CHPT 342: Mysterious Lands, Mysterious Fears.....All in the Name of Saving...

Sleep was always a beautiful thing to Ursula. But, after her change it had multiplied. Entering sleep was now a commitment she had to prepare for-- because leaving took an immense amount of physical and mental effort. It was like sleep had transformed into a massive weight that held her to the floor, and waking up was entirely determined by if she could remove the weight.

Something she was trying to do as a distant collection of new sounds hit her ears, along with the Pack Bond that connected her to the others telling her a myriad of things.

To be frank, she was confused. But one thing she knew for sure was that she smelled fear. The electrifying scent made waking up all that much easier.

She rose sluggishly with a heavy throated yawn, feeling her sore muscles stretch and groan beneath her skin. The light buzz in her legs told her she was still tired-- she'd been tired since the third Infested Area, merely trying to keep up with Claude and the others. Their stamina was otherworldly at times.

Speaking of the others, they were all seated in front of her. Waiting patiently at the back of the attic in the shadows. Frosty was supposed to be doing the same, but she could see him continually trying to edge himself closer so he could look outside. She followed where his eyes were going, causing her to turn around and look out at the village cabins along the dirt street.

The sight was a surprise. A welcome surprise, like rainfall in a desert. For that same reason, it was welcome because she knew it hadn't come often. A victory.

Claude stood in the streets, towering over all ten or more of the village residents he'd found as his dark cloak, mask and weapons did little else other than intimidate the others that watched him apply a salve to a young man carrying a bow with a quiver full of wooden arrows.

They were all completely silent, as if still waiting for some monster to attack. And Claude didn't exactly have the tools to alleviate such a worry. Much like Maris, he'd probably only be able to do that if he let them watch him slaughter any pursuing Monsters. Not exactly the best idea. Not when she could do something much more simple.

With another yawn and awakening shake, she shrugged off her mask and removed the hood of her cloak before dropping from the cabin roof, trying her best to ignore the way her body was reacting to the fearful scents.

As soon as she hit the ground, the quiet and tense survivors jumped as they turned to face her.

"Hey.." She said with a smile and wave before adding, "We didn't know so many of you were able to make it...."

"Who's this?" The young bowman asked.

"She's with me. We would've came sooner if we knew." Claude added as she approached, handing her another salve to use in case of any others with superficial injuries.

Slowly, she began integrating herself into groups, making small talk or listening calmly to the more frantic ones in an attempt to try and keep their shocked minds off of the events that transpired no less than two hours ago. Claude could feel them loosening as a result.

Half an hour later and the sun was almost fully in the sky. For the past half hour, the village people had been dipping in and out of their homes, packing their leather and wool bags full of the belongings they wouldn't leave behind. Now they were ready.

"Alright. FeliAlu City isn't too far from here.....we should get there pretty quick." Claude said to them, immediately watching how the feelings of fear twisted the older ones faces in an instant.

"No. Nope." One of the older men said firmly while he shook his head.

"What?" Claude asked.

Some of the younger ones looked at him in an almost pleading way-- as if they knew this would happen.

"We're not entering that.....city. I won't do it." The wrinkles in his face deepened with his grave facial expression.

"What the hell is the problem?? It's not safe here. That is the closest city and it's literally full of people capable of keeping Monsters out."

The old man shook his head, along with the woman beside him of matching age, "That place is full of darkness, young man."

Claude growled in frustration, "You know what else is full of darkness? Demons! I'm trying to help you right now by taking you away from them."

The others swelled around the older folks as the bowman approached him and Ursula, "You'll have to forgive them. They're old fashioned, stuck on the tales told by their grand parents and the ones before even....we just chalk it up to superstition. We'll go with you, just.....just ignore them. Sorry, sir."

Ursula accepted his apology and they began moving soon after. Claude led the way, making sure the rest of his pack held watch of the perimeter while his mind roamed and settled over the old mans talk of supersitions tied to the city.

He couldn't get his words out of his mind, all the way up until they found themselves closing in on the gates that gave way to the city itself. What did he mean? What was the old man referring to? What kind of fear could last generations and still remain so firm in one's heart?

"That place....is full of darkness, young man."