Epic Of The Demonic Sage

Contrary to the worries and anxiety of Gellor's group, the first night that they camped up at the unofficial route to Aisse territory, they did not encounter anything dangerous.

Perhaps the beast repellent powder that Kiana provided was enough to deter most creatures, but even then, Gellor and his men stood by and had shifts to ensure that they were safe from any unexpected danger.

Lucius appreciated their efforts, and soon enough they set out early. It was now the sixth day since they left Inanis City.

After traveling for six more hours, they came across what was the end of the unpaved road.

Instead, what was left was basically just an animal trail. Lucius checked the map and then gestured through the animal trail.

"If we take this road, it'll take us to the location of the Plow Worms. Let's proceed now."

"Of course, Lord Asher." Gellor said.

It didn't take them too long to venture forward, and headed down the trail. And while they traveled, a few words were exchanged between the members of Gellor's team.

"Mmm… we'll be going through the mountains aren't we?" Albus said, eying the landmark ahead of them.

"Yeah. There's also a forest in between it as far as we can see, and that's where we'll be passing through." Ariana confirmed.

Truth be told, Lucius hadn't detailed everything to them as to how he would get the Plow Worm and use it as a weapon against the Bergan's Band.

In reality, they knew that they were going to escort Lord Asher to the land of Aisse in order to have revenge on the Bergan's Band and did not know the exact details of how using a Plow Worm would help.

"Do you think it's going to be about getting rune crystals from the Plow Worm?" Ariana whispered.

"I mean, it'll probably be only one if ever. Or just a couple?" Albus said.

"A couple." Ariana hummed. "Have you ever tried imagining what it'd be like to attack it?"

"No, it's extremely huge, but they're not exactly hostile right? Do you think your thorns will be able to actually penetrate their thick skin?" Albus asked.

"I'm not so sure." Ariana admitted. "But uh… maybe Barty can lift one up into the air and then let it just die from the impact?"

"You're gonna drain the entire Aether out of him that way." Albus said.

While there were protection laws against the harm of Plow Worms, at this point, Albus and the other members of the Gellor's mercenary group were more or less neutral to it now.

They were promised to be elevated from their ranks, and if all it took was a Plow Worm's rune crystal being taken then they would not hesitate from that.

If anything, they trusted that Lord Asher knew what he was doing and had faith in his decision.

***

"Woah, easy girl." Finch said as she calmed her horse down. They've already gone down the animal trail and were heading through the forest.

"Hmmm, I'm rather spooked out about this place." Barty commented as they trotted down the path.

It was a little difficult to travel it as it was not actually a paved road whatsoever, but Lucius and everyone did their best.

Every now and then, they'd check for any possibility of any dangerous creatures encountering them, but luckily, none showed themselves.

There were some birds that flew off and some distant cries that could be heard, but nothing alarming.

Instead, it was the terrain itself that proved itself to be the far more difficult reason as to why they were slowing down.

"I don't think we'll be able to leave this forest tonight, Lord Asher." Gellor said. "We will be setting up a camp now. This is the best clearing that we could find, didn't we?"

"Yes, Barty checked and this is the one with the most space enough for us and the horses." Finch explained. "And it is starting to get dark soon."

"That's fine with me." Lucius reassured them.

"For tonight, how's the beast repellent powder?" Gellor asked Kiana.

"We've used pretty much all of it while on the way here." Kiana sighed and massaged her forehead. "Should have saved more. The little we have left won't probably make that big of a difference."

"That should be fine, right?" Finch said.

"We'll handle anything that might come our way." Gellor said.

It didn't take too long for Gellor and his team to set up a camp in the forest, tying their horses to some of the trees and also setting up a fire.

Finch started the fire with her Flame Touch hands whilst Ariana and Albus set out to prepare some food.

"We're nearly there aren't we, Asher?" Kiana sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. She was a little exhausted from all the riding for the past six days and was happy to be able to take a seat once again.

"Indeed. It won't take too long now." Lucius said, but then paused and looked around as the horses started neighing frantically.

During the midst of Albus and Ariana cooking some food, the scent of cooking attracted the beasts that had been lurking in the forest all this time.

"Long Claw Wolves!" Barty shouted and quickly sent out an air vortex that kept the wolves away from the horses.

They tried to move towards the vortex but couldn't approach the horses due to the strong winds, and soon quickly redirected their attention to the rest of the group.

"Asher, with me!" Kiana immediately leapt up to her feet and activated her gift, standing in between Asher and the wolves, her fatigue immediately draining away and replaced by adrenaline.

Gellor and the rest of the team also rose up to action, taking out their weapons and fighting off the wolves and soon enough they quickly went to dispatching the group of wolves that arrived.

It was quick work, that Lucius didn't even actually need to move but he stood up and kept his hands on his Wind Scar Sword.

Gellor and his team were highly efficient, but that was not the end of it.