It had been a week since Erik had led his team out of the hidden camp, and time had flown by. Because the winter's chill had continued its relentless assault, every step through the snow-covered forests that made up Frant territory tested one's endurance.
Despite this, the group continued their efforts, buoyed by the realization that the mission they were working on was of the utmost importance.
They had been moving covertly, avoiding enemy encampments and patrols by utilizing the map they had taken from the fallen Frant soldiers. The nights were spent in wooden shelters that Erik had built using his one-of-a-kind brain crystal power.
Erik's command over the local flora gave them an invaluable advantage despite the difficult circumstances that allowed them to rest well and easily.
That made it so that the team developed an unusual sense of camaraderie amid their shared suffering, strengthening their determination to complete their mission, but also a dependency on Erik. The others knew that, without his Thaid-repelling plant, and the domes, this journey would have been a nightmare.
Between moving and stopping to rest, Erik would check their location by referring to landmarks and the sun's angle, aided by Garrett. This helped them navigate.
After making their way through the snowy landscape and dense forest network, they were getting closer and closer to their destination, the Lumisgrove.
It was said that this remote region contained the only known habitat of the Auburn Pine, which was the plant that held the key to the continued existence of their village.
Unease started spreading throughout the group as they got closer to the Lumisgrove. This was not your typical wooded area. Even though Erik had warned the others that they were going into a very dangerous location, the others did not realize how dangerous the location was.
The area surrounding the Lumisgrove, as well as the Lumisgrove itself, was a place riddled with mysteries and concealed perils. The already peculiar nature of the area defied conventional wisdom.
The vegetation in this area grew taller and more robust, with massive trunks and outspread branches that dwarfed the already massive flora in the surrounding area. Every other place on earth, probably, had a flora dwarfed by these enormous trees, which had velvety moss covering their bark and towering over them.
Not only the plant life developed, but other things had as well. Even the remaining flora and fauna appeared to have grown in size. The local thaids, who were already a formidable threat due to their size and strength, were even more powerful here.
Their muscles were more prominent, their movements were more swift, and their powers and mana pools better, echoing through the vast grove and sending a chill down the spines of the most experienced warriors.
Most importantly, however, their mana was significantly higher than usual, meaning their brain crystal power was more potent.
For instance, three days before, as they traveled toward the Lumisgrow, a pack of Leylarhads emerged from the thick underbrush, their imposing figures dwarfing the team.
These creatures were a terrifying sight to behold from the very beginning. They had two large tails that sprouted from their hindquarters and flowed and whipped with dangerous grace.
Additionally, they had two prominent tusks that protruded from their jaws and glinted menacingly in the sparse light filtering through the massive foliage.
However, these Leylarhads were monstrous parodies of the thaids that the group naturally saw elsewhere, their stature being three times larger than those commonly encountered, amplified the intimidation factor associated with their species.
As they paced restlessly, their menacing eyes shone with the luster of primal hunger, and their coarse, matted fur rippled to indicate the presence of muscles underneath.
The pack moved in uncanny harmony, their steps resembling a natural symphony, and they were poised to react quickly to even the slightest provocation.
Despite this, the group was able to eliminate them all, which contributed significantly to Erik's overall level of experience.
However, it was clear that, from then on, the group had to pay much more attention to their surroundings than they already did since the mutant version of an already powerful thaid would kill them all.
The closer they got to the Lumisgrove, the more the natural world around them appeared to warp and distort, with the flora taking on enormous proportions and the fauna exhibiting terrifying strength.
"What will we find in the Lumisgrove if things are this abnormal out here?" Ava was the one who, at long last, posed the question on their minds.
Erik's face held a serious expression in the dim light filtering through the colossal trees.
He quickly glanced toward his companions before saying, "I don't know, but based on the Thaids we have faced during the past week, we better stay safe. The Lumisgrove is known to be a deadly place. Even Frant had to be careful when sending soldiers there."
The words of Erik struck a chord deep within them and served as a reminder of the obstacles that lay in wait for them.
As they processed his warning and struggled to come to terms with the gravity of their predicament, there was a palpable sense of tension in the air.
The way to Lumisgrove began taking on a more ominous air as it progressed.
The group could only speculate what might lie in store for them deep within the forest's core. The closer they got to their destination, the more the magnitude of their task appeared to grow, and the weight of the fact that it was already happening began to press heavily on their shoulders.
Alexia broke the silence, asking, "Should we expect soldiers there?" Despite the gravity of their situation, her tone never wavered in her calm and collected delivery.
When Alexia looked into the hazel eyes of Erik, he responded with a severe gaze by saying, "We should." His affirmation was solemn, thereby reinforcing the importance of being cautious and well-prepared.
Frantian soldiers were a formidable threat on their own, their presence in the hazardous Lumisgrove adding an extra layer of danger to their mission.
Yet, despite the imminent threats, the group was resolute. Each of them understood what was at stake. The Auburn Pine was the key to their village's survival. Failure was not an option, so fortified with resolve; they continued their journey toward the Lumisgrove.
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