She glanced at her watch. "It's time," she said. "If you two have any plans to cross the mountains, I will accompany you. We can travel together until we reach the base of the mountains."
The Base Mountain? The words echoed in my mind. This mysterious masked woman was offering to guide us to the base of the mountains, but that would mean we would have to endure more days of travelling through the forest and across the perilous terrain.
Indeed, the presence of a formidable beast known as the One-Eye King had been announced, lending an air of intrigue to these lands. However, the specifics of this creature remained shrouded in mystery. I couldn't help but wonder about its appearance and the level of danger it posed.
"Tell me," I inquired, my curiosity piqued, "what does this One-Eye King look like, and just how dangerous is it?"
Ayase also leaned forward, eager to learn more about this mysterious beast. It was evident that the presence of the One-Eye King cast a shadow over this forest, and we needed to understand its nature if we were to proceed safely.
The mysterious woman let out a soft sigh, her eyes conveying a sense of resignation. "The One-Eye King is a terrible beast, a giant one-eyed monster with a body of stone. Those eye-stalks are the only part of its body that can be damaged. It is known to have wiped out entire towns and villages, destroying everything in its path. Its ferocity is legendary, and it is feared by all who encounter it."
Glance over Ayase's shoulder, I caught a glimpse of her terrified expression. It was clear that the description of this terrible beast had sent a shiver down her spine. The thought of facing such a monstrous creature was certainly daunting, and I couldn't help but share her trepidation.
The masked girl chose to shift the conversation's focus. "Why don't we put the One-Eye King aside for now?" she suggested. "Let's take a moment to introduce ourselves."
Her proposal was a subtle redirection, an opportunity to learn more about each other amidst the uncertainty of the forest. It was a chance to bridge the gap between strangers and find common ground in this enigmatic encounter.
Without hesitation, I reached out my hand to shake hers. "My name is Hiro, and this is my travelling companion, Ayase. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ayase mimicked my gesture, extending her hand in greeting. "Likewise, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The masked girl took our hands in hers, her grasp firm but gentle. "I'm Yuna," she said. "It's nice to meet you both."
Yuna's demeanour seemed to shift, a sense of compassion emanating from her. She offered to carry our bags for us, despite our protestations that we could manage on our own.The other woman began to introduce herself, her voice carrying a tone of authority. "I am Reina," she stated with confidence. "I am an adventurer from the guild known as the Blood Knights, and my weapon of choice is the greatsword. This blade is a symbol of my strength and expertise, and I wield it to protect the vulnerable and stand against the forces of darkness."
Her words conveyed a sense of purpose and dedication to her calling, painting a picture of a formidable and righteous warrior in this mysterious world.
A Guild? That means… "You must be a very skilled adventurer," I remarked.
She nodded. "Indeed, I am a well-respected member of the Blood Knights guild."
"So, what brings you to this forest?" Ayase questioned.
Reina replied with a tinge of sadness, "I'm on a quest to rescue a friend. He was captured by a band of brigands who are holding him captive somewhere in this forest."
I couldn't help but sympathize with her plight. The thought of her friend being held captive in this perilous terrain was certainly distressing, and she clearly felt compelled to do everything in her power to save him.
"We should get going," Yuna announced. "It's getting late, and we still have a long way to go."
With a nod, the two of us agreed, and we began to make our way through the forest with Reina and Yuna in tow. The trees around us loomed like silent sentinels, the air thick with the scent of pine. The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves was a gentle reminder of our surroundings, and I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and majesty of nature.
As we continued our trek through the forest, I noticed that Ayase was growing increasingly uneasy. Her eyes darted around, her body language betraying a sense of unease.
"Is there something wrong?" Reina inquired, picking up on the subtle signs.
"No, it's nothing."
With an earnest smile, the blonde beauty responded, "Ah, well. If anything troubles you, don't hesitate to talk about it. We're here to support one another, after all."
Ayase nodded hesitantly, as I was pleased to see that Reina was a sympathetic individual who recognized the importance of connection and compassion amongst travellers. The dangers of the forest were undoubtedly enough to unsettle the bravest traveler, and having someone to rely upon and trust was an invaluable asset when navigating these treacherous woods.
I couldn't help but interject, my thoughts drifting toward the peculiar fusion of magic I had experienced. It was as if the elements of wind and lightning had melded together into a singular, extraordinary force.
The sensation was unlike anything I had ever encountered, a surge of raw energy that had ultimately incapacitated Draco in our recent battle. It had been a perilous confrontation, a close call that could have easily cost me my life, yet I had persevered through the onslaught, emerging as a warrior forged by the fires of battle.
But as vivid as the memories of that battle were, a disquieting unease gnawed at the corners of my mind whenever I recalled the past encounters with Draco and Finnian. There was a lingering sense that someone, or something, had been observing our struggles from high above in the mountainous sky, a presence that defied explanation and added an eerie layer of mystery to our battles.
The enigma of who had been watching our previous battles persisted, weighing heavily on my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that there had been a silent observer, hidden in the vast expanse above the mountainous sky, witnessing our desperate struggles against Draco and Finnian.
Turning to Ayase in search of answers, I inquired if she had any recollection of this mysterious presence. Her initial response was nonsensical as if she had no knowledge of the watcher in the sky. Frustration gnawed at me, but I persisted, urging her to recall the events of our battles.
Finally, her memory seemed to stir, and she acknowledged, "Oh yes, I remember now." My heart skipped a beat as I eagerly awaited her revelation. "But who you're saying was watching?"
Reina turned her attention to us, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Who were you fighting?" she inquired, a question laced with genuine interest.
I hesitated for a moment, my thoughts racing as I considered the implications of revealing our recent battles. If I disclosed the truth about our skirmishes with the bandit hunters, it could have consequences for the guards or the nobility. However, Ayase chose to speak, her words flowing freely.
"It was Hiro," she began, her voice steady. "He fought against a lower-ranked creature." I frowned slightly at her candour, unsure if it was the right decision to divulge such information to a stranger like Reina.
Yuna intervened, breaking the tension that had settled between us. She asked about the creatures we had encountered, and I responded with confidence, "They were wolves or something similar, just low-tier monsters."
Reina's grin widened as she absorbed this information, and she couldn't help but remark, "Hiro, you truly are a rare find among children, perhaps even among warriors in the 40th or 60th percentile." Her words hung in the air, leaving us to wonder about the implications.
"Why would someone like you need a warrior?" she continued, her grin taking on a predatory edge. "It's almost as if the prey has willingly shown its neck to the predator," she added with a darkly amused smirk, turning the conversation into a playful jest.
____
Narrator's POV:
As time continued to pass, the persistent unease of an unseen presence weighed heavily on the mind. The identity of the silent observer who had watched the battles between Ayase and Hiro against Draco and Finnian remained shrouded in mystery.
It left behind only traces of crimson blood and the lingering darkness of scythes, casting a foreboding shadow over their journey. The mysterious presence continued to elude any attempts to discern its true nature.
Who could this enigmatic entity be, and what were its intentions? A disembodied voice echoed in the stillness of the night, its words sending a shiver down Hiro's spine. "We will meet again," it proclaimed, leaving Hiro on high alert, his senses heightened.
Unbeknownst to them, the unknown creature had set its plans into motion.
Darkness descended upon the land, and a crimson glow enveloped the night sky, casting an eerie reddish hue over everything. It was a foreboding sign, a harbinger of uncertain times to come.