Talax and Qalo trudged through the dirt road, their footsteps stirring up a cloud of dust that swirled around their feet. The scorching sun beat down upon their backs, making their skin glisten with sweat. Endless fields of wheat and corn spread out before them, the golden stalks swaying in the gentle breeze. On the other side of the road, a dense forest loomed, casting a cool shade over the ground.
As they walked, they watched the farmers toiling under the sun, their bodies bent over the crops in a never-ending labor. Occasionally, a curious child would dart out from the fields to talk to them, only to scamper away at the sight of Qalo's terrifying tusks.
Talax couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for Qalo. Despite his intimidating appearance, he could see beyond the brute exterior to the kind soul within. He saw a young man who had been cast out of his clan and left to wander the land aimlessly.
The orcs of his father's clan were known for their brute strength and savage ways. They lived in the shadows of mountains, constantly fighting and hunting. Power was everything to them, and weakness was not tolerated. Qalo had been ostracized for being a half-breed, a shameful mix of human and orc blood.
Qalo admitted, with some reluctance, that his banishment was a blessing. If he had stayed, the other youths would have likely killed him to cement their position in the clan.
Talax marveled at the sight of Qalo's massive frame. He couldn't imagine the true size of an orc if Qalo was considered the runt of his tribe. He looked at him with a mix of admiration and wonder.
"What about your mother? You didn't mention her when you told me about your clan," Talax asked, curious to know more about Qalo's past.
"I never knew her. She died right after I was born. She was a slave. I'm surprised she even lived long enough to give birth to me," Qalo replied with a too carelless shrug.
Talax nodded sympathetically, sensing the pain behind Qalo's words. He decided to change the subject.
"Do you think that lord will accept us into his party?" Talax asked, referring to the nobleman who had advertised for adventurers to join him on an expedition.
"Sure, this kind of expedition always welcomes new members. I hope we'll find some good loot! I'm in serious need of a new weapon! Ugh!" Qalo exclaimed, drawing a small, short sword from his side. The half-orc frowned, clearly dissatisfied with its size. Talax couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the weapon, which looked like a mere toy in Qalo's massive hands.
"Do you have any idea what they're after?"
The half-orc shrugged, his broad shoulders lifting in a dismissive gesture. "Usually, they go after some new type of monster, or there is an outbreak of beasts that threaten the kingdom. Or..." he waggled his bushy eyebrows for emphasis, "a new ruin or dungeon pops up. That's where all the good loot is found!"
Qalo seemed excited by the prospect, his eyes glittering with anticipation, but Talax felt unsure. He was still pretty weak, and his skills were underdeveloped. He had to grind his skills and level up, if he wanted to catch up with the rest of the adventurers and be of any use in the expedition.
"Do you think you can help me prepare before we join the lord? I need to hone my combat skills," Talax asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.
Qalo grinned, revealing his sharp, pointed teeth. "I'm sure that the further away from town we go, the easier it will be for us to find you a monster to fight. Don't worry, my friend."
They traveled the rest of the day mostly in companionable silence. The sun beat down on their backs, making their journey somewhat taxing, and the wind whistled through the tall grass, rustling it like a thousand whispering voices. The fields, once lush and green, had been replaced long ago by unbroken wilderness, filled with trees that towered like giants and thick underbrush that threatened to overwhelm the narrow road. At times, they crossed shallow streams that bubbled over mossy rocks, and Talax could hear the distant call of birds, their songs a constant companion.
As the day wore on, the sky slowly darkened, and the forest loomed closer. The trees grew thicker, the underbrush denser, and the air grew colder. The sun disappeared behind the horizon, and the sky lit up with a million glittering stars, casting a soft, silver light on everything around them. The two companions decided to camp for the night at the edge of the forest, and Qalo set about making a fire, while Talax rested under an old oak.
Qalo was gone for hours, trying to catch a wild rabbit or some other wild creature, while Talax relaxed under the tree, watching the stars. He inspected his stats, hoping that his latest fight would have helped him level up, but he wasn't that lucky. He noticed his progress towards the next level had only filled up halfway, and he needed more fights to reach his next level. Just the thought of the invigorating feeling he had felt during his previous level ups made him want to go explore the forest and search for some monster to fight. However, he didn't give in to the impulse, knowing that sooner or later, danger would come looking for him.
The only good thing about their endless trek through fields and wilderness was that he had gained a new skill, one that made him feel a bit more confident in his abilities.
Athletics skill, level 1
1% to physical prowess, 1% to mobility
The half-orc, Qalo, emerged from the dense foliage with a plump rabbit in hand, just as the first rays of the moon peeked through the canopy overhead. The creature's plump body was still warm, and the scent of roasted meat filled the air, making Talax's mouth water. As they ate, Qalo regaled Talax with stories of his wild and raucous adventures, which always seemed to end with him inebriated and unclothed. The warmth of the fire, the succulent meat, and the stories made the night feel magical, and sleep came easily on the softest patch of ground they could find.
The next morning, the forest was alive with the sweet melodies of birdsong, and the soft rays of the rising sun filtered through the canopy, painting the forest in a warm, golden glow. Talax's muscles ached, and his bones creaked as he stretched his limbs, feeling the stiffness slowly dissipate.
Qalo handed him some fruits, and the bitter tang of the berries filled his mouth, making his taste buds tingle. The two companions set off down the dirt road, their footsteps echoing through the forest.
“You know you snore, right? I barely caught any sleep last night.”
“I do not!” Qalo replied offended.
“Mm mm...” He wiped some juice that ran down his chin before he replied.
“At some point a bear replied back at your calling thinking she had found her mate, but upon seeing your ugly face ran away terrified! Hahaha!”
“You are lying!” The big half-orc put his hands on his girthy middle and looked at him with searching eyes that made Talax laugh even harder.
“I knew you lied.” Qalo mumbled. “And you stink! It wouldn’t hurt you to take a bath once in a while!”
Talax smelled himself and with a grimace realized he hadn’t taken a bath for days; he would have to become presentable before he joined the lord and his adventurers. He bet these lords had a higher standard in personal hygiene than some peasants or a smelly half-orc.
The sun beat down on the dusty road as they traveled; with sand and dirt soon making a fine paste all over their bodies. Qalo and Talax walked side by side, their traded insults filling the air with energy and amusement. But suddenly, Qalo's expression changed, and his once jovial demeanor turned into a stony, serious glare.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Talax's heart skipped a beat, wondering what had caused such a sudden shift in the orc's mood. His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of danger. But before he could even open his mouth to ask what was wrong, Qalo disappeared into the thicket of trees.
Talax felt exposed and vulnerable, standing alone in the middle of the empty road. His instincts kicked in, and he quickly darted behind a cluster of bushes, hoping to remain unnoticed. The silence was deafening as he waited, his ears straining for any sound that might indicate the orc's return.
Finally, Qalo emerged from the trees, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly in the stillness. His face was etched with worry and his lips were tightly pressed together in a grim line. Talax's heart sank as he realized that something was definitely wrong.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Qalo's response was chilling. "There's an abandoned cart and some dead bodies up ahead. It looks like the work of bandits."
Talax's mind raced as he considered the implications of this news. Could they be in danger? Were the bandits still nearby? Qalo's shake of the head dispelled his worst fears, but the tension remained.
With no other options available, the two companions set off into the forest, their senses on high alert. The once relaxed and carefree atmosphere had transformed into one of uncertainty and danger. The trees loomed above them, casting ominous shadows on the forest floor. They walked in silence, their bodies tense and ready to react to any sign of trouble.
They had been hiking for hours, their footsteps rhythmically crunching the fallen leaves and sticks beneath them. The forest was thick with trees and vines, and the air was damp with the smell of pine and earth. But as they walked, their thoughts kept drifting back to the violence that had occurred earlier that day, and their nerves were on edge.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, they stumbled upon a hidden oasis nestled between two towering rock walls. The sight was a relief for their tired eyes, and they rushed towards the opening in the rocks, excited to have found a place to rest. The shrubs and thin trees that surrounded the clearing provided a veil of privacy, and they felt safe for the first time in hours.
After munching on some ripe, juicy fruits they had gathered, they decided to take turns keeping watch. Qalo, with his imposing stature, offered to take the first shift, and Talax gratefully accepted the offer of some much-needed sleep. He lay down on the rough ground, using his hand as a makeshift pillow, and gazed up at the stars through the canopy of leaves.
The sounds of the night creatures surrounded him, but his mind was still racing from the day's events. He tried to calm himself, focusing on the rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of crickets, but it was no use. He tossed and turned for what felt like hours before exhaustion finally claimed him.
Sometime later he felt a hand shake him awake and he bolted upright looking around wildly. “It’s me. It’s time for your turn.”
His heart began racing, but as soon as he recognized his friend's voice, he let out a sigh of relief. Qalo's high pitched voice reassured him that all was well, and Talax settled in for his turn on watch.
As Qalo began to snore, Talax shook his head in amusement. The orc's snores were like thunder, echoing through the clearing and beyond. He wondered if their hiding spot was still a secret, but Qalo seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact that his snoring could give them away. Despite the noise, Talax felt safe knowing that his friend was there, ready to defend him in case of an attack.
As he rested against the rough and jagged wall of rock, Talax couldn't help but feel relaxed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet and earthy scent of the surrounding forest. With a lazy stretch, he reached for his mana, feeling the subtle pulsations of energy coursing through his veins.
Suddenly, the piercing cry of an owl shattered the peaceful atmosphere, causing Talax to jump in surprise. He quickly realized the danger of being too distracted with his mana channels while keeping watch, and he hummed in contemplation. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, but he also couldn't resist the lure of experimenting with his mana.
For hours, he practiced with single-minded focus, trying to find a way to manipulate his mana while simultaneously being aware of his surroundings. His determination drove him to the brink of frustration, with one attempt after the other being a failure. But before the first light of dawn began to peek through the dense foliage, Talax finally achieved a breakthrough. With a triumphant smile, he opened his eyes and saw the world in a whole new way.
He realized that he had to split his focus into two, usually when he wanted to see his core, he focused solely on that. When he let his mind drift though and his senses expanded, he had an effect like double vision. He could both see the world around him, and his core with the channels shimmering like faint rivers at the same time. The result was sub optimal, since everything around him looked hazy and distorted. It was a win in his book though, eliciting a satisfied sigh.
As he stood up and walked away to relieve himself, the thorny vines and sharp branches seemed to part before him, as if bowing to his newfound power. But his elation was short-lived as he heard faint whispers in the distance. Talax's heart raced as he hid behind a bush, feeling his stealthskill kick in that allowed him to blend with the shadows. He strained his ears, trying to catch the muffled voices that drew closer by the second.
“... the boss needs to hear...” As much as Talax tried to catch pieces of conversation from the two men, they seemed to be moving away, their voices fading into the distance. His heart raced with trepidation as he considered the importance of uncovering the bandits’ hideout. Indecision warred within him as he weighed the risks of following the men versus retreating to the safety of the camp.
“Damn it,” he muttered, his determination outweighing his caution as he stealthily pursued the bandits. The forest was dense and his visibility was limited, forcing him to move cautiously to avoid detection. His cloak snagged on gnarled branches and his feet stumbled on treacherous roots, but he kept going.
As he crept from shadow to shadow, Talax heard the startled cries of woodland creatures disturbed by his passage. Despite his best efforts to move silently, he was unable to avoid snapping branches and rustling leaves altogether. His stealthskill kept blinking, once a creature spotted him, he was visible to anyone looking his way.
With the men now within earshot, Talax strained to hear their conversation while carefully regulating his breathing to remain undetected. His nerves were frayed and sweat dripped into his eyes, but he refused to let his discomfort distract him.
In his haste to jump into the shadow of a large tree, he miscalculated his leap and stepped onto a fallen branch, which cracked with a resounding sound that echoed through the silent forest.
“What was that?” The two men stopped walking and looked around trying to find the source of the sound. Talax with his heart hammering stood as still as a statue, hoping that the two bandits wouldn’t decide to search behind the tree where he was hidden.
"Do you think someone is following us?" One of the two whispered fearfully, his voice quivering with unease. The towering trees cast long shadows that stretched out in front of the bandits like dark fingers, making it hard to see much beyond the tree, covering Talax’s form from their searching eyes.
"Don't know," the second bandit said, his voice low. "The tracks we found were of two travelers. Wouldn't we have heard them?"
Talax's eyes widened in surprise as he considered the possibility that the bandits had already discovered them. His heart pounded with fear, knowing that their chances of finding the lord’s expedition without the bandits discovering them first became slim.
Suddenly, a noise in the bushes made him jump. He tensed, hand going to his dagger as he scanned the undergrowth. Conflicted thoughts swirled through his mind, unable to make sense of the situation. Had the bandits discovered them? His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. Should he attack or try to slip away unnoticed?
"Go check if anyone is following us," the bandit said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Why me?" the other man demanded, sounding annoyed.
"Because you're the scout! Now go!" Talax could hear the sound of swords being drawn, and he knew he was in trouble, any moment now he would be discovered. His mind screamed at him to run, to escape while he still had the chance. But he knew that he couldn't outrun them, not in this terrain.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. If he ran now, he would be exposed and vulnerable. He could feel the dagger in his hand, ready to strike if needed.
As the bandit drew closer, he could hear the man's footsteps crunching on the forest floor. He was sure the sound of his own heart was loud enough to give him away. When the man was just a few meters away, Talax heard a sudden squeal and a string of curses.
"What the hell?" the bandit exclaimed. There was a thumping noise, and then the sound of an animal running away.
“What is it? Drip are you ok?” the bandit’s frightened voice could barely be heard over the curses of his comrade.
"A fucking boar! That's what was following us!" The relief that washed over Talax was palpable, and he couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Talax found the opportunity to move closer to the trunk of the tree and meld with the shadows as much as he could. The loud noises covered his dash as he moved away from the cursed branch that had given away his presence.
The two men fought over whether they should hunt the animal down for a few moments, but after a short but heated discussion, they resumed their journey. Talax breathed a silent prayer of thanks and followed them cautiously, his senses on high alert, still wary of any other dangers that might be lurking in the shadows.
Talax, shaken by his near discovery, chose to stay behind for a few minutes in order to create some distance between him and the bandits and calm his fraying nerves. One good thing about the situation was the surge of energy he felt from his stealth skill. He took a quick glance and confirmed that his small sapling had grown.
Stealth skill, level 2
2% to noise reduction, 2% to hiding
With renewed determination he followed the two bandits. This time he took more care with his every step. He slowed down his pursuit in favor of precision and safety.
After a few short minutes the two men arrived in a small clearing with a dying fire illuminating the empty space. Soft moaning drew Talax’s attention on the opposite side of the clearing and a shocked gasp escaped his lips.