Upon arriving at the city gate, Ethan and Nyssa stood waiting. The morning air was cold, and the sun, slowly climbing the sky, began to warm the cobblestone streets still damp with dew.
Not long after, Draven and Lina arrived the archer and sorceress siblings who would complete their team.
Draven, tall and muscular, wore an adventurer's outfit laden with pouches, with a large bow slung over his back. Lina, dressed in a dark purple sorceress robe, walked gracefully beside him, her sharp eyes scanning everything around them.
Ethan watched them from the corner of his eye, feeling a bit cautious, especially around Lina, knowing that sorcerers were often sensitive to various types of energy.
Fortunately, the Nersin horn hidden in his bag wasn't emitting any detectable energy, but he still needed to remain careful.
Nyssa, standing at the center, glanced around to ensure everyone was present. "Alright," she said, her voice firm and professional.
"Since we're all here, as agreed before, I'll lead this group. Does anyone object?" She raised her hand slightly, giving anyone a chance to speak.
Draven, with a wide smile, responded with a light laugh. "No objections, chief. Lead the way," he said, his tone somewhat playful but clearly respectful of Nyssa's position as leader.
Ethan only nodded quietly, having no desire to argue. For him, this mission was a crucial step in discovering answers about his power. As long as Nyssa could lead effectively, he didn't care who made the decisions.
Nyssa looked at them again, this time more seriously. "Alright, let's discuss the route to Trakan Village. As we all know, there are two paths we can take. The first is the safe route, following the main road through the valley. The journey will take about two days, but it's relatively free from dangerous creatures."
She paused for a moment, looking at each team member to ensure they understood the first option.
"The second option," she continued, "is through the Death Forest. The route is far more dangerous, filled with magical creatures and natural traps.
However, we could reach Trakan Village in just one day if we take that path. The risks are much higher, but the travel time is shorter."
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. The Death Forest was notorious among adventurers as one of the most dangerous places in the region. Many had entered, but only a few had ever returned alive. Ethan listened carefully, weighing which option was better.
Nyssa then added, "I won't force this decision. I want to hear your thoughts. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the risks of the Death Forest, we'll take the safe route. But if we all agree to take the risk, we can arrive faster and save our energy and resources."
Draven, standing with his arms crossed over his chest, was the first to speak. "I'm personally fine with the risk. I've crossed dangerous areas plenty of times.
If we have a good strategy, I'm confident we can handle whatever the Death Forest throws at us," he said, full of confidence. His green eyes gleamed with determination, showing he was the type to prefer a challenge over safety.
Lina, standing next to Draven, looked more hesitant.
"Brother, while I agree we could get through the Death Forest, I'm concerned about the energy there. I've read about the place. The dark aura and creatures inhabiting that forest aren't just physical challenges they can affect our minds as well," Lina said with a serious tone.
"But if the team chooses that path, I'll go along."
Ethan, who had been listening the whole time, finally spoke. "The Death Forest is dangerous, but we're not here for a stroll. The sooner we reach Trakan Village, the better. There's always risk in every mission, and we have the strength and skills to face whatever comes."
Nyssa nodded slowly, listening to each of them. Ethan could see that she was weighing various factors in her mind. Finally, she raised her hand, signaling that she had made her decision.
"Alright," she said decisively. "We'll take the Death Forest route. However, I won't take unnecessary risks. We'll proceed cautiously, moving in a tight formation and protecting each other. If we sense any danger that's too great, we'll retreat. There will be no reckless heroics here."
Ethan, Draven, and Lina all nodded in agreement. The decision had been made, and there was no turning back.
Nyssa then gave further instructions. "Draven, you'll be up front as a scout. Use your archery skills to deal with threats from a distance. Lina, stay in the middle, ready to support with your magic and detect any energies or creatures nearby. Ethan, you'll be behind Lina. While I'm not sure of your full abilities yet, from the daggers on your belt, I trust you're more than capable of protecting her."
"Understood," Ethan replied briefly. He didn't mind being at the rear. It gave him a chance to observe his companions more closely and gauge their abilities.
The team then made their way toward the southern gate of the city. They walked out, leaving behind the safety of the city walls, and stepped onto the narrow path that led to the towering forest in the distance.
The massive trees that made up the Death Forest loomed ahead, their thick branches stretching out like dark hands, obscuring the sky above.
As they began to enter the forest's shadowy depths, Ethan felt a strange chill in the air, even though the sun was still shining brightly outside.
Here, the light barely penetrated the trees. The forest air felt thick and heavy, as if an unseen force was watching them.