Ethan stepped forward, binoculars in hand. He searched the area ahead, seeing buildings carved out of the side of a cliff face.
"Alas, we should cut a straight line through the valley. There are structures on the other side."
"Squee, the other side of the valley looks too close to the abyssal forest. We should rather not go there."
Ethan took another look, and the cliff face seemed to be the border of the abyssal forest. Could the buildings carved into the cliff face lead into the abyssal forest, or were these structures made before the abyssal forest formed? He could not leave now. There were too many questions, as no one could tell him what lay behind the black barrier. His gut feeling told him the black wall only served as a barrier between the realm and something else.
"Alas, Lilly, do you see a spot where we could camp for the night."
Lilly floated away two hundred yards, the purple lines on her pulsing.
"Alas, to the left, leading into the valley, a deer trail runs through it to a clearing with a stream of clear water."
Hearing about the clear water, their faces lit up. Getting to wash would go a long way to feeling good after a long day of trudging through the forest. Grace navigated the small deer trail, followed by Ethan. Everyone was in line, careful not to miss a step on the thin path. Falling down the steep drop would be fatal if they made a mistake.
Ethan held Grace around the waist, placing his hand over her mouth before she could say anything. Everyone stopped and looked around them as Lilly floated down beside Ethan. Lilly spoke for everyone to hear her.
"Alas, did you feel that strange sensation? This area is being scanned for noise. Be as silent as possible."
Ethan turned and whispered.
"Alas, this is sorcery. They are using a vision stone. The person must be a novice with the thing as they can only listen through it."
Lara wanted to say something, exhaling slowly with her hands on her hips. Ethan tried to turn, but Lucy held him tightly, her ears moving, trying to listen for the threat. Ethan lifted the fox kin in his arms, whispering.
"Alas, you are safe, my angel. Hold on tight."
Lucy placed her arms around Ethan's neck. Wendy uses her acrobatics to pass Ethan, who is standing behind Grace. She urged Grace forward. Ethan looked back.
Maple stood behind him, holding his robe, her hands shaking. Lara kept looking back, her hand on her knife.
Ethan placed his hand under Maple's ass and lifted her onto his hip. He felt his strength had increased as he carried the two women fully geared. Maple also had her colossal backpack on. Maple placed her arms above Lucy's around his neck, putting her head in the crook of his neck.
Ethan could feel that Maple and Lucy were trembling from fear. He could smell it on them.
He stopped as they reached a small outcropping, letting Lara pass him to stand behind Wendy. Her shoulders relaxed, and her grip on her knife lessened. Her white knuckles were returning to a healthy colour.
"Alas, let us continue."
Forty-five minutes later, Grace reached the bottom of the trail, the cliff face behind them looming over them. The sun would soon fall behind the horizon, and darkness would make it impossible to continue.
Lilly spoke.
"Grace, in a hundred meters, turn right, and you will see an open grove with a small stream flowing through it."
Grace walked faster as the light started to fade. Soon, they could hear the murmuring of the stream. Strange animal calls filled the valley as the light faded and night approached. Ethan felt at peace as the sounds made him think of home and the forest he used to hunt in.
Lara opened her backpack and set up camp as Ethan let down Maple and Lucy. Maple placed her backpack on the ground, taking out pots, vegetables and spices. A bag of flour was placed on a small folding table. Maple used a pot to draw water from the stream. She threw a powder in the water, and it became clear. She used a piece of cloth to pour the water through it into a new pot. Ethan could see that sediment was left behind in the fabric.
Maple looked up at Ethan.
"S-S-S, sterilising herbs for the water that makes any particles heavy."
Ethan kissed her head. He knew the effects of dirty water and how it caused the runs. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach. What could it be now?
"Click, deploying barrier system."
Four lights appeared in the air, dropping like rocks to the ground. Ethan took a defensive stance. Maple and Lucy cowered behind Ethan. Lara and Grace were busy setting up the camp. Wendy took Ethan's hand in hers as she drew her short sword.
"Hail, together till the end."
The lights faded; something was descending. Ethan looked around him. How would he fight? He needed a plan to keep everyone safe.
Grace and Lara stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky. Lara ran, pulling Grace behind her, and they stopped behind Ethan.
Grace peered around Ethan, looking up at the descending thing. It looked silver and shiny as the sun's light reflected on it. Then it disappeared as it entered the valley, the sun's rays no longer on it.
The sound of trees breaking around them sent chills down everyone's spine. Ethan could feel the hair on his neck tingle. Lucy whimpered softly as Wendy giggled like a mad woman, both swords drawn, standing beside him. There was a sudden vibration in the air. Branches and trees tearing in half could be heard through the valley, and animal cries filled the valley.
Ting-Ting floated next to Ethan as Zelda floated above Ethan's head beside Lilly. Ethan had an arrow ready—an infrared screen next to the long bow. He could see no living creature as he scanned around for the threat.
Suddenly, a sound echoed around them as if steam was released after being pressurised.