Chapter 6 Nagarth’s buried map

With a soft hum, the series of transmigratory pods stopped and their doors slid open. Kael and his companions scanned the busy scene with eager eyes. The central town of Cambris met expectations as a nexus of activity as people moved about their businesses. Various routes branched off to various locations in the north. This was therefore an ideal starting point for their mission. 

They collectively moved towards the disembarkation platform with Kael in the lead. His sheathed sword, the Blade of Luptarus was on his back. Elara's movement beside him was graceful and alert. Lyra walked beside Zephyr holding her staff and Zephyr hummed a soft tune. His enchanted lute was slung across his back. Thorne remained vigilant at the rear with his bow slung across his chest and the sheath of arrows on his back. The group did not garner much attention as the platform was filled with people of all kinds and professions.

A man approached them as they stepped off the platform. He looked casual but his eyes were sharp. "It's a wonderful day, isn't it?" he expressed. 

This was the Alliance's code phrase, Kael remembered. So he responded with the usual reply in a cautious and steady tone. "Why would you say that, sir?"

Giving a knowing smile, the man answered correctly. "Men journey forth, make friends, and achieve great things together." 

With this correct answer, it seemed clear that he was indeed a contact from the alliance. The agent introduced himself as Gareth and led the group to a quieter part of the city. Speaking in hushed tones to keep their conversation safer from prying eyes and lurking ears, he said. "Here is an important information from our local Alliance that you may need. We discovered it recently. A map is buried within the forests of Nagarth. You can find it beneath an ancient oak tree and there is an old legend that claims that it leads to something of vital importance. Here is the route to the forest."

Kael's mind raced with possibilities as he related this find to their quest. He collected the paper and the group studied it. "Thank you, Gareth. We'll set off for this location immediately."

The forests of Nagarth

And so, the Alliance Heroes headed off towards the forests of Nagarth. The rough path was bordered by dense woods and the terrain got rougher the deeper they went in. The trees kept getting taller and more imposing until they virtually blocked sunlight from streaming in. 

It was a good thing that they all had good clothing that covered most skin surfaces. But the arduous journey and the buzzing insects often made Zephyr curse. Nonetheless, the group kept their determination and continued moving forward.

Thorne, the ranger, seemed to be in his element as he led the way this time. He often took bearings from the described route as they made progress. With Thorne's guidance, they got close to their destination but it was already close to nightfall. "It is best that we camp here for the night." Thorne advised, pointing towards a flat ground between a cluster of trees. After setting up several tents, the group relaxed and had a packaged meal. 

"I'll take the first watch." Thorne suggested, being the first to finish his meal. "Okay, I'll go second. Zephyr can go third, and Elara, you take the final watch." The companions nodded and Thorne climbed up to the higher branches of a nearby tree with practised ease and agility. 

They set off the next morning at the break of dawn. Towards midday, they got close to the ancient oak tree. The tree stood wide, tall, and strong with an air of permanence as if it existed since the dawn of time and it would continue till ageless time. Kael pointed to the massive oak tree and said. "This should be the place. Let's look for this map."

The group spread themselves out and started searching the small clearing for signs of disturbance. The silence was eerie and Zephyr paused, brought out his lute, and played a soft melodic note as they worked. This music helped to calm their frayed nerves as they unearthed the ground with shovels and picks. 

"Over here," Lyra called after her hoe struck the lid of a small, weathered chest. Kael and the others joined her, kneeling to carefully dig out the chest. Their hearts pounded with anticipation and Kael pried the box open to reveal an old map. It looked ancient and tattered.

"According to this, the sixth fragment is located in the mountainous region of Catalonia." Elara murmured. Lyra also pointed out an highlighted route. "The map even suggests a route from here to get out of the forests to the mountains."

'Off we go then." Kael said and the group collated their tools and set out from the area. After a few hours, they came out from the borders of the forests and began the journey to the mountains. These were relatively uncharted regions with little or no traffic of people. They had to contract horses from a trading post not far from the border of the forests. 

The journey got quite monotonous but the group pressed on. Kael's eyes scanned the terrain as he led the group. Lyra kept pace with Elara who moved with silent grace. Lyra's senses were attuned to any slight movement. Zephyr kept to the rear, occasionally strumming a soft tune on his lute. "Stay alert," Kael muttered to the group. 

Meanwhile, Thorne maintained his role as the silent tracker and protector. His bow was at the ready as he occasionally tracked in front and at other times circled to the back of the group. Kael could only catch a sight of him occasionally. 

Now, you'll pay the price

The landmarks around the Alliance heroes gradually changed as they encountered less trees and more plains and valleys. Thorne had returned to the rear of the group at this time. As they turned a corner, Kael, who led the way, felt a prickle of unease. The ground sloped downwards at a slight angle and rocky plains bordered both sides of the path. "Something's not right," Kael muttered. 

Before Zephyr who was beside Kael could respond, the air was suddenly filled with dark magic. Seline stepped into view from the plains above, malevolent power glowing in her eyes. "Fools! Now, you'll pay the price and meet your end."

The Arcane Warrior and other dark magic casters emerged on the opposite plain. His hands were crackling with arcane energy. Likewise, other warriors and cultists surrounded them in front and behind. 

Kael immediately drew his sword and the legacy blade gave off a gleaming light. "It's a trap! We must not let this stop us. Remember our teamwork. Let's not go down without a fight!"

The surrounding plains became a fierce battleground as light and dark magic flowed. Zephyr's lute weaved protective enchantments around the Alliance Heroes and also sent bursts of confusion among the cultists and arcane warriors who rushed over. 

Seline also stepped forward and unleashed several waves of dark magic. The cultists and arcane warriors attacked in a frenzy of fanatical devotion. Kael's ring continually put up a faint green barrier around the heroes that helped to dispel the dark magic. Elara continuously darted into the fray, using her daggers to take down individual targets with lethal precision. Thorne's arrows also whizzed past, taking down cultists before they got close.

The sounds of combat echoed and the battle grew more intense. Seline and the Arcane Warrior brought a formidable team but the Alliance Heroes managed to stand their ground. Lyra was alert and a separate battle had formed between her and the dark enchanters. Kael's ring and Zephyr's lute offered some protection from the dark spells that were hurled at her. On the other hand, she often used her staff to hurl spells of ice and fire at the dark enchanters.

As the battle grew more chaotic, Kael found himself squaring off against the Arcane Warrior. The fierce dark aura that radiated from the warrior brought a serious look to Kael's eyes. The clash between them was intense and the surrounding fighters had to clear a space for them. Swords met in a shower of sparks and Kael's legacy ring continually pulsed with energy. Even though Kael's strength and speed were enhanced, the Arcane Warrior met him blow for blow.

Whenever Kael's radiant blade managed to penetrate the Warrior's defence, the strange armour he wore managed to deflect the blade. Once again, the Arcane Warrior's sword clashed with the blade of Luptarus in an explosive display of dark magic and Kael switched to a counter-offensive manoeuvre. He utilised a mix of fists, swordplay, and kicks in a brutal dance of combat. Kael called on his years of training as an elite patrol officer and his inherited legacy. However, the Arcane Warrior also adapted in a similarly amazing way. 

Kael gradually felt an increased sense of familiarity as the fight raged on. The way the warrior moved and forth was uncannily familiar… 

A moment of clarity ensued when a slight wind lifted the warrior's hood and Kael caught a glimpse of his face. "Devon?" Kael whispered, totally stunned.