Chapter 14: His Return
It was still morning within the cursed woods. Yet inside the cave, it might as well have been the gloom of endless night.
Fire crackled softly at the center of the cavern, its orange glow dancing weakly against rough stone walls while shadows swayed like restless ghosts.
The seven survivors sat around the flames in silence. It was not peaceful silence; it was a heavy one.
The kind that is born after surviving something terrible...
The kind that usually settled upon soldiers after the battlefield turns quiet...
Even now, nobody truly relaxed. Not even for a moment.
Caelestra sat quietly beside Vaelorin, helping clean blood from his burnt arms carefully while occasionally feeding branches into the fire...
Valmyr leaned against the wall nearby while gritting his teeth every few seconds from pain. Beside him sat Veyrath, who attended to him...
Unlike his usual dramatic self, Veyrath was strangely quiet now as glowing green Aether flowed from the manifestation of his Life Tree behind him.
Thin roots of green light wrapped gently around the failed Vanguard bruised ribs and cracked bones...
"After some time, you’ll be back on your feet." Veyrath muttered, his voice lacking the cheerful undertone.
Valmyr laughed weakly despite the pain. "Don’t worry..." He coughed. "...I am tough." As if to reassure Veyrath, he thump his chest with his fist.
Veyrath snorted softly. "You are built like a damn wall. Of course you’re tough."
Valmyr responded with a faint grin. Nearby, Vaelorin was still slumped against a stone while breathing slowly. Caelestra was attending to him as unlike others, his injuries weren’t that physical besides his burnt arms.
This was actually because he had mostly exhausted his Ether reserves beyond his limits. Now, his body was pale and drained. Even now, faint sparks still escapee his fingertips unintentionally...
Veyrath then reached over and tapped his shoulder lightly. "Don’t worry. You will recover shortly after getting enough rest." He assured.
Vaelorin nodded tiredly in response. Then, Veyrath stood before shifting his gaze towards the farthest corner of the cave...
Immediately, a strange chill crawled down his spine as his gaze landed on Aureleah. After the previous episode where he almost had his neck slit open, being near her suddenly felt dangerous. Like standing beside death itself.
Aureleah sat silently against the cave wall while Sylveris leaned against her shoulder. The young girl was obviously still frightened from earlier as she held tightly unto her sister’s arm like her life depends on it...
Silver black hair framed Aureleah’s cold face softly while shadows occasionally flickered faintly around her body unconsciously.
When her eyes lifted toward Veyrath, the failed Alchemist nearly reconsidered walking over...
Still, he forced a grin as he came closer. "Hey..." He said softly, gulping down the dread pooling in his chest. "I am not here for a fight."
As if to confirm his stance, he slowly raised his hands before continuing, "I just wanted to check your injuries."
Aureleah studied him quietly for several long seconds with her eyes sharp and unreadable. Finally, she looked away. A gesture Veyrath interpreted as permission to proceed.
The failed Alchemist released a breath quietly before approaching her carefully. Then he crouched next to her before placing glowing hands lightly upon her shoulder.
Green Aether flowed once more. Then Sylveris’ eyes snapped open instantly as she looked at the scene.
The cuts across Aureleah’s arms slowly began closing beneath the Life Tree healing power. The bruises also faded gradually while torn flesh repaired itself.
"That’s so cool..." Sylveris’ eyes sparkled faintly as she watched the healing.
Hearing her words, Veyrath smirked proudly despite his dread, "Of course it is." He said, unconsciously puffing out his chest in pride.
Aureleah remained silent throughout the treatment as Veyrath attended to her. This time there were no threats or glare... Just silence.
After finishing, Veyrath stood once more. "All done." He said smiling.
Aureleah nodded in appreciation before Veyrath returned toward the fire after nodding back...
Outside, distant winds howled through the forest like mournful spirits but inside, flames crackled softly as the cave was suddenly enveloped in an awkward silence.
Nobody knew what to say anymore. Because the one who always thought ahead... Was gone.
Eventually, Caelestra broke the silence first. "What are we going to do now?" Her voice sounded smaller than usual with an undertone of uncertainty.
No one answered immediately because deep down, they all knew something uncomfortable.
Ever since arriving within the Nether Lands, Regaleon had always been the one thinking ahead. He was always finding shelter, organizing survival, making decisions and leading.
Without anyone realizing it, the Forgotten Knight had gradually became the center holding them together. And now... That center was missing.
Veyrath rubbed his face tiredly. "I really don’t know."
For the first time since they met him, the failed Alchemist sounded genuinely lost. Even his amber eyes had lost that light that existed within them before.
"We act..." The voice was calm, curt and controlled as it echoed across the cave. Everyone turned toward Aureleah who shifted her gaze towards the group.
"Since Regaleon already made plans..." Her eyes flickered briefly toward the cave entrance. There was also a slight tremble in her voice but none of them seem to notice it. "...all we need to do is follow them."
The others remained quiet but she continued speaking, "We already have shelter..." She said, pointing toward the cave around them. "We also have food."
Then her gaze shifted toward the snakeskin sack resting nearby, still filled with the giant serpent meat Regaleon killed earlier...
"And now, we’ve also found water..."
It was at this point that Kaeloris adjusted his glasses nervously before speaking. "But, we still don’t know how to get the water safely."
The cave grew quiet again. The group knew that he was right. Sure the lake still existed, the waterfall also; but so does the monster guarding them...
Even remembering that twisted Drake caused unease to crawl through the group.
Then Valmyr suddenly frowned as he looked toward Aureleah. "If that monster was there before, then how did you two manage to leave there safely before?"
Everyone blinked and then the realization settled struck. It was actually true! Aureleah and Sylveris had entered that area alone previously and yet, somehow, they returned unharmed...
No one had questioned it properly before because of everything else happening afterwards. But now, the question lingered heavily...
Aureleah merely shrugged slightly as she replied, "Perhaps it wasn’t there when we first discovered the waterfall."
Nobody responded but they also didn’t believe that answer either. There was clearly more to the story. Still, no one bothered pushing further...
Time passer slowly afterward. Nearly thirty minutes drifted by as the group gradually busied themselves with small tasks...
Caelestra organized supplies...
Kaeloris adjusted the light of his Lantern carefully...
Vaelorin still meditated weakly to recover his depleted Aether...
Valmyr sharpened his damaged blade...
And Veyrath quietly attended to his Life Tree.
Even Aureleah occasionally glanced toward the cave entrance uneasily. Though she hid it well, something restless lingered within her gaze.
Then suddenly...
"REGALEON!" Sylveris’ scream shattered the cave apart as the little girl pointed at the cave entrance.
Everyone jerked upward instantly while Soul Essences appeared simultaneously...
Valmyr grabbed his Broadsword...
Vaelorin ignited flames weakly...
Aureleah vanished halfway into the shadows instinctively...
And turning towards the entrance, they saw him...
For a moment, nobody moved as they observed the figure who stood there barely looking like a human anymore...
Regaleon’s Armour was ruined with broken parts hanging loosely from his body while cracks spread across nearly every remaining section.
Blood soaked him completely; a mix of red and black...
His silver hair was stained crimson while his face looked pale beneath layers of exhaustion and dried blood.
One arm hung limply. It was clearly broken while his leg dragged slightly behind him. Even his Halberd looked damaged now. It was nicked, cracked and ruined from battle.
And yet... He still stood.
The fire behind the group flickered softly against his battered figure, casting long shadows behind him making his silhouette appear like that of a dying soldier returning from war.
Sylveris bursted into tears immediately, "You are alive!"
Valmyr stared openly then said in disbelief, "No fucking way!" His mouth literally hung open...
Vaelorin looked genuinely stunned as Veyrath’s froze completely....
This was because they all understood something terrifying now; Regaleon didn’t just escape from the Drake. He returned after fighting it alone which was surprising to say the least...
Aureleah didn’t say anything. Yet for the first time since knowing her, she ajd completely lost her composure as surprise coloured her face...
Regaleon slowly stepped forward towards them. His movements looked unstable as he walked like his body might collapse at any moment.
Still, he kept walking. Veyrath immediately hurried toward him and asked the question that was on everyone’s mind, "What happened?"
Regaleon spoke, "The Drake..." His voice was hoarse and raspy as it echoed softly through the cave. "...is dead."
Now, there was absolute silence as nobody breathed for a second. They tried to process his words for a moment as his statement sounded unreal...
That monster?
Dead?
Killed?
By him?
Valmyr laughed weakly in disbelief, "You are joking, right?"
Regaleon said nothing. And somehow, that silence became the answer.
Veyrath stared at him like he was seeing something impossible...
Sylveris looked at Regaleon with undisguised admiration shining eyes now...
Vaelorin swallowed hard as he processed those terrifying words...
Even Aureleah’s gaze changed slightly. It was not softer, instead, it was deeper and thoughtful.
Then suddenly... Regaleon staggered. His Halberd slammed against the ground heavily as he tried to lean on it for support...
Veyrath’s eyes widened in panic, "Shit!"
Regaleon’s vision blurred as the cave spun around him slowly. He had forced himself to stay awake for too long already.
Now that he reached safety, his body began surrendering. The last thing he saw before his eyes closed... Was the group rushing towards him.
