Our Soul Nexus

Chapter Thirteen

Hours passed and the group remained driven despite their setbacks. However, the fact of the strange, un-setting sun, was beginning to stir madness within their minds. The heat that would've normally begun to dissipate instead continued to grow, lifting moisture from the dirt and encasing the forest in a sickly humid atmosphere.

Ayben wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "It should be late afternoon by now. I wonder when the actual afternoon in here will come around."

Claretta shrugged. "If it doesn't soon then I'm gonna start making my way underground. This shit is slowing us down."

"I swear we already passed those mushrooms over there, didn't we talk about that?" Rei commented offhandedly.

Claretta paid attention to this and spun around to look at the landmark in question. "Those are blue, the ones we passed were yellow. Get it together."

Ayben frowned. He could've sworn they were red. Was it possible the three of them were so drained from the sun and heat that their basic memory of colours was impaired?

"Regardless, we've at least covered enough ground for us to safely take a break. Do you have water?" Ayben directed the last question to Rei, who had been carting their heavy items thanks to his merchant spell.

"Yeah, but we're gonna need more soon." He shook the bag that contained the three bottles, and there was a louder slosh than the last time they had checked.

"You're right. Maybe we should stop." Ayben said and stopped walking.

The familiars of the three had nothing to say on the matter. In fact, they had each resorted to their own activities during this venture. Given the fact they didn't need to travel, all they could do was sit and wait for something to happen.

Ghoul had fallen asleep on a plush blue sofa, Aeris was writing in a notebook and Rizel was reading a book in his leather armchair. The sight of their easy-going behaviour was a little envy-inducing, but the group was kept at ease with the knowledge that once they were needed, they would help immediately.

"It's probably too early to eat again. Best we can do is drink some water and rest for a while." Rei suggested.

Ayben nodded, agreeing with Rei. Upon hearing no objections, Rei went to open the bag with their bottles of water.

"RUN! RUN!" A voice screamed close by.

The three each exchanged looks of alarm.

"Are you kidding me? Again?!" Claretta exclaimed.

Ayben couldn't help but agree. Just how many times would they be interrupted by some distress call in the distance? It was almost comedic at this point.

But, like last time, the three jumped up from their spots without hesitation and chased after the sounds of panic.

"GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF ME!" A male voice was screeching desperately.

Ayben felt his stomach tighten as he realised this was the sound of a teenager – a student. His legs moved faster, and by this point all three familiars were brought back to the present moment.

"What's wrong now?" Aeris asked urgently.

"Another attack?" Ghoul pressed.

"Who is it?" Rizel added.

And at the same moment, all three sorcerers replied.

"Screams from another group." Ayben informed him.

"Not on us, someone else." Rei said to Ghoul.

"No idea." Claretta stated in a pissed-off tone.

There was chaos everywhere today. Was Bedrock Forest usually this wild and lively?