Riley dragged his feet along, worn down by hours of continuous walking. The rest were in no better condition than him, and they hadn't even finished walking around the large dark ocean.
In the past there would have been a large tree to use as a point of reference on how far they had gotten. But Sunny had burned it down.
"Let's take a break, we've been walking for far too long."
The couple didn't need a second to think it over, they sat down, relaxed, and idly chatted to each other and laughed low enough not to be heard.
Richard had sunk to the ground, summoning the quiver of sticks and twirling around the wooden lengths to get adjusted to their feeling.
Lucy summoned her spear, she seemed to be the only one still filled with energy. It was strange to see her jabbing and spinning the spear with such speed.
'She did mention her nightmare was set in a war, could she have retained some muscle memory from whatever there was to fight? Scary...but it ups our chance of survival at least.
That has never been a negative.'
He tried convincing himself that he wasn't actually scared. Sure, a small girl with large spear that danced with ease in her hands definitely wasn't scary.
Finally, Riley himself sat down, looking out at the dark sea. The place where it all began, the arc that made him fall in love with the novel. And he was already leaving. Would it have been any different if he joined them at the start of the story?
He didn't know, but one thing was for certain. He would meet Sunny, Nephis and Cassie. And no matter what, Riley will help them achieve the goal of saving humanity. Albeit, in a way they might not approve of.
'Right, you can't think of sacrificing anyone. Everyone that is with me will live, they have to!'
He slapped his face and drew up the map of the dream realm in his mind. It wasn't very detailed, it would be fantastic if someone had designed it with more care, but simply knowing the landmarks was a boon.
Distance was rarely mentioned in Shadow Slave, but he had a way of guessing the relative distance they had to march.
'Let's see, during the war arc there was a slight comment about the distance of the nameless temple from where Anvil had fought condemnation. Well technically he hasn't fought him yet, I think.'
He took a few seconds to run some calculations.
'If everything goes well, we could reach the hollows right as they achieve supremacy. Lady Changing Star's light will be an indicator. Still...that isn't a lot of time.'
He sighed, pushing away the thoughts for a minute.
The water stirred, vile monsters dwelled in its depths, but Riley felt no fear. Rather, it was comforting. It felt like he was finally alive, in the most harrowing place of all.
No more monotonous days of clocking in and staring at a screen for god knew how long. No more annoying, prying coworkers that would talk about nothing but women and alcohol.
This world had real stakes, real emotions, real freedom.
Freedom to achieve, to become something he wasn't.
Riley sucked in a deep breath and exhaled, a content smile stared at the furious waves.
'Right. This is my new life-'
He turned around to look at his four new friends. His smile spread tad bit wider.
'And these are my people.'
=====
After about two hours of relaxing and talking, a new problem was beginning to rise. Though, it wouldn't become a real issue until the next day or the day after.
Hunger.
Hunting would become inevitable, a need to survive. Ironically, the creatures that tried to kill them would become their salvation.
Riley had pulled them farther from the water's edge. Attracting the aquatic creature was not a good idea, and Riley wasn't a fan of sushi.
The [Lantern of Dread] lit up and the light spread over a large section of land, illuminating numerous creatures.
Everyone assumed a battle position of sorts, as clumsy as it was, they were ready to face the creatures.
But… none got close.
'This…is really strange. Are these not mindless creatures who chase the flame?'
Riley took a second and closed his eyes, trying to recall any memories that might explain what's going on.
'It must have been explained in the novel somewhere-'
In the silence of his mind. After having casted out every obscure noise, he felt it. A draining feeling pulsing from his core. His dread core. The number was going down slowly.
'Ah. Ariel…you are full of surprises.'
A new plan formed in his mind. Summoning the sparks of his scissors, he shifted their weight into something a little more manageable and snapped them in half.
"Dari, take this one, its much more durable. But you'll have to return it after ."
Riley winked at him, turning the lantern off and plunging the world into darkness once more. His feet carried him toward the beast closest to them. Having memorised where it stood, he slashed down, a head hitting the ground with a soft thud.
[You have slain a dormant monster, Hounds of the Progenitor.]
'It works! These mutts are filled with dread because of the lantern, so they can't move when its on. And they don't know where we are in the dark either!'
The lantern lit up once more. The nightmare creatures slowly backed away, but it was already too late. Riley had stolen the colour from the world once more and dashed in.
[You have slain a dormant monster, Hounds of the Progenitor.]
[You have slain a dormant monster, Hounds of the Progenitor.]
The [Lantern of Dread] lit up once more. And just as it did, one of the hounds leaped at him, bitting into his right arm, drawing crimson.
"GAHHH-"
Riley stabbed his blade down, cracking the hound's skull, but it wouldn't let go. It's serated teeth cutting his flesh with every spasming tug. Finally, the voice whispered in his ear.
[You have slain a dormant monster, Hounds of the Progenitor.]
"Watch out! Protect Richard!"
He shot his hand out to call them over. But it was far too late. The remaining hounds moved in.