The morning in the Trial of Mortals greeted Orion, Mira, Cassian, and the rest of the team with newfound opportunities. After finishing their breakfast in the tavern, a pair of fox beastmen entered, immediately drawing attention. The male was tall with a poised demeanor, his reddish-brown fur catching the light as he moved gracefully. His sister, slightly shorter, had fur in shades of orange and white, and her green eyes sparkled with intelligence.
The male scanned the room and asked in their language, "Who among you is Orion?"
Orion stood to respond, speaking in the beastmen's tongue, "I am Orion, and this is Cassian, my ally."
The fox beastmen introduced themselves. The male was Tarn, and his sister, now named Lira, informed them that Rokar had sent them to guide the group to the town of Galdorak.
Cassian, relying on Orion's translation, nodded in acknowledgment. Orion relayed their plan to Tarn and Lira, including a stop at the main expedition camp near the entrance portal, and then proceeding to Galdorak.
Tarn and Lira listened intently and discussed briefly among themselves before agreeing to the plan. They expressed their readiness to guide the group, indicating their familiarity with the terrain and the challenges it might present.
With the plan set, the group, now joined by Tarn and Lira, began their journey. They first traversed the familiar forest surrounding the village of Lyrathorn. The forest, with its dense canopy and rich undergrowth, was a terrain they had become accustomed to, yet the presence of the fox beastmen guides added a new layer of insight to the travel.
Within several hours, the team successfully made their way through the forest, emerging on the other side. Remarkably, they did not encounter any beasts during this leg of the journey. Orion pondered whether the significant presence of awakeners in the area had led to a decrease in the local beast population, or if the creatures were simply wary of approaching such a large and well-armed group.
Regardless of the reason, the absence of encounters with wildlife allowed them to maintain a steady pace.
The absence of wildlife encounters allowed the group to maintain a steady pace through the forest. As they emerged from the dense woods, they were greeted by the sight of a huge camp. It was the main expedition camp, established as a defensive position for the portal to and from the small world and serving as a hub for all participants in the expedition.
Tarn and Lira, the fox beastmen guides, chose not to enter the camp and decided to wait nearby. Respecting their decision, Orion, Mira, Cassian, and their teammates proceeded into the camp, heading straight to The Mystic Shadows' tent as previously agreed.
Inside the tent, they met with Elara Winters from the Keepers of Void and a coordinator from The Mystic Shadows clan. Orion and Cassian reported on their recent activities, including their interactions with the beastmen and the information they had gathered.
Orion then presented the list of trade items he had compiled from the Lyrathorn village shop and allowed both clan representatives to make copies of the map he had acquired. The clan representatives expressed their intention to share the map with GARB and the Adventurers Guild, noting that this would benefit both clans by earning them merits for their contributions.
Following the briefing, Elara presented Orion with a storage ring, one cubic meter in size, containing 1000 mana stones. "This is to fund your ongoing expedition efforts," she explained. Orion expressed his gratitude for the resources, recognizing the importance of such support. He noticed Cassian also received a similar ring from his clan representative.
With the additional funds and their tasks at the camp completed, the team left the camp to rejoin Tarn and Lira. The fox beastmen guides were ready to lead the way to the mountain range in the west, marking the next phase of their journey.
The journey to the mountain range took three days. The landscape they traversed was a tapestry of changing sceneries. Initially, they passed through rolling plains where the tall grass danced in the wind, and distant hills painted a serene backdrop. Wildlife was scarce but occasionally, they spotted herds of grazing animals in the distance, a peaceful contrast to the more dangerous creatures they had prepared to encounter.
On the second day, their path led them to a quaint beastmen village nestled in a small valley. Unlike Lyrathorn, this village was more intimate, with huts clustered closely together, creating a sense of community and warmth. The architecture, while simple, displayed intricate carvings and decorations that spoke of the villagers' artistic skills and cultural heritage. The inhabitants, though initially cautious, gradually warmed up to the presence of the human awakeners, especially with Tarn and Lira facilitating the interaction. This visit provided a valuable opportunity for the team to observe and learn about the daily lives and customs of the beastmen, from their farming techniques to their social gatherings.
During their journey, they encountered various wildlife, but none that posed a serious threat. Instead, these encounters served as training exercises, allowing Orion and Cassian to assess their teams' combat readiness and synergy. The nights were spent camping under the stars, with guards posted to ensure safety.
As they neared the mountain range on the third day, the terrain became more challenging. Rocky outcrops and steep inclines tested their endurance. Tarn and Lira skillfully navigated the group through this rugged landscape, demonstrating their deep knowledge of the land.
Upon reaching the entrance to the underground tunnel, the group paused. The tunnel mouth was a wide, gaping opening in the side of the mountain, its interior shrouded in darkness. Tarn explained that the tunnel was a natural formation, used by the beastmen for generations to travel through the mountain range.The tunnel was the key to bypassing the mountain range and reaching Galdorak town.
Orion and Cassian took this moment to prepare their teams for the journey through the tunnel. They distributed torches and magical light sources, checked supplies, and reviewed the formation they would maintain while traveling underground. The importance of staying alert and sticking together was emphasized, as the tunnel could house unknown creatures or treacherous paths.
With preparations complete, the group took a collective breath before stepping into the tunnel. The flickering lights from their torches cast long, dancing shadows on the walls as they ventured into the subterranean passage. The journey through the tunnel to reach Galdorak town was underway.