Woodshire is a completely dense forest, spanned widely between Highmont and Ashenville's border. It is known to have a plenty of wildlife, plants, herbs, and big pine trees. It is a nice place to make an isolated outpost, as venturing deeper into the forest will be dangerous as the wildlife is just getting bigger and more vicious. Luckily, they doesn't seem to disturb other towns, they just stay there in the forest, claiming it as their home.
By the time we entered the forest, it is almost noon. But the density of the forest gives an excellent shading from the sun. Navigating through the forest is difficult, given many wild branches and roots protruding from the ground. If one is not careful enough, they might get tripped easily and get stuck by the branches. This forest's air and surroundings remind me back to the time when Farris is busy dueling on the second day of the Exam. The glasses that he gave me are indeed helping me navigating through these woods, although with just one eye.
"How'd you walk so easily?" Roland asks and eager to know the answer. I answer by pointing at the glasses, as they have helped Farris to win his duel easily.
I figure that there will nobody in this forest beside us, so I take off the eye patch which reveals the Decagram Seal on my eye. Nothing changes between putting it on or not though. The left eye still blinded by darkness. The difference is on the risks; without something to cover it, it's just dangerous as it can cast spells indefinitely. At least I know how to prevent that now, simply covering it will suffice.
"You sure you want to take it off?"
"Just for a while. Wearing eye patch can be annoyance sometimes. My left still blinded, so what's the difference?" I reply smugly.
"We are in charge with your actions, in case you forget. Please put it on again," Richmond urges me to do so. But I don't respond. Roland also stops walking, we've sensed that something is coming towards us. Judging by the vibration on the ground, it is big. Strong too.
"On guard," Richmond commands. We scan our surroundings. Deeper in the forest, the light is getting more difficult to pierce through the trees. We become excellent preys for the wildlife here for we needs to adapt with creeping darkness and limited view. Using the enchanted glasses, I concentrate more, to get more clearer scan on the surroundings.
"Two, no. Three creatures have already got their eyes on us. Orders?" I report.
"Three? Each of us will intercept each creature. Get ready....."
I take a breath, calming myself before the upcoming fight. Each of us has already held on to each weapon, taking a defensive stance, ready for making counter-attack.
Two creatures pounced from the large bushes, coming to a direction where me and Roland stand. Within a few minutes, they come face-to-face towards us. They are large and bulky brown bears, standing twice taller than us on their hind legs. Their strong claws and large teeth stand ready to meet the blood of their foes. By that time, another one comes toward Richmond. it is way bigger than the other two, three times of Richmond's size in comparison. It charges quickly at Richmond from his side, ready for impact.
The largest bear launches its surprise attack first which sent Richmond flying to nearby trees. The other bears starts maul us too. I face with one of the bear, as it slams swiftly with its claws and I manage to evade it as it strikes the ground, shattering it in the process. Using this opportunity, I let out a single slash on its large body, splattering its blood in the process. Unfortunately, it isn't going down yet. The last slash making it angrier as it growls fiercely at me, wanting to have its revenge.
It pounces at me, claws ready to swipe. Its movement is getting quicker that I thought. Within five swipes from its claws, one of them hit me on my left side; the blind spot. Blood starts to spill from the lacerations it made. Even with a wound on its back, it managed to attack precisely. Fearing for worst, I use dual-wielding to intercept its next attacks. It pounces at me again. This time, it is slamming both of its fists at me. I decide to repel that attack. Its strike hits both swords combined to make a defense. Its power is tremendous. I can feel it as its arms start to press further, and my knees start to bend from the force.
