Chapter: 20
The forest stretched endlessly before us, a dense maze of twisted branches and thick undergrowth. Abeni and I leapt from branch to branch, the rising sun casting faint beams of light through the canopy above. Each step we took reverberated in the stillness of the woods, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant growls serving as constant reminders of the lurking dangers. The tension was a heavy weight, but our resolve was unshaken.
"Alright, are you going to tell me what that thing was now?" Abeni asked, her voice breaking the uneasy quiet. Her tone was sharp, but I could hear the frustration underneath.
I sighed, already anticipating her persistence. "Fine, but only if you stop bugging me about it."
"Maybe," she replied with a sly grin, her teasing a thin mask for her nerves.
Rolling my eyes, I hopped to another branch and started explaining. "That creature we fought? It was a Wendigo."
Abeni frowned, narrowly ducking under a low-hanging branch. "Okay… and what exactly *is* a Wendigo? You're just giving me a name here, Kael."
"I was getting to that," I replied, slightly annoyed. "A Wendigo was once human. They're people who turned to cannibalism, and over time, the act—whether it's their Mana, their bodies, or their minds—causes them to change into… well, that thing."
Abeni was silent for a moment, mulling over my words. Finally, she asked, "So, are there more of them?"
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. "I don't know," I admitted. "That's the first one I've ever encountered, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were more. It's not like we've been trained to deal with them."
Her frown deepened. "So… there could be others lurking around?"
"That's why we're sticking to the trees," I said. "The forest floor is asking for an ambush."
Abeni groaned, her voice tinged with frustration. "But why can't we just use our Lightning Cloaks? We'd be out of here in no time."
I shot her a warning glance. "We've been over this. Using Mana might attract attention from whatever else is in this forest. The last thing we need is to draw more trouble."
She sighed dramatically but didn't argue further. "Fine. But for the record, dodging branches every five seconds isn't my idea of fun."
I chuckled softly, adjusting my speed to match hers. "Better?"
"Not really," she muttered, though her tone carried the faintest hint of a smile.
The forest around us felt alive in the worst way. Every rustle of leaves, every snapping twig sent my senses on high alert. Despite the daylight filtering in through the canopy, the forest remained dim, shrouded in an oppressive gloom. My gut told me we weren't alone.
I'd been feeling it for a while—the prickling sensation of unseen eyes watching us from the shadows. I couldn't pinpoint the source, but the weight of their gaze was unmistakable.
"Kael?" Abeni's voice cut through the tension.
"Yeah?" I replied, keeping my eyes on the forest below.
"We're almost out, right?"
I glanced ahead, spotting the faint glow of sunlight filtering through the trees. "Almost. Just a little farther."
"Good. I'm sick of dodging trees," she grumbled.
I nodded, though my unease grew with every step. "Abeni, listen. Once we're out of the forest, activate your Lightning Cloak and run. No looking back. Got it?"
Her playful tone was gone, replaced with seriousness. "Got it."
After what felt like hours, we finally broke through the treeline. The sudden brightness of the open plains hit us like a splash of cold water. The dense forest gave way to a vast expanse of golden grass swaying gently in the breeze. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe easier.
"Let's move," I said.
With a crackle of energy, we activated our Lightning Cloaks, streaking across the open plains like bolts of electricity. The wind rushed past us as the forest became a distant memory. We didn't stop until we reached the top of a small hill overlooking the landscape.
From our vantage point, we could see small towns dotting the plains below, scattered across the horizon. Each one was modest, a few clusters of buildings no bigger than a square mile. Smoke from chimneys curled lazily into the air, a sign of life in this quiet land.
Wow," Abeni murmured, taking in the view.
"Forgot how small these towns were," I muttered, mostly to myself.
Abeni shot me a questioning look. "What was that?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, brushing it off. "Let's focus."
"Alright, what's the plan?" Abeni asked, pulling her hood over her face to conceal her features.
I studied the area carefully before answering. "We'll split up. You take the towns to the left. I'll handle the ones straight ahead."
"And what are we looking for?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
"Information, supplies, and maybe a place to rest," I replied. Then I turned to her, my expression serious. "And Abeni, keep your hood on. Don't let anyone see your face or skin. Understood?"
"Understood," she said, her voice slightly muffled under the hood.
"Good." I activated my Lightning Cloak, glancing over my shoulder. "Be careful."
"You too," she said with a nod, vanishing in a streak of light toward the nearest town on the left.
I reached the outskirts of a larger town, dispelling my Lightning Cloak as I approached. The buildings were simple, constructed from aged wood and stone, their roofs sloping downward to fend off rain. A pair of guards stood at the entrance, dressed in patchy uniforms that were a poor excuse for military attire. Both carried muskets, their wary eyes scanning the horizon.
As I got closer, one of them raised his hand. "Halt!"
I stopped a few feet away, adjusting the strap on my bag to look as non threatening as possible. "Good day," I said, keeping my tone polite but neutral.
"State your name and purpose," the guard demanded, his grip tightening on his musket.
I suppressed a smirk. This should be interesting.
Chapter 20: End