"Please don't kill me..."
The perpetrator's voice rang on deaf ears, mostly because Riley had no intention of killing him in the first place. He simply wanted information and an explanation.
"Don't worry, no one here is going to kill you. However, you need to answer my questions"
Relief washed over the thug. Finally able to breathe with ease.
"My name is Julien, and..."
Julien turned to Richard who was staring from afar, a look of anxiety washing over his being. Truthfully, he was scared. But he trusted that his leader would protect him.
"I am sorry old man. I was just...following the orders of my leader, I didn't really want to kill you like they did."
A flicker of heat pulsed through Riley's body, and his knuckles tensed up.
'Damn bastard. You could've run away just as easily.'
But Riley could not show his emotions just yet. If there was a chance to settle things peacefully, he would always choose it.
Even if the person didn't deserve it.
"And as to why I was screaming. It wasn't just me in the forest, I came with the others. But...that white thing, the creature you killed. It bashed them to death with its skull. It was horrific."
Julien shuddered, the image of its hollow eyes and crimson dyed fur still lingered in his mind.
"So I was screaming in hopes of finding you guys…I had a feeling that your group had escaped us and wandered through here. I guess I was right."
He chuckled to himself, grimly. Julien's gang wasn't as lucky as he was.
Riley wrestled with his mind. On one hand, having more people in the group meant a stronger force in case of battle. However, the possibility of being backstabbed also increased tenfold.
Moments like these are what he dreaded most. His heart clenched, soul quivered and body shuddered. Regardless of his decision, it would lead to a potential death, and that is the last thing needed.
"You can stay with us. But please understand our apprehension when it comes to your… recent past."
Julien nodded eagerly.
A gust of wind shook the leaves. The smell of distant blood carried with it.
His shivers sent streams of essence in his core.
'Yeah, being up here is definitely safer.'
He swept his feet off the bark and let them dangle below. Faintly, he felt the presence of a strong beast. And then the world grew still.
He activated his aspect, covering everyone on the branch.
An ocean of trees were torn from their roots and launched into the air only a hundred metres away.
Thunder crackled loudly. The sky shone for milliseconds at a time with each shake of the earth.
"Wha- What is happening?!"
Rivers of tears ran down Yara's face. Dari embraced her closely.
Richard held his breath.
Riley's attention was yanked by the harrowing clash between a large Thunder Cougar and what seemed to be a hound that stood far too large to be related to their previous battle.
It was mortifying.
Watching so closely, none dared to move. Not an inch.
And somewhere along the way, Riley had pulled out the lantern instinctively.
'Would this even do anything against such a beast?'
Essence flowing into his core already served as answer enough.
====
After what seemed to be ten whole minutes of continuous fighting. One had fallen. The victor was none other than the massive hound that towered above even the trees.
But it wasn't unscathed. It bled from every cut on its legs, its jaw ripped from the Thunder Cougar's vicious bites.
And it retreated, somewhere far toward the mountains. Even its towering frame vanished from the already dim view.
Riley grabbed Julien and hopped down from the branch.
"You guys try and stay safe, myself and Julien will go exploring for a little while."
Riley had a feeling this would happen. Regardless of whether it's a beast or a human. When injured, they will flee to recover.
His smile quivered as he felt instinctive shivers dance along his nerves.
'There is no better chance to explore the forest apart from now!'
They ventured through the woods. Riley knew his aspect. Nightvision.
Although Julien was somewhat surprised at first, it was true that signs were obvious about his aspect. So he used it freely.
"Do you even know what we are looking for?"
Julien couldn't help but be suspicious of where he was being brought to. Sure. Riley said he had no plans of killing him, but could he take the word of a stranger?
His feet answered for him though as he followed Riley through the woods.
"Isn't the spirit of adventure to explore?"
The trees had opened up slightly into a clearing and the shrubbery was far less dense.
A large rocky cave stood in the centre of this little meadow. No flowers or water fountains. It did not scream meadow when he pictured the ones from his home world.
Now the question was simple. Should they enter? Or not.
"Do you dare poke the bear?"
"What are you even talking about?"
"Right… sorry. It's an expression from- ah whatever."
Riley tiptoed through the clearing. Slowly, they arrived at the entrance.
Pure darkness had engulfed the cave. Suffocating darkness. Riley felt his very being lulled into its embrace, but it felt sticky. Like once you enter, you can never escape.
He slapped his face, ridding himself of some nerves while the others worked to keep him on his toes.
Julien summoned a lusterless dagger that absorbed all light that dared to touch it. Riley summoned the [Twisted Scissors] and broke them into two blades. From his waist now hung the lantern emitting a much fainter light.
"I guess I should ask this now, are you sure we should go inside?"
"Pfft- you should've asked me that before dragging me along."
Riley scratched his cheek.
"I guess you have a point."
They turned back toward the entrance. And allowed the darkness to devour them.