The Split Encounters

The team, consisting of the top tier adventurers of Icy Vale, Adelgeld a survivor from the incident, and Cilian a royal knight that was sent to aid the adventurers by the king. They all left the city gates and followed the road going towards the village port.

"I'm still not entirely sure what we're in for, but I guess that's how everything is going to go" Denila says

"The gates have been closed to prevent anyone from leaving or entering. This was caused by the incidents happening at night, especially the ones two nights ago. They're a bunch, but they sure are brave enough to attack groups and they're strong too" Adelgeld laughs out in excitement "This is going to be fun!"

"So we're going to the place that was attacked, or do we have a specific location in mind?" Denila asks

"Let's just scout the area where they were attacked before we do anything" Azgore suggests

"We'll be going to the crime scene, somewhere along the path going to the port. It hasn't been touched ever since we were attacked and no one dare to come out of the village. So you can say we're the first to exit while everyone is in lock down" Adelgeld says

They continue to walk, traveling through the road. Hours passed by, the snow everywhere was thick, but the road was still visible. They finally see the crime scene with the carriage broken down to the side. There would be snow covering parts of the broken carriage but mostly visible. The trail behind the carriage has been completely covered by snow, but to the right side of the carriage there is a faint line leading deep into the forest.

"So Adelgeld, tell us something with what we're up against" Azgore says

Johnathan heads in to inspect the interior of the carriage.

"It's a group of humanoids. Medium sized like us regular people. They're strong to break through solid objects as you can see with those holes on the carriage" Adelgeld says

"Yep, I don't see any scratch marks nor indications of sword marks inside. The carriage got smashed, we're most likely dealing with snow trolls. Did you get a good view of their face, Adelgeld?" Johnathan says

"They didn't look human. I don't know how to describe them, and I didn't get a good look on what they were. We all panicked the moment the carriage got flipped and broken up. But if they are trolls, it should be easy. You guys are the top tier adventurers along with a royal knight" Adelgeld responds

Johnathan nods then looks at the trail. "This leads deep into the forest. The monster is probably resting somewhere there, we should strike while its down" he says

Denila goes inside the carriage to inspect then comes back out.

"So what did you find out that we don't know yet?" Johnathan asks

"A potion" Denila shows the potion she found in the carriage.

"Can someone look around for tracks? We could at least know what we're trying to follow through their footsteps. As for the one who will track... Have someone go with you.. Everybody will go in pairs for now if you wanna do anything. We are in enemy territory we don't want them to get the jump on us" Azgore says calmly

Cilian looks around the carriage and surrounding area, but doesn't stray far away.

"Most of the area is covered by snow. Whatever track there was last night is covered. Only that trail leading into the forest is the only visible trail that hasn't been completely covered by last night's snow" Cilian says

"Splendid idea! We shall enter the forest in pairs!! I choose... Denila to be my partner!" Adelgeld points to her then puts his arm around her shoulder.

"I'm going to take Benjamin" Azgore says as he picks up Benjamin and places him on his shoulders

"I can go alone, we should meet back here if we find anything" Cilian says

"No, it's best we don't risk a single person right now. I don't wanna give them even an inch of surprise" Gunvil says

"Huh? Why am I gonna be your partner?" Denila looks at Adelgeld

"Aw? You don't like me? You seem strong enough to protect me!" Adelgeld replies back joyfully

"Cilian stick with me" Azgore says, then he increases his speaking volume through use of simple magic "Each group must be within shouting distance of each other!" He reverts back to his regular volume then prays silently "May Sagittarius bless us with courage"

It began to snow followed by a thick fog. The team were still within sights with each other. They all acknowledged each other before going through the path. The first team to enter was Denila and Adelgeld. The two of them make it through the trail and the fog disappears after a few minutes of walking.

"This fog seems pretty suspicious, don't you think?" Adelgeld asks

"If anything's suspicious, that'd be you" Denila replies

"Oh come on! I haven't done anything wrong, I'm a great person hehe" Adelgeld replies

The fog disappears and they both realized that no one has followed behind them. The two kept looking around to see if they're nearby but failed to see anyone within distance. Denila attempts to cast a simple message spell in a random direction in hopes that someone in the team would reach it, but for some reason the spell failed. She looked surprised as she does not know the reason it failed.

"Something up?" Adelgeld asks

Denila looks up then back at Adelgeld confused.

"Did you just say that to make me look up?" she asks

"I asked if something's wrong" he replies back

"Psh, nothing. Let's keep going" Denila responds

The two are in a clearing in the forest. Everywhere was white covered in thick snow and such. There's a path leading straight deeper into the forest. They follow it seeing as there's nothing to do in where they are until they reach another clearing. Denila takes a step and felt like she stepped on something. She kneels down and to dig up the snow and sees a hand made of stone. She shrieks.

"That's a cute sound" Adelgeld comments

"Look!" she says

Adelgeld comes over to look and takes the snow off. It's just a stone hand on the ground. Adelgeld kneels and picks it up.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" Denila asks

"Hm. This looks like a stone. What do you think Denila?" he asks back

"Of course it's a stone! What did you think it was?! A person's hand?!" she replies

"Honestly" he says smirking "I did"

"Weirdo" Denila just brushes him off "Let's get going. The forest isn't going to explore itself"

Denila went first into the forest, followed by Adelgeld. But before he entered, Adelgeld pressed his gemstone on his staff. It faintly glowed, and he followed behind Denila smirking to himself.