Hugo’s first excursion into the Dark Forest

After feasting on a delicious breakfast of red-tailed goose eggs, Hugo rushed out of the house like the wind before Tracy had the chance to dictate her usual warnings about being careful while out in town.

He did not need to heed these warnings since he was planning on sneaking out of Giza to start practicing some of his new spells. And obviously, he also planned on taking a look at the famed creatures and plants of the Dark Forest.

The beginning of his apprenticeship was still pending. The Matriarch and her party hadn't returned from their mission to the Marshlands yet. Hugo decided to take advantage of this chance, despite all the oddities, to explore the fringes of the Dark Forest.

After dashing into one of the deserted alleys along the South Main Street of Giza, Hugo summoned Infinitus and activated the Cloak of Thanatos.

Hugo immediately felt the Grimoire establish a connection with the astral plane, as a dark gray mist coalesced and enveloped him. In a split second, the dark mist vanished into thin air, leaving his silhouette invisible.

[This spell must be at the highest level of power in Gaia.] Hugo marveled. He shook his head as if to break out from his reverie and once again commenced with his light jog southward.

His goal was to sneak out through the southern gate by following one of the groups of mystics heading out to do missions in the Dark Forest.

After the Blacksmith's discovery of his previous excursions to the Terraced Mountains, Hugo had resolved to mask his movements in and out of town by hiding amongst other groups of mystics whenever he crossed the barrier.

Sometime later, Hugo stealthily approached the southern gate. He stopped a few meters away and waited for the arrival of a random party of mystics heading to the dark forest.

He didn't have to wait for long. The southern gate happened to be the busiest outlet to the Dark Forest. Hugo soon shadowed a group of seven young men and was teleported out of town by the mystic runes of the barrier.

After curbing his desire to investigate the glittering hexagram inscribed on the floor, Hugo rushed out of the deserted outpost and was soon in the jungles of the forest. He didn't dare to linger in one of the outposts of the Dark Church for fear of being discovered.

[So, this was why the Matriarch and the rest were so perplexed after discovering my outings!] Hugo couldn't help but marvel about the effects of the token once he experienced the tedious process of leaving Giza.

[Maybe, the 'Cloak of Thanatos' has similar effects.] Hugo mused while his eyes started scanning the surrounding greeneries.

[This is the feeling of being out into the jungles?] Hugo felt a sudden flare of delight as he hurriedly deactivated the Cloak of Thanatos.

Hugo supposed that he knew what being in a jungle would be like; he'd watched so many documentaries back on Earth and read so many books. His first lungful under the thick canopy was like inhaling a warm soup made from fragrant blossoms.

The sounds from the small creatures in the surrounding woods weren't loud, but overwhelming in their density. They came from beneath Hugo's boots, at his level, and from the awning of the branches and leaves above.

Hugo had abandoned the woolen clothing for waterproof leather pants and jacket that would stay drier and not get soaked when in contact with the dew from the forest's flora.

His footwear was the typical heavy combat boots fabricated from the hide of a calamity beast; there wasn't a chance in hell he'd traverse the Dark Forest without any protective gear shielding his ankles from the snakes and scorpions.

[This is the true beauty of nature.] Hugo mused.

He marveled at the diverse flora and fauna as he started moving East along the periphery of the famed forest. The leaves brushed up against his leather pants as his feet sprung up with each step.

The air blowing across his face tasted both sweet and fresh, like flowers budding on his tongue. The hums of the insects, the chirps of the birds, and the howls of the larger animals formed a sonata of nature beckoning him deeper into the forest.

But Hugo knew better.

Bearing in mind his scholar realm mystic powers, Hugo was well aware that moving deeper into the woods was akin to the act of committing suicide. He hadn't learned or even practiced any combat mystic spells that could fend off enemies.

The jungle folded around Hugo like it was taking possession of him. Leafy tendrils fell over the way he'd come and jammed his motion in every direction.

But suddenly, Hugo stopped cold in his tracks as he looked around and observed the surrounding jungles. Every view was exclusive to a single locality but the same all at once.

[If I go any further, I will risk losing my way back to the outpost.] He mused.

[I should start by looking for a base for my future excursions. I can't risk bringing specimens from the Dark Forest back to the Matriarch's house]

Hugo adjusted his walking direction and started moving north.

Up north, there was the southern part of Giza and the hills that formed its natural borders within Giza island. Hugo had received an introductory book about Giza island from Tracy yesterday.

Although he was surprised by Tracy's possession of detailed information about a hidden base of the Dark Church, he received it nonetheless. Thus, he was more knowledgeable about Giza Island than most of the mystics living within the protection of the barrier.

"HOOWWWL…" A howl broke Hugo out of his cogitations with a surge of adrenaline hitting his system.

[The beast howling appears to be in great pain. What is happening?] Hugo deliberated as he hurriedly activated the Cloak of Thanatos. Hugo had only deactivated his invisibility to experience the feeling of walking out in nature but not to fight the terrifying creatures of the Dark Forest.

"SCREEEEEEEECH…" A high-pitched shrill piercing cry soon followed after the first howl. Similar to the howl from before, the screech was filled with intense agony and pain.

[Calamity beasts should be fighting some few miles south of here. Should I take a look?] Hugo pondered as he faced towards the origins of the beastly sounds in the south. He could learn a lot about Gaia's ecology and mystic power system just by observing the fight.

"Only those who risk doing what seems impossible can find out how far they can go on the path of mysticism." Hugo chaunted, his voice like a whisper.

[Screw it! I have the Cloak of Thanatos activated.]

[Why should I be scared like a little girl? I will just observe from a distance.] Hugo mused as he sidestepped the trees along his path while rushing towards the battle scene.