The group continued their journey, leaving behind the ghosts of Asa's past that lingered in the abandoned streets of the Upper North Region.
They get off their horses on the outer border of Antara. Continuing their journey by foot.
As the group reached in front of the Enchanted Mead Woods, the air seemed to change, carrying with it the enchantment of the mysterious woods that lay ahead.
The sun cast long shadows, signaling the imminent arrival of night.
"We're about to enter the Enchanted Mead Woods. Stay vigilant, everyone. Whatever lies within, it won't be ordinary," Asa declared. She took off the cloth around her neck and tied it to cover her nose and mouth. "Use your pillar cloth as a mask."
Everyone promptly followed her advice.
The gravity of the mission finally settled on their shoulders.
The group entered the woods in single file, the dense foliage embracing them like a shroud.
The enchanted melodies whispered through the leaves, a haunting symphony that seemed to echo the ancient secrets of the forest.
Asa took the lead, her sharp eyes scanning for signs of Crystal Flowers or Crys.
Joan and Dunn followed closely, their senses on high alert.
Madelyn, walking on the side of Dunn, observed the surroundings with curiosity, her hands gripping tightly onto Dunn's wrist.
The group moved in silence, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves underfoot and the distant murmur of the enchanted melodies. The air grew thicker as the density of the foliage increased.
Silence enveloped them as they navigated the dense undergrowth, each step accompanied by the haunting melodies of the enchanted mead woods. It wasn't until a random rustle caught the attention of three out of the four that the silence was broken.
"That's a Crys," Asa noted with a hushed urgency. "Dunn, your priority is to protect Madelyn. Do well."
Dunn nodded, swiftly pulling Madelyn onto his back. "Stay close," he instructed.
Madelyn simply nodded, her heart beating rapidly as she gripped her bayonet with a shaking hand.
Asa noticed Madelyn's nervousness and took a protective stance on her side. "Don't worry," she assured, her voice steady. "I will keep you safe, no matter what it costs." Her eyes locked onto the source of the rustling sounds.
As expected, a group of Crys emerged from behind the bushes.
Asa unsheathed her sword and swiftly lunged at the Crys, slicing through three of them at their necks.
On the other side, Joan Eve engaged in close combat with more than five Crys.
His hands, covered by knuckle brass, a personal weapon that Asa have only noticed he is wearing now, flew in punches, striking the Crys with precision.
His feet skillfully kicked out, repelling any Crys that ventured too close to his range.
Dunn Blair, with Madelyn securely on his back, moved with swift agility.
He pull out his bayonet, deflecting the attacks of the Crys with practiced skill.
His focus was on shielding Madelyn from any potential harm, and he moved like a shadow, always in the right place at the right time.
Madelyn, although frightened, mirrored Asa's resolve.
She raised her bayonet, determined to defend herself if the need arose.
The eerie huge trees on the background dancing through the moves from their fight, making a great background scene for the grotesque features of the approaching Crys, their movements jerky and unpredictable.
As the battle unfolded, it became apparent that these Crys were different—they seemed more organized, as if driven by a purpose.
Asa's instincts kicked in, and she realized they were dealing with something beyond the usual Crystal Flowers-infected creatures.
Joan Eve dispatched the last of the Crys in his vicinity, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. "This isn't a random attack. They were guarding something," he said, his voice low.
Asa turned her head to Joan after finishing off the last Crys that attacked them. "Or," she hung her sentence, pulling her sword back from the Crys' chest, "they were specifically told to finish us."
Joan Eve's expression grew more serious as he considered Asa's words. The possibility of a targeted attack raised the stakes of their mission.
Dunn Blair, still vigilant, scanned the surroundings. "We need to be cautious. If they were guarding something, it might be close. Let's proceed carefully."
"Let's find a place to stay the night first," Joan suggested. "The night is near. Asa, you are injured too, aren't you?"
Both Madelyn and Dunn shifted their attention to Asa and noticed a scratching wound on her arms, tearing a bit of her clothes.
Not accustomed to receiving concern, Asa stuttered a bit. "Huh? This is just a small wound. It's nothing. Crystal Doom doesn't even infect—"
"No, Joan is right. Let's go find a place for the two of you to rest first. I will go with him to look for the things they tried to hide," Dunn interjected, emphasizing the need for rest and caution.
Asa hesitated for a moment but agreed in the end.
Familiar with the woods, at least more than the rest of the three, she quickly led them to a small hut that she often used as a shelter with Dan when their hunting sessions were disturbed by the rain.
The hut was a humble structure, hidden amidst the dense foliage. It provided a sense of security.
As they entered the hut, Asa took a moment to assess its condition. It seemed untouched since her last visit, which is a long time ago.
Asa gestured for Dunn to join her outside for a moment. Once they were a few steps away, she spoke in a hushed tone, "Dunn, thanks for looking out for Madelyn back there. I appreciate it."
Dunn nodded, "I take my role seriously."
"I noticed," Asa replied, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Look, about the wound, I can take care of it myself. You don't need to worry too much."
Dunn crossed his arms, a serious look on his face. "As much as I appreciate your resilience, but it wouldn't hurt to let someone else care for you once in a while. You're not invincible."
Asa chuckled, appreciating Dunn's concern. "Fair enough."