Challenges of the Aether: Call of the Abyss

Chapter 4: Dangers On The Mountain

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have made a decision. We believe that it would be wiser, albeit more exhausting, to travel the path that takes us up and over the mountain instead of the longer one that leads us around the mountain through the valley."

"That shouldn't be too much of a problem for me. I've dedicated myself to staying on top of my training, It's something I needed to do for my solo hunting trips.

It's just a shame that not everyone shares that same commitment to their training. If only someone had the discipline to keep up with their training instead of slacking off." I say, looking directly at Edger.

"Fuck you... You know what? I'm actually doing just fine. Honestly, I preferred spending my precious time in the smithy, crafting pieces of equipment rather than constantly training in your course, climbing up trees, and running around like a lunatic. But anyway how are your holding up Pearl?"

"I'm doing great actually, I'm used to climbing up trees and small cliffsides to collect some wild herbs that grow there for my parent's shop. There was a time a few months back when you had a sore throat and I made you some tea, I used some of the wild honey suckles to help sweeten up the bitter flavor of the medicine."

"Oh, wow, I had no idea you did that stuff for your parent's shop! I mean, I always thought you grew everything you used in your greenhouse."

"It's all good, Yeah we do grow most of our herbs in the garden or greenhouse but sometimes there are a few plants we aren't able to grow that are nearby the village.

We harvest from there instead and it's honestly just nice to get away from everyone for a while and enjoy my time out in the woods."

As were continuing up the trail I could see that Pearl was strangely focused on the plants up ahead. "Everything okay Pearl? you seem weirdly focused on those plants."

"Yeah I'm okay, it's just strange these types of plants don't normally grow in places like this."

"What plant are you talking about they all kinda blend in together, not going to lie to you."

"The black flower patch over there, It's a species of flower called sleeping Enyo, It usually only grows in areas of decaying animals because of the high concentration of both iron and mana. Maybe a mountain lion or something came through here?"

"That doesn't seem to be the case here, I've been looking around the area for any signs of animal tracks coming up here and I haven't spotted any, And it's not like it rained recently. The only tracks I've seen are other people's footprints.

In a split second, chaos erupted I didn't have a chance to say a single word of warning to the knights nearby. A group of six figures, brandishing swords and knives, sprinted towards us grabbing hold of a couple of guards and some kids from my village.

As quickly as I could I turned around to get Edger and Pearl out of harm's way but before I could do so one of them had taken hold of Edger brandishing a knife to his throat.

I instinctively without hesitation charged forth pulling my hunting knife from my leg strap, Edger was squirming around in his arms keeping him distracted from me. I was able to land a clean slash across his arm allowing Edger to retreat to safety as he stumbled back.

At that moment a surge of adrenaline filled my body, As I glanced back at my friends I could see blood dripping from Edger's neck from the knife that was held to it.

I turned my focus back to the bandit, the sight of him making me feel disgusted. I charged towards him swinging my blade at his chest, he was able to dodge my blade but tripped over a tree root.