As they moved deeper into the wild, the forest's edge receded into the distance, with the northern road now just a faint line against the horizon. Leon and his two companions, wary of the lurking dangers on the well-trodden paths, opted for the cover of the woods, veering westward into the unknown.
The terrain grew increasingly treacherous and dense, pushing them to navigate through thickets and overgrown roots. Gradually, the ground beneath their feet rose, leading them up a steep incline until the path ceased abruptly. Before them lay the precipice of a canyon, revealing an unforeseen and breathtaking vista.
Below, a vast river valley unfurled, vibrant and teeming with life. But the tranquility of this natural spectacle was marred by a distant chaos that disrupted the pastoral calm.
To the east, the river's upper reaches were transformed into a scene of carnage, a battlefield where the peace of the valley was shattered. Armored figures marched in tight formations, their flags rippling in the wind, catching the sunlight on their metal armor and glinting blades.
The cacophony of battle echoed up the cliffside. War cries and the clatter of hooves filled the air as cavalry units charged through showers of arrows, their movements a blur of speed and steel. Infantry clashed shield to shield, the ground littered with the fallen.
Despite the distance, the ominous bellow of war horns reached Leon's ears.
Staring at the sprawling conflict, Leon felt a twinge of relief. Lost though they were, they had narrowly escaped wandering into the heart of the fray.
"There must be thousands engaged in combat. Those to the north, their banners mark them as Orland's forces," Brandon commented, shading his eyes as he attempted to discern the distant flags. The details eluded them from their lofty perch.
"Have we crossed into Orland? Or is it mere chance that the Kantadar forces clash with the northerners now?" Liam mused, perplexed and scratching his head as he surveyed the battlefield sprawled along the riverbank.
"We're likely still within Mamor County," Brandon replied, pointing towards the mountains on the horizon. "Those peaks there are the Galak Mountains, north of Mamor. It seems we haven't yet left Kantadar."
"So, it isn't a simultaneous invasion by Kantadar but an incursion by Orland into Kantadar," Leon concluded, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Reflecting on this, he realized his initial hunch had been mostly accurate, though his unfamiliarity with the northern realms had led him to underestimate Orland's aggressive strategies.
"Ha! That's a twist in our favor. May the Orlanders give those Kantadar bastards a taste of their own medicine!" Liam exclaimed, his gaze returning to the battle with a fierce longing. "I wish I could join the fray and avenge my parents," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion and resolve.
Leon shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he tried to instill some patience in his fiery companion. "Why the rush, Liam? With your training, you'll find no shortage of opportunities to join the Orland army once we're there. Especially now, with the war escalating, they'll be scouting for every able hand."
Nodding in agreement, the trio continued their journey westward along the cliff's edge, the Galak Mountains looming in the distance as a guiding landmark.
Brandon, ever the strategist, outlined their path. "Seeing the mountains means we're close to the border. We can enter Orland by heading either west or north, but the northern route is too exposed. We'll need to keep to the forest and take a detour westward."
Their trek through the dense woodland was arduous but productive. By following trails marked by frequent animal activity, they discovered a water source where they replenished their supplies. Nearby, a clearing with an exposed boulder offered a perfect spot to camp. Fortune smiled on them further when Leon, near the same water source, caught a fox-like creature, providing a much-needed meal as their provisions had dwindled.
As night fell and the campfire crackled to life, the conversation naturally turned towards future plans.
"What are your intentions once we reach Orland?" Leon queried, stirring the embers with a stick.
Determination etched on his face, Liam spoke up. "First, I must rescue my sister, though I've no clue of her whereabouts. I figure I'll enlist with the Orland army; the pay should help me gather information and maybe, just maybe, I could buy her freedom from whoever holds her captive."
Leon, taken aback by Liam's pragmatic approach, had always thought him more likely to attempt a brash rescue. Seeing his friend's surprised expression, Liam shrugged, a bit sheepishly. "I've taken your advice to heart. Charging in blindly, fueled by hatred, would just get us both killed. First, I'll secure her safety. As for avenging our parents... the time will come for those responsible to pay."
Leon felt a surge of relief and pride. Liam's maturity marked a significant turn from the reckless youth he knew.
As they fed more branches to the fire, Brandon shared his own plans. "I might seek a position with a local lord. I'm literate and know my way around noble etiquette, ideal for a retainer, or at least, I could manage accounts or scribal duties. Once Orland secures the region from Kantadar, perhaps I'll return home."
"And you, Leon?" Liam turned the question around, curiosity in his eyes.
Leon paused, his thoughts a tangled skein of uncertainty. "I suppose I could join the army with you, Liam. I'm skilled with a bow, after all. But the life of a soldier... it's fraught with peril. One misstep and you're a mere footnote in some forgotten battle."
His words hung in the air as the fire crackled, each man lost in thoughts of futures uncertain yet filled with a resolve to forge ahead in the turmoil of their world.
Could Leon pursue a profession with a noble, much like Brandon plan to do? Perhaps the local lords were in need of a skilled hunter.
Leon contemplated whether to seek vengeance against the Kantardars, who had wronged his parents in this life. While he felt a strong empathy, stirred by the harrowing tales of the land's original owner, he knew these were not his burdens to bear. If an opportunity arose to avenge the former "Leon," he might take it, but not at the cost of his own life.
Once their perilous escape concluded, it seemed inevitable that their trio would part ways.
As night descended, the forest's eerie quiet was punctuated only by the occasional chirp of insects and the unsettling dance of tree shadows, swaying in the wind. The campfire crackled, its flames casting the only light amid the encompassing darkness.
Halfway through the night, it was Leon's turn to stand guard. The routine was familiar now, a part of their nightly watch during their escape. The forest held its breath under the moon's scant glow, shadows pooling beyond the campfire's reach. Leon's thoughts wandered to distant futures, though often, he simply gazed into the void, lost in thought.
Guard duty stretched endlessly towards dawn, and in the still silence, Leon found himself longing for the distractions of phones and computers back on Earth.
What was that, a glimmer in the dark? Fireflies, perhaps?
Leon squinted, trying to discern the light that flickered through the darkness, growing steadily in number. A chill ran down his spine as he realized those weren't fireflies at all, but reflective eyes, mirroring the campfire's light!
"Everyone, get up! There's danger!!"
Leon's shout tore through the night, rousing his companions. He gripped his pitchfork tightly, eyes fixed on the shadowy figures skulking in the dark.
Liam and Brandon, ever alert, sprang to action, weapons in hand, flanking Leon with fierce determination.
"What's out there?" Liam questioned, his voice steady.
Pulling a pine oil torch from his bag, Liam thrust it into the fire. The torch caught quickly, casting a wavering light that cut through the darkness. The flickering flames revealed the creatures lurking in the underbrush, distorted faces twisted in the torchlight, crying out against the sudden brightness.
Goblins!
That was the first thought that struck Leon, seeing their bald heads, pointed ears, and stunted, humanoid forms that reminded him of creatures from the fantasy tales of his past. The night had indeed brought danger, and now, they stood ready to face it.
Leon noticed significant differences between these creatures and the goblins of folklore. Their skin was a mottled brown, not the vivid green often depicted in tales, and their faces bore a terrifying resemblance to canines, complete with sharp, twisted fangs, both hideous and unnerving.
Despite their beastly appearance, these creatures clearly possessed a cunning intellect. They wielded crude spears and rusty knives, their claws gripping the weapons with a menacing purpose.
"A wild goblin, not a mere forest demon!" Brandon exclaimed, his voice cutting through the tension. "Such malevolent creatures are usually confined to the pages of old books."
Leon's brow furrowed in concern. Neither he nor the forest's original inhabitants, his predecessor and his father, had ever encountered such beings. His experiences with spell-casting had prepared him for oddities in this strange world, yet the presence of these intelligent, inhuman creatures was unsettling.
"Wild goblins? Are those not just myths told to frighten children?" Liam challenged, staring incredulously at the snarling figures before them.
"The monsters around the Holy City were eradicated by the church and the military centuries ago," Brandon responded gravely. "It's rare to see them now, but not impossible."
Yet, despite his outward calm, Brandon was internally rattled. He knew from the monster compendiums that while these creatures posed no significant threat to a prepared army, they were notorious for ambushing lone travelers or small groups, especially under the cloak of darkness. In large numbers, they might even besiege a village.
With only three of them against the pack, they were undeniably prey in the eyes of the wild goblins.
As the creatures realized their quarry was aware, they emitted sharp, grating roars and burst from the underbrush, encircling Leon and his companions with menacing intent.
Leon's skin crawled as he surveyed the encroaching menace. "What's our move? Do we fight or make a break for it?"
"If the texts are accurate, these beasts have night vision. Fleeing into the woods could land us straight into their traps," Brandon cautioned, gripping his shield and pitchfork. "We must hold out until dawn. Wild goblins despise sunlight; they'll retreat to their dens as it breaks."
"Be on guard!" Liam's alert eyes caught a swift movement in the shadows.
Reacting instantly, Brandon lifted his shield just as a spear flew towards them. The impact echoed with a loud clang, the spear's blunt force unable to penetrate Brandon's sturdy defense.
Though the initial attack failed, it signaled the start of a frenzied assault as more goblins charged, their howls piercing the night air.