and trees near him.
"From how many steps we took, I assume an hour now." She responded. Marcus though still looked on edge after the response.
On their way, Calliope stopped. She knelt down, grabbing something from the ground.
"Strange." Standing back up, she held onto a sword sheath and steel helmet, covered in dirt and grass.
"This time the remnants are intact. Though they do look aged." She smacked both for a few times, knocking off anything stuck onto it.
"Who knows, probably an expedition or team from before who went too far." Marcus spoke.
"Whatever it may be, we must continue. Curiosity is not a priority." The team resumed walking through the forest, unsure how long they had been moving for.
Further into the forest, their stops became more and more frequent, plucking up different things from the ground. From weapons to armor to clothes, and other items like baskets.
The number of items grew more and more as they continued on, to the team's confusion.
"Maybe that man sent us to die here, there's clearly tools from people before. People that may have perished!" Oliver shook in fear.
"Brother, please refrain from such thoughts. They only bring fear to you. We are protected by the team after all." Clarissa reassured him, which seemed to have worked a small bit.
"Well, even then. He may have a point. Deadly jobs are a common thing in the mercenary world. Some of which send certain mercs to get killed, out of annoyance or for other gains. That guy from earlier is giving a similar feeling to meeting those clients who gave the jobs." Marcus shuddered at the thought of it, disgusted to even remember it.
"Again, whatever it may be, our curiosity is not the priority for the mission. We must continue on until the objective is fulfilled."
"Very well then Ms Leader."
Time passed, and Quill returned. Her face was filled with confusion.
"What do you have to report?" Calliope asked. She jumped off a tree branch, walking side by side with Calliope again.
"I spotted a few of the wolves not too far from here. And something else…"
"What is it?"
"It's best for you to see, it is not that far, Leader." The two finished talking.
Colton and the others were left wondering what she meant.
After a few more minutes passed, Quill walked ahead of the team and stopped just in front of a large bush. She peered inside it for a brief moment and turned to Calliope.
"We're here, Leader."
Once everyone reached her, they all started to peer through the bush as well.
Colton and the others were left in shock by what they were looking at.