The Outpost’s exterior came into view sooner than the party thought it would. Yvlena swore it had taken her longer to get there during the Merchant’s quest but dismissed it as experience and better equipment.
‘The boots didn’t say they provided a speed boost.’ Yvlena thought. ‘Maybe I have to check the description again?’
“Is this...it?” Dylan asked. He gazed at the decrepit buildings, wondering with great interest, how they managed to stand on their own. He took a hesitant step forward, past the battered wooden fence that surrounded the area.
Yvlena’s mind flashed back to the three humans she fought each in varying states of undead. She followed behind Dylan, letting him take the lead in his exploration of his father’s final resting place.
It didn't take long for Dylan's eyes to fall on Captain Brackett’s gravestone.
Yvlena glanced at the headstones lined up in a row where she had buried them. Captain Brackett, Lieutenant O'Leary, and Commander Addison all of whom she had encountered at the Outpost, it must have been terrifying for them to stay behind and watch the others retreat to safety.
'I completely forgot about the Rustiga and the locket.' she thought. Lieutenant O’Leary’s memento quest was the hardest to fulfill so far. It required more skill than the other two.
Dylan walked forward, taking each step slowly in disbelief. He stopped at the headstone resting his hand on his father’s gravestone. He brushes some ivy off the stone to read the carving.
"I'll leave you to pay your respects." Yvlena said patting his shoulder. She watched him nod with a pensive expression on his face. Could he have been wondering why his father had stayed to protect the other men and only left them with a letter?
Yvlena cast another somber glance at him. Dylan knelt at the grave, his body stayed as still as a ghost. Yvlena watched his lips move but could not hear the words he said to his father. She turned away, keeping the moment between father and son private.
[Quest: Requiem For The Outpost
Dylan Brackett, son of the late Captain William A. Brackett wishes to pay his respects to his father who has long since passed.
The road to the Out Post, although clear still foster hostile danger far beyond the skills of the young man.
Will you escort him through the perilous roads of the Bloom Forest?
***
Rewards
***
Moon Points x1500
***
EXP x700]
[Yvlena Acquired
EXP: 1100/2070
***
Simple Amulet (common) x1
Moon Points x1500]
[Subclass: Garden Mystic (Harvest Guardian) 2/10]
She wandered away from the gravestones and walked towards the tower she had previously climbed, it would be worth it to get some more Heartish robin eggs for the auction house or Mars. This was one of the only places she knew she could get it.
"I'm going to go up there." she said to her summons, she placed Kuti on the ground who looked quite grumpy to be placed there. The doll looked up at Yvlena who patted her head and turned her attention back to the rusty ladder.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
She began her climb towards the watch tower. Now that she had long since leveled up, the ladder felt easier to climb, Yvlena reached the top with little trouble, and just like before she found a flock of birds nesting on the surface of the abandoned tower.
They scattered at the sight of her, allowing her to take each egg from the different nests.
[Yvlena Acquired
***
Heartish Robin Eggs x6]
"I don't remember how many I got last time but this is great." She said. From her place high up she looked around, able to make out something just past the outpost. It was a large collection of rocks oozing with mystery.
"Those caves lead to the next town." She whispered. It was nice to know they were close by, but she needed to finish up with Risel and the Western path before she could embark on her search for Twyla and Rael's possible legacy.
Besides what if she wasn't strong enough to fight the enemies that dwelt in the caves?
There were bound to be more than foxes and horned rabbits hiding amongst the crevices of the rocks, possibly more spiders too.
"I just have to think that through before i even think about going in there. She said with a laugh.
She went back the way she came and climbed the ladder.
[Take the faster way down?]
[Yes/No]
The game prompted.
"Sure why not." Yvlena said hitting ‘yes.’
A force pushed her down, forcing her to slide down the ladder in a move she had only seen during brief glances at her former office's television. She yelped as she went down, air rushing past her ears as she slid.
She hit the ground boot first with a groan.
"I am never taking the faster way again!" Yvlena said looking at her hands that practically glowed red.
"Sprite please heal."
[Sprite Cast Cure(05MP)]
Yvlena sighed as the swelling in her palms disappeared, she shook her head. There was always a surprise waiting for her in this game.
"Let's head back to Dylan, he might be looking for us." Yvlena said.
She and her summons returned to the grave site, calling for the young man to join them. A thought of making them some food crossed Yvlena’s mind, she could cook some soup again or maybe even try roasting the meat. It would be nice to eat in a place that was now deemed safe after she had cleared out the enemies.
"You'd think there would be more wolves and foxes." she said.
They returned to the site but found no sight of Dylan who was supposed to be there honoring his father.
"Dylan?" Yvlena called tentatively. An anxious weight settled in her stomach. She had already talked to him about running off, but within the Outpost it was safe and he couldn't have gone far. Perhaps he just went inside the building to have a seat.
"Maybe he's inside?" Sprite suggested.
Yvlena nodded.
"Sprite, Rabbit Knight you check that building, alert me if you find him, I'll check this one where we found Captain Brackett." Yvlena said.
Sprite saluted and flew off with Rabbit Knight toward the building they were assigned. Yvlena and Kuti stepped forward.
"Ready?" she asked the doll. Kuti nodded and pointed ahead where Yvlena saw some movement in the window.
"Dylan!" she called rushing forward towards the building. She pushed the door open and was met again with the sight of only damaged weapons and furniture. The Outpost retained its eerie atmosphere, feeling every bit as haunted as the last time Yvlena had been there.
But who was going to fix it? The game didn't give her the option to, so maybe it was up to someone in town.
A figure moved out of the corner of her eye and she followed.
Kuti suddenly made a noise, almost like a squeak.
"What's the matter?"
[Kuti warns you to be careful]
Yvlena read the prompt and gulped. That would mean there was some danger ahead right? Yvlena nodded.
"I hear you Kuti." she said lifting her sickle, whatever was in there would not be able to take her on. How fast could Sprite or Rabbit Knight get there in time to help her beat it?
Yvlena trod carefully through the broken floorboards until she got to another one of the rooms. Pushing open the door, she winced at the loud creak, screaming from the rusty hinges.
The figure inside remained motionless.
Yvlena exhaled with relief.
"Oh Dylan, there you are. You could have at least warned us you were going off somewhere." Yvlena said walking up to him. She rested a hand on his shoulder and swiftly drew it back, a trail of sticky slime followed as she moved her hand away.
Yvlena gasped.
"What the..."