The journey to Elvandar passed uneventfully during the first few hours. The wagon swayed slightly as it traveled through the forest. Fenris marveled at the number of animals running through the grass, while Eric and Serena chatted with the couple traveling with them. The young man introduced himself as Igor, and the woman beside him as his wife, Aria.
"Are you from Elvandar?" Serena asked, trying to start a conversation.
"No. We just have some business to take care of there," Aria replied.
"Business? Care to share what kind?" Eric asked, intrigued. Igor responded this time.
"We're adventurers, and we're planning to complete the Elvandar labyrinth," he said proudly. Eric and Serena exchanged surprised looks.
"You mean one of the Sacred Labyrinths?" Eric exclaimed.
"A labyrinth?" Fenris asked, listening intently.
"Labyrinths are structures that began appearing around the world some years ago. It's said that those who complete them gain the power of one of the Sacred Guardians," Igor explained, as Fenris listened with fascination.
"That sounds fun! I want to go to a labyrinth, too!" Fenris said enthusiastically.
"You shouldn't take labyrinths so lightly. They're not places a kid can visit like a park," the driver warned, having silently listened to the conversation. Fenris felt offended, but Serena quickly calmed him.
"Don't be upset, Fenris. What he's saying is true. Labyrinths are very dangerous places. Many people have died trying to complete them." Fenris nodded, feeling a bit disappointed. Serena turned her attention back to Igor and Aria. "But are you really sure you want to go? We're talking about a labyrinth where even the Sacred Guardian is unknown."
Igor and Aria exchanged glances before answering.
"Yes," Aria replied. "Igor couldn't bond with a guardian, so we hope he might achieve something with a Sacred Guardian."
A small bird that had been flying alongside the wagon landed on Aria's shoulder.
"Even if you're determined, it's very unlikely. If you couldn't bond with a common guardian, what makes you think you could with a Sacred Guardian? Many have failed even after completing the labyrinths," Eric said, not intending to offend but making his concern clear. Fenris noticed the driver clenching his fists, and just as he was about to turn around, Igor interjected.
"Well, I won't know until I try, right?" Igor said with a smile.
"I guess you're right," Eric admitted. The driver seemed to calm down and turned his attention back to the road. But something made him stop abruptly.
"What's going on?" Serena asked. The driver pointed ahead, where a massive rock blocked the path.
"We'll have to take a detour," the driver said, looking at the others. "Sorry, but it'll take us longer to reach Elvandar."
"No problem. As long as we get there, it's fine."
The journey continued without further issues. However, deep in the forest, they encountered another rock blocking the way.
"That's strange. There shouldn't be many landslides in this area…"
The journey to Elvandar proceeded uneventfully during the first few hours. The carriage rolled gently through the forest, rocking slightly. Fenris watched in awe as animals darted through the grass, while Eric and Serena chatted with the couple traveling alongside them. The young man was named Igor, and the woman beside him was his wife, Aria.
"Are you from Elvandar?" Serena asked, trying to spark a conversation.
"No, we just have some unfinished business there," Aria replied.
"Unfinished business? Can we know what kind of business?" Eric asked, intrigued. Igor answered this time.
"We're adventurers, and we're planning to complete the Labyrinth of Elvandar," he said with pride. Eric and Serena exchanged surprised glances.
"You mean one of the Sacred Labyrinths?" Eric exclaimed.
"A labyrinth?" Fenris asked, having been listening with curiosity.
"Labyrinths are structures that started appearing around the world a few years ago. It's said that those who manage to complete them gain the power of one of the Sacred Guardians," Igor explained, while Fenris listened intently.
"That sounds fun! I want to go to a labyrinth too!" Fenris said enthusiastically.
"You shouldn't take labyrinths so lightly. They're not places a child can enter like it's a playground," the driver, who had been silently listening to the conversation, warned. Fenris felt offended, but Serena quickly calmed him.
"Don't be upset, Fenris. He's right. A labyrinth is a very dangerous place. Many people have died trying to complete them." Fenris nodded, feeling a bit disheartened. Serena turned her attention back to Igor and Aria. "But are you really sure you want to go? We're talking about a labyrinth whose Sacred Guardian isn't even known."
Igor and Aria exchanged a glance before answering.
"Yes," Aria replied. "Igor couldn't form a bond with a guardian, so we're hoping he might succeed with a Sacred Guardian."
A small bird that had been flying alongside the carriage perched on Aria's shoulder.
"Even if you're that determined, it's highly unlikely. If you couldn't bond with an ordinary guardian, what makes you think you can bond with a Sacred Guardian? Many have failed even after completing the labyrinths," Eric said, intending no offense but making his concern clear. Fenris noticed the driver clenching his fists and was about to turn toward him when Igor interjected.
"Well, I won't know until I try, will I?" Igor said with a smile.
"I suppose you're right," Eric admitted. The young driver seemed to calm down and returned his attention to the road. But something ahead made him suddenly stop the carriage.
"What's going on?" Serena asked. The driver pointed ahead, where a massive boulder blocked the path.
"We'll have to take a detour," the driver said, glancing at the group. "Sorry, but it'll take us longer to reach Elvandar."
"No problem. As long as we get there, it's fine."
The journey continued without issues. However, deeper in the forest, they encountered another boulder blocking the way.
"That's odd. There shouldn't be so many landslides around here…"
After several detours, something made the driver stop again. Fenris also sensed something unusual. The air felt heavy. Serena approached the driver, who seemed tense, his gaze fixed on the trees.
"Another boulder?" Serena asked, scanning the area but seeing nothing out of place.
"That's not it," the driver replied. "I've felt like someone's been watching us the whole time. But there's nothing there. Something's not right."
Suddenly, a piercing screech shattered the forest's silence. Green tendrils burst out from the underbrush, lashing violently at the carriage.
"Jump!" the driver yelled.
The tendrils struck the carriage with ferocity, toppling it over. Fortunately, everyone escaped unscathed. An imposing creature with a deformed body and green tentacles emerged from the trees. Its red eyes gleamed with malice, putting everyone on guard.
"What the hell is that thing?" Eric shouted, alarmed.
"A Virdrak," Igor answered. "It's a monster that hides among the forest trees, stalking its prey. It usually sets up obstacles to lead its victims where it wants them."
"So that's why we had to take so many detours, huh?" the driver muttered.
The Virdrak lunged at them with surprising speed for its massive size. Eric bonded with Chuck and extended his hands toward the creature. Rocks rose from the ground and began orbiting around him before hurtling at the monster, striking it and momentarily distracting it.
"Nice shot!" Igor shouted, advancing with his sword raised. With agile movements, he dodged the tendrils and severed one. Aria, meanwhile, bonded with her guardian. Electrical energy surged from her hands, enveloping her in a bright glow.
"Igor, to the left!" Aria called out as she fired a bolt of lightning at one of the Virdrak's tendrils. Igor nodded and moved quickly. Aria's electricity surrounded his sword, enhancing his attack. With a precise strike, he cut off another tendril, causing the creature to let out a deafening screech. It seemed to grow even more ferocious.
Fenris watched the battle excitedly. He wanted to join in. Quickly, he slipped away from Serena and ran toward the monster.
"Fenris, get back here! It's too dangerous!" Eric called after blocking another attack.
"Let's see what you've got, Fenris…"
Fenris leapt toward the Virdrak, extending his hands as Eric had done. He thought maybe he could use his anima that way. But nothing happened.
"This is bad," Fenris thought, staring at the Virdrak's eyes. One of its tendrils lashed toward him.
"Fenris!" Serena shouted.
"Zenith Style: Ethereal Slash!"
Before the tendril could hit Fenris, the driver leapt forward and, with an agile move, cut the tendril, saving him. His slash left a glowing trail behind. Fenris fell to the ground, and Serena rushed to his side.
"Fenris, are you okay?"
"I think so," Fenris replied.
The young driver landed on the ground as well and sheathed his sword.
"If you're going to be this reckless, don't even think about going to a labyrinth. You'd only get yourself killed," the driver said, staring intently at Fenris. He remained silent, unsure of how to respond. Meanwhile, Aria and Igor continued fighting the Virdrak.
"Now, Aria!" Igor shouted.
Aria unleashed a powerful lightning bolt at the Virdrak. The creature thrashed violently, its tendrils sparking. The pair continued their synchronized attacks. Igor deflected all the attacks while Aria struck from a distance. The weakened Virdrak stumbled toward the edge of a cliff.
"We need to push it over!"
Joining the assault, Eric summoned a massive boulder and hurled it at the Virdrak, striking its head. The impact broke his bond with his guardian, leaving both Chuck and Eric collapsed on the ground, exhausted. The creature lost its balance and began sliding off the cliff. Serena approached her worn-out brother.
"Well done. You really shined this time," Serena said with a smile, to which her brother responded with one of his own.
The driver, seeing the monster on the verge of falling, headed toward the carriage.
"Well, we'd better get moving. At this rate, we won't…"
In a desperate attempt, the Virdrak lashed out one last tendril, wrapping it around the young driver's leg. Before he could react, the creature's pull began dragging him toward the cliff. The Virdrak started to fall, dragging him along. At the last moment, Fenris grabbed his hand and pulled with all his strength.
"Hey, what are you doing? Let go," the young man said irritably.
"No, I won't let you fall."
"Idiot, I'm saying that because you don't even have the strength to hold me up."
The weight of the Virdrak caused the ground beneath them to crack, and everyone started to fall. Eric managed to reach them but wasn't fast enough to grab Fenris's hand.
"Fenris!" Eric yelled as both began to tumble down the cliff. His shout grew fainter until it was lost entirely.
They rolled and fell, hitting rocks and branches until they finally plunged into the water below, bruised and battered. For a few moments, Fenris lost consciousness.