The carriage came to a gradual stop, its wheels crunching softly against the forest path. Mike's group, having been riding in silence, immediately reined in their horses when they heard a previously quiet male warrior speak up. "Hold up," came the voice of Talon as he stepped down from the carriage, his gaze locked on the distant shadows that flickered between the trees. "I hear many people ahead. To be safe, let's prepare for battle."
Without hesitation, Alia and Leona immediately readied their weapons and armor, their movements swift and practiced. The tension in the air was palpable, as if the forest itself had held its breath in anticipation of something ominous lurking just beyond.
Mike, although a little skeptical of Talon's warning, could see that both Alia and Leona were taking it seriously. He turned to his men and gave them a nod. They promptly armed themselves, the sound of steel scraping against leather filling the air as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.
The seven of them moved cautiously through the thick forest, branches snapping underfoot as they advanced. As they pushed through the final line of trees, a vast clearing opened up before them, revealing a gathering of various factions. It seemed they weren't the only ones drawn to this location.
Before them stood clusters of people—some in small groups, others in larger bands, each exuding an air of caution and readiness. Most notable was a human adventurer team consisting of warriors, mages, and scouts. They stood front and center, clearly the most organized and well-equipped. Flanking them on one side was a group dressed in pure white, an air of sanctity about them. On the other side stood a team of four warriors, two men and two women, their hardened gazes sweeping the area. Beyond these prominent groups, even more people gathered, though they remained further back, unwilling or unable to move any closer to the front. Clearly, these were the lesser factions, watching warily from a distance, not daring to make any rash moves.
Alia's group had no intention of drawing attention to themselves, but their entrance had already caught the eye of many. Talon, leading the way, appeared unfazed.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice broke through the tense atmosphere. "Talon, bro!" The voice came from the group of four warriors, and in a heartbeat, the four figures sprinted towards Talon, their faces lighting up with recognition and joy.
Mike and his companions immediately tensed, their hands reflexively tightening around their weapons, but Talon raised a calming hand. "No need for concern. They are my kin."
Alia and Leona exchanged glances, momentarily surprised as they watched the four warriors approach. One of the female warriors reached Talon first, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace. Talon, though typically reserved, affectionately patted the top of her head, his expression softening.
The woman was not particularly tall, but her physique was impressive—muscles taut and toned, the kind earned through countless battles. Her skin had a faint brown hue, kissed by the sun. Her eyes gleamed with a sharp clarity, and her black hair, braided and whipping in the wind, lent her a wild, untamed beauty.
Leona, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel a prick of irritation. She crossed her arms and pursed her lips, her usual calm demeanor cracking just slightly.
A tall man, who appeared to be the leader of the group, addressed Talon next. "Talon, what brings you here? And Emma," he added, his gaze landing on the female warrior still clinging to Talon, "keep your guard up."
Talon extricated himself from Emma's grip with a chuckle and nodded towards the others in his group. "I owe a favor to Lord Allen, the ruler of Joy City. He asked me to investigate the palace. These are my companions, Leona and Alia, and the four behind us are soldiers of the Empire. We met along the way and decided to travel together."
Emma took a step back, and Talon gestured towards the four warriors. "These four are among the finest of my kin," he said, introducing them proudly.
Leona and Alia nodded in acknowledgment, though the tension in the air between Leona and Emma was unmistakable.
Mike, ever the curious one, asked, "Which tribe do you belong to? And are you also here because of this palace?"
Emma puffed out her chest slightly, her voice tinged with pride. "We are werewolves. Yes, we received word a few days ago—an anonymous tip—that a palace had been discovered near the Dark Forest. It's said to contain relics of our ancestors, so our chief sent us to investigate."
Alia, always sharp and analytical, nodded as pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. "It seems our speculations were correct," she murmured, before turning to the werewolves. "I've been considering the same possibility. The location, the timing—it all lines up." She shared her deductions with the group.
The tall man, who had been observing Alia with a keen interest, introduced himself. "I'm Peter," he said, his deep voice cutting through the noise of the gathering crowd. "Our Alpha suspects the palace might be a trap, but he sent us here nonetheless, out of caution."
Talon's expression grew serious as he nodded in agreement. "Leona is a formidable warrior, and Alia's skills as a scout are unparalleled. The four with us are equally skilled in combat. Together, we should be able to handle whatever lies ahead."
Leona, however, didn't seem as eager to play nice. With a disgruntled snort, she drove her sword into the ground, the blade sinking deep into the earth, dirt flying up around it. Emma, not to be outdone, stomped her foot hard on the ground, sending a swirl of dust into the air, her eyes narrowing as she met Leona's challenge.
Talon blinked in confusion, momentarily thrown off by the sudden display of competitiveness between the two women.
Alia stifled a laugh, amused to see Talon—who was usually so composed—caught in such an awkward situation. Still, her amusement was short-lived, as she felt a pang of concern for her friend. Clearly, emotions were running high, but now was not the time to sort out personal matters.
"Why is everyone just standing around here instead of going in?" Alia asked, hoping to steer the conversation back to more pressing matters.
Peter gestured towards the towering palace gates. "When we arrived, there were already groups gathered here. But no one has been able to enter. The gates are sealed shut. We've tried everything—force, magic, mechanisms—but nothing works. There's a stone monument near the entrance that might hold the key, but no one has been able to decipher its meaning. I'll show you."
With that, Peter and his group led them closer to the palace. The other factions, sensing the werewolves had gained powerful allies, didn't dare object, letting them pass without a word.
They stopped before a large stone monument, partially covered in moss. Etched into its weathered surface were two grand characters: "Moon Palace!"