Chapter 6 - The Forest...

It had been a week since the team had departed from Ange. They'd already connected with the rocky road. They were now approaching Brundel, only a few days away from their destination.

They'd run out of food a while ago, and started hunting the local animals. The carriage slowed down as it approached a slight opening in the forest they were passing through. It was already night.

"Let's camp here Borgel. The place is a good opening for us." said James.

"Indeed. Ann and Harry, can you two help me set up the tents?"

Harry and Ann had gotten off the carriage, helping Borgel carry the several tents they had to set up camp.

"Hey Griff! Come on. I'm going to test your new skills!"

"Eh! Coming!"

Griff grabbed his short-sword. James had given it as a gift to him. The duo started running in to the forest.

"You two are on cooking duty when you get back! You rascals!" screeched Borgel, seeing that the two were ditching the rest again.

Ann started laughing as she saw the two rush towards the forest, ignoring Borgel's cry.

"Ann, a little help?"

Ann turned to see Harry getting crushed under everything Borgel was giving him to carry. She laughed and moved towards him to help.

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"Sheesh Griff, you've really improved."

"You really think so?"

"Yeah!"

James then pointed at Griff's legs with his blade.

"However, you still need to get faster. Like I said, you're low on endurance. Perhaps try changing that to an advantage? Make the enemy think your fast. Like someone who looks strong but is weak. Use intimidation."

He then sheathed his sword, and hung his arm around Griff who was tired from the spar. The duo started walking back towards their camp. James turned to Griff and smiled.

"You'll make a great adventurer!"

Griff's eyes sparkled.

The duo continued walking, but suddenly James put his hand on Griff's mouth, whispering in his ear.

"Don't. Make. A. Sound."

He pulled out his blade, but something was different. He did so with killer intent. Danger...

Griff slowly followed as James gestured him to move forward. They kept moving towards the large tree that they had marked before in order to remember the road back. James slowly turned right with Griff right behind him. Griff couldn't see his surroundings as it was dark. He tripped over something which he presumed to be a rock, and fell.

"Griff, psst, are you 'kay?"

"Yea. Fell over, that's it."

Griff got up, and was about to walk away. However, just then the moon light illuminated their surroundings. Griff opened his mouth but James covered it just in time.

"Sorry little bro, just… bear with it for now."

Griff nodded. His legs felt weak from what he had seen. They slowly started walking towards the carriage that wasn't too far away.

As they walked, thunder struck from behind them. Burning a couple of trees. The fire, as a result, illuminated the ground once more. Showing an unmoving body of a once cheerful and helpful man…

Borgel's head was severed and one could see the fear in his eyes, which were wide open with his tongue sticking out. His body looked marauded. Blood gushing out of what was presumed to be fresh wounds… A burning tree fell over his body… sending him up above.

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"Griff, sit there. Be. Quiet."

James was gesturing towards the tent that was set up. James continued to walk towards the carriage to see where his companions were.

"J…ames"

James turned around, looking at a bloodied Harry lying on the ground, holding his chest. He had stab wounds… bite marks and much more. James kneeled near him.

"Brother… who did this?"

"Ban….dits. Took…Ann. Killed Bor…gel."

Harry started coughing. In response, James gave him some water from his bag.

"Had wol..ves. Cloaked…"

"How many."

"Too many… counted 10… more probably."

James gestured Griff to come near him. He turned to Harry one last time.

"Rest. I'll get Ann."

James glanced one more time, seeing that Griff had knelt next to Harry, trying to treat him. James's eyes were filled with hatred. He shed his blade and moved towards the dark forest.

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"Big bro… does this hurt?"

Griff was patching up Harry, and he had to apply some pressure on the gushing wounds. James had taught him a lot, and first aid was one of those things he learnt. Hearing no answer, Griff continued trying his best, but he felt pain in the back of his head. He felt dizzy. He tried getting up, but he collapsed….

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James moved swiftly through the forest, cutting through the vines that obstructed his path. He was fast, but not running. He was using 'Silent March,' a spell that halted all sound around the user for a radius of a meter. It was a weak spell, but one that could save the user. It was a beginner class strengthening class spell. James came to a stop in front of a bush, which if he passed, he would reach an opening. He crouched as he heard several men talking.

"Will he come?"

"Of course, he's too kind."

"That's from our intel."

"Our intel can be trusted."

"That is good."

"He is strong."

"He will entertain them."

"That is pleasant to hear."

James was baffled at what he though was 'nonsense' that he was hearing. He then noticed a new figure step in. He had a different cloak color than the rest, presumably the leader. His cloak was black while the others were brown.

"We have captured the final one."

"Splendid."

"Shall we depart now?"

"Let's see their faces… they do not want broken goods."

The brown cloaked man turned around, revealing three people who had sacks over their head. The man pulled off the sacks, looking at the unconscious faces of Harry, Ann, and Griff. Seeing this, James gritted his teeth as he thought to himself 'What now…'

James was thinking of methods to rescue the trio, but his mind went blank. He couldn't think straightly. He could only feel his rage. 'Screw it…' He knew he was an idiot for doing this, but the men had their guards down. He could reach Griff or Ann and save one of them at the least. Then, they'd pursue these bandits.

James got out of the bush, rushing and stabbing a cloaked figure. The man fell down without a word. He continued to cut through the several men. All of them fell without making a sound. James slowly began to s=think rationally. He had cut so many, but it was easy? They hadn't even screamed… Something was wrong. James stopped his slashing spree, and looked back at the men he presumed to be dead.

*clap clap clap*

James heard slow clapping and turned forward to face the source.

"You did it, congratulations."

The man from before, the black cloaked man, was smiling at James. He lowered his cloak, revealing many scars on his face. He had one eye, his other eye hole was empty. He didn't even bother covering it with an eye patch or such.

"You killed a couple of shadows! Are you proud?"

All the fallen figures turned to purple goo, storming towards the man. They entered his body.

"Material Magic: Clonification."

James raged, seeing that he was fighting nothing up to now. There was only one enemy to begin with. His stamina was drained.

"You bastard…"

"Now now, James. It is James, right? I learnt your name from that beauty there. We don't want to see your 'companions' suffer, do we?"

The man laughed like a lunatic. James turned back to look if his friends were okay. He was scared if one of those clones snuck up on them. However, he was shocked from what he saw. Fear struck him. Terror… true terror. His face paled all over. He felt weak, no strength in his arms as his blade fell. His eyes were wide open, looking with fear, horror, hopelessness…regret."

James didn't have the chance to respond to the attack by the cloaked man as he had been distracted. He was hit from behind his back. The pain was surreal, he had begun to lose consciousness as he fell down.

"Sleep tight."

The man smirked at his own remark, his tone deep and horrifying. The last thing James heard was someone drawing out a blade.

"We better mark our property now, eh?"