Just as the team, consisting of seven people, stepped out of the basement and left the protection of the Dome Array, a swarm of shadow minions descended upon them as if they had been anticipating their emergence from the Dome Array. Their shape and form were distorted, resembling a dense mass of darkness that flickered and moved throughout the entire area. They were now larger in numbers compared to when the villagers were evacuated, and their vacant and abysmal purple eyes flickered with sinister glints as they loomed around the quest team.
Fortunately, the members of the quest team had the Telescope Mask, and they had worn it over their heads just before exiting the basement entrance. The mask and the Magma Shroud were complementary as they walked past the swarming shadow minions without a care in the world about being infested. If someone were to examine the visor of the mask, they would be able to discern the outlines of their eyes, which were concealed by the Infernal Crystals of the visor's eyeslit.
"This mask is truly effective," Thorne said as he felt the smoothness of his mask's surface with his right hand. "So, this is what the so-called Shadow Minions look like. Very ugly, uncanny, and creepy."
Hearing what Thorne said, Alvan muttered inwardly, 'How I wish we had this mask Maybe Mom wouldn't have…'
Before he could finish his sentence in his mind, his gaze landed directly on Emelda's. One of the special features of the Telescope Mask is that, even with the Infernal Crystal that is translucently fitted on the eyeslit, wearers can still see as clearly as they would without it. Why it was this way was mysterious even to the blacksmiths who forged it. But, perhaps, the High Priest might know.
Alvan stopped midway in his thoughts as his eyes landed on Emelda's. With his keen eyesight, he saw the sadness that filled her eyes. It was a look that he was very familiar with. She always had it whenever she thought about her parents. Alvan couldn't help but wonder if she was also thinking the same thing he was.
He forced a smile onto his face to reassure her that he was there for her. He couldn't help but feel bad. He was thinking so much about his mother, while someone dear to him didn't even know their own parents. Even though it made him feel a certain way, it was somewhat of a consolation for him too.
Emelda returned the smile, although it was forced. They could both see each other's smiles very clearly because the mask didn't extend down to their mouths; it stopped above their noses.
After exiting the Dome Array completely and reaching the front of the Templar Academy, they came to a halt, just like their leader who had also stopped. They were standing at the edge of the elevated plateau. And right before them, on the vast sea to the right side of the plateau, they could all see the malevolent darkness casting a colossal shadow over the sea. However, it seemed to be held in place, but whatever was restricting the fort's encroachment, they couldn't see it due to the far distance, but they knew it.
In front of them, was the settlement of the people of Etheloria stretching far than the eyes could see. However, some tiny shadow figures were hovering around everywhere with two creepy purple eyes each. By the left of the plateau, was the mountain ranges, also stretching out into the distance.
"So, which way?" It was Drake who spoke, for the first time since he joined the team. The question was an important one, after they had stopped at the edge of the plateau, it was relevant to know where they were heading as time did not wait for them.
"I'm going through the map on the scroll to know which direction we will be setting out from," said Apphira, the obvious leader of the team. "But, according to the map, we can go from any direction apart from the sea. So, I think I need to activate the Time Orb. Let's see what it has in store for us."
However, unlike the scroll map that she took out from her ring, she brought out the Time Orb from a special sack she was carrying. Perhaps, the ring could not store the Time Orb in it's spatial storage.
With the Time Orb in one hand, she transferred cosmic energy into it using her other hand.
And just like when Alvan transferred cosmic energy to it, the Time Orb absorbed the energy before glowing a light blue and dimming. After that, a display of mountainous terrain appeared on the Time Orb before disappearing. This time, it didn't project a larger replica of itself.
"The direction we are taking is that side." Apphira pointed at the mountain ranges on the left side of the plateau. All of them, with different expressions etched on their faces, turned towards the mountain ranges to behold the route they would be taking in no distant time.
Apphira placed the Time Orb back delicately into the special sack from which she took it.
Then, she took the first step towards the mountain ranges, leading the way while the others followed her closely. Drake, Kael, Alvan, Emelda, Lyra, and then Thorne… that was how they were lined up through a pathway that connects the plateau towards the direction of the mountain ranges.
The journey had begun as they made their way towards the mountainous areas.
They had left the plateau and were about to cross the boundary that separates Ethelorian land from other places. As they were walking, silence enveloped the group. Only the whirling breeze brushing past their bodies and hair, their footsteps, and the chirping of birds could be heard.
Not only that, as they crossed the boundary and headed deeper into the mountain areas, they noticed a slight difference in the atmosphere surrounding them. The air here seemed denser and more turbid than what they were used to, and they also perceived a faint scent of earth-after-a-rain permeating the air.
The shadow minions weren't missing out in this region either. However, they were sparsely distributed around this place, unlike Etheloria, where there were many of them on every corner.
"Most of you have never crossed the boundaries of Etheloria before, so you might find the mountain domain atmosphere and environment a bit different." Apphira, who was at the forefront, began to address the people following her. "Don't worry, you will quickly adjust and adapt to this new atmosphere in no time.
"The only thing I will warn you guys about is to be watchful and vigilant. Watch where you step, look out for the person next to you, and observe your surroundings carefully. Most of the trees here are dangerous. Some are carnivorous, possessing parts and organs that can be extended and retracted. If you venture near their highly sensitive field, you can only hope to emerge with your head, hands, or legs intact.
"Some of these trees release poisonous toxins. While some plants are good at trapping, they have retractable and sharp vines and tendrils. I think the Templar knight and warrior among us know more about these matters than I do," she paused and looked at Drake. "For safety's sake, can you provide them with more information about the terrain we just entered?"
Then, she turned and resumed walking, with the others following closely behind.
"The twin guardian is right. After crossing the border of Etheloria. The next zone that one will enter is this plant-dominated zone. You will hardly encounter any beasts here, not even wild animals. That is because of the dangerous trees and shrubs that are found within this area, stretching for a few kilometers ahead of us," said Drake.
"But that does not mean that all the trees and plants here are dangerous; in fact, most of them are actually benign. But some of them are, especially those with colorful trunks, shoots, and flowers. However, we from the Templar Force have undergone rigorous training here and in other terrains in these mountain areas, so I will be able to recognize most of them."
"So, were these plants also the ones giving off the morbid vibes in this area?" Lyra said, after carefully considering what she just heard.
"Yes," replied Apphira.
"Hmmm, maybe we might have a use for them somewhere during this quest. Because, according to what you said, some of them release toxins into the air. But since this morbid and turbid air is harmless, it means that some of these special plants can neutralize the toxicity of the toxin-producing ones." Lyra stated her well-articulated hypothesis.
Apphira stopped in her tracks and gave Lyra a thoughtful look. "Wow, that might be the case. But there is no way to test your theory, so we can't take any risks. Not to mention, none of us can identify the Beastial Plants that possess neutralizing effects or can provide us with benefits." The others nodded, and they continued.
'She truly is Kamuth's daughter... who knows, she might be the next High Priestess of Etheloria,' Apphira mumbled internally, a smile curling up her lips, which the others behind her did not see.
The group of seven continued their journey, venturing deeper into the mountain ranges. Each of them is lost in their thoughts, contemplating the gravity of their mission. Despite their shared goal, their differences become more apparent because they come from varied backgrounds and possess unique abilities, which makes their cooperation challenging.
They were currently ascending a gently sloping hill that crossed their path. This time, they were no longer in a single file because the pathway had spread wide enough. That was when Drake pointed at a particular tree and said:
"That is one of the carnivorous beastial trees."