The sun was just beginning its descent, casting golden rays over the rolling hills as Solis, Vaidya, Ada, and Tedric sped through the open plains on their mounts. The tension in the air was palpable, despite Tedric's occasional attempts to lighten the mood.
"So, Vaidya," Tedric began with a teasing tone, "how many plans have you already drawn up in that genius mind of yours?"
Vaidya, clutching the reins of his steed tightly, shot a small smile over his shoulder. "Just enough to make sure we don't waste time. Every minute counts when someone's missing."
Ada scoffed, flipping her long wooden sword over her shoulder. "You act like we wouldn't figure it out without one of your plans. Pearl's tough—she'll be fine until we get there."
Solis, always the optimist, chimed in, "I think we'll find her soon. Pearl's not the type to get into too much trouble... right?"
Tedric chuckled, though his voice carried a note of unease. "I hope you're right, Solis. Forked Valley's not the friendliest place these days. Bandits, Roblins, and worse have been spotted around those parts. But let's keep the faith—she's one of us. Postknights look out for each other."
"Yeah, but the question is why she went missing in the first place," Vaidya mused aloud. His calculating mind was already ticking. "Was she taken? Did she wander off? Did someone lure her away? And why even going out for the Knightscroll delivary at the first place?"
"Enough, Vaidya!" Ada snapped, her temper flaring. "Stop overthinking it. We'll know when we find her."
Tedric gave Ada a calm but knowing glance. "Let him think, Ada. Strategies aren't always pretty, but they're necessary. Besides, you'll be the first one charging in if there's a fight, right?"
Ada huffed but didn't argue. She knew Tedric had a point.
Within thirty minutes, the group arrived at Forked Valley—a sprawling area with small villages nestled along its edges and thick, ominous forests dominating its center.
---
As they dismounted, Tedric stretched his arms dramatically. "Alright, let's stick together and—"
"No," Vaidya interjected firmly. "We need to focus our efforts if we're going to cover this area quickly. The villagers might have seen something. Ada and I should start there while you and Solis check the forest. If we all go wandering around aimlessly, we'll waste time."
Tedric raised an eyebrow, clearly not thrilled about taking orders from his student. "And what if your plan backfires, Vaidya?"
"It won't," Vaidya replied with confidence. "Trust me, Tedric. Pearl's out there, and every second counts."
Tedric sighed but relented, waving a hand. "Fine. You've got ten minutes to get any leads from the villages. Solis and I will scout the forest's edge until then."
---
In the villages, Ada and Vaidya went door-to-door, asking the villagers about Pearl's whereabouts. Ada's direct approach didn't always land well, but Vaidya managed to smooth things over with his calm demeanor.
"I don't see why they're so scared to talk," Ada muttered as they left yet another house.
"They're probably afraid of whatever might have taken Pearl," Vaidya reasoned. "If Roblins or bandits are involved, these villagers would rather stay silent than risk drawing attention."
Meanwhile, Solis and Tedric ventured deeper into the forest. The towering trees cast long shadows, and the chirping of birds was slowly replaced by an eerie silence.
"So, Solis," Tedric said, trying to keep the mood light, "you ever think about what it means to be a Postknight?"
Solis looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, all the time. I think it's about helping people and never giving up, no matter how tough things get."
Tedric smiled. "Good answer. You remind me of someone I knew... someone who would've said the same thing."
Solis didn't get the chance to ask who Tedric meant. A rustling sound from up ahead caught their attention.
---
The group reconvened at the forest's edge after their initial efforts. Vaidya pieced together what they had learned: villagers had noticed Roblins intense activity into the deeper parts of the forest earlier in the day.
"They must've taken her," Vaidya concluded.
"Then we're going in," Ada said firmly, gripping her sword.
Tedric hesitated, but one look at his students' determined faces made him nod. "Alright, but stay close and stay alert. If anything moves, we deal with it together."
---
As they delved into the forest, Solis felt a strange sense of familiarity. The towering trees and the faint sounds of growls in the distance stirred something deep within him, but he couldn't quite place it.
Then, they saw her. Pearl was lying unconscious in a small clearing covered in blood maybe her own blood, surrounded by snarling Roblins.
"Pearl!" Solis shouted, instinctively stepping forward.
The sight triggered a memory—a hazy, distant moment of Pearl lying helpless, surrounded by Roblins. That day, his first practical assessment day, he messed up terribly which resulted Pearl getting hurt. Though he saved her somehow that day, but that guilt still lingers inside him. She was covered in blood that day just as today.
"Focus, Solis!" Tedric barked, snapping him out of it.
Ada was already charging forward, her sword swinging with precision as she cut through the Roblins. Solis followed, his heart pounding as he fought to protect Pearl.
Together, the group drove off the creatures, and Tedric quickly knelt by Pearl's side. "She's alive, but she lost a lot of blood from head injury, we need to get her back to safety."
But it was not possible as all of them were surrounded by the huge number of Roblins.
"Huh.... where are these bastards coming from?" Ada asks in frustration and disgust. "It feels like more even came after I slayed them." Now a little surprised tone in her voice.
"Look around." Vaidya suddenly says. "These are not all already. There are more in coming."
Everyone looked up. Yes what Vaidya said was true. There were more Roblins coming from the depth of the forest.
"Wow! That's an enormous amount aura I can sense. It seems we are really in disadvantage here." Tedric says.
"Okay calm yourself down Solis. Someone's life is at steak now. You can't just blow it up. It's now or never." Solis thinks to himself as he takes a deep breath and with a fire in his eyes look at the eyes of those Roblins.