CHAPTER 15: Mossy Forest

At the foot of the Mountain Arcanus…

It was still dark and only the burning torches and bonfires gave light to the gathered esteemed individuals. Those who will be sent for the secret mission started to gather. The Supremo with ten of his golden shielders; Adviser Moraii; Commander Osiros, the Spiritual Leader who will perform the ritual and the three Wishbones who climbed Mt. Arcanus has already arrived.

"I thought you said that Captain Tobias Karsh will come," the Supremo said to Commander Osiros when he noticed that he was not around.

"He will be here, Supremo."

Just in time, a sound of an approaching steed caught their attention. A tall dominant man in maroon robes climbed down from the steed. His ferocious eyes danced with the burning flames.

As Tobias approached the gathered individuals, he tried to identify everyone who's present. He easily recognized the Supremo as well as the Commanders of the Golden Shield, the Bloody Cloaks and the Grand Amethyst beside him. Unexpectedly, he also saw Dorn and Haelas. He was confused for a second. Extending his vision, he saw Adviser Moraii, the Spiritual Leader, some older Wishbones and ten golden shielders.

After he climbed down from his steed, he immediately walked towards the Supremo.

"A pleasant dawn, Supremo," he greeted him.

The Supremo nodded at him.

"Now that we are all here, let's start the ritual," the Supremo ordered.

The Spiritual Leader then came forward. He asked those who will join the mission to gather around the bonfire. He then started praying for their safe passage and their health.

"Ruler of the Heavens, here are your sons and warriors who will depart on a noble Mission. Be with them so that they will fear nothing. Guide them so that they will find the right way. Shield them from any unpleasant situations and accidents. Give them strength and good health to carry out this mission."

He then asked them to get the offering that consists of food and wine; and place it beside the entrance of the forest. They then obliged.

"Spirits of this forest, here are four warriors with a noble cause. Please kindly let them in and grant them a safe passage. May you give them food when they are hungry. May you light their way when they are lost. May you heal them when they are injured. In return, these four warriors will not fail to respect and honor your presence."

Afterwards, the Spritual Leader then hanged a jasmine garland on their necks. This is a mark that will inform the spirits of their presence and pure intention.

And the ritual is done.

The Wishbones who entered the Mountain years ago, approached the members of the secret mission.

One gave them an illustrated map.

"This time should be easier as you will have a map, unlike when we entered the mountain decades ago. Just stay close together and trust each other. If you hear any sounds, voices that are not owned by your brothers, just ignore it," one of them said.

"I prepared some medicines that you might need along the way. As for the food, the forest is abundant with fruits, animals and fishes. A gentle reminder, you should always ask permission before you harvest the fruits or before you hunt," the other said.

"Ah, before I forget. You should always be respectful to everything that you will see in that forest. Also, fighting and using violence against each other is a no-no. You might anger the spirits and you might not be able to return safely," the spiritual leader said.

The defenders and the aspirant nodded.

The Supremo then walked closer to the defenders and the aspirant.

"Bring me the fruit of your mission and you shall be rewarded handsomely," he said.

"Yes, Supremo."

"Pardon Supremo, but, what exactly is our mission?" Tobias asked.

"Commander Remus will tell you once you reach your destination. Then, go now."

"Yes, Supremo."

XXX

At the first sight of the sunlight on the horizon, the members of the Secret Mission walked into the forest's entrance. Commander Remus was designated as the Mission Leader. The presence of Commander Remus is going to be difficult for Tobias but he is hanging on.

Meanwhile, the Supremo, Adviser Moraii , Commander Osiros and some of the golden shielders went to make a temporary camp not far from the entrance. Meanwhile, the Spiritual Leader started his journey towards the community as he was scheduled for a ritual. The older Wishbones also joined him on their way home. As soon as the older Wishbones were separated, the Spirtual Leader was halted by a young lady dressed in purple robes. She has these intimidating eyes and a charismatic posture. He immediately knew who she was- Young Miss Caia Custos, only daughter of the Supremo.

"Young Miss," he uttered and bowed his head for a greeting.

"Leader, I was sent by my father here to participate on the mission. I was delayed, that's why I came a bit late. I want you to perform a ritual on me."

"Oh, before that Young Miss, could I first confirm that with the Supremo?"

"Are you saying that I speak lies, Leader?"

"Oh no. Young Miss."

"Then, let's be on our way," Sol (Young Miss Caia Custos) said and led the way.

The Spiritual Leader has no choice but to follow her.

It may be a coincidence or pure luck, but fortunately, there's an extra set of an offering. Well, he decided to prepare the maximum set of offerings which is five. It's because they have a rule that only five individuals are permitted to enter the forest. In order for another group to enter, the first five must return first.

As soon as they arrived at the foot of the mountain, the two Golden Shielders who were left to guard the entrance were shocked when they saw the Young Miss. However, they just kept their mouths shut.

After the ritual was performed, Sol gave her coat to one of the Golden Shielders and she asked the other one to take good care of her steed. After bidding goodbye to the Spiritual leader, she entered the forest.

XXX

As they entered the forest, Tobias tried to figure out why each one of them was selected.

Commander Remus, for sure, as he is the right hand of the Supremo. Dorn? Why? For what reason? Maybe because he is the best archer. Lastly, Haelas, he is still an aspirant, a strong one from the Pure-Blooded Aspirants. He might be sent here as a healer. However, even if he's a prodigy, there are a lot who's more experienced than him. Why did they send him here? Is it because he knew Luminous? Wait, does Dorn and Commander Remus also know about the Luminous? I can't ask them directly. It's dangerous, especially to the Commander. Once I speak about the Luminous, I will be investigated. I need to find a way.

As they walked deeper and deeper into the forest, Tobias couldn't keep his eyes away from the person right in front of him- Commander Remus. He continually stared at his muscular body, treading unsuspectingly of the dark thoughts forming in his mind against him. As soon as he saw him in the ritual earlier, a thought quickly crossed his mind - Assassinate Commander Remus. He eyed his body ferociously. Numerous times, he wanted that body to be lying on the ground bleeding helplessly and pitiful. However, he couldn't do it because of his helpless reaction to him. He hated himself for it.

What's the use of his training and skills if he can't even look at the murderer of his mother?

But now that he can quite tolerate his presence, he knows that his chance has come. He doesn't really believe in spirits roaming around the forest. Thus, he didn't take the warnings of the Spiritual leader seriously.

This is my chance. This forest is full of spirits and mysteries. If I seize his breath, no one would be alerted and no one would be suspicious. It's a perfect opportunity for me. When we reach the foggy area stated on the map, I'll try my luck.

Then, they reached the Mossy forest. This area, everything was encapsulated with moss. May it be the trees, the vines or the rocky path. It looked so mystical.

Commander Remus raised his hand to halt them.

"According to the notes on the map, let's tread the rocky path slowly and gently. If we do the opposite, we will be sucked in by the rocks while cracking our limbs. Everyone understands it?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. They replied."

"Okay, also, be vigilant, we don't know if there are other creatures lurking around, using the thick moss as cover," reminding them.

"Yes sir."

Slowly and gently with bated breath, they tread on the rocks and luckily, they were able to pass by a kilometer of it, safely. Still, they needed to fight against vines and weeds to get through the forest as there's no visible path available.

About 500 meters away from the end of the mossy forest, they heard a scream of a woman coming from the mossy forest. They suddenly stopped and looked back.

"Did you hear what I just heard, sirs?" Haelas asked with a hint of fear.

"Um," Commander Remus uttered.

They looked at each other. Each one of them held their swords tighter.

"Don't tell me, that's the sound of a spirit shouting at another… maybe playing together?" Haelas asked again.

Out of the four of them, ironically, Haelas believed in the spirits and the elementals.

"Let's just go," Tobias said and turned forward.

They then decided to ignore it and started walking forward.

"CAPTAIN KARSHHHHHHHH!" the scream came again. It's not really comprehensible but it's really a loud scream that caught their attention once again.

"I think… I just heard your name, Captain," Haelas said towards Tobias. With the loud scream, even if it's incomprehensible, he could connect the dots and be able to form the words.

"Same here," Commander Remus commented.

"The voice seems familiar…" Dorn said.

XXX

As soon as Dorn uttered the word 'familiar'; Commander Remus suddenly dashed towards the Mossy Forest. Upon realizing, a hint of fear and concern flashed on Tobias' eyes.

"It couldn't be…" he uttered before dashing after Commander Remus.

Dorn and Haelas looked at each other.

"Stay here," Dorn said to him before following the two officials.

"Y-you can't leave me here Sir, I am your healer! Sir!" he shouted but they couldn't hear him as their focus was on the mossy forest.

Haelas has no choice but to follow them back.

Outrunning Commander Remus, Tobias reached the Mossy Forest entrance. 

Several meters away, they saw a person hanging onto dear life. That part was the most slippery as there's even a little bit of spring water flowing on it. It is also near the cliff. That person is trying to hold onto the mossy rocks using his or her belt, but the mossy rocks are slippery, letting the belt be undone.

Without any delay, Tobias eyed the hanging vines as the mossy rocks are very slippery. He jumped and reached one of them. He crossed the distance while swinging from one vine to another. 

Tobias swung closer and closer to that person.

"Hey!" he shouted at the person.

The person tried to look up.

Tobias recognized hereasily.

"Aspirant Moraii?!!! What are you doing here??!!!"

Tobias swung low to reach for her hand. As soon as Sol was able to hold onto his hand, he tried to pull her up. However, the vines in which Tobias is holding on to broke. They fell to the mossy rocks, as it was slippery, they glided towards the cliff. Tobias pulled Sol to his embrace as he tried to pull out his dagger and hack to any cracks and crevices on the rocks. He felt the Mossy Rocks on his back, it hurt every time his body clashed with the rocks.

Meanwhile, Sol felt Tobias' body wrapping around her so warmly and tightly; that she couldn't feel the clashing of her body against the rocks anymore.

"CAPTAINNNN!" Commander Remus called out when he saw Tobias and that person fell to the mossy rocks. Commander Remus tried to swing with the vines and reach for the Captain but it was too late.

Meanwhile, Tobias couldn't secure his dagger to any crevice. They continued gliding towards the cliff.

"Captain, you can just let me go. It's useless. Save yourself," Sol said in a hoarse voice as they kept getting closer to the cliff.

"No, just hold on. I will find a way," Tobias said as he gripped tightly on Sol's hand, "Let your other hand grab on my arm."

If I jump high and grab a vine just before the cliff then we might be saved.

As they moved closer and closer to the cliff, Tobias counted and then jumped high right before the cliff. He grabbed the vine tightly. Sol was pulled up in the air with Tobias. Just after the captain thought that the plan works, the vines broke. They are way too heavy. 

They felt peace and the breeze. They are falling.

At the moment, Tobias forgot everything – his life and his purpose-and being with Sol is the only thing ringing in his mind.

Or you could say …being with Young Miss Caia Custos.

Sol just closed her eyes and accepted whatever fate has stored on her. When she saw the Captain swinging with the vines to help her, she felt a glimmer of hope to be saved. But now, reality struck her. She is really going to die.

And then they landed, it felt springy. They were not crushed.

"We are not dead yet, Captain," Sol whispered as she sighed a breath of relief.

Sol couldn't see it but she knew that Tobias let out a smile by the sound that came from his nose.

"Captain, did you just smile?"

"Huh? Did I smile?" he asked, denying it.

Sol just ignored his denials. She then opened his eyes. They were on top of a lot of piled up vines, just 20 feet from where they fell.

"Captain, why did you do that? You should have just left me?!" Sol scolds him when she's calmer.

"But your eyes say that I should join you," Tobias said .

"My eyes didn't Captain," she said in a defeated voice, "You should have just saved your life." 

"How about your life?"

"It's not worth saving, Captain. Plus, it's my fault that I'm in this situation."

"But to me, it is."

It is worth saving.

"Huh?" she asked, confused.

"Nothing."

"What should we do now, Captain?"

"Mm. We couldn't do anything now if you want to continue resting on my arms?"

"Oh!" Sol exclaimed as she rolled towards the side.

After that small talk, they heard shouts calling for them.

"Captain!" Commander Remus shouted.

"Captain!" Dorn also called out to Tobias.

At the sound of their voices, Sol and Tobias looked up and saw their companions, hanging on some vines, trying to find a way to get them. They tried to go to a safer location and asked them to move there. They then threw a knotted rope on them.

"Aspirant Moraii, Can you climb using that rope?"

"I don't know Captain. Let's see," Sol said and grabbed the rope leading towards their companions. She then started climbing, "I think I can, Captain. Come on."

Tobias let out a small smile and followed Sol up.

"Are you alright, Captain?" Dorn asked Tobias as soon as they reached them.

"Mm," he said and stood up, "It doesn't seem that you grieved when I was gone."

"I knew that you could survive it, Captain."

Tobias tapped Dorn's back and then looked at Sol, being tightly hugged by her friend Haelas.

"I can't believe that I nearly lost you," Haelas uttered, while sobbing. He was shocked earlier to find out that it was her friend whom the Captain is trying to save.

"Mm. I'm also frightened. But I am here now, stop crying. By the way, how did you become part of this team?"

"Have you already forgotten? I'm a healer and I am a prodigy."

"Being narcissistic are we again?"

Haelas just grinned and released Sol.

"Let's get going," Tobias said to them.

"Yes, Captain," the aspirants answered.

Haelas then helped Sol to stand. As Sol tried to stand, she felt a pain from her knees. However, she still managed to stand up.

They then tread on carefully as they continued their journey.

XXX