Chapter21 " Crimson eyes in the Mist "

I tightened my grip on the reins as our group moved slowly along the winding, gravel-strewn path. The dense forest pressed in on both sides,towering trees stretching overhead with branches heavy with green needles, forming a thick canopy that softened the morning light into scattered rays. The air smelled of pine and damp soil, and a faint chill lingered in the shadows. Every breath tasted raw and untamed.

The further we ventured, the thicker the fog grew, shrouding the path in a hazy veil. I led the line at the front, my eyes constantly scanning the trees for any signs of movement. Beside me rode Lucan, while to his right was Gibo. Behind us, Knight Josen followed, steady and unyielding in the gleaming armor of a seasoned warrior. His chainmail caught faint glints of light, and the well-worn sword at his waist spoke of long years of use. Despite the encroaching fog, he seemed perfectly at ease.

Flanking the carriage were two knights on both sides, their stances disciplined and watchful. Trailing behind, a group of adventurers rode or walked in silence, their cloaks drawn tightly against the chill. The crunch of hooves on gravel and the creak of saddles filled the air, broken only by whispered exchanges among the riders.

I kept my gaze on the trees, trying to mask the unease prickling at my spine. The silence was a strange mixture of comfort and tension; every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig seemed amplified, making my hand instinctively rest on my sword hilt.

As we pressed deeper, the path narrowed into a single file. The oppressive quiet gnawed at my nerves, each step amplifying the eerie stillness.The thick fog clung to the gnarled trees, muffling sound and blurring the world into a gray void. It felt as though we were stepping into another realm, one where unseen predators lurked just beyond sight.

The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the creak of the carriage wheels were our only companions. Occasionally, a faint rustle in the mist would set my teeth on edge. Then, the silence was shattered by a chilling howl.

“Whooooooo!”

"They’re here! Prepare yourselves!” Lucan barked, his voice steady despite the tension. My hand flew to my sword hilt, the cold metal reassuring in my grip. The horses snorted and reared, their panic feeding into my own. Tightening my hold on the reins, I leaned forward, murmuring, “Easy now, steady.” My horse shuddered beneath me but began to calm, its wild eyes settling.

That’s when I saw them. Just beyond the veil of mist, a pair of blood-red eyes glared at us, glowing with predatory hunger. A low growl rumbled from the shadows, and as we moved closer, the creature’s form emerged—a hulking beast with snow-white fur and fangs that gleamed like daggers.

Before I could react, I realized we were surrounded. More pairs of crimson eyes emerged from the fog, circling us like wolves around a doomed prey. Then, with an ear splitting roar, the Velkyn Beasts attacked.

The first Velkyn beast leapt high, claws extended toward me. I guided my horse to the side with a sharp tug on the reins, swinging my sword in a wide arc as the beast came down.

The blade bit deep into its chest, spraying warm blood across my arm as it fell lifeless to the ground. Another beast lunged from the side. My horse reared in panic, and I fought to steady it before thrusting my sword into the creature's throat. Every strike had to be precise- I couldn't afford a mistake.

Lucan and Gibo fought practice precision, their swords cutting down any Velkyn beast foolish enough to get too close. The knights guarding the carriage held their formation, their focus solely ensuring no beast reached the Noble's carriage.

"Keep moving forward!" Lucan shouted, deflecting a snapping maw with a quick parry. His horse danced beneath him, sidestepping a charging beast as he slashed at its exposed side. "We can't let them stall us here!"

The coachman cracked the reins, urging the horses to move faster. But the beasts were relentless, darting in and out of the swirling fog with unnatural speed. Arrows whistled through the air, but the archers struggled to find their marks. The fog twisted around us, swallowing their shots .

Inside the carriage, the young master's trembling voice broke through the chaos. "Josen, what's happening out there?"

The knight leader’s tone remained calm but strained. "We’re under attack by Velkyn Beasts, young master. But don’t worry—we have it under control."

"You’d better be!" the young master snapped, though his fear was evident in the quaver of his voice. "Keep them away from me! Do your job!”

Outside, the chaos showed no signs of abating. A Velkyn beast lunged at my horse, its claws reaching for the animal's neck. I pulled the reins sharply, guiding my mount to the rear, then swung my sword downward with all my strength. The blade severed the beast's foreleg before plunging into its side. My horse whinnied in panic, its hooves thrashing as another beast charged from the fog.

" Coachman, faster!" Lucan barked, spinning in his saddle to deflect a beast's snapping jaws. His sword flashed as he struck the creature's throat splitting it open in a spray of blood. Despite his command, the beasts were quicker, darting around the convoy and closing in from every side.

The horses reared and kicked, their hooves thrashing against the predators, but the Velkyn beasts were undeterred. I tightened my grip on the reins, my other hand steadying my sword. The rhythm of combat demanded focus -each strike needed to count, each movement guided by instinct. The fog made it impossible to predict where the next attack would come from. Every second felt like an eternity.

A cry rang out from the knights as a beast broke through the line. Lucan reacted instantly, his blade cleaving the creature in half before it could get near the carriage. " Stay sharp!" He shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. " Don't let them break formation!"

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We pushed forward,our group maintaining momentum as the oppressive fog continued to surround us. My arms ached from the effort of swinging my sword, but I couldn't falter now. Another beast lunged at me. I guided my horse sidestep, narrowly avoiding the attack, before driving my blade into its flank. The creature let out a gurgling snarl before collapsing.

As we pressed forward, the number of Velkyn Beasts attacking the front began to dwindle. Their snarls and howls still echoed around us, but the immediate threat seemed to shift elsewhere.

“Caelan, go to the rear!” Lucan called, his voice cutting through the chaos. “There must be more attacking from behind now.”

“Alright!” I tugged on the reins, turning my horse around sharply. Passing Alex’s group, I noticed they were still holding their ground, though the attacks there were sporadic. But as I approached the rear, it was clear Lucan was right—this was where the main force of the beasts was concentrated.

Shana, the Amazon warrior, was a whirlwind of strength and precision atop her galloping steed. Her massive sword carved deadly arcs through the fog, cleaving Velkyn Beasts with brutal efficiency. Each swing sent a beast sprawling, her strikes impossibly steady despite the jarring rhythm of her horse's movements.

Around her, the other adventurers rode in tight formation, their weapons flashing as they defended the caravan. Wagon wheels rumbled over the uneven ground, their creaks mingling with snarls and the cries of straining horses.

I steadied my mount, guiding my horse to sidestep a lunging beast. In one swift motion, I brought my sword down, the blade biting deep into its neck. The creature let out a guttural snarl before crumpling to the ground, its body swallowed by the swirling mist as the convoy pressed forward.

"Target their weak points!" Shana's voice rang out, cutting through the chaos. At the front of the formation, she deflected a beast's snapping jaws and countered with a slash so powerful it sent its head flying. " Keep moving! Don't let them break through!"

The pounding of hooves grew louder as another beast charged directly at me. Instinct took over - I urged my horse to the side and brought my sword down on the creature's shoulder. Before I could finish it off, another leapt at my flank. Ducking low, I avoided its claws and drove my blade upward, forcing it back with a pained screech.

" To your right!" an adventurer shouted. Twisting in the saddle, I barely managed to raise my sword in time to block a leaping beast. The impact jarred my arms, nearly unseating me, but I gritted my teeth and plunged my blade into its side. The creature tumbled to the ground, lifeless.

" Hold the line!" Shana bellowed, her voice a lifeline in the chaos. " Don't let them reach the carriages!"

The Velkyn Beasts were no longer attacking at random. They struck from multiple angles, their movements coordinated and relentless. Each snarl seemed closer, their pursuit tightening like a noose around us.

I clutched the reins, my heart pounding as I urged my horse to keep pace with the convoy. Suddenly, the lead beast lunged from the fog, its jaws wide. Leaning low in the saddle, I slashed upward, my blade cutting deep into its flank. The creature stumbled but retreated into the shadows, its growl echoing ominously.

" Don't falter!" Shana roared, her voice burning with unyielding determination. " This fight isn't over until we're out of this forest!"

"The battle raged on, the thunder of hooves and the creak of wagon wheels blending with the roars of beasts and the grunts of warriors. Each of us fought hard, pushing back the beasts as the convoy pressed forward through the fog-shrouded forest."

Finally, the forest's edge came into view, and the Velkyn Beasts fell back. Their crimson eyes disappeared into the fog, their guttural growls fading into eerie silence.

We pressed forward until the oppressive mist gave way to open fields. For the first time in hours, I felt the weight of tension begin to lift.

I slowed my horse and scanned the convoy. Relief washed over me as I saw that everyone was unharmed. Though tired and breathless, we had survived.

Ahead, a serene meadow stretched out, its narrow path winding through vibrant greenery and clusters of wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze.

"Here," Knight Josen said, motioning to a shaded spot beneath the trees. "We’ll rest for now."

Dismounting from their horses, the group settled into the grass. Lucan kept watch while the others inspected their weapons. For now, the danger felt far behind them, and the peaceful meadow offered a brief, much-needed reprieve.

The young master remained inside the carriage.

Knight Josen strode toward us, his armor glinting under the sunlight. He stopped a few paces away, his discerning gaze scanning the group. "Well done," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "Not only did you repel the attack, but none of you sustained any injuries. That speaks volumes about your coordination and skill."

Lucan, leaning casually against a tree, met his gaze with quiet confidence. "I handpicked every member of this team," he replied. "I don't leave things to chance, especially on a mission this important."

Josen's lips curled into a small, approving smile. "As expected of a high-rank adventurer," he remarked. His tone softened slightly but still carried weight. "I trust you’ll maintain this level of performance all the way to the Solaria Kingdom."

Lucan straightened, his expression turning serious. "I won’t make empty promises. The Velkyn Beasts were just the start. The road ahead is long, and there’s no telling what dangers await us. But you have my word—we’ll do everything in our power to ensure the young master reaches Solaria safely."

Knight Josen nodded, his approval evident. "That’s all I need to hear. Stay vigilant. This journey is far from over." With that, he turned and walked back toward the carriage, where the young master remained.

We decided to eat here before continuing our journey. After finishing our meal, we quickly packed our belongings, ensuring nothing was left behind. The soft neighs of the horses broke the quiet, their breaths visible in the cool air.

Lucan adjusted his reins, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon. “Back to formation,” he commanded, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.

We mounted our horses, the creak of leather saddles and the rhythmic clinking of bridles filling the air. The road ahead stretched endlessly, bathed in the fading golden hues of the setting sun. The gentle rhythm of hooves striking the dirt echoed around us, a steady reminder of the distance we still had to cover.

As the wind carried the scent of wildflowers and distant forests, a quiet determination settled over us. The journey to the Solaria Kingdom was long and uncertain, but none of us hesitated.

Riding side by side, we pressed onward toward our destination, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us.