As Argolaith slowly awoke in the morning, the faint, golden light of dawn filtered through the dense canopy above him.
The sun had just begun its ascent over the horizon, casting an amber glow across the sky.
It was a serene and beautiful sight, one that always made him feel grateful, even amidst the harsh realities of his journey. His muscles ached from the long days of walking and the constant vigilance against the dangers lurking within the Forsaken Forest.
Yet, with each new sunrise, the promise of the day ahead filled him with renewed purpose.
Argolaith stretched his arms high above his head, letting out a satisfied groan as he did so. His body, used to the discomfort of the wilderness, responded with a crack of his joints and a deep sigh.
He had spent countless weeks in the depths of this ancient forest, the days bleeding together in a haze of walking, fighting, and foraging.
But somehow, every morning felt like a fresh beginning—a new opportunity to move forward.
"Well, I slept good," he muttered to himself as he sat up and surveyed his surroundings.
The campfire from the previous night had long since died out, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke rising into the air.
His satchel, resting nearby, was ready to be packed for the next stretch of his journey. But before he could get to that, Argolaith's stomach reminded him that it was time for breakfast.
He wasn't one to simply snack on rations, preferring instead to make his meals with whatever the land provided him.
His thoughts turned to what he had in his supplies. A mix of meats from his recent hunts—Fenrir, the elusive wolf-like creature known for its power and speed, and troll, whose meat was rich and hearty, full of essential nutrients and calories.
Combined, these would make an excellent breakfast. Along with that, some of the magical plants he had foraged earlier in his journey would provide the perfect boost to his stamina and energy.
"Alright, let's see," he murmured as he began sorting through his supplies. He took out a sturdy, sharp blade and began cutting the Fenrir and troll meat into small chunks, preparing them for grinding.
He worked methodically, the rhythmic sound of the blade cutting through the meat and the occasional snap of a joint filling the air.
It wasn't a difficult task, but it required focus, and Argolaith didn't mind. There was something meditative about the process, something that allowed him to clear his mind and prepare for the day ahead.
Once the meats were ground into a coarse mixture, he set them aside and turned his attention to the magical plants.
He had collected several types over the past few days, each one known for its unique properties—some for enhancing stamina, others for healing or boosting his strength.
He selected a few that he knew would work well together. He began to dice them carefully, the colors of the plants vibrant and rich in hue, the scent a blend of earthy tones with subtle floral undertones.
He tossed them into a small pan and began to sauté them in a bit of troll fat, the oil bubbling as it heated up.
The aroma quickly filled the air, a savory scent mingled with the sweetness of the plants, making his stomach growl in anticipation.
As he cooked, he couldn't help but think about the long journey ahead of him. The mountain in the distance still called to him, but it was still days—or possibly even weeks—before he would reach it.
The idea of ancient ruins, hidden deep within the heart of the land, kept his mind occupied.
What could he find there? Were there secrets long buried, lost to time? Or would the mountain be just another part of the wilderness, a place to pass through on his way to find his trees.
"Now then, it's time to eat," Argolaith said aloud, snapping himself out of his thoughts.
He had finished cooking, and the meal was ready. He slid the pan from the fire and carefully plated the food.
The result was even better than he expected. The troll fat had added a deep, rich flavor to the meat, and the magical plants had caramelized beautifully, their natural sweetness enhanced by the heat.
The savory scent of the dish, and the well balanced combination of the meats and plants, made it intoxicating.
It was a meal that spoke of the wilderness, of the forest, and of the countless creatures and plants that lived within it.
"This looks good," he said, his mouth watering.
"And it smells heavenly—almost like bacon, but richer, with a savory depth." He took a bite, his taste buds alive with the combination of flavors.
The meat was tender, the Fenrir providing a hearty, slightly gamey taste, while the troll meat had a richer, more satisfying flavor.
But it was the magical plants that made the dish stand out. They were subtly sweet, with a hint of something floral that lingered on his tongue, and a warmth that spread through his body as he ate.
As he continued eating, he could feel the effects of the magical plants taking hold.
His muscles, which had ached after days of travel, seemed to relax, their tension easing with each bite.
His stamina began to rise, and he could feel the magic working its way through him, strengthening him for the journey ahead.
The combination of the Fenrir and troll meat had a similar effect, filling him with strength and vitality.
"This tastes amazing," he muttered to himself, savoring each bite.
"The caramelized plants give it a slight sweetness, but the savory flavor from the fats really balances it out. I'm going to need this energy if I'm going to make it through the day."
He finished the meal quickly, knowing that he couldn't afford to waste time. The mountain still called to him, and there were many miles to go before he would reach it.
He had several hundred miles ahead, and although the thought of the journey was daunting, Argolaith knew he had no choice but to press forward.
The world of the Forsaken Forest was vast and unpredictable, and every day brought new challenges. Strange creatures roamed the woods, and the forest itself had a way of testing those who wandered too far into its depths.
With his meal finished, Argolaith stood up and began to pack away his things. He washed his dishes in a nearby creek, the cold water rushing over his hands and washing away the remnants of his meal.
Once everything was clean and packed back into his storage ring, he stood, taking a moment to stretch once more before setting off.
"I wonder if I'll meet anyone soon," he mused as he adjusted his satchel.
"It would be nice to have some company for a change. I wonder if anyone else is heading towards the mountain. It could be interesting to meet someone else on this journey."
He let out a small sigh. His travels had been solitary for weeks now, and the idea of meeting another traveler, someone who might understand the strange and dangerous world they inhabited, was a tempting thought.
But the reality of the situation was that he was more likely to encounter more strange creatures than people.
With that in mind, he set off toward the mountain, his feet carrying him over the uneven forest floor.
As he walked, he noticed the landscape around him beginning to change. The trees, which had once been gnarled and twisted, began to grow taller and more majestic.
Some of them towered hundreds of feet into the sky, their trunks wide and thick. The canopy above thickened, the light filtering through in delicate shafts.
The atmosphere seemed lighter, less oppressive, but Argolaith remained wary. He had learned long ago that appearances in the Forsaken Forest could be deceiving.
The further he walked, the more the sensation of being watched intensified. It was subtle at first, just a feeling, a vague sense of something observing him from above.
Then, as he continued to move, it grew stronger, more pronounced. It was a sense of bloodlust, a palpable energy that seemed to swirl in the air around him.
He couldn't pinpoint the source, but he knew that something was out there.
"What is this strange presence?" he muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.
"It feels like something is watching me, waiting for the right moment to strike. But where is it?"
He stopped, his senses straining as he scanned the trees and the sky. He couldn't sense anything on the ground, so he looked up. His eyes darted across the canopy, searching for any sign of movement. And that's when he saw it.
A shadow passed overhead, large and dark, cutting through the sky like a blade. Argolaith's heart skipped a beat as he finally caught sight of it: a wyvern.
It was difficult to discern at first, the creature blending in with the darkening sky. But as it circled above, he could make out its size—approximately twenty-eight feet long, with a wingspan that stretched nearly twenty feet from tip to tip.
Its scales were a dark, mottled gray, shimmering in the dim light, and its tail was long and pointed, ending in a sharp barb.
Argolaith cursed under his breath. "Well, fuck. That's almost a textbook description of a wyvern. But this one doesn't seem fully grown yet. That means it's not as powerful as it could be, so maybe the odds are in my favor."
The wyvern continued to circle, waiting for the right moment to strike. Argolaith's hand tightened around his sword, preparing for the fight ahead.