As Robert trudged back to base, the weight of fear, anger, and grief bore down on him. Each emotion fought for control as he struggled to process the horrors he had just witnessed. The cold wind, sharp and unforgiving, cut through him, a harsh reminder of the grim reality he was returning to. Around him, the others moved like shadows, their faces mirroring the haunted expression etched on his own. The dense forest loomed ahead, its towering trees standing like silent sentinels, eager to swallow them whole.
The silence was oppressive, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot, each step a reminder of the burdens they carried. Then, a voice, barely more than a whisper, broke the quiet. "My lord," a comrade murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow, "what are we to do with Daniel's body?" The question hung in the air, a stark reminder of the price they had paid, of the life that had been cruelly taken.
Robert paused, his heart tightening at the mention of Daniel. He turned to his men, his gaze sweeping over their weary, battered forms. "We shall bury him when we return to base," he said, his voice thick with resolve and sorrow. "He was a brave soldier, one who gave his life for my cause." The words felt hollow, insufficient in the face of such a loss, but they were all he could offer.
The journey back to base dragged on, each step more grueling than the last. The burden of carrying Daniel's body slowed their pace, turning the already arduous trek into an almost unbearable ordeal. The weight of their fallen comrade, both physical and emotional, pressed down on them, draining their strength and resolve.
As they moved through the undergrowth, their eyes constantly scanning for danger, they suddenly spotted something that made their blood run cold—a beast, nearly two meters tall, lurking in the shadows. Its eyes gleamed with predatory intent, its massive frame rippling with power. This was a battle they could not afford, not now, not after all they had endured.
Robert raised a hand, signaling his men to halt. They stood frozen, every muscle tensed, every breath held, as they watched the creature. After a tense moment, he made his decision. They would have to take a detour, a longer, more treacherous route, but he could not risk losing more men, not when they were so close to safety.
With silent gestures, he directed his men to back away, moving slowly and carefully along the new path. The forest seemed to close in tighter as they pressed on, the shadows deepening, the air growing colder. Every step was a calculated risk, every sound a potential threat, but Robert knew they had no choice. The cost of failure was too great, the loss of another life too unbearable.
And so, they moved forward, a solemn procession through the heart of darkness, driven by the need to survive, by the promise of rest that lay just beyond the trees. The road was long and fraught with danger, but they had come too far to turn back. With Daniel's body a heavy reminder of their sacrifice and his memory a burning resolve in their hearts, they pressed on, determined to complete the journey no matter the cost.
With luck finally on their side, the road proved less treacherous than they had feared, and soon they could see the village hall ahead. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the familiar voices of Sabas and the others, a welcome sound after their harrowing ordeal.
Sabas welcomed them, relieved that they had made it back safe, but his expression quickly shifted as a sense of unease washed over him. "Where is Daniel? I don't see him among you," Sabas asked, his voice trembling with the dread of the answer he feared.
"He… he died in an encounter we had with some tribal people," Robert mumbled, his voice cracking under the weight of the loss.
Sabas felt his heart plummet. Daniel was more than just a comrade; he was a young man full of promise, someone who had helped them in their darkest moments. The reality of his death settled over Sabas like a suffocating blanket of sorrow. But there was no time to grieve openly. Swallowing his anguish, he nodded grimly. "There's no point in dwelling on it now. Help me dig a tomb for him."
They had no shovels, only their weapons and shields, which they used to carve out the earth. The process was grueling, each scrape of metal against dirt a reminder of the life they had lost. As they worked, a profound silence fell over the group, the only sounds being the rhythmic scrape of their makeshift tools and the heavy breathing of men pushing through their exhaustion and grief.
When the hole was finally deep enough, they laid Daniel to rest. His spear was placed gently across his chest, a final token of the warrior he had been. Robert knelt beside the grave, his hands trembling as he tried to recite a prayer. Though he was not a religious man, he had grown up in a Christian household, and the words felt like the only offering he could give to his fallen comrade. His voice cracked as he spoke, each word a struggle against the wave of emotion threatening to overtake him.
As the prayer ended, Robert placed a rough stone found in the forest at the head of the grave. It wasn't much, but it would mark Daniel's final resting place. As he stood, staring down at the makeshift tombstone, a bitter realization settled in his mind—this would not be the last grave he would dig.
After the burial, the men gathered in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, grappling with their grief. When they had regained some semblance of composure, Robert called for a meeting. "Sabas," he began, his voice still thick with the sorrow of what had just passed, "what news do you bring from your scouting trip?"
"My lord," Sabas replied, his tone subdued, "we spotted what seems to be a goblin breeding ground. The scouts counted about two dozen of the creatures."
Robert wasn't surprised by the news. It all made sense, given the battles they had fought. "I Marked the area for a future offensive," Sabas said , recognizing the threat the goblins posed. He nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"But there's something else," Robert added, his voice dropping to a grave tone. "On my way back, I discovered another threat—one lurking beneath the ocean's surface. The horrors that lie below are better left undisturbed. I recommend we stay clear of the water until we know more."
Before Sabas could respond, a sudden blue panel appeared before Robert's eyes.
[You have reached the max experience threshold. Leveling up!]
Robert's vision blurred, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.