18.3. The forest trek trial

Standing up, he checked his remaining supplies. He still had the trowel and wrappings; the guards had only taken the flowers. The vial of preservative was still secure in his pocket. All he needed were three more Crossus specimens.

This time would be different. He knew where the flowers grew, knew the monsters' patterns, knew exactly what he needed to do. Playing it safe had gotten him the flowers, but by the time he arrives back, it will be night. Time to wait the beast out is something he no longer had if he wanted to meet Richard by six tomorrow morning.

The sun was already low in the sky as he jogged back toward the forest.

He returned to the previous site. No need to scout other locations now; he knew this spot had what he needed. As darkness had already fallen, the familiar blue glow of the Crossus began to emerge, and with it came the shadows of the monsters he'd observed before.

But this time meant he was taking calculated risks.

I've seen their patterns, he reminded himself. I know when they turn, when they pause, when they move. I just need to be quick.

Heron crept toward the first flower, timing his movements with the creatures' patrol patterns. His fingers had just brushed the glowing petals when a twig snapped beneath his foot.

The sound, barely louder than a whisper, was enough. Two of the smaller shadow beasts whirled toward him, their forms rippling like smoke in moonlight. Before Heron could retreat, they lunged.

He drew his sword in time to catch the first beast's attack. The impact sent shockwaves through his arm. These creatures might look like shadows, but they hit with genuine force. The second beast circled, looking for an opening.

In the dim light, Heron could barely track their movements. As the first beast lunged again, he didn't dodge. Instead, he met its charge head-on, his blade finding purchase in its shadowy form. But it was not without a cost. Its fangs pierced his right arm, and the creature's momentum carried them both backward. Heron used the beast's body as a shield against its companion.

His sword struck again and again, each blow weakening the shadow beast's form. But the second creature wasn’t waiting around. It latched itself on top of its friend and started to rake, trying to reach Heron. The first creature was done, but the second one struck. Its claws raked across Heron's neck as he tried to pierce it from beneath. Pain exploded through his body, fresh blood trickling down his collar.

Its teeth snapped inches from his face. Heron's arms trembled from the force.

With his sword still stuck in the first creature. Heron's free hand found his digging tool. In one desperate motion, he wrenched it free and drove it up into the second creature's throat.

The beast's form shuddered as it tumbled down. Heron collapsed onto his back, gasping for air, his neck wound burning. His fingers fumbled for the healing medicine in his pocket, but his strength was gone. He couldn't even pull the cork free.

Then he heard it. A low, rumbling growl that made his blood freeze. The massive shadow creature from the treeline, drawn by the commotion. Its eyes glowed like dying embers in the darkness.

"So this is how it ends," Heron whispered, his voice barely audible. The blood loss and exhaustion had taken their toll, and he was trapped.

The beast reared up, its form blotting out the stars above. Heron closed his eyes, making peace with his fate.

An arrow streaked through the night, trailing red light. It struck the massive creature's shoulder, erupting in a fire that illuminated the entire clearing. The beast roared in pain.

Through blurred vision, Heron saw a figure drop from the trees, landing between him and the wounded monster. It was Lucia whose face was kindled by flaming arrows she was shooting in darkness.

The beast charged. Lucia's arrow took it in the throat, exploding in a burst of flames that reduced the monster to wisps of shadow. In the sudden quiet that followed, Heron could hear his own ragged breathing.

Consciousness slipped away from Heron, and the world around him dissolved into darkness. Within that void, whispers emerged. They came from everywhere and nowhere, speaking in tongues he couldn't understand, yet some words felt familiar. Then whispers started shaping faces that formed in ripples of dark water that shouldn't exist in this nothingness.

-.. --- -. .----. - / .-.. . .- ...- . / -- . / to die.

-.. --- -. .----. - / leave / me

Don’t leave me TO DIE!

A loud slap and a scent of roasting meat pulled Heron back to reality. His eyes opened to find himself propped against a tree,his wounds healed with barely any marks. A small fire crackled nearby, where Lucia was turning meat on a makeshift spit.

"Look who's finally awake," she said, her heterochromatic eyes glinting with amusement. "The mighty slayer returns to the land of the living."

Heron tried to sit up straighter, wincing at the pain in his neck and then realizing his cheek was burning as well. As his vision cleared, he noticed something odd about the meat. It looked surprisingly ordinary.

"What happened to the monsters?" he asked with a rough voice.

Lucia burst into laughter. "Monsters? Oh, that's precious! They were wild boars, you silly boy. Though I'll give you credit. You took down two of the younger ones. Not bad for a rookie." Her tone turned mocking. "But mommy boar? That was a bit out of your league, wasn't it?"

"Lucia." Almir's deep voice cut through her teasing as he emerged from the darkness, carrying water skins. "That's enough."

"Oh, come on, I'm just having a little fun," she protested, but there was something sharp in her smile. "Besides, this is nothing compared to the stuff we've gotten ourselves into. If he can barely handle some wild boars, how's he going to survive the trip?"

"You mock the boy, but how did you get that second eye as a replacement?" Almir said quietly as he handed Heron a water skin. "As I recall, that wasn't exactly a tough assignment either."

Lucia's playful demeanor faltered for just a moment. "That was different," she said, her voice losing some of its edge. "I was just joking anyway." But there was something in the way she touched her scarred eye that suggested Almir's words had struck home.

"Also, those boars rampaged because of the effects of Crossus. You know it serves them as an aphrodisiac and makes them more vile."

Almir turned to Heron. "You lost quite a bit of blood. We had some in reserve, so physically you’ll be alright. Crystal did its magic. Though in terms of stamina, I think you are in no shape to move. I don’t know if you will finish the trial."

Heron's head was spinning, but his mind latched onto one crucial detail. "How much time do I have left?"

"About two hours until the deadline," Lucia replied, tossing another piece of wood on the fire. "Not that you're in any shape to do anything about it."

"Could you carry me?" Heron suddenly asked Almir. "If I gather the flowers, could you carry me to the meeting point?"

The request hung in the air for a moment before Almir burst out laughing. "You want a piggyback ride to complete your trial?"

"I know it sounds ridiculous," Heron admitted. "But the flowers are right here, and even if I'm late, showing up is better than giving up, right?"

Almir studied him for a long moment, then a slow grin spread across his face. "You know what? Why not? It's the craziest thing I've heard in ages."

"Oh, this I have to see," Lucia chuckled, her earlier edge forgotten in the situation's absurdity.

With trembling hands, Heron gathered three Crossus specimens despite his exhaustion. Once they were properly wrapped and preserved, Almir helped him onto his back.

"Hold tight," Almir warned. "I'm not exactly a gentle ride."

“I can vouch for that.” Lucia chuckled. Almir just looked at her with an icy stare and then rushed down the forest path. Because he was so large and buffed, he was much faster running on foot then Heron, so they were cutting down time as they rushed towards the city.

Lucia followed them, occasionally making jokes about "The Great Piggyback Adventure" as they rushed through the forest. Even with Almir's considerable strength and stamina, the sun was well above the horizon by the time they reached the meeting point.

Richard stood waiting, his expression stern as he watched their approach. Heron's heart sank as they were at least an hour late.

Almir set Heron down carefully. On shaky legs, Heron stepped forward and presented the flowers to Richard.

"I know I'm late," he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "And I know that probably means I failed. But before you say it..." He turned to Almir and Lucia. "Thank you both. For saving my life, for helping me try one last time. I'll head back to the village I came from, but I won't forget this."

He moved to sit on the fallen log where he'd cried just yesterday, every muscle in his body protesting the movement.

"Did I say you failed?"

Heron looked up at Richard, confusion written across his face.

"But... I'm late. And I needed help to get here."

Richard cut him off. "But the trial we’ve given you is not the actual trial."