Mystic Quest

Chapter 5

Now that their bellies were full and the introductions were done, the four travellers decided to start their journey. They got out of the temple, the luxurious forest welcoming them. Solarys had a marvelled look then, as earlier the youths didn't really notice their surroundings, too surprised with the arrival of Lyria and the fear of what could hide in the shadows of the rising sun.

The trees sat some meters above them, their verdant branches moving slightly under a small breeze. The rays of the sun penetrated here and there the leaves, illuminating the clearing and giving a mysterious, though beautiful, shine to the grass under their feet and the coloured flowers.

“Where should we go?” Yuna wondered.

His companions stared at him then, asking themselves the same question. Eyebrows frowned as they searched for an answer. Emerys thought that maybe he had to use his wind magic, when suddenly a movement caught his gaze. The long hairs of the young women moved lightly toward the right with the breeze.

A victorious smirk etched his features then. “The wind, dear mates!” he announced, gesturing toward the young women with his head.

Yuna followed his gaze, and understood quickly what he meant. “Long live long hairs!”

Solarys and Lyria blushed then laughed, and the small troupe went into the direction this element that came to their help indicated. However, they didn't forgot to stay alert, as they all knew monsters and demons roamed the whole world.

Feeling rested and in a good mood, their pace was quite slow, not seeing the usefulness of walking quickly. Their mind often turned to their quest and the prophecy. It made them happy to know their importance, and as the same time it terrified them. The world counted on them, and the possibility of dying existed. The fights would be hard, they could be hurt often.

Yet, they all wanted to go to the end. Their companions gave each of them confidence, and the hope of forming a great friendship. Because each of them almost didn't know the joy of having friends.

Lost in her thoughts, Solarys looked at the sky, catching a glimpse of it between the leaves of the trees. A small smile formed. At the death of the chief of her village around three months ago, the only person who took care of her when she found herself without family, she had no ties left. Nothing keeping her there, she decided to leave on a journey. During three months she wandered from town to town, not knowing what she sought. A new home? See the world?

But today, her gaze returning on her comrades, she wondered if destiny simply pushed her toward this adventure. Because now, satisfaction filled her, and she knew deep inside her that she found what she looked for the second she stepped inside the temple.

A movement caught her gaze, making her raise her eyes. Monkeys swung from trees to trees, but the spark in their red eyes and their fangs betrayed their malicious nature. Slowly, she took out her bow from her back. Yuna saw this, and putting a hand on his trusted sword handle, he followed her gaze.

“Guys...” He whispered, making Lyria and Emerys stop.

Yuna gestured up with his head, but it hadn't been needed as the monkeys started growling. Lyria fixed an annoyed look on them, trouble already?, and her whip appeared in her hand. Noriran stayed close to his mistress' legs; Emerys feeling his magic ready to act.

The monkeys froze, baring their teeth, their eyes shining with a malicious spark. Then, one jumped from his branch straight at the young people; the others following a second later. Noriran barked ferociously toward the one coming at Lyria, pressing himself to the ground before leaping toward it.

The two beasts met in a blur of fangs and claws, rolling on the ground after falling. Lyria used her whip to catch another and threw it violently against a tree. Yuna waited for the first to arrive, then unsheathed his sword and made a gash, managing to slice the monkey's chest, who found itself on the ground, dying quickly because of his bloody wound. Solarys aimed her bow up, and fired arrows after arrows, rarely missing her targets. As for Emerys, he used fire balls and wind arrows.

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The monkeys realized fast than their preys wouldn't be easy to kill. With rough growls, they changed their strategy. Frown now on, they jumped from trees to trees with a disconcerting speed, crossing each other all around the humans, unsettling them.

Noriran stepped back to his human companions, whining. Yuna tried to give death blow and gash, but rarely managed to hit the creatures. Solarys had a bit more luck with her arrows, but not enough.

The four heroes looked at each other, a smile forming on their face. It was time for them to change strategy too. Suddenly, Yuna and Solarys got side by side, as well as well as Emerys and Lyria; the two pairs then getting back to back.

Solarys fired arrows toward the sky, said arrows falling back vertically with high speed. Monkeys found themselves pinned to the ground, and Yuna used this opportunity to kill them quickly. On their side, Emerys charged Lyria's whip with electricity, and the whip user whipped violently in the heap of moving monsters in front of her. One monkey got hit, and thunder spread at once, frying right there and then half of their foes.

This strategy helped them eliminate the major part of their enemies with efficacy. The pack of monkeys stopped again, the few surviving members hissing toward the group from their trees. But their failure was obvious, and with a last angry cry, the pack left.

The youngsters watched them, at when they couldn't see them anymore, a huge relieved sigh escaped their lips.

“Well done friends!” Solarys exclaimed, beaming.

“We're making a fine party, I believe.” Yuna added, beaming back at Solarys.

Emerys and Lyria nodded, a small satisfied smile on their face. Weapons were put away, and the small party left. The young magician glanced at the wolf's mistress, and she raised an eyebrow, curious.

“Your whip, it's magical, right? I saw it appeared when you needed it, and I noticed my magic had trouble fixing itself on it at the first try.”

Lyria seemed surprised, then smiled. “Yes, it is a bit magical. It's a gift from a dear friend.” She answered, her face becoming fond.

Solarys giggled. “Friend?” She asked in a teasing tone, a small wink making the other young woman blush.

The boys laughed, and Lyria muttered a, “Oh, shut up...”, without real heat, just embarrassment. She was the first one to leave again, trying to soothe her flush, Noriran following her with his tail waving left and right. Solarys smiled and ran after her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders in a peace gesture. Lyria was slightly surprised, then she gave back to Solarys her bright smile before wrapping her own arm around the shoulders of her friend.

Emerys and Yuna, after letting out some chuckles at this scene, followed. The young magician noted his companion looked at Solarys with fondness. He smirked, but said nothing. It was then that he noticed Lyria whispering something to Solarys while looking at their direction, and the archer rivalled with a ripped tomato. Lyria laughed then stuck out her tongue at her.

The rest of the day went smoothly; except when Solarys came nose-to-nose with a boar. She would always remember the fear the animal gave her as it charged her. Gratefully, her quickness with the bow saved her, and gave all of them a good diner. They came out of the forest in the evening, and saw plains stretching out of sight. Preferring sleeping with trees around, they stayed at the border. They collected woods, then Emerys used his magic to lit them. Lyria prepared the camp, spreading the covers; while Yuna and Solarys were occupied with getting the boar ready.

The diner went in a good mood, mainly with laughing at their recent fight with the monkeys. When food was into their stomach, a comfortable silence descended on the small camp. As the others were already lying inside their covers, Emerys stayed sitting on his, thoughtful.

“Do you... Do you have family?” He blurted out suddenly.

His companions were surprised, and turned toward him. Sadness crossed their face at the same time. Yuna was the first one to reply.

“I'm an orphan. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father while fighting a monster.”

Solarys send him a sad look, and the young man tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. “I-I was a child when my parents died.” She simply admitted, a shudder running through her shoulders. “My village chief took care of me then.”

Lyria noticed the archer's reaction, but decided not to comment on it. Her gaze trailed away, jaws clenched in anger and pain. However, she decided to share a bit. “A... monster devastated my village. I survived.”

Eyes zeroed on the one who started the conversation, hoping at least one of them had more luck. But his evasive gaze pained their heart. “I had a sister.”

Emerys snuggled fast in his cover, not wishing to say more. No one forced him, as all knew the hurt of loosing a dear one. Solarys voiced a good night to everyone, and her friends answered.

Then, sleep came; tears and thoughts for those talked about.

To be continued...