Crunch, crunch—
The carriages creaked as they rolled forward, their wheels crunching softly against the gravel road. Falcon City stretched before them, bathed in the golden glow of the morning sun. Though the city was peaceful now, the weight of the unknown loomed heavily in Arlon's mind.
As the carriages left the city behind, the open road ahead seemed to stretch endlessly, a reminder of the challenges yet to come.
Patter, patter—
The steady rhythm of the carriage wheels blended with the soft patter of rain on the canvas roof. Just moments before, the day had been bright, the sun warm on their faces.
Drip, drip—
Now, as they moved forward, the sky had turned gray, and the faint chill of the rainy season began to seep through the air.
Eric sat quietly in the corner of the seat, his gray ears twitching slightly as he watched the passing landscape. Beside him, Ace stretched languidly on the opposite seat, his red eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"So, kid," Ace began, his voice smooth, breaking the silence. "What's your home like? Big, small? Forest, mountains? I need to know what kind of scenery we're getting ourselves into."
Eric blinked, his tail wagging faintly at the question. "It's... a forest," he said softly, his voice hesitant but steady. "Our pack lives in the southern woods. There are big trees everywhere, streams, and fields where we hunt and play."
Alice, seated next to Ace, leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued. "That sounds beautiful," she said, her tone warm. "Do you live there with your family?"
Eric nodded, his posture relaxing just a little. "Yes. My brother, Kaelen is the Alpha of our pack. He's really strong—stronger than anyone I know. He keeps us safe."
"An Alpha?" Ace said, his tail flicking lazily. "Sounds impressive. Is he as serious as Arlon over there?"
Arlon, seated quietly , didn't look up from the map he was reviewing. His expression remained calm, but a wry thought crossed his mind. Serious? If ensuring everyone doesn't get themselves killed is 'serious,' then sure, I'll take it.
He flicked a glance at Ace but said nothing, his focus returning to the map as Eric shyly answered.
Eric smiled faintly, shaking his head. "He's... strict sometimes. But he's kind too. He always makes sure we're okay."
Alice's expression softened. "And what about your parents?"
Eric hesitated, his ears drooping slightly. "They're gone," he said quietly. "But my grandfather looks after us. He's the leader of the pack. Everyone respects him. He's wise and knows a lot about our history—and the forest."
Ace tilted his head, his red eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "A wise old wolf, huh? I bet he has plenty of stories to tell."
Eric's tail wagged a little more, and he nodded. "He does. He says it's our job to protect the forest, just like the forest protects us."
"That's a beautiful way of looking at things," Alice murmured, her gaze soft. "It must be nice, living somewhere like that."
"It is," Eric said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I miss it... but I'm glad to be going back."
Ace's gaze lingered on Eric for a moment, his usual teasing tone absent. "Well," he said finally, "sounds like a place worth seeing. I might even let Arlon take a detour."
Arlon's eyes flicked toward Ace, his brow arching faintly. As if you're the one calling the shots, he thought dryly, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.
Eric blinked at him in confusion, and Alice laughed softly. "Don't let him fool you, Eric. He'd complain the whole way."
The carriage swayed gently, the rain tapping softly against the roof. Eric's quiet description of his home filled the space, weaving a sense of longing and warmth that settled over them all.
Outside, the roads were slick with water, and the distant outline of trees blurred beneath the gray sky.
Arlon sat by the window, his gaze flicking to the downpour outside. The steady rain didn't bother him, but its relentlessness was beginning to test the patience of the group.
He caught Ace's crimson eyes watching him from across the carriage, the cat perched comfortably on a folded cloak.
Moments later, the rain began to ease, the heavy downpour softening into a gentle drizzle. The air grew calmer, the carriage rocking less as the horses found steadier footing on the road.
Without a word, Arlon raised a brow at him, a silent question in his expression.
Ace stretched languidly, his tail curling as his voice slipped into Arlon's mind. "Don't look at me like that. I don't like noisy journeys. You can thank me later."
Arlon's lips twitched faintly, though he didn't respond. Of course it's you, he thought, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.
He turned back to the window, his gaze steady, unwilling to give Ace the satisfaction of a spoken acknowledgment.
The cat purred softly, its smug tone evident, before curling into a relaxed ball on Lawrence's lap.
The steady patter of rain accompanied the carriages as they moved along the muddy road.
Eric's ears twitched, his posture stiffening as if every muscle in his body had frozen in place. He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as though straining to catch something distant and faint.
…. Howl—
And then it came—a low, mournful howl threading through the gentle patter of rain. It was so soft it could have been a trick of the mist, but Eric's wide eyes lit up with recognition.
"My home," he whispered, his voice trembling with both excitement and relief. "It's near... I can hear them."
The carriage slowed to a stop, the driver calling out about a slope ahead. Without waiting for anyone's response, Eric pushed open the door and darted into the rain, his small figure quickly swallowed by the trees.
"Eric!" Alice called after him, her voice tinged with worry. She scrambled out of the carriage, the rain soaking her cloak as she chased him into the forest.
When she caught up to him, Eric was standing still in a small clearing, his ears perked as he listened intently. The howl came again, faint but clear, and Eric's face filled with wonder.
"I can hear them," he murmured. "They're calling."
Alice placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, her breathing still uneven from chasing him. "You shouldn't run off like that," she said softly, her tone more worried than scolding.
She tugged the hood of her cloak over his head, brushing back some of his damp fur with gentle fingers. "There. Better?"
Step— Step—
The rest of the group approached soon after, their footsteps crunching against the damp earth. Arlon arrived first, his sharp eyes scanning the trees. Ace perched on his shoulder, his red eyes gleaming faintly in the rainy gloom.
Ace flicked his tail, his red eyes glinting with interest as he perched on Arlon's shoulder. "Well, at least someone has sharp ears around here," he murmured, though his gaze lingered on Eric for a moment longer than usual.
Dimitri joined last, his calm demeanor intact despite the sudden disruption. He turned to Arlon. "My lord, do you intend to follow him into the forest?"
Arlon nodded, his gaze fixed on the dark forest ahead. He could feel the pull of something unknown, faint but insistent, drawing them deeper into the rain-soaked woods. "Yes," he said finally, his tone steady. "We're going in."
Dimitri hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Understood. I'll take the carriage and continue ahead to the nearby village. I'll wait for you there."
Arlon's voice carried quiet authority as he added, "Keep things ready. We may need to move quickly once we return."
Dimitri inclined his head, his gaze steady. "Be careful, my lord." He paused at the carriage door, casting one final glance at the group as they disappeared into the misty woods, before signaling the driver to move on.
The faint sound of their steps and the steady rain lingered in the air as Dimitri gave the driver a signal to depart.
The rain continued to fall gently, softening the edges of the world as the carriage rolled away, leaving the group behind in the thick, damp wilderness.
Crunch, rustle—
Tall trees loomed around them, their ancient canopy absorbing the drizzle. The air clung to their skin, heavy and damp, as if the world itself were holding its breath.
"Why's it so quiet?" Anthony muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Shouldn't there be more... wildlife or something?"
"It's not quiet," Lawrence replied, his voice low as his gaze darted to the surrounding trees. "It's the wrong kind of noise. Like the forest is breathing down our necks."
Arlon's sharp gaze swept the trees, noting every shift in the shadows.The air thickened, heavy and humid, clinging to their skin like a suffocating shroud. It wasn't just the oppressive heat; it was a presence, a sentient force that seemed to watch their every move.
On his shoulder, Ace was unnaturally still, his red eyes gleaming with quiet tension.
The air felt heavier here, charged with an unfamiliar energy that made even the most mundane sounds seem amplified.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Arlon saw the golden light flicker. The narrator screen glimmered briefly, its calm surface betraying the deeper mystery it concealed. Yet, the world it described seemed different this time, more vivid, as though something had shifted.
["The deepness of the forest's heart is surrounded by an unknown, looming power that stretches beyond the reach of time. Its growls and hums emanate from a living force once wielded by its ****—"]
He tilted his head slightly, his mind racing. What does it mean? he thought, the question lingering in his mind as the mysterious words continued to shimmer on the screen, offering no clear answers.
"Stay close," Arlon ordered, his voice low but firm.
Rustle, rustle—
Suddenly, the wind picked up, swirling violently through the forest. Leaves and debris whipped around them in chaotic patterns, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.
A low rumble echoed through the woods, and Arlon froze, his instincts screaming danger as his eyes darted to the shifting shadows around them.
"Ace," Arlon called, his voice sharp, "is this you?"
Ace's red eyes gleamed as he leapt gracefully to the ground. "You think I'd waste energy on theatrics?" he quipped, his tone dry. "This isn't me. It's the forest."
As if to confirm Ace's words, the ground heaved violently.
Growl—