The Sun shines bright on the forest floors, burds are up and about, singing their songs. The prattling of horse heels can be heard approaching from a distance, 4 horses emerge from the trees.
It's our soon-to-be apprentice Ascenders on their way to the 'Land of Beginnings' where all training to become an Ascender begins and ends.
"The forest is so huge, i've never really left the city wall" [Raizel]
"That's because you're guarded by your father's bodyguards everywhere you go, spoilt brat" [Vin]
"No one askes you Vin, shut up"[Raizel]
"What does the entrance look like? How far is it?" [Ugo]
"Oh dear, trust me, when we get there, you'll know" [Sylene]
— — — —
Time passes, it's late now.
Everything seems rather calm, the 2 arguing like always, Ugo, further in the front of the group shadowing his mom.
"Mom, it's getting pretty late, should we camp for the night?" [Ugo]
"Yes, we provide should, okay kids we'll be making shelter under that oak tree, it's great shade and provides a cool breeze." [Sylene]
They walk up a bit, they saddle their horses and feed them apples and carrots for the day, then allow them rest.
They sit gathered around a fire, heating their rations, then Sylene begins to give them a fair amount of advice to aid them on theur journey to Ascenderhood"
"You see as an Ascender, we need to not only know how to fight but survive , part of the job sometimes is simply staying alive." [Sylene]
"What are you talking about mom? Being an Ascender must be the coolest job in the world, there's nothing to worry about!" [Ugo]
"I don't think we should be arguing with the person who's actually an Ascender bro" [Vin]
"Vin's right this time, sure it's true that we've only seen the cool and happy sides, where there is more power, there are even sicker ways to commit evil" [Raizel]
Raizel says while making a mockingly serious face.
They all burst out laughing, except Sylene, she knows it's not a joke, she nows they will regret their choices, she knows how truly evil the world can be.
— — —
It's even later now. The fire has been put out and everyone is in their camping bed.
"It's been quiet, eerily quiet, like there's no animals around, could we have stepped into the territory of a named beast?" [sylene]
She picks up little bits of information while the others are fast asleep, she is the strongest, it is her duty to protect and she'll be damned if she lets anyone harm her son.
She smells it, she understands it, she's all to familiar with it, it's blood, and a thick presence of bloodlust.
"Everyone get up, now! The forest seems to have been harboring bandits." [sylene]
They manage to get their belongings in order without startling horses enough to leave, this could only be done due to Sylene's extreme awareness, she gave them time to prepare. Did it help however?
The bandits have circled them, it's an early morning, the sun is not out yet but silhouettes and torches can be clearly seen around the trees, its time for action.
The bandits charge toward Sylene, she's the leader, the brains and brawns behind this party's loot and formation, if they're going to enjoy great spoils, she needs to die, but this is THE SYLENE LUNARIA!
"They're 16 of them here but i hear more coming, I'll have to deal with them fast while protecting the kids, this may prove troublesome." [Sylene]
2 bandits attempt attacking Sylene, she undoes their head swiftly, she's more worried about the children, despite the obvious difference in strength, these bandits are far abover the unripe potentials that she protects.
"Ugo, let's help, pass me a sword!"[Vin]
"You took the words right out of my mouth Vin." [Ugo]
"She asked us not to intervene, we could get in her way!" [Raizel]
"These are just bandits Raizel, even us should be able to take down a few of them." [Vin]
They jump in to assist Sylene's mom, blood is being spilled, they aren't used to it, they hesitate, she doesn't.
The bandits use magic spells, Fireballs, lighting beams, and some clone magic, nothing on par with her, but enough to keep her distracted.
"Ugo, watch your back!" [Raizel]
She jumps in to help them, Sylene is busy, she wants to kill the assault at the source but she wants to protect the future as well, she cuts through the Bandits magic time and time again but they just keep coming, she kills, even in-front if the kids.
They are scared, it's a blood bath, Sylene has had enough, she switches stands and attempts to throw her sword as a spear, however unbeknownst to her, the blood pattern she'd made was on the power source for a lightning summons spell.
"Ahhhh." [Sylene{
She screams, they played her, she's been had, now they swarm her, they even leave the Raizel and the boys.
She screams
"Run, keep going, the training grounds isn't much farther, i WILL NOT DIE HERE!"
She reassures her kin, afterwards she enters her nightshade state, she fights them adequately but the lightning has done its damage, she can still be seen fighting as they leave the scene further into the woods in hopes of salvation.
An uneasy tension is in the air, with good reason too.
"She won't die, she's the strongest!" [Raizel]
"Yeah, that's right, let's just keep moving as she said, we'll probably meet her there" [Vin]
"You guys are right, i'm just paranoid, she'll be fine, let's get to the training grounds." [Ugo]
Nevertheless, he is still worried about his mom. They continue to walk, soon they realise a few things.
1. They lost their rations and food supply in the escape
2. They are lost and have been moving in circles
3. They are very tired and hungry
"Maybe we shouldn't have interfered like your mom said." [Vin]
"It's fine, we'll survive we just have to employ basic survival skills, can't be that hard, right?[Raizel]
"I'm so hungry, i could eat a cow" [Ugo]
— — —
They spend time trying to map out the forest and obtain clean water and food.
They find a river and hunt some bunnies. Raizel did not support this, she loves bunnies.
"Let's camp here for today, but let's put out the fire early, for all we know some bandits could be after us as well" [Raizel]
"But we're freezing" [Vin/Ugo]
— — —
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