Nodding at each of them, Erik mentally etched their names into his memory. His fellow travelers: Marcus, Alexia, Ava, and Garrett. Now they were strangers, but as the journey was going to unfold, they would become his allies.
"Amos did mention you'd be our guide to this Lumisgrove," Alexia began, her tone careful yet laced with curiosity. "But I can't help noticing your youth. You must be rather competent for Amos to entrust such a task to you," she stated, her piercing green eyes scrutinizing Erik thoughtfully.
Erik replied with a faint smile on his lips, "I understand your concerns, Alexia. Indeed, I might be young, but I assure you my strength is enough for the journey ahead, and I've done my homework about the Lumisgrove."
The air between them grows crisp, the harsh winter morning asserting its presence. Erik noticed the uncertain glances among the team and quickly added, "I haven't been there myself, but I've had the chance to gather information from various sources. I've studied the descriptions, the dangers, and the paths in detail. I can't guarantee a smooth journey, but I will do my utmost to guide us there safely."
His words lingered in the void that immediately followed, only to be ingested by the icy air surrounding them.
Marcus, the large, burly man carrying the enormous axe, finally broke the silence. "We trust Amos's judgment. If he thinks you're capable, that's enough for us."
Erik was thankful for the vote of confidence. A firm and unyielding sense of determination began to take hold inside him, much like the frozen ground they were standing on. Erik cast a reflective glance over his shoulder at the company.
"Before we embark on our journey, it would be beneficial for us to understand each other's strengths and capabilities. Can each of you tell me what your Brain Crystal Power is and what you specialize in?"
"I can create mana arrows with my Brain Crystal Power. As for my specialty, I'm an archer," Alexia said confidently, her green eyes sparkling.
The burly man, Marcus, followed. "My Brain Crystal Power allows me to create a mana shield I can slightly move around. I'm a warrior specializing in protection and close combat," he shared, his strong voice reverberating through the cold morning air.
Ava, the young woman with wavy blonde hair, chimed in with a playful grin, "I can slide across any surface, increasing my speed significantly. You'll see me wielding daggers - that's my specialty. Quick, agile, and silent."
Lastly, Garrett shared his abilities. His voice was quieter than the others but no less confident. "I have a Brain Crystal Power that allows me to coat my sword with wind, increasing its slicing power. As a tracker and hunter, I can also provide our team with navigation skills and wilderness knowledge."
Erik paid close attention to each of them, taking careful notes as he did so to commit their abilities to memory.
For him to effectively strategize, it was essential to be aware of the capabilities possessed by his team.
"In my case, I have two powers…" Erik replied, leaving the others surprised. "I can either control and grow plants, make traps and shelters, and fight from a distance with this power. However, I can also turn mana into a strange force that can be used to increase my speed and destructive power. I can also create some shields, but they require a lot of mana, so I would rather avoid using them."
Before Erik could even finish his sentence, everyone in the group was immediately rendered speechless by the shocking revelation.
They were all staring at Erik with wide-open eyes as the air around them became increasingly brisk, and the winter morning made their breath visible. It seemed for a moment as though the world's rotation had stopped. The declaration hung heavily in the air as the silence continued.
Alexia was the first to recover, her green eyes wide and incredulous. The only outward sign of her surprise was a twitch in her fingers as they wrapped around the grip of her bow. "You have two powers? But that means..." She trailed off, the implication hanging in the air.
The surprise in Alexia's eyes was also visible in Marcus's ones. As he worked through the information, the muscles in his jaw began to contract, causing him to tighten his hold on the axe.
The silence was finally broken when the clanking sound of his armor adjusting to his rigid stance was heard. Ava's playful demeanor changed to complete and utter bewilderment as her mouth opened wider.
The normally bubbly woman was strangely subdued at the moment, and her fingers drummed restlessly against her daggers.
The calm and collected hunter, Garrett, was the last one to respond. As he contemplated what Erik had to say, the furrows in his brow deepened, and the lines on his aged face became more pronounced. His grip on his sword tightened, a subtle sign of his surprise.
Finally, Marcus found his voice again. "So, you're an...awakener?" he asked, his voice gruff but filled with awe.
Awakeners were so exceptional that they were almost mythical. He nodded, confirming their suspicions. "Yes," he answered simply. "I am an awakener." That was, of course, not true, but he had to justify having two powers.
"Furthermore," Erik continued, holding their gaze, "Despite my youthful appearance and urban origins, I assure you, I'm no stranger to the hardships of the forest." His voice was steady. "I've traveled these woods for months on end. I can handle myself."
His gaze moved to his hands for a moment; palms turned upward in a gesture of revelation.
"Moreover, my ability to manipulate plants will serve us well on this journey." A wry smile graced his features. "You'd be surprised how useful a thicket of thorns can be or a quick vine to pull you up a steep incline."
His eyes met each of theirs in turn, a spark of determination shining within their depths. "In addition," he added, a hint of pride sneaking into his voice, "I've discovered a plant that can repel thaids. It means we can rest and sleep without the constant fear of an unexpected attack."
As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed a significant change in the group's mood. The tension was lessened due to his reassurances and the possibility of safer nights.
Erik had clearly managed to ease their initial concerns, as evidenced by a few nods and sighs of relief.
At first glance, the young man may have appeared out of place; however, his words painted an entirely different picture. Despite his age, Erik seemed more than capable of leading them through the Lumisgrove.
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