Return From Exile

Chapter 4

Chapter 4.

Garen and Conus pressed through the thick forest, not having stopped since they left Garen's cabin. The air was dense with the scent of damp moss, decaying leaves, and the rich, earthy musk of the soil. Occasionally, vines snagged their clothing as they moved, while moisture clung to their skin. Their breaths grew heavier in the biting cold.

Low-hanging branches forced them to duck or push their way through at times. Every so often, the snap of a twig or the rustle of leaves made them pause, subtle movements of unseen creatures, stalking from a distance. The ancient trees towered above them, their trunks thick, with roots burrowing deep into the soil. The forest felt still, Garen knew better—something was always watching in the woods. On a planet like Chiex, the wild thrived unchecked.

Garen led the way. He guided them through clusters of smaller trees, over rolling hills, and across stretches of slick, clinging muck, his eyes scanning their surroundings, noting every slope in the land. His mind raced, calculating the quickest route to cover.

Though the sky was still dark, the first hints of dawn began to creep in, though the sun had yet to rise. They had covered significant ground since leaving Garen's cabin. By this point in their journey, the once-dense Otay trees were thinning. Fading beams of moonlight blended with the softening of morning light.

Conus followed in silence.

Garen hadn't spoken much since they'd left the cabin, maintaining a steady pace through the woods. He paused only occasionally to check their path, clearly familiar with the route.

Conus scanned the dark with the aid of his augmented right eye, equipped with night vision—a feature he had possessed for as long as he could remember.

He was impressed that Garen navigated the terrain even in areas that were pitch black. Even when Garen stumbled, he quickly regained his balance, moving as if the darkness didn't hinder him at all. Curious, Conus closed his right eye, relying only on his natural vision.

I can't see a thing, he thought, trying to compare his sight to what Garen might be seeing.

"You spend much time in these woods at night?" Conus asked, breaking the long silence.

"Plenty," Garen replied, his tone clipped.

"What do you do out here?" Conus pressed.

"Hunting." Garen said.

Garen had done his share of hunting in the woods of Chiex—and more than once, he'd nearly become the hunted. The planet's wildlife was abundant across its continents, each with its own harsh, unforgiving nature.

"Stay alert. Chiex has creatures you might not even see coming." Garen warned.

Garen enjoyed exploring the planet, discovering buried remnants of its past. Someone had lived on Chiex long ago—there was evidence of that, scattered and hidden beneath the surface.

Conus scanned the trees around them. "What do you hunt?"

"Depends on the season," Garen replied.

A loud screech echoed through the forest as a large bird with wide wings soared above a clearing.

"What do you call that?" Conus asked.

Garen glanced up. Everything in these woods had names he'd come up with. Whenever he encountered a new creature on Chiex, he named it.

"Trellow."

"Trellow," Conus repeated, letting the name settle in.

He was still surprised they had survived the Vorcon attack. That Vorcon Bruiser had him—if not for Garen, he'd be lying in the ground with the rest of his team.