Luke, The man, and Tora the tiger trudged back to the carriage. Tora's hind leg, though patched up by The man, slowed their progress considerably. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the eerie silence broken only by their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves.
As they walked, Luke's curiosity got the better of him.
"Hey man," he began, glancing at the man beside him, "Why aren't you more frantic about me being a mage? You said mages, witches, and saints are very rare."
"Being frantic about it won't help anything. The Aerdeich is still out there, and our focus needs to be on survival," the man's calm demeanour didn't waver.
"But you seemed almost... excited when you realized what I was," Luke nodded, understanding the pragmatism but still puzzled.
"I was excited. Meeting someone like you is a rare gift. It's something I've only read about in ancient texts and heard in old tales. Yet, there's also a reason to be cautious," the man's face softened into a small smile.
They walked in silence for a moment before the man continued, his expression becoming more sombre.
"You see, because it's so rare to meet someone like you, people often fear what they don't understand. Most of those who claim or are believed to have magical abilities are hunted and killed out of fear. It's a cruel reality."
"Why didn't you act the same then? Why didn't you fear me?" Taken aback, Luke's steps faltered.
"I'm a Noirist. Our religion, Noirism, teaches us that special individuals like mages, witches, and saints are gifts from the gods. We believe they are meant to guide and protect us. The Empire of Virencia, the largest empire in our world, shares this belief," The man's eyes met Luke's, filled with a mix of determination and reverence.
"But there are also those who oppose these beliefs," The man continued, a shadow crossing his face. "The Antinoirists. They fear and hate what they don't understand, and they'll stop at nothing to eliminate what they see as a threat."
"So, you're saying there are people who might try to kill me just because of what they think I am?" Luke absorbed this new information, a chill running down his spine.
"Yes, but as long as you're with me, I'll do everything in my power to protect you. You saved Tora and me from that Aerdeich. We owe you our lives," The man nodded grimly.
They finally reached the carriage. Luke could see the relief in Tora's eyes as they approached their makeshift sanctuary. The man helped Tora settle down near the carriage, making sure the tiger was comfortable before turning his attention back to Luke.
"The Empire of Virencia is an exemplary place where you'll be safe, where people like you are revered and protected," The man said, his voice filled with conviction. "You should head. But for now, just follow me as soon as Tora can travel."
"Thank you, The man. I'll do my best to keep us safe too," Luke nodded, feeling a spark of hope despite the dire circumstances.
As they settled down, the weight of their journey ahead settled on Luke's shoulders. He knew the road would be fraught with danger, but with The man and Tora by his side, he felt a glimmer of confidence. He thought of Mrs. Williams and the promise he made. Helping The man and Tora felt like a step in the right direction, a step towards redemption and fulfilling that promise.
"Should we rest for the night?" Luke asked, glancing at the tired tiger.
"We need to let Tora's injuries heal a bit. Without him, we have no way to pull the carriage," The man considered this.
"But the Aerdeich," Luke said, a shiver running down his spine. "It's still out there."
"True, but an Aerdeich rarely returns to places it has fled from. We should be safe for the night," The man nodded.
Luke felt a small measure of relief at these words. They set about making camp, with the man gathering wood and starting a campfire. Rummaging through the carriage, he brought out some meat stored in a makeshift cooler.
Luke sat nearby, watching as the man cooked the meat over the fire. The aroma was tantalizing, and despite his fear and exhaustion, Luke's stomach growled in anticipation.
"Here, eat. You'll need your strength," Once the meat was ready, the man handed a portion to Luke.
Luke took the meat, grateful but curious. As he chewed, he found the taste peculiar yet delicious. It was unlike anything he had ever tasted.
"What kind of meat is this?" he asked between bites.
The man looked at him, a small smile playing on his lips.
"It's the black bear."
Luke paused, his eyes widening in surprise. He had already eaten three-quarters of the meat, and the thought of consuming bear meat was startling. However, the taste was too good, and his hunger too pressing to stop. He continued eating in silence, processing this new reality.
The man watched him for a moment before speaking again.
"You never told me your name."
"Lucas. Lucas Chandler. But just call me Luke. I prefer it that way," Luke swallowed the last bite of his meal. The reason why Luke prefers to be called the nickname is that he sort of hates his given name by his terrible parents. "And you?"
"Gareth. Gareth Wingate," the man replied, offering his hand. They shook hands, a sense of camaraderie forming between them.
Gareth threw another log on the fire, the flames dancing higher.
"We should rest. Tomorrow, we'll need to move quickly. The Aerdeich won't return, but other dangers lurk in these woods."
Luke nodded, feeling a strange sense of comfort in Gareth's presence. They both lay down near the fire, Tora curling up beside them, her breathing heavy but steady. The warmth of the fire and the rhythmic sound of Tora's breathing lulled Luke into a sense of security he hadn't felt since arriving in this strange world.
As he lay there, staring up at the canopy of trees, Luke's thoughts drifted to Mrs. Williams and the promise he made. Helping Gareth and Tora felt like a step towards fulfilling that promise. Despite the fear and uncertainty, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't alone anymore, and with Gareth's knowledge and Tora's strength, they stood a better chance of surviving the trials ahead.
The night was quiet, the forest seemingly holding its breath. Luke closed his eyes, letting the fatigue of the day's events wash over him. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he allowed himself to rest, surrounded by new allies and the warmth of the campfire.
The night deepened, and the forest around them settled into a profound stillness. The campfire crackled softly, its flickering light casting long shadows that danced on the surrounding trees. Luke lay on the ground, staring up at the canopy of stars visible through the sparse foliage. The unfamiliar constellations made him feel even more out of place, but the warmth of the fire and the rhythmic sounds of the forest provided a small measure of comfort.
Gareth had already drifted into a light sleep, his breaths steady and measured. Tora, the majestic tiger, lay beside him, his chest rising and falling gently. The sight of the injured beast resting peacefully reassured Luke. Despite her fierce appearance, Tora seemed almost serene in slumber.
Luke's thoughts raced, replaying the events of the day. The encounter with the Aerdeich, Gareth's unexpected knowledge, and the discovery that his phone's flashlight could fend off the monstrous creature. It all felt surreal. He wondered how he had ended up in this bizarre and dangerous world. Was it some cosmic accident? A cruel twist of fate? Or perhaps something more deliberate?
As he pondered, the forest's ambient noises lulled him into a state of drowsiness. The gentle rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the occasional crack of a twig all melded into a soothing symphony. Luke's eyelids grew heavy, and despite the fear gnawing at the edges of his consciousness, exhaustion began to take over.
He thought about Mrs. Williams and the promise he had made. The memory of her kind eyes and warm smile brought a sense of purpose, a reason to keep pushing forward despite the overwhelming odds. He had to survive, not just for himself but to honour the promise he had made.
Luke shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position on the hard ground. His muscles ached from the day's exertions, and his mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. But slowly, the warmth of the fire and the presence of his new companions began to soothe him.
He glanced over at Gareth, who seemed so calm and composed even in sleep. There was a strength in him that Luke admired, a quiet resilience that made him feel safer. And then there was Tora, the powerful tiger who had bravely faced the Aerdeich despite her injuries. Together, they formed an unlikely but formidable team.
The fire crackled again, sending a shower of sparks into the night sky. Luke's eyes fluttered closed, and he allowed himself to be enveloped by the peaceful sounds of the forest. Sleep, when it finally came, was deep and dreamless. For a few precious hours, he was free from the fear and uncertainty that had plagued him since his arrival in this strange land.
As the night wore on, the forest remained quiet and undisturbed, as if granting them a reprieve from the dangers lurking within. Luke slept soundly, the promise of a new day offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.