Chapter 6: Out of the Woods
Once again, the grizzled veteran stepped forward to lend his expertise. With a reassuring hand on each of their backs, he reached for his trusty leather water sack and passed it around to get the taste of vomit out of their mouths.
"At least for now, stop thinking too much about it. This kind of thing is common and will inevitably be a part of your lives especially if you all plan to be great people in history.
Besides it isn't over yet, yall stay here and make sure more of these bastards don't come out. I'll go see if anywhere else needs help." - Carter
Coal, Gwen, and Gary huddle together in terror, haunted by the deafening shrieks and sickening stench that they simply cannot shake from their minds.
"Why didn't they block our attacks, why didn't they use their energy to fight back? How did they die so easily? They should have fought harder!
They didn't have to die!" - Gary
Gwen quickly grabs and hugs Gary tightly, trying to calm him down and really more to comfort herself.
As they clung to one another, a sense of shared grief and a newfound desperation washed over all three.
They realized that in order to survive and protect others, they had to become stronger and develop a resilience against this seemingly endless darkness.
With solidarity, they made a pact to learn from their experiences and fight alongside each other to confront any challenges that would come their way.
The trio surveyed the surrounding devastation, taking in the grim scene that had unfolded around them. Despite still hearing the sounds of battle near the front of the caravan, they dutifully followed Carter's orders and maintained their position at the back.
Their vigilance might have been to guard against any hidden enemies, or perhaps to prevent anyone from fleeing the battle, but deep down they knew that their real purpose was to avoid facing the horrors they had just witnessed head-on.
After several minutes of heart-pounding tension and thunderous battle cries, the chaos finally began to subside. The trio, still on edge, patiently waited with the seasoned caravanner for reinforcements to arrive at the rear.
Suddenly, they spotted Korr, riding confidently atop the back of a massive bear that seemed to be made of solid rock. To their astonishment, they recognized the creature as Porro, Korr's contracted spirit!
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"Good Job assisting the rear! I'm proud of you three. Carter told me how you reacted to your first kills, and it's okay. No one of a sane mind reacts any differently than you all did. My first time was as a conscripted soldier. It took me a while, but I'm sure you all will rebound quicker.
Oh right, you all haven't seen Porro's Battle Form, be in awe of all his glory! Despite how he looks he can be quite nimble even when made of rock." - Korr
Grateful for the distraction, Coal, Gwen, and Gary eagerly fawned over Porro, who, despite being a formidable rock bear to foes, appeared remarkably cute and friendly to allies.
Korr continued to boast about Porro's unique abilities, highlighting his surprising agility despite his rocky exterior. "I'm sure you'll each form contracts with exceptional spirits soon enough, but I doubt they'll be able to measure up against Porro," Korr playfully teased.
The introduction of Porro's Battle Form and Korr's lighthearted tone served as welcome respites from the emotional turmoil of their recent experiences.
As the group continued to recover from the recent ordeal, their brief moment of levity was cut short by Dia's approach.
She quickly enlisted Coal, Gwen, and Gary to aid in the cleanup effort following the battle.
Reluctantly, they set about the grim task of gathering corpses to be burned and collecting any salvageable equipment from the battlefield.
The dreary work of tending to the aftermath of the battle took a heavy toll on their mental resilience. As they went about the grisly tasks, each of them felt waves of nausea overtake them, causing them to vomit repeatedly.
Yet despite the overwhelming urge to flee from the carnage, they managed to pull themselves together and continue with their somber duties. With each completed task, they gradually became more accustomed to the harsh realities of combat, drawing upon their shared experiences to support one another through these trying times.
Once the cleanup efforts came to an end, the caravan resumed its trek through the ominous woods. Recognizing the need to address the trio's shaken state, Dia requested that Korr bring Coal, Gwen, and Gary to the front so she could speak with them personally.
As they navigated the narrow forest path, Korr led the three up front, eager to help them process their harrowing experiences. With a steely resolve tempered by her empathy, Dia prepared to offer counsel and guidance to the young adventurers.
As they gathered around Dia, she carefully addressed them, her words emphasizing the importance of remembering their recent experiences.
"Bear in mind, much of life involves choosing between your survival and others, and decisions must be made. The path to greatness is often paved with blood, but do not lose sight of your humanity. Let this battle serve as a reminder; do not become monsters in pursuit of your goals.
Now come here you three."
Dia beckoned the trio to draw nearer, a warm smile gracing her face despite the serious nature of their conversation. As Coal, Gwen, and Gary approached hesitantly, she opened her arms wide, enveloping them in a comforting embrace.
"I know this was a bad experience, but I'm here for you all, and you'll get through it," she reassured them softly, her voice a soothing balm to their battered spirits. They all leaned into the hug, grateful for Dia's support.
Alright, you three should go get some rest in one of the carriages," Dia urged, ruffling their hair affectionately as they walked away.
Korr then led them to one of the available carriages where they could finally catch their breath and attempt to sleep after such an emotional day.
Throughout the night, the caravan continued its journey encountering only a few minor scuffles with the occasional monsters, which were dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
As dawn approached, the caravan drew closer to the edge of the ominous woods, and the end of their treacherous journey through the forest seemed finally within reach.
Within a few minutes, they emerged from the oppressive shadows and found themselves in the open, greeted by the first rays of sunlight.
On the horizon, a mighty castle stood proudly, its moat, drawbridge, and large spires a testament to the power and importance of its inhabitants.
The sight of the formidable fortress filled the weary travelers with a renewed energy as a warm bed and a hot meal awaited them.