We will travel to the north as an alliance of six. We're heading to cross the boundary in different ways than usual. Since we'll be passing through the woods behind the South, this might turn out to be a crucial route.
We've been using a total of four horses because Corren and I are both afraid of horses.
"Like what I've said, don't use your magic until you finished your mission and if you don't want to be imprisoned there." Pagpapaalala ni Olimnus habang kami naman ay inaayos ang mga kabayo na gagamitin namin sa paglalakbay.
"Noted!" Magkasabay na sagot nila.
An disproportionately massive tree captivated our interest as we made our way through the jungle headed to the north.
"I've never seen such a tree before." We came to a halt and gazed at the gnarled trunk thoroughly.
I was intrigued when Aurelia abruptly grasped her forehead as if it were hurting.
"Ayos ka lang?" I attentively muttered into her ear, whereas she simply gave a nod.
We had barely spent fifty-one minutes away from the manor when Kaden abruptly broke the deafening silence.
"Cole, how far are we going to get to the boundary line?" Tanong nito at kasalukuyan siya ang nangungunang nagpapatakbo sa kabayo.
"We're only 10 kilometers away from the borderlands!" Sigaw naman ni Cole mula sa likod.
"We need to reach there before it gets dark." Pag-iimporma naman ni Raiden at pinantayan nito si Kaden sa pagpapatakbo ng kabayo.
We had already reached the boundary line that distinguishes the two regions after two hours of riding the horse and traversing the untamed landscape. This dense forest serves as a secret passageway from the South to the North.
We are already aware this is the boundary line because the skies gradually darkened, the ground became engulfed by a thick layer of fog, and the rumbling of thunder grew.
"We're now entering the boarder line of North. Stay alert." Kaden announced as the horse slowly walked at its pace.
The dark forest's trees were nicotine-brown. I am now contemplating that there were evil orcs devouring meat and grinding on skeletons, and dangerous creatures were concealed among the gloomy scrubs. It was extremely troublesome to breathe in the rotting air.
The forest was either ancient or otherworldly. The terrain was overgrown with oxblood-red toadstools. Poisonous belladonna grew nearby. A burning scent of bushes pervaded the surrounding. It was a nail-biting experience. With trepidation, I bit my thumb, and the metallic taste of blood coated my palate.
Saglit namang huminto si Aurelia at bumaba ito sa kabayo at kasalukuyan namang lumalayo na ang iba sa amin.
"Pst! Anong ginagawa mo? Halika na baka mawala tayo rito." Natatarantang pag-aaya ko sa kaniya ngunit kahit lingunin lang naman sana ako ay 'di pa niya magawa!
Pambihira!
"Aurelia! Malayo na sila oh." Pagtuturo ko sa likod ng mga kasama namin na halos hindi na maaninag pa.
"Will you just shut-up? Hawak mo ang mapa paano ka pa mawawala?" Sagot nito habang hawak-hawak nito ang pamilyar na halaman.
"Belladonna 'yan ah? Sinong lalasunin mo?" Nanlalaking matang tanong ko sa kaniya. Habang inilagay naman nito sa kaniyang bag ang nakakalason na halaman ng Belladonna.
Rather than replying, she decided to hop on the horse and remain silent. She drove it effortlessly to ensure we were able to catch up to them. When we drew up to them, Corren glanced to deal with me, whereas I plainly pointed towards Aurelia.
"May itinapon ata na bangkay dito." Nakatakip na ilong na komento ni Raiden.
I could smell a noxious odor from the moment we stepped into the lush jungle, and it grew more substantial as we got nearer.
"This became known as the 'Suicide Forest.' Certain mundanes' deceased individuals are undoubtedly scattered here." Sagot naman ni Kaden.
"May multo ba rito?" Nanginginig kong tanong habang nakahawak ng mahigpit sa laylayan ng damit ni Aurelia.
"Ghost are not real, Maia. Stop scaring yourself by your horrible imagination." Walang pusong sita naman nito.
"You know what, Maia? Mas matakot ka sa buhay keysa sa patay." Pang-aasar ng isang walang kwentang kasama namin.
A sudden familiar chirping of a bird can be heard nearby. Suddenly, Hera appeared from nowhere grasping a paper by her claws?
Binalik ba nito ang sulat ko?
The white owl surprisingly touched down on Aurelia's shoulders. I gazed upon the paper she was cradling; nevertheless, it wasn't exactly what I had sent. I grabbed it and tucked it in my purse.
"Kaden" I caught Aurelia whispering to Kaden and motioning for Hera. I imposed on them a simultaneous suspicious glance. Kaden whistled briefly, and Hera soared, heading towards him.
Bigla naman tumigil si Kaden at tinaas nito ang naka-kuyom na kamao hudyat na tumigil muna kami kasabay ng pag-angat ng kaniyang kabayo. Tumigil din ang iba at ganon na rin si Aurelia muntik pa akong mahulog sa pagkakatayo ng kabayo namin kung hindi lang ako napayakap sa beywang nito.
"Give me the map." Utos nito. Agad ko namang iniabot sa kaniya ang mapa.
"We're getting close to the cliff; take it cautiously since the haze is heavy and we are unable to recognize what's ahead of us." He advised this as he rolled the map and placed it in his pocket.
Masyadong makapal ang hamog kung kaya'y hindi na masyadong maaninag ang dadaanan namin. Bigla namang kumulog ng napakalas at mukhang paparating na ang malakas na ulan.
After a couple of minutes, the torrential rain started to emerge. We were unable to see the area we were passing through due to the dense mist that had grown more substantial around us. Frogs and other bugs can be heard buzzing wildly.
"Kung minamalas nga naman! Patigilin mo nga ang ulan." Alam kong ako ang pinariringgan nito mula sa malayo.
"Ow shit!" We rushed over to where Raiden had been loitering after hearing him rue softly.
Without warning, a bolt of lightning lit up the sky for an extended duration, accompanied by a thunderous roar that enlivened the cliff that Raiden had been staring at. What I saw was enough to make me shriek.
Mga bangkay na nagkalat sa bangin. Hindi lamang isa, dalawa o tatlong bangkay, marahil ay nasa isang daan ang naroon. Nakaratay, at ang iba pa ay kulang ang parte ng kanilang katawan. Dali-dali naman akong bumaba sa kabayo at nagsusuka. Halos manghina ako sa amoy nito. Kung hindi lamang umulan ay tiyak na mas mabaho ito.
In my peripheral vision, I noticed Corren had also come down and was gently rubbing my back. He handed over a drinking water container.
"Ayos ka lang ba soror Maia?" Nag-aalalang tanong nito. Tumango na lamang ako at nanghihinang tumayo.
"Kaya mo bang sumakay, Maia?" Kahit hindi ko maaninag ang mukha ni Aurelia dahil sa lakas ng ulan at dilim ng paligid, bakas sa boses nito ang pag-aalala. Tumango ulit ako bilang sagot.
"Dito na siya sa'kin para maalalayan ko siya." Suhestiyon ni Raiden. Gusto ko pa sanang tumanggi ng bigla niya akong buhatin at isinakay sa kabayo. Nang makita niya akong nasa maayos na posisyon agad naman itong sumakay at pumwesto sa aking likuran. Bigla namang bumigat ang talukap ng aking mata kasabay ng pagsandal ko sa dibdib ni Raiden at mawalan ng malay.
Nagising ako sa mabilis na pag-indayog ng kabayo. Pagmulat ng mata ko ay nasa gubat parin kami.
"Matagal pa ba tayo?" Mahinang bulong ko sa katabi ko at marahang umabante, marahil ay nangangalay na ito dahil kanina pa ako nakasandal sa kaniyang dibdib baka sabihin nito namimihasa na ako.
Mahirap na magkaroon ng utang na loob.
"Malapit na. Huwag kang mag-alala sisingilin kita kapag malakas ka na." Sagot nito at agad naman kaming huminto.
After a while, we noticed a number of individuals riding their horses while adorned with red cloaks exactly like ours.
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Battle Of Thrones
FantasyTwenty years ago, Kronus and Helios envisioned forming an alliance with these six tribes to dethrone the late First Generation head of the Lightning Tribe, who offered his own soul to the god of devastation with the intent to reign as emperor of the...
