Chapter 79: Entering NorthWind City!
As noon approached, the scorching heat of the afternoon sun bore down heavily on the earth. Yet, beneath the canopy of towering trees, the group felt some respite from the sun's punishing rays.
Still, the tension in the air was palpable, despite the serene setting. Ikehara stood at the front of the group, his mischievous smirk in full display. It was impossible to tell if his grin was genuine or if it concealed a plot more devious than they could imagine.
No one trusted him—each step he took seemed to drip with suspicion. His reputation for deceit was well-known, and here he was, tasked with guiding them to the Cloak of Restoration. But would he lead them to their goal or steer them straight to their doom?
Adrian had grown tired of the suspense. Watching Ikehara smirk like a man who knew too much was grating on his nerves. He finally spoke up, his voice cutting through the thick air.
"Where are we going, Ikehara?"
Ikehara's smirk widened as he turned, locking eyes with Adrian. He reveled in moments like this, the tension of the unknown swirling around him like a shroud.
"Ah, Adrian... I hear you've shifted your interests recently," Ikehara's tone dripped with insinuation, his eyes darting playfully between Tessa and Nymff.
Adrian didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he chuckled lightly, his expression unbothered as he hit back with a biting remark. "And I discovered you're still as spineless as ever, Ikehara. After all, it takes a coward of your calibre to hide behind the moon goddess' skirt just to obtain a piece of cloth... a cloak, of all things."
Laughter erupted from the group. Even the usually composed Ecdy couldn't contain his laughter, clutching his sides as he tried to hold back tears. The sound echoed through the trees, lightening the heavy atmosphere that had been building.
"That boy has a wicked tongue," Ecdy mused, shaking his head, still grinning as the laughter continued.
Ikehara's smug expression faltered. The embarrassment seeped into his features as he realized his attempt to sow discord had backfired spectacularly.
Adrian wasn't the weak, easily rattled man he had once known. No, this was a different Adrian—a far more dangerous one. The madman clenched his fists behind his back, annoyed at how effortlessly Adrian had turned the tables on him.
"If you're done trying to be a jester, maybe you can get to the part where you actually lead us," Tessa's voice interrupted, her tone flat and detached, as if she hadn't even noticed Ikehara's attempt at manipulation. Her eyes were locked ahead, focused on the path rather than indulging in Ikehara's childish games.
The rest of the group sobered quickly, all eyes returning to Ikehara. He exhaled slowly, regaining his composure, though the sting of Adrian's retort still hung in the air.
"Right this way," Ikehara said, his tone shifting into something more serious, though the remnants of his irritation were hard to mask. He motioned toward a narrow trail that led deeper into the woods.
They began their march, the weight of the journey settling in with each step. The crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustling of wildlife were the only sounds that accompanied them for miles.
Adrian stayed close to Tessa, his gaze occasionally flickering toward her. He didn't trust Ikehara, not one bit, and he was ready to step in if the situation went south. Tessa, however, was calm, almost unnervingly so, as though she had already calculated every possible move Ikehara could make.
Ecdy and Nymff walked behind, murmuring quietly to each other. Nyala stayed alert, scanning the surroundings with watchful eyes, ready for anything. The tension, though softened by the earlier laughter, still lingered, as if the forest itself held its breath.
After what felt like an eternity, Ikehara finally broke the silence. "We're getting close," he said, his voice taking on an edge of excitement.
Adrian narrowed his eyes. "Close to what?"
Ikehara glanced over his shoulder, his smile returning, albeit more restrained this time. "Close to the point where we decide if we're all allies here... or if we're about to have a bit of fun."
Tessa's patience was wearing thin, and her voice, though calm, carried a warning. "Play your games with someone else, Ikehara. I don't care about your riddles. Get us to the cloak, or you'll wish you never offered to lead us."
Ikehara's grin faltered again. Tessa's tone wasn't just stern—it was lethal. He might be the madman here, but there was no mistaking who had the real power.
For the first time in a long while, Ikehara felt a shiver of fear run down his spine.
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Still seething internally, Ikehara forced his composure back, wiping the scowl off his face. He turned, his voice a little sharper now. "We're headed to Northwind City." He paused, letting the name hang in the air.
Everyone exchanged glances. Northwind City was well known-- far too close to Akanon City for comfort. Even mentioning that name made some of them shift uncomfortably. Northwind was the last city before the treacherous journey into Akanon, the legendary city of tricksters, where the temple of Akanon stood.
Tessa narrowed her eyes. "That's it? That's all you're going to say?"
Ikehara's smirk returned, though thinner this time, like a snake sizing up its prey. "Yes, that's it. We're headed to Northwind City. But getting there is... the easy part."
Adrian crossed his arms, staring Ikehara down. "And what's the hard part?"
Ikehara only chuckled darkly, "Oh, I'd rather not spoil the surprises just yet. But let's say, the closer we get to Akanon, the more… interesting things will become."
Adrian wasn't buying it. "And by 'interesting,' you mean deadly, don't you?"
"Depends on how you play your cards," Ikehara replied. His grin widened again, the smugness returning. "But don't worry, with me as your guide, your odds might just improve."
"Or worsen," Ecdy muttered under his breath, glaring at Ikehara.
The rest of the group stayed silent, but the weight of what Ikehara wasn't saying loomed heavily over them. Akanon wasn't just another city in the United Cities of Grinwall. It was a place drenched in mystery, in trickery, in danger. And now, with Northwind as their destination, they knew the path ahead wouldn't be simple.
Greendale, Fiver City, Nightshade, and the rest—they were known as part of the Eastern region, filled with bustling trade and deep forests. The Western region, with cities like Riverdale, Oakridge, and Rhemon, was marked by towering mountains and cascading rivers. The Southern region had its own mysteries, with cities like Southern Hill and the eerie Land of the Dust. But it was the Northern region—their destination—that was feared the most.
Cities like Crescent Heights, Red Stone, and the infamous Akanon were places only the brave or the foolish ventured into. Northwind was the last gateway before Akanon, and few who crossed that border ever returned.
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The group finally emerged from the forest, stepping into the far outskirts of Northwind City. Despite the foreboding words Ikehara had just shared, the city itself had a peaceful, almost charming appearance.
Tall buildings rose from the earth, surrounded by well-tended gardens and tree-lined streets. People bustled about, going about their daily routines, seemingly unaware of the ominous trials that lay just beyond their borders.
Northwind was also known for its prestigious school, Northwind High, a place where scholars from all over Grinwall came to study.
The city's reputation as an intellectual hub made it a sought-after destination for young minds, and it was clear that the city thrived because of it. Students in neatly pressed uniforms walked past them, chatting and laughing, a stark contrast to the weighty mission hanging over the heads of Tessa and her group.
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Tessa stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Stop wasting time, Ikehara. If Northwind is where we need to go, then lead us there without your games."
Ikehara's grin faltered, just for a moment. He nodded, sensing that his usual tricks wouldn't work on Tessa. He turned and continued leading the way without another word.
As they pressed on, the forest around them started to fade away. The air was cooler here, but there was an eerie stillness, as though the trees themselves were watching.
Tessa felt the weight of their journey press down on her. Northwind City. The final gateway before they would reach Akanon, the legendary city where the Cloak of Restoration awaited. But getting there meant facing more than just physical challenges.
She glanced at Adrian, whose expression was unreadable, and then at Nymff, walking just behind them, ever vigilant. Her mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead, of what Ikehara wasn't telling them. But there was no turning back now.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet shifted slightly, as though they had crossed some invisible line. Ikehara stopped abruptly, raising a hand to signal the others. "We're entering the borders of Northwind City now," he said quietly.
A cold wind blew through the trees, stirring the leaves and sending a chill down their spines. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows that danced like specters in the fading light.
"What aren't you telling us?" Tessa demanded, her eyes narrowing at Ikehara.
He turned to face her, his smile gone, replaced with a more serious expression. "This is no ordinary city. Northwind is the last place anyone dares to visit before reaching Akanon. It's a city of tests—both of the mind and body. It was built to protect Akanon, to ensure that only the worthy reach the temple. And it's said that no one who enters leaves unchanged."
"Unchanged how?" Nymff asked, her voice low.
Ikehara hesitated. "Some lose their memories. Others lose their sanity. And some..." His voice trailed off.
"Some never leave at all," Adrian finished for him, his voice dark.
The group fell silent, the gravity of their journey settling in. They had prepared for battles, for physical dangers. But this—this was something far more insidious.
Without another word, Ikehara continued walking, the group following closely behind. As they neared the city's entrance, a vast stone archway loomed before them, vines creeping up its sides. Beyond it, the city stretched out like a ghost town, its streets silent and empty, shrouded in mist.
"We're here," Ikehara said quietly.
Tessa took a deep breath, her hand instinctively reaching for her pendant. They had come too far to turn back now. Whatever awaited them in Northwind, they would face it together.
But the sinking feeling in her chest told her this was just the beginning