Chapter 8: First Morning
The night passed by without incident as there were: no shrieks echoing through the forest, no Wights emerging from the darkness and no monstrous claws scraping against the cave walls as they slept...
Only the distant howling wind and the crackling of dying flames accompanied the eight forgotten children through the first night within the Nether Lands...
After eating their fill from the monstrous bear, exhaustion had finally claimed them one by one as:
The failed Vanguard slept against the cave wall with his Shield beside him like a loyal companion...
The failed Gnost rested next to the failed Vanguard while the glow from his Lantern illuminated his face as he he slept...
The failed Pyromancer collapsed near the dying embers after muttering complaints about smoke and burnt meat. Clearly that was the fault of the failed Alchemist...
The failed Merchant curled beside her Treasure Chest protectively, with silver Coins floating lazily around her even in her sleep. Just sleeping there made her look like the spirit of fortune and good luck...
The younger sister rested peacefully against her older sister’s lap, her breathing softer now than before. However, her older sister rested her back against the cave walls as she slept while tightly clutching her twin Daggers...
Even the failed Alchemist had eventually lost consciousness halfway through boasting about his "masterful culinary expertise."
There was only one person that remained awake and it was Regaleon. He stood at the entrance of the cave, beneath the dim glow of the failed Gnost’s Lantern, armoured, armed and watching.
The rested golden Armour reflected faint traces of firelight while his silver Halberd rested firmly within his grasp as his posture remained perfectly straight despite the passing of the long night...
He stood there unmoving. Like a statue forged for war... Or as a knight protecting something precious.
Beyond the cave stretched the endless forest of the Nether Lands. It was still, dark, silent and patient...
Through the night, Regaleon’s gaze never left it as he did not trust peace in the Nether Lands. Not even slightly.
Hours passed quietly and then eventually...
Morning came.
However, it was not a true morning. There was no golden sunrise within the Nether Lands as the crimson sky merely brightened slightly, shifting from blood-red scarlet into a dull red haze...
Still, it was enough to mark the beginning of another day.
The first person to awake was the assassin. Her silver eyes slowly opened before instinct immediately sharpened her senses. For several seconds she remained still with Daggers in hand while observing the cave...
After discovering no anomaly, her gaze drifted toward the entrance of the cave. Toward the figure that stood there...
Then, she rose shortly afterward, careful not to wake her younger sister before walking towards Regaleon.
The closer she appeared, the clearer his figure appeared beneath the Lantern light. He was calm and steady with the Halberd resting within his hand resembling less a weapon and more like an extension of himself.
And somehow, as he stood there alone while overlooking the crimson dawn... He truly resembled a Knight from ancient tales and nothing like the arrogant nobles of modern Houses...
He looked like the kind of Knight that stood between monsters and people. Like the kind that silently endured while ensuring the safety of others. That old kind.
"Good morning." Aureleah greeted softly.
Suffice to say, yesterday been a day of bonding as the group had exchanged names and stories over bear meat.
Regaleon turned slightly towards her with the same calm expression on his face and responded curtly, "Morning." Then he turned back to the forest.
There wasn’t too much words between them but strangely, the silence that existed between them yesterday night no longer felt cold.
Aureleah tested briefly against the cave wall beside him before shifting her gaze towards the forest ahead.
During the daylight, the cursed woods looked different somehow. It appeared less monstrous and oppressive...
Twisted trees still stretched endlessly into the distance, their black barks resembling burnt corpses beneath the crimson light and yet, now the forest appeared almost peaceful.
Like a predator smiling gently while hiding it’s fangs. It looked amiable, until it decides it was time for you to die.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from within the cave as someone approached...
The failed Alchemist, Veyrath, emerged moments later while rubbing his eyes lazily. His messy hair looked even worse than usual as he yawned loudly before stretching...
He scratched his back briefly before freezing mid-step as his amber eyes widened as they landed upon Regaleon. Then suddenly, realization dawned in them as he stared incredulously, "Don’t tell me that you stood there all night without sleeping?"
Regaleon did not answer immediately as his gaze remained fixed upon the forest. Then finally, "Yes." He said curtly.
Veyrath blinked several times before exclaiming, "You really are an insane one." The statement didn’t sound like an insult. It was more like recognition and admiration as he understood what Regaleon did.
Last night before sleeping, the group had deliberated on how to take shifts when watching over the rest but Regaleon had simply said to leave it to him. He had said that he would stand guard for them all night.
At first, the group had dismissed him but now... It seem like he really did what he said.
Aureleah lowered her eyes slightly. Even she looked faintly surprised by what he did. As an assassin, she was always alert and ready but yesterday’s journey and fight and taken its toll on her...
But now, hearing the Regaleon, despite his exhaustion and fatigue, stood watching over the group all night, she really was surprised. Not just because of what he did but also because he didn’t complain about it...
It was as though standing guard through the night was simply natural to him as he did it without pride or arrogance.
Eventually, more voices began to emerge from the cave as yawns, complaints and soft conversations broke the silence. Clearly, the others were already awake.
Regaleon finally turned away from the forest before walking inside alongside Aureleah and Veyrath. Immediately he stepped into the cave, the chatter inside gradually begin to dwindle as everyone’s eyes shifted towards him almost instinctively...
Clearly, something had changed after yesterday and without realizing it, the group had already begun seeing him as their leader. Or center. Though Regaleon himself either failed to notice... Or simply refused to acknowledge it.
"Regaleon, good morning." Sylveris, the youngest amongst them greeted brightly while hurrying toward him.
As the youngest, smallest and weakest amongst them, everyone unconsciously treated her like the little princess of the cave. Because unlike the rest of them, she is yet to awaken as she is just fourteen years of age.
Regaleon nodded lightly toward her, "Morning, Sylveris."
The failed Vanguard, Valmyr, suddenly grimaced before sniffing beneath his arm. "...Man, I stink." He mumbled.
Veyrath’s immediately burst out laughing as he replied, "That’s because you sweat like a bull."
Valmyr glared at him and scoffed. "At least I don’t smell like burnt herbs and disappointment."
That statement cause the cave to erupt into laughter as:
The failed Pyromancer, Vaelorin, snorted...
The failed Gnost, Kaeloris, turned his head to the side and laughed...
Sylvera giggled quietly. Only Regaleon and Aureleah remained mostly expressionless.
Though, for a brief moment... Something almost resembling amusement flickered within Regaleon’s golden eyes.
The laughter eventually died down. Then Veyrath stretched lazily before looking toward Regaleon again, "So, what are we doing today?" This time, his tone was serious as he asked.
Immediately, the atmosphere shifted as everyone focused their attention upon Regaleon who stepped forward lightly. His gaze swept across the group as he spoke...
"Yesterday was difficult." He started. "So we prepare in case something similar happens again."
The cave grew quieter as they straightened slightly while waiting for Regaleon to continue.
"But first..." Regaleon proceeded. "...we need to survive." The word was simple yet terrifyingly real.
"We already possess shelter." He said, his eyes moving towards the cave walls around them briefly. "But shelter alone is not enough."
Then he raised two fingers, "There is also the need for food and water. And if we failed to secure both soon..." His eyes sharpened as his voice became more serious. "...then the creatures of this Lands will not need to kill us. Our own bodies will."
No one argued because they all understood that he was right. Yesterday’s bear meat would not last forever and also, they had yet to find a water source.
The Nether Lands was not simply dangerous because of monsters. It was dangerous because survival itself became war.
Regaleon continued, "We can’t deny the danger associated with the forest but we also can’t deny it’s usefulness either."
As he said that, everyone remembered the torches, the firewood and the branches that they used the previous day. It was true that the forest also played a role in their fight for survival...
Regaleon folded his arms as he highlighted their mission. "This morning, we shall carefully explore the forest..."
"There are eight of us which would be divided into four groups." He explained and the rest listened attentively now as he assigned the pairs.
"Caelestra would pair up with Vaelorin..."Regaleon said.
The failed Merchant blinked before she sighed softly. "Wonderful. I have been assigned the reckless pyromaniac." Her tone was clearly displeased.
Vaelorin looked offended. "I will have you know that my flames are elegant." He defended, earning another scoff from the failed Merchant.
"They nearly burned my hair yesterday." Caelestra complained.
"That was tactical. I was trying to save you." Vaelorin said indignantly.
And that was how another argument broke out...
Regaleon ignored them entirely as he assigned the next pair. "Valmyr would go with Kaeloris."
The large youth grinned as he turned toward the lean one. "Don’t worry, Lantern boy. I’ll protect you." He reassured with a pat on his broad chest.
But clearly, Kaeloris did not looked convinced.
Then Regaleon turned toward Aureleah and her younger sister, "You two would stay with each other."
Aureleah nodded immediately as that pairing had been obvious from the start. There was no way she was leaving Sylveris’ side.
Finally, Regaleon looked toward Veyrath, "That leaves you with me."
Veyrath groaned dramatically. Like someone whose mum told him to do the chores...
"So, the leader personally supervises me?" He said while rolling his eyes. "I must say, I’m quite touched by that gesture."
Regaleon ignored him completely. Then his expression became serious once more as he said, "Each pair moves in four different directions. We would take the north so decide the rest among yourselves."
His golden eyes swept across every as he instructed further. "Also, no one goes beyond one hundred meters from the cave. Remember, the Nether Lands is still unknown to us so we do shouldn’t move recklessly."
Everyone nodded before he continued, "Additionally, everyone is to return to the cave within ten minutes after exploration, regardless of what you discover."
No one objected as the instructions were quite simple, clear and safe. Finally, Regaleon picked up his Halberd fully, "Prepare yourselves, we move out within five minutes."
