After walking for what seems like an eternity. Making some significant progress as well as the sun reaching its solstice.
The sun with its rays now beginning to beam into my skin. I felt a light stinging sensation. Assuming my pale body is the cause of the concern. I got the sunscreen from my kit and began to apply it to my skin.
'Hah-well I thought that this was one of the most useless things that were in my bag it had already come into use, not even a couple of days into the journey
*growls*
Immediately hearing the growls of what seemed to be a wolf. I drew my weapon, closing in my arms, and extending my unused arm out. I held a defensive stance. Staying in a low stance, I kept my head on a swivel looking at any moving bushes. The rustle of the trees concentrates on where the wolf might be.
From directly behind me the wolf jumped from the treeline ambushing me.
Since it attacked from my blind spot I was not able to see it however I did hear it. Quickly dashing to my right with the wolf's claws grazing my left arm. I quickly used my sword with a horizontal swing-sweeping at its lower center of gravity.
The wolf right after landing didn't have enough time to slow down its inertia to dodge the attack that was Damien's amateurish swing.
'Tsk'
'Not enough, I need more training'
Now with both hurt somewhat, the wolf and Damien stared down at each other. Waiting for the other to make the first move.
'Since it's being so cautious it must be an alpha. If that's so then where is the rest of his pack?'
I launched a quick dash at the wolf trying to go for a stab aiming for its center of gravity.
The wolf seeing the dash quickly went forward to attempt to attack Damients leg.
The wolf being injured by the previous attack hitting its legs couldn't move as quickly. Thus, Damien was able to hit a clean shot into the piercing wolf's neck, killing it immediately.
'Phew, I want to skin it and use its fur as extra armor but I need to keep moving, I cannot waste any more time'
As Dameint continued his journey toward the plateau, he met more wild animals. Boars, wolves, as he ventures deeper and deeper into the forest. The wilderness which never sleeps begins to take its toll on Damiens's psychological being. Always being on guard, whether it would be the bugs carrying diseases, venomous snakes, and poisonous mushrooms that seem to exude a toxic cloud.
Yet he continued, he couldn't sleep as his days in the forest comes closer and closer to the amount of allocated time that was given to him. Finishing his gourd of water, still feeling thirsty. The hunger was gnawing away at his empty stomach as he finishes the ration given to him.
Now with the only thing left within his pack was just a simple vile with some red liquid inside much like a healing potion. But no matter how much he tried to open it, there was a small metal part that seems to just stop the lid from opening.
'I'm tired, thirsty, hungry, stressed, I want to just rest for a little bit…just 5 minutes wouldn't hurt
Finding a nice tree to climb I went up and found a nice place for me to get a quick shut-eye. Just somewhere to rest for just a moment.
*thump*
*thump*
*thump*
Before I even opened my eyes I had a strong sense to protect myself, quickly grabbing the sword that was resting in my scabbard. I swung it with a force I didn't even know I had and sliced something open.
The sunlight then beamed from the gap that was created by the sword. I crawled my way out of what it seems to be a carnivorous tree.
'Fuck!, no wonder I felt so tired, that tree must have had some sort of sleeping gas and just had to make such a nice place to take a nap.'
After surviving what was almost the end of the journey which had barely started, the urges.
They are getting worse, I can't even call them cravings at this point it's a need.
'Please, I need something to drink, I'm so thirsty…'
2 days and a night pass with Damien walking forward seemingly unconscious moving as what it seems as his body protecting himself.
~on the plateau~
"Hey Rose, I know this is for his own good but are you sure this is a good idea?" Ben asked nervously gripping onto his crucifix.
"I didn't expect you to be such a worry wort, you old man. Also, put that away, it's not going to help" Rose sneered
"Well speaking of the devil, there he is…" Ben said in a serious voice.
"Damien! Are you there?!"
"...drink…so…thr...ist..y" Damien stumbled forward mumbling
"Fuck, Rose!"
"I know you do not have to tell me"
Ben went forward striking at Damien trying to pin him down, Damiens body reacting parried its attack but saw that the parried attack and Ben were still pushing through. Enraged Damien. Moving to the side Damien starts to swing his sword with unknown force though the strength behind it was weak the speed at which it was coming made Ben go on the defensive.
Rose on the other hand after quickly burning some parchment and chanting some odd language. Started to speak into the parchment with an urgent expression.
After 5 minutes the parchment was fully burnt finishing the message that was sent. Looked back at Ben who was slowly being pushed back she starts chanting and supported Ben by casting Minor Vitality.
Ben who was feeling pressed trying to conserve what little energy he has felt a rush like he was 10 years younger and regained his fervor.
After what had seemed like an hour, with both Ben and Rose barely holding their ground, some injuries appearing on the arms of Ben a feminine voice was heard above them.
"I'm sorry"