As the trio ventured further along the path they had walked before, a sense of unease began to settle upon them like a heavy shroud. Gradually, the vibrant greenery of the forest gave way to a landscape marred by devastation and destruction. Burnt trees stood like silent sentinels, their charred branches reaching towards the sky in a haunting display of nature's fury. The once lush foliage now lay in smoldering heaps, the acrid scent of smoke lingering in the air as a grim reminder of the fire that had ravaged the land. Ariah, Elias, and Rokas exchanged concerned glances, their footsteps slowing as they took in the desolate scene before them. With each step, the severity of the destruction became more apparent, casting a shadow of foreboding over their journey. As they pressed on, their hearts heavy with sorrow for the loss of life and beauty, they vowed to keep their eyes peeled for that monstrous Bearilla that dealt this damage.
“And to think, we almost became burnt up blackened corpses alongside the nature here.” Rokas whispered.
Elias’ eyebrows lifted in shock, “Wow, that was probably one of the most dark things I have heard from you so far. What gives, are you good?” he inquired.
Rokas let out a deep breath and cracked his neck. “Yeah, you see, this is just a lot. My family is a family that protects, preserves, and values nature to the highest degree. To think that this happened simply because we were attacked by some damned Bearillas is outrageous. Truthfully, I didn’t even know that they could transform or use any kind of magic. The celestial magic’s dark energy must have embedded itself inside animalistic creatures. I thought it only worked on humanoid species, guess I was wrong… but..”
“OVER HERE! I SEE THEM OVER HERE!” A voice shouted ahead of them. The trio looked up to see that a party of ten people from Starch was wandering Swampstead. Then the last to show themselves, coming from a location farther than anyone was Dusty.
“By the moons! You are okay!” Dusty yelled with a tear rolling down his right cheek. He bear hugged the three in disarray and solace. “We thought something really terrible happened to you three. I woke up to people shouting that a large fire was consuming the forest and I knew it was in the direction that you went. I just knew something fishy was up!”
The trio managed a giggle due to the fact that it was because of their fish over the fire that started the whole commotion in the first place. Dusty looked into each of their eyes, bewildered and asked “what's so damned funny that you are laughing at my fear?”
“Ole’ man Dusty, do we have a story for you, but before I begin that, would any of you happen to know of a black and blue knapsack-like bag that was left on the ground anywhere?” Ariah asked, and as she did, one of the villagers that joined the search party lifted it in the air to show that he had in fact found their bag. Rokas breathed a sigh of relief, so much was in that bag, some items even beyond valuable that it was purely sentiment. His father had given him that bag when they parted ways, when Rokas had to leave for Starch.
And so, the ten people of Starch with Ariah, Elias, and Rokas began walking through the charred landscape that was once a lively forest. They told them of the hardships, the battle with the Bearillas, the ascension of the Sinkro Mountains, and they shared the juicy blueberries that they had stuffed in their pockets. Nobody could believe the story of the Bearillas and how they conjoined themselves into one strong magical foe, but they all still were incredibly keen to their surroundings, as if they just heard a horror story.
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A couple days would pass, and everybody would camp together, eat together and tell stories together. Even though Ariah, Elias, and Rokas weren’t in Starch, just the company of their people made the trek back significantly better, their emotions amplified with companionship. The Starch folk told them of how well the town guards were doing and that they had plans that they were going to discuss with them once they got back.
After some time on the third day of hacking and slashing their way back home, the opening of the forest cleared its way, the entrance to Starch was just ahead. Many townsfolk gathered at the gate, awaiting their arrival. Cheers and clapping rushed over everybody once they saw that the valiant Ariah, Elias, and Rokas had made it home.
The celebration was short lived as Dusty gathered their attention, speaking to them in a huddle formation. “You three need to get to my shop immediately, unfortunately, there is no time for rest.”
They knew the severity of Dusty’s voice was not to be toyed with, they listened and reacted. Waving to their people as they ran by with no time to chat, they would cut through the village by avoiding the regular gravel paths, heading straight for Dusty’s shop. Once they got there, they were greeted by six of the town guards. Two archers, two rogues, and two knights. With respect, the six of them kneeled to the trio with a fist to their chest.
“Oh get up you guys, we’re not gods or anything.” Ariah said embarrassed.
“We are happy to see you all made it back, we saw the flames and smoke that one night and…” a knight was cut off by the door opening. It was Dusty and Charles, the young man that they appointed as commander of Starch’s legion.
“We meet once again, my friends!” Charles said excitedly. The twins and Rokas greeted him with firm handshakes and their fists to their heart. “We have a great ordeal that we need to discuss, I’ve gone over it with Dusty already. Since he is the mastermind behind it all, I will let him tell it.”
Dusty cleared his throat with lofty hems and paused for a moment, “It’s Dockton, some of the people want to go back and assess the wreckage.”
“Okay, so what do you need from us?” Rokas asked diligently.
Dusty nodded his head, “yes, I want you three and the six of these guards to accompany a few of Dockton’s townsfolk as they search the town for any possible survivors and also so they can properly bury anybody that may have passed away there.” He was evidently keen on the idea, but wasn’t positive if the three of them would be interested in a possible scene that could be best described as horrific.
“We will do it, by the two moons we will get answers and results, you have my word!” Elias replied.
“That settles it then, you will be accompanied by these six guards for protection and order. You guys must leave tomorrow however, as the people requesting this to be done have grown incredibly anxious with all of the recent events. Meet back here after breakfast and I will ensure the same message gets to the townsfolk,” Commander Charles said with positive leadership.
The guards followed Charles as he exited Dusty’s shop, the trio remained as Dusty sat at the table with the note that he was writing back when the Orcs had attacked. “Before you guys leave, take this. Eventually, I need you three to get to the Aros Isles, Rokas, I know you can lead the way.”
“Yes sir!” Rokas responded.