[3 of Alost, 53 years AD] -It's been a few weeks since that dream, our days were normal we went out for wood and played in the forest clearing, while in the afternoon I worked with my father in the workshop to study about the artifacts... time passes and I realize... time really doesn't stop... I look out the back of the wagon, as we head to Calixto's capital and I wonder... "How much longer do we go! How long will it take?"
-Boredom took over me, the trip was longer than it seemed, at least I wasn't the only one my brother Alan had started to take out his tools to clean them or was he playing?
-During the trip Thomas had fallen asleep on the floor of the wagon, "how I would like to read a book" I thought with sadness, regrettable it would be difficult for me since I get dizzy easily, looking at my father who already knew what he would say with a smile he read my mind.
"If we make a stop; we will have to camp, do you really want that?"
-He really was someone sharp "Yes!, I need to stretch" "But... beasts can appear since we are not near a town" he exclaimed with a bit of irony "What? But...." he understood the message.
-I really wanted to go out for a walk for a while, but the beasts are a problem, and although they are not very common to see since they move away from the towns, we are currently on a trade route, where transports are often attacked, but for that we have a small escort... they will protect us, right?
"Oh honey, I want to get off too, it hurts to sit all day, a stop would help the adventurers rest, don't you think? Besides, they are there to protect us and they have been walking for a while" -My mother, aware of the situation, tried to convert him... however.
"It is not my decision. Everyone in the caravan must be willing to cooperate, we are not the only ones in the caravan." -he seemed firm.
-I understood what he meant by my father, but I didn't just want to see this landscape. I wanted to know what the air was like on the shore of that lake that could be seen nearby, I wanted to see what was in that forest. I wanted to explore. Aaaa!
Cliff!
-Suddenly, a loud noise resounded, one of the wheels had sunk into a hole, violently shaking the wagon.
-Holding on to the edge, I leaned down to look out. In an instant, the other wagons stopped, and the horses grunted as they struggled to pull.
-It was then that, amidst noises from the horses and bewildered people, a shower of arrows came out from between the nearby trees, followed by a pack of several wolves.
"Viana, duck" -My father had pulled me to protect me.
The impact of the arrows seemed to randomly crash into different parts of the caravan, hurting some people. The adventurers who accompanied us rushed out quickly taking their positions. As a strange-looking arrow traveled directly towards the driver of the first wagon who was trying to take shelter, the impact was imminent... "clink" a clean sound, similar to a bell, resonated, the arrow had been deflected by a short sword.
"How beautiful" said Thomas - Who looked on with admiration hidden on the edge of the wagon observing that scene, could not help but see the silhouette of that girl who held the sword stopping that arrow, her reddish hair, the focused gaze that emanated determination, her firm and elegant posture. Could she be the same age as Alan?
"BANDITS!" shouted one of the adventurers.
- The rain of arrows had stopped and behind the wolves, a group of people ran towards the caravan. Two arrows collided in the air "clink, clank" the adventurers' archer was facing an arrow battle against the bandit archer hidden among the trees.
-I couldn't perfectly distinguish the adventurer due to the robe he wore, but his build was similar to that of a man. Jumping on the wagons and ignoring the chaos he just disappeared into the forest while maintaining the exchange of arrows.
"Dayan, take care of the wolves we will go for the dominator" -A man with several scars on his face made his way through the wolves pushing one with his shield and blocking the other's bite with his sword.
-The girl who had protected the driver took the position that he covered facing the two wolves that had been left. The other adventurers fought with the remaining bandits and wolves.
-Pulling Thomas slightly, who was still looking out to see the fight, he tried to convince him "Thomas, hide" he whispered, there seemed to be no answer but... "... sister, I want to be a knight" "What are you doing..."
-I didn't realize it, but there was a light in his eyes. He was immersed in the battle so much that it seemed like he was participating in that fight.
- Quickly, the leader of the adventurers ran towards the forest, reaching the beast tamer who was hiding in some nearby rocks, or so he thought.
I drew his sword, the leader showed confidence as he approached. However, a sudden crash broke the air.
-I peeked out again to see what was happening, discovering that the leader of the adventurers had flown a few meters. Between laughter and pride, the tamer stopped hiding.
"What an idiot, did you really think I would be without protection!"
-The beast tamer had not only tamed wolves. A humanoid figure emerged from the rocks, its body was amorphous, half organic, half rocky. The blue-gray of the mineral that covered it was covered in blood that vibrated with excitement. In its hand it held something similar to a hammer.
"! DAD!" the girl shouted with some concern
"! DON'T GET DISTRACTED!"
-The leader fell to the ground only to get up and be attacked by the monster. He barely managed to put the shield between them in time; however, it wouldn't last long.
-As soon as he received the attack, several splinters flew out, and numerous cracks began to appear on the shield as the monster pushed non-stop.
-It didn't take long and without further ado, it broke, throwing the leader to the side. Supporting his knee and his sword against the ground, he managed to regain his posture.
"Shit, I was going to retire him" gasped the adventurer who seemed a little tired.
"Come on boss, you can do it! Weren't you the best, %&&$/$%/!" Several screams resounded.
-The fight was over, most of the bandits were dead and almost no wolves were left alive. Dayán was tying the bandits' remaining hands while saying indifferently.
"You're taking too long, old man."
"I see, you're right."-With a smile on his face he looked at the monster.
-He threw away what was left of the shield and wielding his weapon with both hands, the fight began.
-Left, right, right, up the monster struck frantically while a thunderous sound was heard at the touch. Blocking each blow thrown, the leader of the adventurers seemed cornered. However, she could not be more wrong and in a movement she dodged the attack, throwing a paw she pushed the creature creating distance.
/Chirrrrr / The creature complained.
"What are you waiting for, an invitation?"
-Strengthening her feet and leaning her body slightly, her breathing stopped, taking her sword with both hands, brown energy emerged from her body, the wind seemed to move those small stones around her or rather the ground trembled slightly and in less time than the monster tried to run to it, it had already been cut.
-A gust of dust rose, frightening the horses and blocking my vision. Dust motes had entered my eyes. "Oh, it hurts." I started to tear up, and when I realized another fight was taking place.
"What do you think you're doing, you old idiot?" -The girl seemed to be scolding her father.
"What the hell are you saying, you spoiled brat?"
"Whose fault is it?"
"Shut up!" -It seemed like they both had a strong temper.
"NO, you see that now all the carts are full of dust, look at that girl she's crying."
-How embarrassing. I tried to get out of the cart to explain what the dust was. But... even so, it would still be her fault, right? I saw the blood and the damage to the carts outside.
-My father quickly covered my eyes so I wouldn't see the scene, but it was too late. The smell of blood and the image I had seen didn't leave my head, however, I didn't feel shocked by this fact.
"Viana, are you okay?" my father asked worriedly.
"Yes."
"Don't get off the wagon for now, stay with your brothers."
-He helped me get on the wagon and went with my mother to where the people were gathering to discuss what we should do with the bandits. While I wondered if it was strange that I didn't feel distressed by seeing dead people. My thoughts began to form doubts, most other people wouldn't be at ease seeing such a scene, but I...
-Thomas looked over the side of the wagon. Seeing the same scene as me with bright eyes while clenching his fists. Alan on the other hand was on the opposite side avoiding looking out.
"Via, did you see that? They really are amazing, don't you think?"
-I was wrong. Everyone reacts differently. It's not that I'm weird or am I? I was amused that I had thought too much. I turned to see Thomas who was waiting for my answer.
"Yes, yes they are"
-Alan who had been standing aside came closer to look outside, his face of disgust at the scene was exaggerated, most of the bodies had already been removed and the body of the creature was being processed, immersed in curiosity he was surprised by Dayan causing him to fall.
"Woa" Alan shouted scared
"What are you doing stupid, get in, if you're scared" Dayan pointed out looking at Alan with a playful look
-Up close you could see his face better. His nose was thin. He had small scratches on his right cheek along with some drops of sweat. In addition, those emerald eyes looked
staring at my brother.
"What are you talking about? I was a little surprised."
"If you say so."
- Alan seemed irritated. Dayan kept looking at him with a mocking smile. I had never seen my brother like this so I didn't expect him to act like this... saying with disgust and mockery he pointed at Dayan's clothes.
"Besides, that blood stinks."
- They were small stains barely visible but Alan avoided looking at her face.
- Dayana on the other hand had raised her hand as if she were going to hit Alan, but it lost strength on the way and touching the edge of the cart softly, a depressed voice sounded.
"I see, I'm disgusting, aren't I?"
- Alan and I were perplexed, she had run away before we could say anything. I could simply turn to see my brother upset. He had his gaze down and seemed sorry... I was going to say something when I realized that Thomas was not there.
"Where's Thomas?"
"He was here a little while ago"
"Come on, we have to find him"
-We got off the wagon, I looked around for my brother, I could see him, he was approaching a young man near the forest, by the sword on his belt he was an adventurer. I nudged Alan with my elbow, but he seemed to be immersed in the previous discussion.
"Hey... hey... brother? Listen to me!"
"Huh? What's up Viana"
"Come on, there's Thomas"
-I pointed to the adventurer who was already talking to my brother. He seemed to be excited with what he heard from the adventurer... huh? What's that?
-A hooded person came out of the forest approaching them. For some strange reason I ran towards the direction of the forest, noticing how he pulled out some daggers.
"Thomas, Thomas, Thomas!" He shouted...
-The adventurer turned to look at me and smiled... No, please, go after you. Two images overlapped in my head as I ran, but I couldn't recognize who I was running towards. They were flashes of a girl and a boy... //TunTu// my heart was racing//TunTu// . A light blow came to my feet... I had tripped.
-Scraping the ground and raising dust. I looked desperately towards where Thomas was running, while the adventurer talked naturally with the hooded man. Huh?
-I was stunned, my body felt cold, I was very scared and desperate... Thomas, scared to see my face express so much fear, hesitated... Scared, he bent down to clean my lip that he had bitten me.
"Via, are you angry?"
"…." -I was lost
"I'm sorry for leaving like this"
-I kept thinking about the people I had seen. Who were they? Why did they seem so happy? Why did it bother me so much to see those people? Thomas took my hand bringing me back to my senses. The image faded away.
"The young people are okay?"-The hooded man was in front of us
"Uh? Yes, sorry"
-His hood no longer covered his golden face. Looking at his red eyes and his fangs sticking out of his mouth there was no doubt he was some kind of 4th layer, his jet black hair and his dark circles resembling pan flutes were characteristics I had never seen before. He seemed worried, reaching out his hand to help me, he introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you young lady, my name is Reed zlato"
"Viana varyst"
-The words had come out naturally just like holding her hand... I was surprised
"I see.... interesting.... Young lady can I ask you a favor?"
-The pressure between his words made me wonder what kind of favor it would be, if I can't fulfill it I'll say no, although my mother always says not to trust those of the 4th layer... although maybe it's because they supported the demons in the war... anyway...
"I don't know if I can fulfill it"
"Oh, it seems that you are intelligent, you know that I'm not from here right?"
"I just want you not to tell anyone else in the caravan that I'm here, that usually makes them uncomfortable, not everyone reacts like you, only the adventurers know about me, it will be until we get to Calixto"
-His smile was a little malicious, but if the adventurers were aware of him there would be no problem, right? I nodded. Looking at Thomas who quickly nodded as well.
"Then see you later young varyst"
-The hooded man said goodbye with a smile turning his back on us, while he joined another adventurer. Thomas and I decided to go back to the wagon. We were looking for Alan when Thomas saw him lying in a corner of the wagon, discouraged. My mother and father arrived shortly after to tell us that we would stay that night...