A powerful gust of wind showers over Garran's head till a fallen leaf blocks his eyesight. Despite the return to normalcy, Garran still vividly recalls the village incident and hopes for their well-being. Further his leg carried his body, the view smoothly shifting from the endless maze of woods into a vast green low land. He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and slowly opening it. "It's been a while since I have tasted fresh air. When is it?" His thoughts speaking and collecting old memories. On his right, there's a beautiful river connected from where he has come to this land at first. But it serves different vibes. It's vibrant and shiny because of the sun's ray piercing inside its fluid motion. "I think I'll have a rest there." He spoke. Walking to a tall and strong tree, then he would lean on its trunk, at last he would relax after a tiresome journey. He would reach into his small pocket, picking an item that is wrapped in a banana leaf. It's bread, a solid and dry one. The long shelf life might have made it unpleasant. Little by little, he breaks the bread.
After savoring a pure and tasteless grain, he takes a nap under the tree, where its leaves were enough to cover a carriage from the heat. His eyes get heavier each second and finally fall asleep. A moment passed, the tranquility still covered him as a dome until a rumble of horseshoes stepped on the ground; he woke from short slumber and look at what just happened. From the north path, a band of knights in full-plate armor, all of them carrying an air of authority and power; one of them was carrying a huge banner with a red dragon displayed over an orange and white background. And then, there's a person on his mount, wearing the same look as the rest but a little extravagant because his medals and ribbons, his face was visible as his helmet visor was not fully closed, shows a rugged man with a unique moustache. A leader of the knights, perhaps.
"Halt! Who might you be, stranger? And what is your purpose to be in this realm of Drakovia?" He shouts with a bitter-distrustful yet no malice tone, scanning over Garran's appearance. He would get up from his place, look over the band of knights. "You're Drakovian army?" Garran asked in a neutral tone.
"Indeed, I'm Sir Edric of Osvern, Lieutenant of Drakovian 7th company." He proudly denotes himself with raising chest.
"I'm Garran, a vanguard." Edric's brows raise upon his revelation and immediately get off his mount; the metallic clink of his armor punctuated hi every step. "Hail Vanguard! To whom do I owe the pleasure?" His tone changed, brimming with enthusiast and welcome.
"You're welcome, Lieutenant."
"So, do you have a particular reason for visiting this humble land?"
"Not much," Garran replied, glancing over the river. "I'm here just to take plenty rest and continue my way."
"Oh…is that so," Edric mused, a glimpse of hope shifted to disappointment crossing his face. "I thought you might be here to hunt the beast."
"What kind of beast you are talking about?" Garran's voice slightly rising.
Edric stepped closer. "A terror of untold bloods, a creature of night. It has plagued this land for a month, and few who seek it live to tell the tale. It was werewolf." He frowns, spitting the being, distaste all over his tongue.
Garran considers his words; It must be stopped. His eyes show fierce, knowing his mission is likely a little late than he expected, but he won't back down against the dilemma. "Any idea where it is right now?" Edric's ears perked up hearing his interest, "Absolutely, opposite of this river, just go straight from here, you shall see a cave, but not just a cave, it's a hidden temple. Abandoned and forgotten. Last time we saw it went inside, so we are about to set camp for the night to hunt it down, precisely in the midnight, when the werewolf is usually out for feast." He sets his eyes on Garran's. "So, what do you think? Interested? I can give you a wholesome payment."
After thinking for a moment, Garran accepted the offer. "I could work with it." Edric's face light up afterwards. "Then it's settled; we shall face it later. For now, take a good rest."
The rest of the army prepare the tents, they are working meticulously in unison. mostly build the camp, while the rest looking for firewood and food supply. Few hours have passed, every single thing was set up perfectly; the knights either sleeping, guarding or playing a game along their peers. Garran, in other hand, just sitting near the campfire, enjoying the starry night. Then Edric would join to accompany him. His armor was a little loose now, with several parts of it were detached.
"You enjoy the party?" He asked.
"I see no party." Garran replied in a relaxed tone.
Edric would be rotating on his ground, pretending to show him how lively the night was.
Garran chuckles, "I see, perhaps it's just me. I'm not usually having this crowded place."
Edrick snickers about how plain he is. "Lonewolf or awkward?"
Garran shook his head, smiling. "Maybe."
"By the way, are you a Frostfang Academy vanguard?" Edric said.
Garran is surprised at his knowledge about his origin. "Indeed, and how did you know it?''
Edric points his finger to the ring on Garran's left index finger. A silver ring with rune carving and wolf's head blending of icy blue hues, blue gem on the wolf's eye position. A sign of every vanguard's identity out there.
"I have met with the other of your peers. They wore distinct ring, but I know who they are."
"What are they doing?" Garran was curious.
"Nothing, just respited for a while and gone. I try to offer the same thing as you to hunt this werewolf, but they refuse."
Garran nods and stares at the fire. "Well, we sometimes don't really interest hunting beasts. Our focus is demons. But, to me, any kind of threat is the same."
Edric nods. "You're damn right." He sighs, sits the opposite way of him. "My grandpa always told me about how strong Joril is until he became the head figure and founder of the Frostfang academy alongside the other three. What do you think of him and what's the difference between the other?"
"I… I'm not sure. My academy seems to tend its lifeway and technique about brute strength. I guess it's not that wise and the same thing goes for the others in their own specialty. I choose to live my life without idolizing someone or living their life. The story of how the academies founded was never good, it births through dispute of four beliefs following their own figure, while in fact it's just their stupid ego." His body down a bit. "We have no difference; we are made in one purpose. Only our identity distinguishes us." He throws a twig into the fire. "In the end, everything is for personal gain."
"Why did you join in the first place, then?" Edric asked.
"I was founded amidst of raging flame in my destroyed village because of the 19th Manhunt held by Beastmen from south. Everyone's dead, butchered like an animal, blood formed a pool, bodies scattered like fallen autumn leaves dismembered, all except me. I'm lucky, I guess. Then, a man came and saved me, then bring me to Cartagon. They trained me to become this."
"Sorry for that. Get some sleep. I will wake you up when the time is ready." Garran put himself in the most comfortable position he could and closed his eyes.
A few hours of calmful sleep have passed; when he's about got up, Edric as in front of Garran already intend to wake him up.
"Everyone's ready." Edric said.
Garran nods and joins the rest. They were formed solid formation, marching in unison toward the lair. He follows them behind, observing his surroundings. It was, as usual, pitch-dark and foggy. So, being in a formation is pretty useful instead of one by one. After a moment, they arrived at the mouth of the cave; it was enormous, eerie, and silent. Edric told his knights to split into three groups; Garran was in the first.
"Remember, men. Kill the beast and comeback alive." He gives his last speech before splitting up.
Before Garran makes a move, he activates his Eye of Truth as it was essential to track down the beast's trail. So far, they proceed, nothing can be found as evidence; they truly in a hard time, Garran is no exception. But something off happened. When they venture the depth of the cave, a soldier next to Garran breaks a silence.
"Wait, where is Arnault?! I swear he's beside me!" He freaked out. The other start panic as Garran would calm them down and told them to regroup in a circle.
They were circling against each other, nervous and doubt are mixed in tension. In a sudden, one knight screams, his sword falling, but the person does not exist. They become more frantic, not knowing what happened to their friends. Just happened a moment ago, now two more people at once as victims. The formation failed, they are blinded by fear, until Garran realizes something unusual.
"Everyone, get down!" Just as he starts shouts ten Gargantula appears from the skies. Biting almost everyone with its venomous fangs. Garran cut down one of them then stab it on the head; intense battle against this monstrous spider is inevitable. Clanking sounds of sword are everywhere, don't know what they hit in the dark, they just swing it frantically. As the heat of the battle dimming, Garran tell the rest of knights to back off because he wants to burn them all in a single attempt. He pulled a red vial then throws it at the remaining Gargantula, fortunately he success, all of them now burned to crisp, its smoke filling the air; small fire lit up the cave's ceiling that was full of lifeless knight inside a thread. Those knights almost obliterated and reduced their number to just three, with broken morale.
Garran knows there is nothing he can do with them now, so he tells them to save themselves and let him finish this problem. Now he is alone in obscure, carry up this task. After some time, he finally stood at the end of the cave in front of him. It was the only part illuminated by the moon as there was no ceiling to cover but tree; the area is overall resembling a dome, where in the center standing tall, a sturdy temple, even though it has aged; can be seen by how faded its paint some roofs were gone, cracked walls with wild moss and vine filled the gaps. However, the most prominent thing is the clawed door with faint growls inside. He unsheathes the sword, grips it, walking slowly but sure. Sadly, just need a few more steps so he can reach the doorknob. He was lunged by sudden attack, hurling Garran several meters backward. His sword slips from the grip, making him vulnerable. He quickly gets up and runs to the sword, clenches it, then standing steady for the upcoming onslaught. The werewolf in the other hand put on standby, his claw twitching, his sharp teeth ever shown in a bloodlust manner of a heavy growl. The tension was so great till the beast once again pouncing Garran. But this time, he blocks it. Although little staggering, in fast retaliate, he performs spinning slash that bleeds it on the shoulder, thanks to the sword's capability to harm its regenerative nature. It howls in pain, but not yet to be defeated, its movement getting faster and more brutal.
The werewolf assault now becoming harder to be blocked, as Garran receive damage on his left forearm after failed parrying the second claw attack. He knows fighting it with strength is likely won't work well, so he back down and grab something in his pocket, a small vial contains transparent liquid, after that he smash it to the ground bit further from his position and covered his eyes with hand. The vial explodes and brightens the area with blinding light; without wasting any time, Garran runs and pierces the werewolf's heart but turns out it keeps resisting by biting his shoulder. Garran scream in pain and pushing himself forward until both of them collide the wall. In its last effort, the werewolf weakening, thus it collapses on Garran's body. He cast aside the beast, holding the pain, and get out of the cave.