Anyway, I could just always run using the Thunder Clap spell if things turn for the worse right?
After successfully convincing myself, I followed the python to a ravin. I wasn't worried that I would get lost, being a mage, my mind was vast and I could easily remember the way.
Speaking of memories, I still have no recollection of my past memories before I found myself in this forest, however, I seem to gain little bits of pieces of my memory as I grew stronger though these memories that I have regained really didn't connect to my personal life but instead connected to the knowledge of mages and wild beasts.
I found it quite frustrating, no matter, it seemed that if I continued to grow stronger as a mage, my memories would eventually come back - it was another reason why I have to grow stronger aside from surviving and getting out of this cursed forest.
It wasn't the time to be thinking about these things.
I eyed the moving python with solemn eyes, it dragged the bull beast and with its heavy weight, it caused a decrease in the python's mobility by a lot. The snake was unaffected though and didn't show any signs of giving up like I hoped for. It was hell-bent on dragging the bull back to its lair.
Soon enough, I could see a wide opening on a cliff, it was clear as a day that it was the snake's lair.
It dragged the dead bull inside.
My eyes shook, the cave looked like the maws of a big wild beast that would devour any of those who enters.
Soon, I could not see their large figures anymore - devoured by the shadows of the cave. I was left alone outside hiding behind the bushes crouching.
I bit my nails and started weighing my decisions. On the left scale was simply returning to my cave, on the right scale was following them further in. The former was clearly the safer decision, moreover, I really didn't feel all that compelled in to chasing after them to the point of risking my life- it was not like it was guaranteed that I would obtain the mana shard anyway. However, the latter scale seemed to be more appetizing...it was risky, yes, but as they say, risks often comes with reward. Who knows what I might find in that cave, maybe there were hidden treasures lying there.
It didn't seem all that fair though, comparing my life to treasures that may or may not exist. After all, the reward I'm talking about might not just exist and instead all I'll discover in that cave is doom.
I was distressed a little, to be honest. After a short while, I was about to turn my back to the cave and bid it farewell...
but you know what? Fck it!!
I changed my mind, I was hell-bent on leaving this forest as fast as possible and I might just find an opportunity that will make it possible inside that cave.
And most of all, my guts were telling me to follow. They say a mage's senses are very sensitive and was prone to all things spiritual and luck.
As a great man once said, "With great risk, comes great reward."
I approached the cave with a determined expression, there were no changing minds now, it was final.
The cave was very spacious, unlike the cave I was staying at, well what did I expect? For a snake that large, it was only a given that its lair would be big enough that it would be comfortable moving about.
Anyway, the cave led to a long hallway that stretched far and wide. It was dark and I could barely see anything, having no choice, I conjured a small spark of lightning that would serve me as a lantern.
I was cautious with my steps and didn't dare to make any sounds - avoiding kicking the stones that might echo in the wide cave.
It seemed that the snake went in pretty deep. It was fortunate that I had to think things through and waited outside or else if I had followed shortly after the snake entered, I might have faced a problem with how open this cave was.
The cave curved to the right, I didn't immediately show myself like an idiot fool, instead I peeked by the sides to see whether it was safe.
My heart was beating fast a little. I was in enemy territory after all. One mistake could lead to my death if ever the python sensed my presence.
Still, my unsettled heart only made me more cautious and alert.
I saw light up ahead and it seemed that there lay a big chamber there where the snake beast resided.