The War of Gods

Chapter 5 - Part 2

The path up to the Stormblood hideout wasn't too bad, even if they were walking. Horses wouldn't have been a very stealthy approach. The Path of Sorrows, as the locals had called it, went deeper into the forest that surrounded the town. A bit of a dramatic name, Joel thought, but apparently it led to an old tomb, so he supposed it fit.

The bloke at the shop guessed the Stormbloods had somehow broken into the tomb and were using it as a sort of safehouse. Couldn't pay Joel 500 gold to live amongst the dead. That sounded more like Mavar's thing. All of that mold and rot, you'd think that would be a druid's favourite place, but Joel wasn't just any druid, he wouldn't-

Hm?

"Did you guys say something?" He asked.

His companions both shook their heads ahead. "Is everything alright?" Nerith asked.

"Just getting jumpy, I guess..."

They carried on in silence but Joel could swear...

The hair in the back of his neck shot up. Yes, he was certain. Whatever loomed over him in Tarlu had come back to haunt him.

"Is that you, Peace God?" he whispered to the winds.

No answer came.

Leaves ruffled to his side, deeper into the forest greenery. Joel stopped, examining the gloom that intensified the deeper you looked. It was as if it was looking straight back at him.

"Joel?" Nerith asked. They had stopped as well. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Joel didn't answer. He felt as if Death would come for him as soon as he spoke a word, waiting for his guard to drop.

"Perhaps... we should take a break." Mavar said, with worry in his voice. Or maybe he was just weirded out. Could never tell with him. "We can setup camp here. Sun is setting already anyway."

About an hour later they had their usually setup up and ready. They were getting quite good at it. The whole time, Joel couldn't help but feel that someone, or something, was breathing down his neck. The gloom called for him. If he didn't get it over with, it would follow him till the end of times.

"I'll be right back." He said.

"What?" Nerith demanded. "There's no light out there, you'll get lost, and we-"

"Druid things." Joel said. "Just... I'll be back."

He moved off into the wilderness, opposite to the Path of Sorrows. They didn't try to stop him.

Besides the Path of Sorrows, this forest was made up of small yet thick vegetation that covered the entire floor. The trees were thick, with crowns to match. It could've been bright sunlight and still most of it wouldn't have shone through. It was as if the whole forest wanted to be bathed in darkness.

Joel just walked. He kept going forward, deeper and deeper into that darkness. He didn't want to get lost, and making any turns wouldn't help with that. Usually his mind doesn't really stand still. Thoughts bounced around like chicken in a coop when a dog manages to inside, but right now there was just... stillness.

He could still fill It looking over his shoulder, like a cat that was curious enough to stay nearby and watch, but not brave enough to greet him. Joel had learned that, ironically, you gained the cat's trust by not paying attention to it at all.

Joel stopped by a tree, resting his hand on it, and waited. He might've not been the greatest Druid, but he still enjoyed his moments with Nature herself. A soft wind blew by and the trees' leaves rustled with it, embracing Joel like a little sister welcoming his brother home. Joel smiled to himself and sighed. He should keep moving. He turned to move forward once again and-

Joel blinked.

A grey wolf with blue eyes sat ahead of him. Not hostile. Calm even. Curious.