With a final glance back at the guild master, Ben nodded to Rilus, indicating his willingness to go with him. The sight of Ben, the sorcerer presumed dead, standing in their midst, had added an unexpected twist to the day's events. Little did anyone know that this encounter was the beginning of a new adventure, one that would challenge the boundaries of trust, loyalty, and the mysteries that lay ahead. Without wasting any time, Ben and Rilus took off immediately, leaving the guild master and the guild lady bewildered by their abrupt departure. They embarked on their journey, traversing through rugged landscapes and winding paths. To disguise the true purpose of their trip, Ben devised a plan to fake an injury. He feigned a twisted ankle, hobbling along with a hint of pain in his every step. This ruse served as a plausible excuse for their haste and secrecy, enabling them to travel without attracting unwanted attention or suspicion. Even Rilus believed Ben's ankle was twisted. As they ventured deeper into the unknown, Ben couldn't help but marvel at the picturesque scenery and the wild beauty that surrounded them. Nature seemed to breathe with an unparalleled vibrancy, as though it held secrets waiting to be discovered.Their journey consisted of long walks through dense forests, where sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting enchanting patterns on the ground beneath them. They navigated through treacherous mountain paths, their determination unwavering despite the challenges they encountered along the way. Ben and Rilus engaged in intermittent conversations during their travels, exchanging stories, and reminiscing about their shared past. Despite Ben's persistent lack of recollection, he played his role convincingly, as if the memories would resurface in due time. Rilus seemed understanding, often providing small details or prompts to steer Ben's recollection back on track. Throughout the trip, Ben couldn't help but ponder the reason behind Rilus's request for his assistance without any explanation. The mystery surrounding their journey only seemed to deepen as they moved forward. Yet, the trust and friendship that bound them propelled Ben to push fear and doubt aside. Their journey remained shrouded in uncertainty, as Ben continued concealing his genuine confusion about the circumstances surrounding their meeting. Together, they pressed on, driven by a shared sense of purpose and a belief that their fates were intertwined.As the journey progressed, Ben and Rilus found themselves venturing into even more challenging terrains. They crossed rushing rivers, climbed steep cliffs, and traversed through thickets of thorny bushes. Each step tested their endurance and resolve, but their determination did not waver. Ben maintained his act of a twisted ankle, sometimes pausing to wince in pain when the terrain became especially arduous. His performance was met with sympathy and concern from Rilus, who offered words of encouragement and assistance whenever needed. Their travel became a delicate dance of trust and secrecy. Rilus, though frustrated by Ben's lack of memory, remained patient and supportive, providing gentle reminders of their shared experiences. Ben, in turn, did his best to fill in the gaps with plausible responses, relying on intuition and instinct to maintain the illusion of familiarity. Throughout their journey, they encountered awe-inspiring landscapes and encountered fleeting moments of danger. Together, they faced a treacherous thunderstorm atop a jagged peak, sought shelter from a pack of howling wolves in an ancient cave, and braved the unsettling silence of a haunted forest. These trials strengthened their bond and deepened their resolve to uncover the truth behind their inexplicable connection. With each passing day, their destination remained shrouded in mystery. Rilus, bound by his promise of secrecy, maintained a steadfast silence about their ultimate goal. Ben, intrigued and eager to discover the purpose of their journey, continued to trust his friend, believing that the answers would unveil themselves in due course. As they continued onward, the landscapes shifted, revealing new wonders beyond their imagination. Towering waterfalls cascaded down moss-covered cliffs, singing a melodious harmony. Pristine meadows stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with colorful blooms of wildflowers. Majestic mountains, shrouded in mist, loomed on the horizon, promising untold adventures awaiting their arrival. With each step, Ben and Rilus drew closer to the heart of their mission, a mission that held secrets Ben could only hope to unravel. As the vastness of the world unfolded before them, the weight of their journey grew heavier, driven by an unyielding determination to uncover the truth that lay ahead.As their journey progressed, Ben's faked ankle injury took a turn for the worse. The strain of the treacherous terrain and prolonged acting began to take its toll, causing him discomfort beyond what he initially anticipated. Ben's limp became more pronounced, and he winced with every step, summoning further concern from Rilus. While trekking through a dense, untamed forest, Rilus devised a risky plan to distract the wild beasts that roamed the area. Taking advantage of Ben's apparent vulnerability, Rilus placed a bait crafted specifically to lure the creatures of the forest. Knowing full well the potential dangers that lay ahead, but trusting in his plan, Ben kept very quiet, he knew he was about to be trapped but he acted blind. Rilus sprinted ahead, under the guide of looking for firewood leading the creatures to Ben's path, left alone, Ben tried to maintain composure despite his twisted ankle and the faked throbbing pain that had intensified.Soon, the tranquility of the forest was shattered by the growls and snarls of the wild beasts responding to Rilus's bait. Ben braced himself, feeling a mix of dread and determination as the creatures closed in. Injured and alone, he summoned all the courage he could muster, drawing upon magic that remained hidden within him. As the first of the wild beasts approached, Ben unleashed a spell infused with a brilliant flare of light, stunning them momentarily. He seized the opportunity, running away as quickly as his fake injured ankle allowed, desperate to find safety amid the chaos that engulfed the forest. The pursuit continued, the creatures in relentless pursuit, their roars echoing through the trees. Ben's determination to survive mingled with a growing frustration. He called upon his limited magical abilities, creating illusions and barriers to confuse and stall the wild beasts, hoping to buy precious moments of respite until a path to safety became visible. Through sheer willpower and the remnants of his magic, Ben managed to evade the creatures long enough to find a hidden alcove concealed by dense foliage. Catching his breath, he realized the sacrifice Rilus had made – leaving him to face the wild beasts alone, it was truly an assassination attempt. Conflicting emotions coalesced within Ben's mind – gratitude for Rilus's betrayal, coupled with the question of why he had been abandoned in such a perilous situation. Ben knew that survival in these dire circumstances required swift decision-making. Battered and fatigued, he steeled himself, resolute in his determination to navigate through the perilous forest and uncover the truth that lay hidden within the depths of this enigmatic journey.As Ben remained hidden in the alcove, time slipped by without any sign of Rilus returning. The forest grew quiet once more, the echoes of the wild beast's pursuit fading into the distance. Lacking answers and feeling a mix of confusion and concern, Ben made the difficult decision to fix his faked ankle and resume the journey alone. Drawing upon his knowledge of healing magic, Ben channeled his energy into mending the twisted ankle. With focused concentration, he visualized the mending process, compelling the ligaments and tendons to align once more. Gradually, the pain lessened, and Ben rose to his feet, testing the ankle's newfound stability. Determined to uncover the truth behind Rilus's actions and the purpose of their journey, Ben pressed forward, following the trail they had been traversing together.