Levishia: The Prophesied Quest [Completed]

Chapter 10: Trembling Grounds

LEVISHIA QUINTESSENCE

Even before the first ray of the morning sun shone on the deserted lands, we were already mounted on our horses and crossing the desert to get moving. Good thing we still had water supplies from our water jugs so we lent them to the horses to satisfy their thirst, as for us, I think we can endure it for now. 

We wandered once again, looking for possible bases, passing through biomes unconsciously. 

When the sun was at its peak, we decided to rest for a while. We're now in the middle of a taiga with numerous hills and mountains.

We rested behind a tall pine tree coated in snow and heaved a few breaths. This is a very exhausting trip that is getting us nowhere. We've been traveling the whole of Viran mindlessly to find a small bridge of trolls. It's like searching for a hairpin in a spacious room!

"I think we should return," I heard Ard's sigh from beside me. We were looking off in the distance, both our backs resting against the chilly bark of a pine tree, quietly listening to our horses' huffs until he broke the silence.

I hate to agree with him. My competitiveness wouldn't allow that. I set off in this quest and I never expected myself to return without the bacon. I wasn't raised to be a loser.

"We can still search for a few more hours," I suggested but I highly doubt he'll agree. We're both losing hope and I'm the only one keen on not admitting it.

I saw him ruffle his hair from my peripheral view, clearly in distress. I think he also does not want to go home empty-handed. 

"Fort and Sin must be looking for us by now."

I glanced at him, remembering our comrades. That might be true, they must've been back by now with the lion. I doubt it had gone far.

"I think they'll understand that we have a complicated task," I convinced him, more to myself.

"I doubt it."

I bit my lip, suppressing my rebut. Can't he notice I'm boosting our morale? I need—we need to find the trolls' base. We need to. We have to... and we will.

"Don't lose hope, let's go," I nudged his elbow as I stood up, brushing off snow from my cloak. 

We need to keep moving because they're also constantly moving. If we want to chase them, let alone find them, we need to keep up with their pace.

Ard begrudgingly stood up and headed to our horses tied to a tree trunk. I untied the leash to the tree but even before I could mount my horse, it started huffing aggressively. 

My brows furrowed, trying to comprehend what it was trying to say.

My steed started neighing and even putting its two front hooves up in the air, as if in distress. 

"What's wrong, boy?" 

My eyes wandered to Ard's horse, wondering if it was doing the same as mine and I was baffled when I saw it was as aggressive as mine. What's happening? Is there a threat nearby?

Ard and I locked eyes, both confused about our steeds' behaviors. I was startled when my horse broke free from my leash and sprinted away, leaving me alone. Instinctively, I stepped aside when I felt the air move roughly behind me, looking at who it was, I saw Ard's horse also sprinting away.

"H-Hey!" I tried chasing both of them, but I couldn't keep up. They're too fast for me. 

Panting, I gripped my knees and tried to stand still while watching our horses disappear from the distance.