Chapter 12 Ultima Thule

As the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the horizon, Iryoku and Yumi emerged from the cave’s gaping mouth. They shielded their eyes, momentarily blinded after hours in the darkness. The warmth of the day replaced the cave's chill, but unease remained heavy in their hearts.

Once their vision adjusted, the scene before them sent a shiver down their spines. The barren land lay scorched, scattered with ashes and charred remains. The faint smell of burnt earth and flesh lingered in the air. Evidence of a violent struggle was all around—the ground was littered with the mangled remnants of the monstrous worms, their twisted forms frozen in death.

Iryoku tread cautiously, daggers drawn, while Yumi clutched her bow tightly, scanning their surroundings with wide, anxious eyes. The stillness of the battlefield felt suffocating.

Then, Yumi froze. Her gaze fixed on something beyond the extinguished bonfires. Her hand flew to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. “Sensei… Reika!” she cried, her voice breaking.

Iryoku's heart skipped a beat. He followed her line of sight, spotting two motionless figures lying near the edge of the forest. Panic surged through him. “Damn it!” he growled, breaking into a sprint.

Yumi dropped her bow and stumbled forward, her knees hitting the dirt beside Alessandra and Reika. “Sensei! Reika!” she sobbed, her trembling hands reaching for Alessandra’s head. She braced herself for the worst, her tears falling freely onto the scorched earth.

A soft, rumbling sound broke the tense silence. Yumi blinked, confused, as she leaned closer. Snoring.

“They’re snoring?!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and disbelief.

Iryoku slowed to a halt, catching his breath as he knelt beside them. His sharp gaze softened when he confirmed the steady rise and fall of their chests. Alessandra and Reika were alive, just asleep. Nearby, Rhogan stood calmly, his massive form partially hidden behind a tree, watching over the girls with unwavering vigilance.

“Those idiots,” Iryoku muttered, shaking his head. “They fought those worms and fell asleep out here.”

The commotion stirred Alessandra and Reika from their rest. Alessandra’s eyes fluttered open, her body stiff as she tried to sit up. “Iryoku? Yumi? You’re alive?” she said, her voice tinged with disbelief and exhaustion.

Reika woke with a start, rubbing her eyes. “Yumi? Iryoku? Is it really you?”

Yumi’s tears turned to relieved sobs as she threw herself into their arms, holding both tightly. “You’re okay… You’re okay…” she repeated, her voice muffled against their chest.

Alessandra and Reika hugged her back, their own tears glistening as they shared the moment.

Iryoku let out a long sigh, his body finally relaxing. He stretched his arms and plopped down a few feet away from them, closing his eyes. “All this crying is too much for me,” he grumbled, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.

The girls turned to look at him, momentarily startled by his abrupt change in demeanor. Alessandra opened her mouth, perhaps to scold or thank him, but no words came out.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Rhogan,” Iryoku called without opening his eyes, “stand guard while we rest. I’m out.” With that, he rolled onto his side and was snoring within moments.

The three girls exchanged looks, their tired faces softening. Alessandra sighed and murmured, “He’s right. We should rest too.”

Without another word, they settled beside him, Rhogan standing protectively nearby. Exhaustion claimed them all, and the forest was soon filled with the quiet sounds of peaceful slumber, a stark contrast to the chaos that had filled the hours before.

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The crimson sun was at its zenith as the group made their way back to the town. The heat added to the heavy silence that hung between them, broken only by the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps on the dirt path. Alessandra eventually broke the quiet, her voice uncertain but firm.

“So… did you find anything about the children?” she asked, glancing between Iryoku and Yumi.

Yumi’s steps faltered, her gaze dropping to the ground. Her lips parted, but no words came out as tears threatened to surface. Before she could speak, Iryoku cut in sharply.

“We found nothing,” he said, his tone flat but resolute. “Just a giant worm, which we killed. Most likely, the children were either taken by bandits or ran away from home on their own. Maybe they’ve already made it back to town and are safe with their families.”

Alessandra frowned, anger flickering in her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she demanded, her voice rising slightly.

Iryoku stopped abruptly and turned to face her, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her freeze. “It means leave it,” he said coldly. “We should keep moving.”

Alessandra’s hands clenched into fists as she opened her mouth to retort, but Yumi stepped forward and gently took her hand in both of hers. “Sensei,” she said softly, her voice tinged with sorrow, “Reika… we’ve done enough.” Her trembling voice and tear-filled eyes softened Alessandra’s anger, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Reika nodded silently, her lips pressed into a thin line as she fought to hold back her own emotions. The conversation died, and they continued walking.

Rhogan snorted softly, his ears twitching as if sensing their unease.

By the time they reached the outskirts of the town, the sun had begun its descent. The air seemed lighter, but the group’s spirits were anything but. Iryoku stopped near the carriage and turned to the girls.

“Get ready to leave. I need to handle something,” he said curtly.

He adjusted the sack on his back, its weight more emotional than physical, and made his way toward the elder’s home. The old man was sitting outside, his face lighting up with hope as he saw Iryoku approach.

“Did you find anything about the children, noble warrior?” the elder asked eagerly.

Iryoku hesitated, his expression grim. “I’m sorry, old man,” he said finally. “We found a monster and defeated it. This… this is all we could recover.” He handed over the sack.

The old man’s hands trembled as he untied the sack and peeked inside. His face crumpled, and tears began to stream down his weathered cheeks. He hugged the sack to his chest as though he could somehow comfort the lost children.

“That’s all we could do,” Iryoku said quietly, turning to leave.

“Wait,” the old man called after him, bowing deeply. “Thank you… at least we can give them a proper burial.”

Iryoku paused, his shoulders tense. The old man straightened and wiped his tears. “Is there anything I can do for you, young man?”

Iryoku shook his head but then stopped as a thought struck him. “Actually… do you know an old woman named... Vitka? A magician. Very old, very powerful. We’re looking for her.”

The old man frowned in thought... “Many years ago, a powerful magician came to our town. She helped us during a dire time. I remember she was seeking knowledge about something called Ultima Thule.”

“Ultima Thule?” Iryoku repeated, raising an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

The old man shook his head apologetically. “I don’t know. something beyond my understanding.”

Iryoku thanked the elder and returned to the carriage. The girls were already seated, their expressions somber as they avoided his gaze. Rhogan was standing in front of the carriage, already hitched to the harness, his calm demeanor reassuring.

Climbing into his seat, Iryoku forced a smirk. “Cheer up, girls. We’ve got a lead on this Vitka person,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

The girls looked at him, surprised. The tension eased slightly as the faintest hint of hope sparked in their tired faces.

Gripping the reins, Iryoku continued, “We’re heading to find that old hag. She might have the answers we need.”

With that, he urged Rhogan forward, and the carriage began its journey anew, leaving the quiet town behind.