Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Online. This story, however, is completely mine and may not be redistributed or used without my approval.
Chapter 28
"It should be right here!" Upgrade exclaimed as we reached the edge of the forest. "I can't see shit!" He jumped off his Peco and searched frantically for the entrance to the Yggdrasil Tree.
We've been on the road for well over a month and we were tired. Tired and frustrated. No more died, but we were short on food and water. There was nothing edible in the forest, and to add to it, the plants often bore thorns and other pointy menaces. They tore away at our wares and our skin.
Everyone started to search frantically. I helped out trying to get my mind off of the Spirit of Anger, who even now tried to take control over my body. The forest, though without the Werewolf, was filled with evil magic.
"GOD DAMNIT!" Upgrade was throwing one of his fits.
"Calm down." Dante told him sternly. "We'll camp here tonight. Rest up! We'll continue tomorrow when it's light!" Everyone muttered and started to set up camp.
"I'm sorry, truthfully..." I sat beside Dante as we ate our dinner. It wasn't much...cooked sweet potato and a small ration of apple juice.
"Even if I were to blame this on you." Dante replied. "I would not ask for an apology. This is a task we volunteered for." I sighed.
"But half your men have perished because of this." I said back to him. "You should've left me when you had the chance."
"Hikaru." Dante started as he stared at the stars. "Raisu and I are close friends. If she is to come, I would most certainly come." He winked at me. "And of course she'd come, right buddy?" He gave me a nudge and I got the idea. It annoyed me and amused me at the same time. Had the 'Lord of Emperium' picked up the rumor and believed it?
"Raisu and I." I closed my eyes in annoyance and explained. "Are just good friends." Dante let out an 'uh huh' then went into his cart to look over the mapping with Raisu.
It was a long night. We were so tired and frustrated that I didn't even have a talk with Crono like we usually do. There was a small, dirty, puddle that reflected the moon. I sat beside, it and looked around us. The sky was the only pleasant thing.
"What if we are too late?" I mumbled to myself as everyone else slept. My hand wandered to the hilt of the Excalibur. "What if those people died in vain?" I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the thoughts. I got up and went for a walk.
I have no idea how long I was gone for, but when I came back to the same puddle, I noticed that it grew brighter. The light shone in one direction towards a stone wall. I slowly walked over and tore away the vines and weed surrounding the engravings. It was the ancient language.
Frantically, I ran back to the camp and woke everyone.