Author's Note: Well, I'm posting two chapters at once, because I've made
the determination that I don't want to publish this chapter as a stand
alone. I've already installed defense systems on my house. . . so don't
try to force me to write more!
************************************
Ivan stood tranquil, perched upon a cliff high in the mountains. The wind blew through his golden hair, his purple eyes closed. The wind was warm, though without humidity. The winds were very relaxing, especially considering his high altitude and the battle he had undergone the day he served through the day before. Nothing could make this moment better, save for having a friend around. The warm breeze blew harder into his continence, which was still serene. As the wind speed increased, Ivan's face turned more irritable. His violet eyes shot open as the wind began to increase in temperature and picked up the scent of sulfur and brimstone. The world he looked down to was full of fire, chaos, and destruction; he had no place in the world, and he couldn't move from his perch, which was now just a stone spire that stood from the ground. The area around him was a forest, burning with an unnatural intensity, and in the distance, he could see villages and towns burning in the same fashion, people running everywhere on fire. Ivan could not stop the fire from spreading, as he couldn't move. The dream suddenly halted, and he shot forward from his covers in his bed. "Another dream? No. . . premonition. I can feel the evil of whatever caused that fire is active and on the move. . ." Ivan whispered to himself as he shifted in his bed. "I feel that we don't have much time. I must wake the others." Ivan stood from his mattress and walked quietly to Triad's bedside, and shook him by the shoulder lightly.
"Rrgh. . ."
"Triad, wake up."
"Igmoefiale. . ."
"Triad."
"Five more minutes. . ." Triad mumbled, as he started waking up. Ivan noticed in the darkness Triad had sat up, his sunglasses still on his face. "What is it, Ivan?"
"We must get on the move."
"For what?! We made it to Imil in time."
"Imil isn't the only place that needs our protection now. I don't know exactly what the next target is, but I know where we must head. Help me wake the others."
"Ivan, what are you babbling about?"
"I had another vision."
"Are you sure it wasn't just a nightmare?!"
"I'm sure it was a premonition, Triad. You must trust my judgement." Ivan said, calmly.
"All right, all right. What do you want me to do?"
"Help me wake the others."
"Wake the others?! Do you know how hard it is to wake Garet from a sound sleep?!"
"Yes, I'm afraid. Let's go wake Jenna and Felix first." Triad slipped out of his bedding, and followed Ivan across the hall to their friend's room. Ivan rapped on the door quietly, and when no one replied, he rapped again.
"Hold on, I'm coming." Felix's voice sounded, and the door opened moments later. Felix was suffering from a terrible case of bed hair, as though he was having a rough night sleeping as well. "Ivan, what do you want?" Felix asked, sleepily.
"Felix, we need to leave Imil right away."
"Can't this wait until morning, Ivan?"
"No, Felix. I sense a great evil that has awakened into the world. If we don't move now, we maybe too late to help anyone." Ivan replied. Felix rubbed his bed-ridden hair down and stood silent for a moment. He turned to face Ivan directly.
"You sensed it too?" Felix asked.
"Yes."
"Sensed it?! What are you two talking about?!" Triad asked, in a semi- loud whisper.
"Nothing. I'll wake Jenna and get Garet. You two go find Isaac and Mia. I'm not even a Jupiter Adept and I sensed it. . . Perhaps they have too." Felix replied. "Go now." Felix said, pointing down the hall and for the staircase. Ivan nodded, and he turned down the hallway. Triad stood confused and dumbfounded for a moment before finally following his young Jupiter Adept friend. Felix turned back into his room, seeing the slender figure of his younger sister already on her feet, gazing at him. Felix prepared to explain, but she cut him off.
"I know, Felix. Go wake Garet." Jenna said, softly. Felix made no notion of compliance, save for his swift movement from the room. Felix swiftly and silently moved down the hall; he would have spooked a phantom with his quiet and quick moves. He reached the wooden door where Garet bunked, and he tapped on the door. No response. Felix reached for the doorknob, and turned it. Garet had forgotten to lock the door, and as he opened the door, he heard the moderate snoring of Dargon and the heavy snoring of Garet. Felix stealthily approached Garet's bedside, but was suddenly grasped into a headlock with a sword point near his neck.
"Your stealth skills need work. I could hear you halfway down the hall." A voice sounded. The person released Felix from his grip and he spun to see his assailant. It was none other than the swordsman, Dargon, who was supposed to be asleep. "I'll give you one thing, you're pretty slick, Felix. What are you doing in here?"
"There's trouble. Help me wake Garet."
"There is no need for that, Felix." Garet replied, sitting up. "I know. Ivan will lead us to where we need to go, right?"
"Yes."
"What is going on?" Dargon asked.
"There's trouble. We must be going. You're welcome to tag along if you wish." Felix returned.
"Thanks. I think a little adventure sounds good; besides. . . travelling with you guys will be more interesting than spending a winter in Imil."
"Good to have you aboard, Dargon. I'm assuming Triad's going to hang on for the ride too, Felix?" Garet asked. Felix nodded, and he turned for the door.
"Be ready right away. When Ivan and Triad get back with Isaac and Mia, we're heading out immediately."
*************************
Ivan and Triad pushed through the Imilian winter night. The cold was unbearable; Triad, who'd never been anyplace colder than Lunpa during the winter, was shivering and complaining about the cold mere moments after departing from the inn. The cobblestone paths were coated in snow and ice, making walking difficult and at times, treacherous. The buildings of Imil were covered in white powder, smoke rising from each chimney. Triad shivered more as the icy winds of the north cut through him like a dagger. He wished he could be inside, preferably in a cozy chair next to the fireplace with a flask of hot apple cider and a good physics book at his side. His home in Tolbi was never like this; he'd only been in Imil for one day and he hated the weather already. He kicked through the snow, trying to keep pace with a fervored Ivan, who was blazing a trail ahead of him.
"Ivan, enlighten me. What the hell is so important as to push you into this sense of urgency? You've never seemed the pushy type." Triad shouted through the biting winds, wiping snow from his brow.
"I sense danger. The future of Angara may hang in the balance. Triad, I know you are a man of logic, and I sense you don't believe me, but you must put your faith in my thoughts."
"Then again, Felix seemed to have sensed it too, and he's not a Jupiter Adept, correct?"
"No, he's not."
"Well, if he sensed it, it's logical that Isaac or Mia might've sensed it too."
"So, you believe me, Triad?"
"You seem trustful enough, Ivan; and Felix feeling the same thing is no mere coincidence. I may not be an Adept, but I'm sure there is something going on." Triad said, as they pushed near to Mia's abode. "This is it, is it not?" Ivan nodded, and peered into the window. The fireplace was lit inside, and Isaac was sleeping soundly on his bed, sword and shield next to his bedpost. Before Ivan could pull his eyes away, Isaac shot forward from his sleeping position in alarm. He looked left and right, and he wiped his brow, now obviously shaken. He sat forward for awhile, but it wasn't long before a door to a side room opened and Mia emerged. She looked shaken and pale as well; perhaps they both saw the same thing he had. Ivan went and rapped on the front door as hard as he could. Before too long, the door opened, Mia gazing at the fifteen-year old mage.
"Did you sense it too, Ivan?" Mia asked, quietly.
"Yes."
"Isaac did as well. He's getting his equipment on. Come in and wait. We'll be with you in a few moments." Ivan nodded, and kicked the snow from his boots, while Triad followed suit. "Triad, did you sense it as well?"
"No, I didn't. Though if Ivan says he saw what he saw, then he did. I'll put my faith into you guys any day." Mia smiled, and left the room. "Ivan, tell me what exactly you saw."
"Well, this might be faster than explaining it to you." Ivan said, placing his hand on Triad's shoulder. Images of fire and brimstone raced through Triad's subconscious, and his expression changed countless times during the transfer. Confusion, fear, rage; all became part of his face at one point or another before Ivan finally released his grip. "Do you understand now, Triad?"
"All too well." Triad replied, shocked. "I have no further objection; so, where are we heading?"
"Wherever my instincts guide us. That'll point us to where we need to be." Ivan returned, quietly. Ivan stopped has he heard Isaac's footsteps into the room.
"I'm ready." Isaac said simply.
"I'm sorry we couldn't stay in Imil longer, Isaac; we're going to miss the services for the dead. . ." Isaac's head drooped for a moment before he pulled it back up.
"No matter. It's not like we can never come back to Imil to pay respects. Did the others sense it too?"
"They did."
"Mia did too. This is very bad; if I could sense it, it must be serious. Venus Adepts have never been known for ever accurately foreseeing the future."
"I'm aware, Isaac. Venus and Jupiter are opposing elements, after all."
"Psynergy elements, I'm assuming?" Triad asked, curious.
"Correct." Isaac returned, spotting Mia from the corner of his eye. "Let's move. Where are the others?"
"Back at the inn, waiting for us." Triad replied. "Let's go." The foursome fought the harsh north winds back to the inn, Triad still mumbling about the cold and particularly unpleasant weather of that night. The others awaited outside the inn, and greeted their companions with a quick salutation.
"Dargon? You're coming too?" Isaac asked in surprise. "I thought you'd stay here in Imil!"
"No, the town doesn't need me; I'm a warrior! It's in my blood, and peaceful Imil isn't really the place for someone like me. Besides, I owe you this much, Isaac; without you, this town and its people would be nothing but ashes." Dargon replied, head inside his Captain's Helmet.
"Thanks, Dargon. Ivan, where are we supposed to head?" Isaac asked. Ivan paused, and closed his eyes; he began glowing an odd purple aura and rings of energy spiraled around his small frame. Eventually, the rings of light dissipated and Ivan opened his violet eyes.
"We must head that way." He said, pointing to the west. "That's where we must go."
"So be it, then. Let's move out!" Isaac ordered. The group did as ordered, walking in two single-file lines. Isaac, Garet, Triad and Dargon made up one line, while Mia, Jenna, Ivan, and Felix made up the other. The team of eight marched out of Imil, and headed due west of the town of Imil.
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The west was a difficult path; mountains constantly confounded the weary adventurers at every turn. Luckily, the farther west they drew, the milder it got, much to the relief of Triad and Garet, who both had it with two feet of snow and constant freezing winds. It had been five days since they had left from Imil, and everyone already felt like they were a big family. Dargon and Triad had managed to find themselves a nice niche amongst the experienced veterans of adventure. Triad and Ivan had become like brothers, quite similar to Isaac and Garet, and Dargon seemed to have developed a strong friendship with just about everyone in the group. Thankfully, the atmosphere among the lot of them remained friendly despite the frenzied and fervored pace they were forced to move at. Isaac was an excellent trailblazer who could cover incredible amounts of miles in a single day, but sadly, Triad, Dargon, and Mia couldn't keep as strong a pace as the their leader, so he was forced to slow himself.
As they pressed further and further on, Ivan's nightmares, or premonitions as he preferred to call them, got more and more frequent and severe. It was common now for Ivan to snap awake twice or thrice a night in a cold sweat because of his dreams. Triad had at one point mentioned to Garet that life as a Jupiter Adept has got to stink big time. Garet, who was a Mars Adept all his life, was tempted to agree. Dargon, who had some doubts about leaving Imil hours after their departure, was coaxed forward by Jenna and Garet, who both obviously respected his abilities and skill.
The mountains they were in were relatively small, forest-covered mountains, giving ample wood and shelter from the winds and any storms that could hit. What was considered an advantage could easily be pushed into a disadvantage, for in the forest lurked many creatures; some benign, others malevolent. Most malevolent. Countless encounters along the way were dotted with Undead, Zombies, Skeleton Warriors, giant spiders, rat creatures, and the occasional hellhound. There was nothing too serious for the warriors, though Triad managed to get himself in trouble a couple of times from some hellhounds. It was obvious Triad lacked significant battle experience and any sort of Psynergy at all, so he was judged as the worst fighter. The title was taken by Triad surprisingly well; he usually took insult at comments quickly, but he acknowledged his lack of skill and vowed to eliminate it.
After the sixth day of travel, Ivan halted the group as they were preparing to walk over a ridge. "The place we need to go is just over this ridge. I can feel it."
"Are you sure, Ivan?"
"I'm certain, though I can't help but feel some really bad vibes right now. Perhaps we've arrived too late."
"I think not! Come on!" Isaac shouted, lunging forward and bounding over the ridge. Garet and Mia were hot on his heels, and the others eventually all followed. "Okay, now what? We're still in the forest."
"The forest clears about in about a 100 yards. Beyond that is what we want to find." Ivan stated. Isaac nodded, and pushed through the forest, but before he emerged, he turned and waited for his friends. The teams split into pairs with whom they emerged from the forest. Isaac and Mia were in the front, followed by Ivan and Jenna, Triad and Dargon, and Garet and Felix in back. Garet could've sworn he had heard Mia or Jenna gasp, so he pushed forward next to Isaac. "Isaac, what's going o-- what the hell?!" Garet asked to Isaac just as he saw the sight in front of him. A village, nestled in the valleys of the mountains, tightly knit and quite quaint, lay burning below them in the dusk twilight. The smell of the fire perforated Garet's nostrils, who, although was used to the smell of fire, abhorred him to no end. The fires smelled hellish, with what smelled like brimstone or sulfur. Garet stared further at the burning village, wondering if there were any survivors. Not a word was spoken among the group; all just watched in shock as the once- proud village of Vale slowly burned into a cinder.
************************************
Ivan stood tranquil, perched upon a cliff high in the mountains. The wind blew through his golden hair, his purple eyes closed. The wind was warm, though without humidity. The winds were very relaxing, especially considering his high altitude and the battle he had undergone the day he served through the day before. Nothing could make this moment better, save for having a friend around. The warm breeze blew harder into his continence, which was still serene. As the wind speed increased, Ivan's face turned more irritable. His violet eyes shot open as the wind began to increase in temperature and picked up the scent of sulfur and brimstone. The world he looked down to was full of fire, chaos, and destruction; he had no place in the world, and he couldn't move from his perch, which was now just a stone spire that stood from the ground. The area around him was a forest, burning with an unnatural intensity, and in the distance, he could see villages and towns burning in the same fashion, people running everywhere on fire. Ivan could not stop the fire from spreading, as he couldn't move. The dream suddenly halted, and he shot forward from his covers in his bed. "Another dream? No. . . premonition. I can feel the evil of whatever caused that fire is active and on the move. . ." Ivan whispered to himself as he shifted in his bed. "I feel that we don't have much time. I must wake the others." Ivan stood from his mattress and walked quietly to Triad's bedside, and shook him by the shoulder lightly.
"Rrgh. . ."
"Triad, wake up."
"Igmoefiale. . ."
"Triad."
"Five more minutes. . ." Triad mumbled, as he started waking up. Ivan noticed in the darkness Triad had sat up, his sunglasses still on his face. "What is it, Ivan?"
"We must get on the move."
"For what?! We made it to Imil in time."
"Imil isn't the only place that needs our protection now. I don't know exactly what the next target is, but I know where we must head. Help me wake the others."
"Ivan, what are you babbling about?"
"I had another vision."
"Are you sure it wasn't just a nightmare?!"
"I'm sure it was a premonition, Triad. You must trust my judgement." Ivan said, calmly.
"All right, all right. What do you want me to do?"
"Help me wake the others."
"Wake the others?! Do you know how hard it is to wake Garet from a sound sleep?!"
"Yes, I'm afraid. Let's go wake Jenna and Felix first." Triad slipped out of his bedding, and followed Ivan across the hall to their friend's room. Ivan rapped on the door quietly, and when no one replied, he rapped again.
"Hold on, I'm coming." Felix's voice sounded, and the door opened moments later. Felix was suffering from a terrible case of bed hair, as though he was having a rough night sleeping as well. "Ivan, what do you want?" Felix asked, sleepily.
"Felix, we need to leave Imil right away."
"Can't this wait until morning, Ivan?"
"No, Felix. I sense a great evil that has awakened into the world. If we don't move now, we maybe too late to help anyone." Ivan replied. Felix rubbed his bed-ridden hair down and stood silent for a moment. He turned to face Ivan directly.
"You sensed it too?" Felix asked.
"Yes."
"Sensed it?! What are you two talking about?!" Triad asked, in a semi- loud whisper.
"Nothing. I'll wake Jenna and get Garet. You two go find Isaac and Mia. I'm not even a Jupiter Adept and I sensed it. . . Perhaps they have too." Felix replied. "Go now." Felix said, pointing down the hall and for the staircase. Ivan nodded, and he turned down the hallway. Triad stood confused and dumbfounded for a moment before finally following his young Jupiter Adept friend. Felix turned back into his room, seeing the slender figure of his younger sister already on her feet, gazing at him. Felix prepared to explain, but she cut him off.
"I know, Felix. Go wake Garet." Jenna said, softly. Felix made no notion of compliance, save for his swift movement from the room. Felix swiftly and silently moved down the hall; he would have spooked a phantom with his quiet and quick moves. He reached the wooden door where Garet bunked, and he tapped on the door. No response. Felix reached for the doorknob, and turned it. Garet had forgotten to lock the door, and as he opened the door, he heard the moderate snoring of Dargon and the heavy snoring of Garet. Felix stealthily approached Garet's bedside, but was suddenly grasped into a headlock with a sword point near his neck.
"Your stealth skills need work. I could hear you halfway down the hall." A voice sounded. The person released Felix from his grip and he spun to see his assailant. It was none other than the swordsman, Dargon, who was supposed to be asleep. "I'll give you one thing, you're pretty slick, Felix. What are you doing in here?"
"There's trouble. Help me wake Garet."
"There is no need for that, Felix." Garet replied, sitting up. "I know. Ivan will lead us to where we need to go, right?"
"Yes."
"What is going on?" Dargon asked.
"There's trouble. We must be going. You're welcome to tag along if you wish." Felix returned.
"Thanks. I think a little adventure sounds good; besides. . . travelling with you guys will be more interesting than spending a winter in Imil."
"Good to have you aboard, Dargon. I'm assuming Triad's going to hang on for the ride too, Felix?" Garet asked. Felix nodded, and he turned for the door.
"Be ready right away. When Ivan and Triad get back with Isaac and Mia, we're heading out immediately."
*************************
Ivan and Triad pushed through the Imilian winter night. The cold was unbearable; Triad, who'd never been anyplace colder than Lunpa during the winter, was shivering and complaining about the cold mere moments after departing from the inn. The cobblestone paths were coated in snow and ice, making walking difficult and at times, treacherous. The buildings of Imil were covered in white powder, smoke rising from each chimney. Triad shivered more as the icy winds of the north cut through him like a dagger. He wished he could be inside, preferably in a cozy chair next to the fireplace with a flask of hot apple cider and a good physics book at his side. His home in Tolbi was never like this; he'd only been in Imil for one day and he hated the weather already. He kicked through the snow, trying to keep pace with a fervored Ivan, who was blazing a trail ahead of him.
"Ivan, enlighten me. What the hell is so important as to push you into this sense of urgency? You've never seemed the pushy type." Triad shouted through the biting winds, wiping snow from his brow.
"I sense danger. The future of Angara may hang in the balance. Triad, I know you are a man of logic, and I sense you don't believe me, but you must put your faith in my thoughts."
"Then again, Felix seemed to have sensed it too, and he's not a Jupiter Adept, correct?"
"No, he's not."
"Well, if he sensed it, it's logical that Isaac or Mia might've sensed it too."
"So, you believe me, Triad?"
"You seem trustful enough, Ivan; and Felix feeling the same thing is no mere coincidence. I may not be an Adept, but I'm sure there is something going on." Triad said, as they pushed near to Mia's abode. "This is it, is it not?" Ivan nodded, and peered into the window. The fireplace was lit inside, and Isaac was sleeping soundly on his bed, sword and shield next to his bedpost. Before Ivan could pull his eyes away, Isaac shot forward from his sleeping position in alarm. He looked left and right, and he wiped his brow, now obviously shaken. He sat forward for awhile, but it wasn't long before a door to a side room opened and Mia emerged. She looked shaken and pale as well; perhaps they both saw the same thing he had. Ivan went and rapped on the front door as hard as he could. Before too long, the door opened, Mia gazing at the fifteen-year old mage.
"Did you sense it too, Ivan?" Mia asked, quietly.
"Yes."
"Isaac did as well. He's getting his equipment on. Come in and wait. We'll be with you in a few moments." Ivan nodded, and kicked the snow from his boots, while Triad followed suit. "Triad, did you sense it as well?"
"No, I didn't. Though if Ivan says he saw what he saw, then he did. I'll put my faith into you guys any day." Mia smiled, and left the room. "Ivan, tell me what exactly you saw."
"Well, this might be faster than explaining it to you." Ivan said, placing his hand on Triad's shoulder. Images of fire and brimstone raced through Triad's subconscious, and his expression changed countless times during the transfer. Confusion, fear, rage; all became part of his face at one point or another before Ivan finally released his grip. "Do you understand now, Triad?"
"All too well." Triad replied, shocked. "I have no further objection; so, where are we heading?"
"Wherever my instincts guide us. That'll point us to where we need to be." Ivan returned, quietly. Ivan stopped has he heard Isaac's footsteps into the room.
"I'm ready." Isaac said simply.
"I'm sorry we couldn't stay in Imil longer, Isaac; we're going to miss the services for the dead. . ." Isaac's head drooped for a moment before he pulled it back up.
"No matter. It's not like we can never come back to Imil to pay respects. Did the others sense it too?"
"They did."
"Mia did too. This is very bad; if I could sense it, it must be serious. Venus Adepts have never been known for ever accurately foreseeing the future."
"I'm aware, Isaac. Venus and Jupiter are opposing elements, after all."
"Psynergy elements, I'm assuming?" Triad asked, curious.
"Correct." Isaac returned, spotting Mia from the corner of his eye. "Let's move. Where are the others?"
"Back at the inn, waiting for us." Triad replied. "Let's go." The foursome fought the harsh north winds back to the inn, Triad still mumbling about the cold and particularly unpleasant weather of that night. The others awaited outside the inn, and greeted their companions with a quick salutation.
"Dargon? You're coming too?" Isaac asked in surprise. "I thought you'd stay here in Imil!"
"No, the town doesn't need me; I'm a warrior! It's in my blood, and peaceful Imil isn't really the place for someone like me. Besides, I owe you this much, Isaac; without you, this town and its people would be nothing but ashes." Dargon replied, head inside his Captain's Helmet.
"Thanks, Dargon. Ivan, where are we supposed to head?" Isaac asked. Ivan paused, and closed his eyes; he began glowing an odd purple aura and rings of energy spiraled around his small frame. Eventually, the rings of light dissipated and Ivan opened his violet eyes.
"We must head that way." He said, pointing to the west. "That's where we must go."
"So be it, then. Let's move out!" Isaac ordered. The group did as ordered, walking in two single-file lines. Isaac, Garet, Triad and Dargon made up one line, while Mia, Jenna, Ivan, and Felix made up the other. The team of eight marched out of Imil, and headed due west of the town of Imil.
*******************************
The west was a difficult path; mountains constantly confounded the weary adventurers at every turn. Luckily, the farther west they drew, the milder it got, much to the relief of Triad and Garet, who both had it with two feet of snow and constant freezing winds. It had been five days since they had left from Imil, and everyone already felt like they were a big family. Dargon and Triad had managed to find themselves a nice niche amongst the experienced veterans of adventure. Triad and Ivan had become like brothers, quite similar to Isaac and Garet, and Dargon seemed to have developed a strong friendship with just about everyone in the group. Thankfully, the atmosphere among the lot of them remained friendly despite the frenzied and fervored pace they were forced to move at. Isaac was an excellent trailblazer who could cover incredible amounts of miles in a single day, but sadly, Triad, Dargon, and Mia couldn't keep as strong a pace as the their leader, so he was forced to slow himself.
As they pressed further and further on, Ivan's nightmares, or premonitions as he preferred to call them, got more and more frequent and severe. It was common now for Ivan to snap awake twice or thrice a night in a cold sweat because of his dreams. Triad had at one point mentioned to Garet that life as a Jupiter Adept has got to stink big time. Garet, who was a Mars Adept all his life, was tempted to agree. Dargon, who had some doubts about leaving Imil hours after their departure, was coaxed forward by Jenna and Garet, who both obviously respected his abilities and skill.
The mountains they were in were relatively small, forest-covered mountains, giving ample wood and shelter from the winds and any storms that could hit. What was considered an advantage could easily be pushed into a disadvantage, for in the forest lurked many creatures; some benign, others malevolent. Most malevolent. Countless encounters along the way were dotted with Undead, Zombies, Skeleton Warriors, giant spiders, rat creatures, and the occasional hellhound. There was nothing too serious for the warriors, though Triad managed to get himself in trouble a couple of times from some hellhounds. It was obvious Triad lacked significant battle experience and any sort of Psynergy at all, so he was judged as the worst fighter. The title was taken by Triad surprisingly well; he usually took insult at comments quickly, but he acknowledged his lack of skill and vowed to eliminate it.
After the sixth day of travel, Ivan halted the group as they were preparing to walk over a ridge. "The place we need to go is just over this ridge. I can feel it."
"Are you sure, Ivan?"
"I'm certain, though I can't help but feel some really bad vibes right now. Perhaps we've arrived too late."
"I think not! Come on!" Isaac shouted, lunging forward and bounding over the ridge. Garet and Mia were hot on his heels, and the others eventually all followed. "Okay, now what? We're still in the forest."
"The forest clears about in about a 100 yards. Beyond that is what we want to find." Ivan stated. Isaac nodded, and pushed through the forest, but before he emerged, he turned and waited for his friends. The teams split into pairs with whom they emerged from the forest. Isaac and Mia were in the front, followed by Ivan and Jenna, Triad and Dargon, and Garet and Felix in back. Garet could've sworn he had heard Mia or Jenna gasp, so he pushed forward next to Isaac. "Isaac, what's going o-- what the hell?!" Garet asked to Isaac just as he saw the sight in front of him. A village, nestled in the valleys of the mountains, tightly knit and quite quaint, lay burning below them in the dusk twilight. The smell of the fire perforated Garet's nostrils, who, although was used to the smell of fire, abhorred him to no end. The fires smelled hellish, with what smelled like brimstone or sulfur. Garet stared further at the burning village, wondering if there were any survivors. Not a word was spoken among the group; all just watched in shock as the once- proud village of Vale slowly burned into a cinder.