The walk back to Valtros was quiet, with only the occasional sound of the forest around them breaking the silence. Ethan felt the weight of the encounter settle over him, a mixture of exhaustion and adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He glanced at Aria, who seemed lost in thought, her gaze focused on the path ahead.
"You okay?" Ethan asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Aria looked at him, her expression softening. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about everything." She sighed, her eyes searching his face. "This place... it's unforgiving. Every moment is a test, and I keep wondering when we'll catch a break."
Ethan nodded, the feeling all too familiar. "I know. But I think we're getting stronger. Each challenge, each fight... we're learning."
Aria gave him a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I guess you're right. I just wish I knew what the endgame was. If there even is one."
Ethan didn't have an answer for her. The Conquest, the High Continent—it all felt like a twisted game, one where the rules were unclear and the consequences were deadly. But he knew they couldn't afford to give up. Not now, not after everything they had faced.
As they approached the village, they could see Garrick waiting for them near the fire pit. He stood with his arms crossed, his eyes narrowing as he spotted them emerging from the forest. When they got closer, he gave them a nod, his gaze shifting to the dried blood on Ethan's shirt and Aria's dagger.
"Looks like you made it," Garrick said, a note of approval in his voice. "Did you deal with it?"
Ethan nodded, a sense of pride welling up inside him. "Yeah. The creature's gone. You should be able to gather those herbs now."
Garrick's stern expression softened, and he gave them a small smile. "You've done us a great service. The village will be safer now, thanks to you." He gestured towards a small group of villagers who were gathered nearby, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and gratitude. "Come. We've prepared something for you."
Ethan and Aria followed Garrick to a large table that had been set up in the center of the village. On it lay bundles of dried herbs, a small leather pouch, and two wooden bowls filled with a thick, hearty stew. The smell made Ethan's stomach growl, and he realized just how hungry he was.
"It's not much," Garrick said, his voice filled with humility, "but it's what we have. Take this as a token of our gratitude. And if you need a place to rest, Valtros will welcome you."
Ethan felt a warmth spread through him—not the energy of the Ascendant's Gift, but something different, something that made him feel... human again. The villagers had so little, and yet they were willing to share it with them. He gave Garrick a nod, his voice sincere. "Thank you. This means a lot."
They sat down, Aria giving Ethan a quick smile as they began to eat. The stew was rich, filled with vegetables and herbs Ethan couldn't identify, but it was delicious, and he found himself savoring each bite. For the first time since arriving in the High Continent, he felt a moment of peace.
As they ate, Garrick sat down across from them, his gaze thoughtful. "You know," he began, his voice low, "you're not the first to come through here, marked by the Conquest. We've seen others—some strong, others weak. Most didn't stay long."
Aria looked at him, her brow furrowing. "What happened to them?"
Garrick sighed, his eyes darkening. "Some were taken by the trials—creatures, traps, things we can't even name. Others... they were taken by their own greed. The Conquest changes people. It makes them hungry for power, makes them forget what it means to be human."
Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. He had seen the hunger in the eyes of some of the other participants when they first arrived in the High Continent—people desperate to prove themselves, willing to do anything to survive. It made him wonder how long it would take before they encountered others who weren't as willing to cooperate as Garrick's village.
"But you two," Garrick continued, his eyes meeting Ethan's, "you're different. I see hope in you. You help, you fight, but you haven't forgotten who you are. That's rare here."
Ethan didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure if he deserved Garrick's praise—he was just trying to survive, to find a way back home. But he felt a sense of responsibility now, a weight that had settled on his shoulders. He wanted to prove Garrick right, to be someone who could bring change to this unforgiving world.
"We won't forget," Aria said, her voice firm. She glanced at Ethan, her eyes filled with determination. "We're going to make it through this. Together."
Ethan nodded, his heart swelling with a sense of purpose. They would fight, they would grow, but they would also remember what it meant to be human—to care for others, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. They weren't just fighting for survival—they were fighting for something greater.
Garrick stood, his expression serious. "If you're willing, there's something else you could do for us. It's dangerous, but it might help you grow even stronger."
Ethan and Aria exchanged a glance, and Ethan nodded. "We're listening."
Garrick gestured towards the northern edge of the village, where the land sloped upwards towards a rocky hill. "There's an old watchtower there—abandoned, but still standing. We've seen lights coming from it at night, strange figures moving around. It could be other participants, or it could be something else. We need to know if it's a threat."
Aria's eyes narrowed, and she glanced at Ethan. "What do you think?"
Ethan felt a surge of determination. They needed to grow stronger, to learn more about this world and the threats it held. And if there were others out there—other participants—then they needed to know who they were dealing with. He looked at Garrick and nodded. "We'll check it out."
Garrick gave them a grateful smile. "Be careful. The High Continent is full of dangers, and not all of them are obvious."
Ethan and Aria stood, the warmth of the stew still filling them, and they made their way towards the northern edge of the village. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the land, and Ethan felt the familiar tension settle in his chest—the anticipation of the unknown, the weight of the challenges ahead.
As they approached the hill, Aria glanced at him, her expression softening. "You ready for this?"
Ethan gave her a small smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They began the climb, the rocky terrain uneven beneath their feet. The watchtower loomed above them, its silhouette dark against the sky, and Ethan felt the energy of the Ascendant's Gift thrumming within him, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded.
Whatever lay ahead—other participants, creatures, or something else entirely—Ethan knew they would face it together. The High Continent was a place of trials, of constant challenges, but it was also a place where they could grow, where they could prove themselves.
And with Aria by his side, he knew they had a fighting chance.
They reached the top of the hill, the watchtower standing tall before them, its stone walls worn and covered in vines. The air was still, the only sound the wind rustling through the leaves. Ethan could see a faint light flickering through one of the narrow windows, and his heart pounded in his chest.
Aria drew her dagger, her eyes scanning the entrance. "Let's see who's home."
Ethan nodded, the mark on his arm glowing faintly as he called upon the energy within him. Together, they approached the watchtower, ready to face whatever lay inside.
The High Continent was unforgiving, but they were ready to face its challenges.