Mystic Quest

Chapter 10

After diner, the group went upstairs into their rooms. They had decided to continue their journey into the direction which the wind would blow. For now; a night in a bed awaited them. The group would take advantage of this occasion.

However, Yuna couldn't fall asleep quickly. This story of secret identity still haunted him. He could observe his friends all he wanted; none showed sign of lies. And all had a part of mystery.

A snore from Emerys. Then the amused yell of the girls. From the sound Yuna could hear; they were pillow fighting. A smile formed on the swordsman's face, especially as he thought of one of the two young women.

Damn! Why did he have to doubt? A secret identity didn't mean a betrayal! Yuna slapped lightly his cheek. While he was curious; he should really stop thinking of the worse.

Yuna rolled into his bed when he felt sleep coming. One day; he would know the truth.

The night passed without trouble. No one saw the cloaked figure hiding their face with a hood. Not even the person this mysterious character came to see with a gaze full of gentleness. Indeed, the “master” of this person hadn't been able to stop themselves from checking if their protégé was alright.

Morning and birds awoke Lyria first. She blinked then yawned as she sat up. Noriran's ears twitched before he opened one eyes. Lyria smiled at him and lowered her hand. The white wolf stood up and stretched before coming swiftly toward her. The young woman stroke his head.

Solarys yawned then opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw her friend already up. “You are quite the morning person.”

Lyria was slightly surprised and she startled. “The sun often wakes me.”

Solarys glanced at the door, thoughtful. Then, she smirked. “Should we wake the boys?”

One or two minutes later; two young men jumped in their bed and yelped when their pillows were removed from under their head and used as weapons.

Breakfast passed without trouble. Emerys and Yuna muttered a bit, still half asleep. Solarys and Lyria exchanged a small amused smile before pushing food toward the young men in sigh of peace. By automatism; they ate quite happily. Yuna stopped when he looked up and saw Solarys watching him with amusement. The young swordsman pouted then stuck out his tongue, gesture that the archer returned.

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Emerys chuckled before hiding said chuckle behind his glass, acting as if he had choked. Lyria winked then nodded toward their two other companions. The magician had to stop another chuckle.

Ah; the whip user and the magician wondered when these two would get together!

Eventually; the group finished their breakfast. They thanked the inn-keeper before putting their travel bag on their backs. Their gaze trailed on the town while they went toward the exit, wondering when they would see civilization again.

Once outside, a look at the hairs of the young women pushed them north, into a big forest. The trees sat above their head so high and so dense that the sun almost didn't pass. It felt like they walked during twilight.

A shiver went through Lyria's back. Emerys saw but said nothing. The eyes of the magician showed a certain dread.

Yuna saw all of this; and wondered what to think. Did Lyria feel cold? Or something else scared her? As for Emerys, was he simply reacting to Lyria? Or was he feeling something?

His eyes went on Solarys. Maybe her visible calm was only a mask?

The young men wanted to slap his forehead. How many time should he have to tell himself not to doubt? But Yuna couldn't help himself. How not to question when he knew at least one person hid something?

His thoughts were brutally interrupted when the ground shook. Yuna froze, like his friends. Eyes went onto the ground with worry.

A muffled sound. The ground shook again. A rough roar.

Lyria lifted her gaze suddenly. “Don't tell me it is...”

Emerys clenched his fists, his body shuddering slightly. “This magical force... And these darkness...”

Noriran stepped back and plastered himself against his mistress. Solarys and Yuna stepped back toward their friends. Fear could be read on their face. They could guess what was approaching, and the idea terrified them.

The ground shook more and more. Trees fell. Lyria, Solarys and Yuna took out their weapons. Something shadowed them.

The group screamed as an axe long of some meters slashed suddenly above their head. They thanked their reflexes as they avoided just in time by jumping on the ground. A bark from Noriran made them look upward. Trees had been cut from the blow, and they were falling toward them.

Lyria stood up first and rushed toward her wolf, at the far left. Solarys followed her closely but had to throw herself perpendicularly to escape branches, separating her from Lyria. Yuna avoided somehow the trees and found himself at Solarys' right. As for Emerys he thanked his magic mentally while he used some wind to slow down the trees for the time needed to move to the extreme right, opposite to Lyria.

Each looked at their companions. They were happy to see that each was fine. However; they also noticed that they were relatively separated.

The shadow cloaked them entirely. Four pair of eyes went toward the source. They couldn't help stepping back.

Before them, standing above their head as high as a tree, a minotaur and his axe observed them. Dogs as black as the night and with eyes as red as blood encircled them. The demonic canine growled and bared their fangs, ready to attack.

The group paled. A superior demon blocked their way. Fighting was unavoidable.

To be continued...