Out of The Forest

As the healing potion coursed through his veins, its magical properties worked wonders on Auric. The pain that had gripped his body dissipated completely, replaced by a surge of renewed energy. A profound sense of gratitude welled up within him, and he turned his gaze towards Magnus, his eyes gleaming with appreciation.

"Sir, I am sincerely grateful," Auric expressed genuinely, his voice filled with sincerity. "Your concern and guidance are deeply appreciated."

A warm smile tugged at the corners of the old man's lips in response to Auric's heartfelt words. The wrinkles on his face seemed to soften as he looked at the young boy, silently conveying a sense of reassurance and care.

Auric's attention then shifted to Ellie, who lay motionless nearby. Although her injuries were not severe—limited to cuts and scratches—they had all been healed within seconds, thanks to the potent healing properties of the potion. However, she remained unconscious.

A concerned expression creased Auric's brow as he turned to Magnus. "Don't worry, young master," Magnus assured him. "She is merely sleeping for now. She will awaken in due time."

Auric nodded, absorbing Magnus' words. "Okay, then should we get out of here?" he asked, a tinge of urgency creeping into his voice.

Magnus smiled warmly, but before Auric heard the response, he vanished from his spot and reappeared behind Auric with a suddenness that startled the young boy. Before Auric could even finish his expletive-laden expression of surprise, a hand struck him on the neck, rendering him unconscious, just like Ellie.

"Forgive me, young master, but you need some serious rest," Magnus murmured softly, his voice tinged with concern. Gently, he gathered Auric and Ellie into his arms, cradling them as if they were delicate children. With a purposeful stride, Magnus began his journey back to the Dragon Kingdom of Drakoria, the direction from which they had come.

Magnus had knocked out Auric to prevent him from being exposed to the dangerous monsters lurking in the inner depths of the forest. It was far too early for a ten-year-old child to face such horrors. The creatures that inhabited the inner area were true monsters, capable of tearing apart even a B-rank monster within seconds. The menacing aura these creatures emanated had the potential to traumatize Auric.

Although Magnus could have explained the situation to Auric and taken a more cautious approach, he was aware that time was of the essence. Auric had numerous questions, and Magnus suspected that the young boy's curiosity might compel him to witness the monsters firsthand. Moreover, Magnus wanted Auric to rest as much as possible, as the upcoming journey into the camp would likely prove troublesome.

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*WhooooSh*

With a whooshing sound, Magnus moved at an unimaginable speed, his figure leaving behind an elusive afterimage that blurred in the wake of his swift motion. Mindful of the presence of the two young children, he made every effort to avoid encounters with any monsters, releasing a subtle aura that acted as a deterrent. Fortunately, his precautions paid off, and they continued their rapid journey without incident.

After nearly two hours of uninterrupted speed, Magnus emerged from the dense forest into an area that was noticeably clearer. He could now see the camp ahead—a stronghold built just outside the forest's boundaries, designed to intercept any unusual activities or monster outbreaks.

The visual of the camp revealed a sturdy and imposing structure, surrounded by tall walls made of reinforced stone. Guard towers stood sentinel at strategic points, offering a watchful eye over the surrounding landscape. The camp itself was organized into several sections, housing barracks for the soldiers, training grounds, storage facilities, and a central command center. It was a hub of activity and preparedness, situated at the southern border of the Dragon Kingdom.

Each of these stations, including the one Magnus had arrived at, was overseen by high-ranking officials hailing from the 4 prominent clans of the Dragonborn Kingdom. This particular station fell under the authority of the Emberclaw Clan, known for their Ruthlessness, fierce loyalty and unwavering commitment.

Magnus offered a curt nod in response, his expression retaining its serious demeanor—a reflection of the gravity of his position. As the highest-ranking authority within the camp, he carried the weight of responsibility and held himself with the utmost respect. The care and respect he had shown Auric were not only a result of his role as a guardian but also stemmed from his deep loyalty to Auric's mother, whom he had faithfully served.

As Magnus strode purposefully into the stronghold, the guards stationed at various posts observed the presence of the two human children cradled in his arms. Despite their curiosity, none dared question the circumstances. The sight of Magnus, a figure of authority, carrying the slumbering youngsters seemed to be enough assurance that everything was under control.

Making his way to his designated barracks, Magnus gently laid Auric and Ellie on a comfortable bed, ensuring their well-being was prioritized. He promptly summoned a healer to attend to their needs, eager to have them checked and tended to promptly.

On the Word of the two children brought by Magnus quickly spread throughout the camp, igniting a whirlwind of speculation among the soldiers and staff. Conversations buzzed with conjecture, as everyone tried to piece together the puzzle of their identity and purpose within the stronghold's walls.

The previous night's events added fuel to the speculation. When news circulated of Magnus abruptly leaving his barracks with a grave expression and venturing into the forest in haste, the soldiers were left astounded. Magnus was known for his composed demeanor and unflappable composure, never displaying signs of urgency or panic. Such an extraordinary departure from his usual temperament only served to reinforce the belief that the arrival of the two children was somehow connected to the enigmatic forest excursion.

Whispers and theories circulated throughout the camp, each person weaving their own narrative, attempting to unravel the mystery shrouding the young visitors and the significance of Magnus's actions. The air crackled with anticipation as the camp eagerly awaited answers, their curiosity fueled by the veil of uncertainty surrounding the newcomers.

***

"Ugh," Auric groaned as he awakened from a nightmare that left him feeling as if he had lost everyone dear to him.

As he slowly regained his senses, he recalled that he was no longer on Earth but in an other realm. He glanced over at Ellie beside him, still peacefully asleep, and pondered whether Magnus had brought him here. The room didn't resemble a prison cell, which somewhat reassured him.

Stretching his limbs after a restful sleep, Auric began to feel a sense of well-being, although a lingering resentment towards Magnus for knocking him out lingered within him. The reasons behind Magnus's actions remained unknown to him, adding to his curiosity and growing distrust.

[ *TING* ]

[ *TING* ]

Suddenly, a sounds of notifications chimed, startling Auric. He quickly silenced the notifications and directed his attention towards the system panels, where various messages awaited him.

Auric read through the notifications one by one, trying to make sense of the information presented.

[ * LEVEL UP * ]

[ Gained - 5 SP

5 AP

+ 2 strength

+2 agility ]

[ HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETED!! ]

[ QUEST - Escape the Shadows of Death!

DESCRIPTION - A relentless group of skilled assassins is relentlessly pursuing you, their deadly intentions fueling their every step. Your survival depends on your wit, agility, and the will to outsmart or eliminate them. Plunge into a heart-pounding race against time as you navigate the treacherous path to escape the clutches of impending doom.

REWARD - 5000 EXP

1000 SP

+10 Intelligence Stat ]

*

"Seems like I leveled up when I killed those damn monkeys... tsk," Auric muttered, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and anger. The memory of that helpless situation gnawed at him, highlighting his current weaknesses. He had silenced the notifications when he was in midst on the battle in order not to distract himself.

Bitterness welled up within him as he gnashed his teeth, frustration seeping through his pores. But now, faced with the consequences of his actions, he couldn't escape the truth.

His gaze shifted to the message revealing the completion of the hidden quest, "Escape the Shadows of Death." The words etched themselves into his heart like a painful wound. Tears pooled in his eyes, threatening to overflow as he fought back the weight of his sorrow.

In the depths of his soul, Auric struggled with a torrent of emotions. He desperately clung to the belief that it wasn't entirely his fault, that circumstances had conspired against him. Yet, in the darkest recesses of his being, he knew the truth. Every loss, every life that had been extinguished, bore the mark of his choices.

Silent sobs racked his body as grief consumed him. In the solitude of the room, he unleashed the anguish that had been suppressed for too long. His cries echoed through the chamber, a haunting melody of pain and regret.

"No..." he whispered through his tears, his voice trembling with sorrow. "I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean for this to happen... I didn't want anyone to die."

His words dissolved into broken fragments, barely audible amidst his choked sobs. The weight of his guilt pressed upon him, suffocating his spirit. In that moment, the room seemed to shrink, engulfed by the enormity of his sorrow.

"Why... why does this always happen!?" Auric's voice trembled with anguish, his words laced with desperation. Tears continued to stream down his face, mirroring the torrent of emotions that overwhelmed him. The weight of his failures and the pain of loss gnawed at his soul.

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{ A/N- Should I open a Dicord server?? =￣ω￣=