The companions reached the depths of the "Mist Forest," where gargantuan trees intertwined to create a canopy that blocked even the light of the purple moon. They laid Myron on a bed of dry grass; his body was convulsing violently, the blue veins in his face pulsing with a faint light, like a ticking time bomb.
Ortinus tried to wipe the cold sweat from Myron's brow, while old Nikos applied wild herbs to his wounds.
Old Nikos (Calmly, staring at Myron):
"This boy is a fool. He thought power could be bought in a glass vial. Real strength is in the bones and the soul, my son—not in Ajax's destructive elixirs."
Darius (Griping his sword, scanning the trees):
"Father, stop the lectures. If the King's cavalry finds us, your philosophy won't save us. Myron looks like he's about to turn into a glass statue!"
Suddenly, the gravity of the moment was shattered by a strange sound—a low roar like a predatory beast, coming from very close by.
Nirar (Drawing his blade instantly):
"What was that? Are there wolves in this area?"
Picus (Clutching his stomach, sitting wearily on a tree trunk):
"Don't worry... that's just a distress signal from my intestines. I haven't eaten since Myron started screaming about 'Revolution' at dawn. Is it possible to die of hunger while fleeing from death?"
Nirar (With a sharp glare):
"Picus! We are in the middle of a disaster! Myron is dying, the Royal Army is behind us, and you're thinking about your stomach?"
Picus (Raising a finger):
"My friend, a hungry warrior is a dead warrior. Don't you see this forest? It's full of mushrooms, rabbits, maybe some stray deer. Ortinus, will you let me hunt something? I'll be as silent as a ghost!"
While Picus busied himself searching for "forest treasures," Ortinus and Nirar tried to steady Myron, who had begun to deliriously mutter.
Myron (Delirious, voice breaking):
"The crown... Ortinus... look... they are... the Dose... give me more..."
Ortinus (Painfully):
"Look what he's done to himself. Ajax didn't give them power; he gave them their end."
Nikos:
"Darius, fetch me water from the nearby stream. Quickly! We must flush his blood with natural salt-water; it's the only way to ease the agony."
Darius (Grumbling):
"It's always me fetching the water... why can't Picus go?"
Old Nikos (Whacking him lightly with his staff):
"Because if Picus goes for water, he'll come back trying to catch fish with his bare hands and forget the mission! Go!"
Nearby, Picus was crawling behind a bush, his eyes gleaming—not with fear, but with greed for a fat rabbit peacefully nibbling grass.
Picus (Whispering to himself):
"Come to me, you beauty... you'll be a piece of roasted meat fit for a hero like me..."
He lunged suddenly, but due to his extra weight, he tripped over a tree root and fell—BOOM!—to the ground. The rabbit vanished like lightning, while a flock of crows took flight, cawing mockingly.
Picus (Dusting the dirt off his face):
"Even the rabbits in this forest have the arrogance of the Royals! Dammit!"
He returned to the camp clutching a handful of colorful mushrooms and some herbs.
Nirar (Laughing mockingly):
"Where is the deer you promised us, O Hunter of Ages?"
Picus (With fake confidence):
"I've decided to go vegetarian tonight... for my health. Besides, these mushrooms look... rich in protein."
Nirar (Suddenly shouting):
"Picus! Drop those mushrooms immediately! That's 'Hysterical Laughter Fungus.' If we eat those, we'll be laughing until the Royal Guard arrives to cut our heads off while we're still smiling!"
Picus dropped the mushrooms in terror as if they were hot coals, sitting down dejectedly. "Does everything in this forest want to kill us or mock us?"
Myron slowly regained consciousness after Nikos and Darius doused him with cold water mixed with bitter herbs. He opened his eyes, but the blue glow had vanished, replaced by a deep brokenness.
Myron (In a hoarse voice):
"Ortinus?.. Where are we?"
Ortinus (With a sad smile):
"We are in the forest. We lost the battle."
Myron (Weakly trying to sit up):
"My men... where are they?"
Nirar (With blunt honesty):
"Dead, captured, or ran like rats. The Dose you were so proud of exploded in their chests. You were just a pawn in Ajax's game."
Myron fell silent, a single tear rolling down his dirt-streaked cheek.
Nikos:
"Don't cry, boy. Regret is the first step toward becoming a real man. Darius, give Myron some water."
Picus (Interrupting the dramatic moment):
"Alright, since Myron is awake and won't die today... can we seriously talk about dinner? I have some stale bread in my bag, and if we boil it with those herbs Nikos gathered, we might get something resembling soup."
Darius (Laughing):
"Picus, you're the only one who can think of broth while the world burns behind us."
Ortinus (Looking toward the distant city horizon where purple smoke rose):
"Eat and rest. Ajax thinks he won tonight... but he made one mistake."
Nirar: "And what's that?"
Ortinus: "He left us alive. And he doesn't know that the rage we carry now is stronger than all the crystals in the world."
As everyone ate "Picus's Wonder Soup" (which tasted like boiled socks, according to Darius's description), a cautious silence settled. Myron stared at his trembling hands, Nikos told old tales, and Picus tried to convince everyone that stale bread is better if you dip it in water twice.
Ortinus: "Tomorrow, we begin the hunt for the 'Snake's Head.' We won't return as an army, but as shadows."
Picus (Licking his wooden spoon): "I agree... on one condition: we pass by a village with a bakery on our way!"