Smiley and the Demigorgon's Warband

Chapter 10: The Blind Guides of the Misty Mountains

The biting wind howled through the peaks of the Misty Mountains as DG hurtled through the sky, her body spinning uncontrollably. The last thing she remembered was the Orc King's devastating magic, tearing her and her friends apart. Now, she found herself alone, the ground rushing up to meet her as she crashed into the snow-covered mountainside.

She groaned in pain, her body bruised and battered, her Gorgon powers flickering weakly. Her snakes hissed softly, coiling around her shoulders protectively as she stumbled to her feet. The landscape was desolate, jagged peaks towering over her like sentinels, and the cold bit deep into her skin.

She had no idea where she was, but she knew one thing—she had to survive.

After wandering through the frozen wilderness for hours, DG's strength began to wane. Her vision blurred from exhaustion and her wounds, and her body trembled from the cold. She found herself in front of a dark cave, a small, unassuming opening in the mountainside. With no other option, she staggered inside, hoping for shelter.

The cave was deep, and as she ventured further, she heard voices—calm, measured voices speaking in low tones. As DG rounded a corner, she saw two figures sitting by a fire, their faces turned toward her. They were both human, their features lined with age but strong. What struck her immediately was their eyes—both were blind, covered by simple cloths, yet they moved with a grace and precision that belied their lack of sight.

One of them, a tall man with long, silver hair, turned toward DG. "A traveler in need of help," he said softly, his voice calm and knowing.

The other, a woman with a similar aura of quiet strength, nodded. "Come closer, child. We'll tend to your wounds."

DG, too weak to resist, stumbled forward and collapsed by the fire. The couple moved with astonishing skill, their hands gliding over her injuries with care. They worked in silence, dressing her wounds and covering her with warm furs. Despite their blindness, they moved flawlessly, never once hesitating or fumbling.

As the warmth of the fire seeped into her bones, DG found herself speaking. "How... how can you move so easily without sight?"

The man smiled gently. "Sight is not the only way to perceive the world. We've learned to rely on our other senses—our instincts, our muscle memory. In time, anyone can do the same."

The woman nodded, her hands deftly adjusting DG's bandages. "You've been through much, child. But you have strength. And I sense... great power within you."

DG glanced down at her Gorgon snakes, who rested quietly now, their energy drained. "I don't feel strong right now."

The man chuckled softly. "Strength is not always about power. It's about control—learning to harness what's within you."

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In the days that followed, the blind couple—Marek and Ilara—became DG's unexpected teachers. They guided her through exercises that relied not on sight, but on muscle memory and instinct. They taught her to listen to the world around her—the way the wind moved through the cave, the way the ground shifted beneath her feet. At first, it was frustrating. DG had always relied on her eyes, her snakes, and her magic. But now, she was forced to adapt, to use her body in new ways.

Each day, she trained with them, her senses sharpening as she learned to move with the same grace and precision they possessed. Her Gorgon powers, though still weak, began to flow more naturally. She could feel the magic within her growing stronger, more focused.

One day, as DG was practicing her movements, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cave. She turned, her instincts already alert, as a group of local knights entered. They were loud and boisterous, their armor clinking as they approached Marek and Ilara.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the knights sneered, looking down at the blind couple. "A couple of useless old fools living in a cave."

"Maybe we should teach them some respect," another knight suggested, cracking his knuckles.

DG's blood boiled as she watched the knights move toward Marek and Ilara. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her body moving on instinct alone. The training she had received over the past days kicked in, and for the first time, she didn't rely on her eyes or her magic—only her body and her newfound skills.

The first knight swung at her, but DG sidestepped effortlessly, her muscles moving with precision. She countered with a sharp blow to his ribs, sending him staggering back. The other knights charged, but DG danced around them, her movements fluid and controlled. She used their momentum against them, striking swiftly and decisively.

In moments, the knights lay on the ground, groaning in pain. DG stood over them, her heart racing but her body steady. She had done it—she had fought without relying on her magic or her sight.

"Leave," she commanded, her voice cold. "And never come back."

The knights scrambled to their feet and fled, leaving Marek and Ilara unharmed.

Marek smiled proudly as DG approached. "You've learned well. There's more strength in you than you know."

Ilara stepped forward, her hands holding a small, glowing stone. "Before you go, take this. It's a magical token, imbued with the power to enhance your Gorgon abilities. It will help you control your magic when the time comes."

DG accepted the token, feeling its warmth in her hand. "Thank you... for everything."

Marek placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your journey isn't over yet, but you're ready for the challenges ahead. Trust in yourself, DG."

With their words of wisdom echoing in her heart, DG left the cave and began her journey once more. The Misty Mountains loomed behind her, but she felt stronger now—both in body and spirit. The Orc King had scattered them, but she would find her way back to Smiley and the others. And when the time came, she would be ready to face him again, this time with the strength she had gained from her new teachers.

As DG walked through the snow, the magical token glowed faintly in her hand, a reminder of the power she now carried within her.