Chapter 8: Avoiding the traps

Sounds of tribal village gradually faded into distance as Lina pushed deeper into dense forest jungle, her steps cautious but determined.

The direction of the mountain where crimson light had fallen was etched deeply in her mind. The vivid image of the fiery streak lingered on her, its beauty and intensity was seared into her memory.

'I've seen plenty of falling lights since I was young… but this is the first time I've seen something like this,' she thought, her heart fluttered with curiosity and awe as she thought of it.

Yet, as her steps carried her farther from the danger of her tribe, doubt crept in. What if the Bear Wolf tribe noticed her absence? Their skill when it comes to navigating the forest, honed throughout every generation of hunting, made them formidable trackers on their own.

'No matter…' she reassured herself. 'just once I need to see it with my own eyes. I left the village early enough to get ahead of them somehow.'

She moved forward slowly securing her footing on slippery logs and stones covered in thick moss. The landscape proved hazardous yet enchanting surrounded by looming trees. It would probably take her several hours to arrive at the mountain by dawn.

She traveled for one hour before encountering an unsettling mark of a territorial boundary belonging to the Lizardfolk tribe.

Lizardfolk are known for their keen observation skills and exceptional hunting abilities; they construct dwellings high at the side of the trunks of ancient trees, they hunt ambushing from above with remarkable agility and stealth.

Lina paused to examine the markings. Wooden spears, adorned with bird feathers, it's embedded to the ground, each one supporting another in a crude but deliberate formation. Atop them, the decapitated heads of their prey served as a gruesome warning to trespassers that wandered inside their territory.

'Their spears are different from the tribe,' she noted. 'The Bear Wolf tribe uses bones and sharp teeth from their kills, but the Lizardfolk rely on feathers and stone-tipped weapons.'

A shiver coursed through her as she contemplated the danger of entering their territory. She decided that it's better to be safe, she then deviated from her current path, with the goal of avoiding the Lizardfolk entirely.

Nonetheless, this change of course necessitated her path to the living suspension bridge spanning across the forest gorge, it's a bridge made of living tree roots that was nurtured through generations, she had only vaguely heard of it previously from the hunters back in the village.

The dense forest canopy obstructed much of her vision, she only relied on the dim natural light from the stars and the moon to guide her earlier through the forest.

Each of her movements was with purpose, with her listening intently for even slightest noise in the vicinity surrounded by darkness that seemed almost palpable.

After a lengthy stretch she paused beneath a dense shrub feeling the burden of her journey weighing heavily on her. Lina intertwined her hands and took deep breaths, soothing her rapid heartbeat. It was necessary for her to make preparations, as what she needs is a calm body and mind.

This is a secret that only she and her mother knows, it's a skill transmitted discreetly and honed in seclusion. She concentrated her thoughts, sensing the natural energy surrounding her in the environment.

Softly, she chanted under her breath, a prayer that only she could hear:

"I, Lina, known by the name given to me by my mother, desire guidance to the destined path ahead. Lead me to the place I aspire to reach, please shield me from those that seek to harm me to ensure my safety. This proclamation represents my earnest desire, with the sky as my witness."

As the words left her lips, faint particles of light started gathering around her, enveloping her basic animal-skin clothing and primitive bag in a semi-transparent cover. Her eyes faintly glowed with the emanating ethereal glow, it dispelled the darkness and enhanced her vision to discern the previously dark surroundings.

Lina let out a deep sigh of relief experiencing a small sense of comfort. She believed utilizing this skill would make her almost undetectable for a certain period of time. Her mother passed down this technique as a method of protection to save herself.

For the first time after leaving the village she felt safe again, as a sense of relief gradually alleviated some of the apprehension and distress she was experiencing.

'I need to move fast… I cannot sustain this for an extended period of time,' she said in her mind. 

The method is tiresome, with the pressure on her chest and on her mind intensifying with each passing moment. She was nearing the living bridge until she noticed something a miss on the way.

'I'm almost at the living bridge… huh?' Lina came to a sudden halt, her keen gaze spotting something out of the ordinary situated at the branch of an ancient tree.

These particles of light gathered near the branches, it's subtle yet unmistakable. These particles are mana they are plentiful in nature a concept Lina developed her awareness of through her mother's guidance.

They permeated all living things, flora, fauna and humanity alike. Warriors exude a different kind of energy that strengthen themselves in battle while shamans absorb mana during ceremonies. Lina possessed the ability to also wield it, somewhat granting her perception beyond others.

Her gaze fixed on the faint glow of mana above. 'Is that… a vine? she wondered.' Her eyes traced the vine carefully, she realized it was connected to a hidden weight trap, a net covered by foliage waiting to ensnare anything that stepped into it.

'It's a Lizard man…'' she thought, her anxiety increasing as her eyes adjusted to the figure perched silently in the branches above. 'I-l need to go around it.'

She proceeded with caution diverting her path to avoid the set traps. As she advanced she encountered more traps, each trap is set with lethal precision and the hunters positioned above waited patiently.

She skillfully navigated around each trap managing to avoid each, her senses attuned to the slightest hint of danger nearby.

'I've finally dodged most of them, but why are they placing traps all over the place?' she wondered, she thought about nagging at the Lizard men.

Her inquiry was quickly answered as a loud noise reverberated in the vicinity, the grunting squeal of a wild boar.

Lina crouched down observing through dense foliage. A large boar roughly the size of a grown man thrashed around the thick vegetation moving unpredictably.

Above a lizard man leaped from tree branches holding a stone spear pointed downward. Weapon made contact with the boar's back penetrating deeply into tough skin.

The wild boar gave out its loud cries of distress, convulsing forcefully in an effort to dislodge its attackers. His spear fractured under pressure, prompting the Lizard man to call out to his fellow tribesmen., "It's wounded! Kill it Now!"

Two additional spears were hurled towards the boar, making contact with a dull, fleshy sound. Subsequently, as the animal was starting to falter, three more Lizardmen advanced, ruthlessly targeting its vulnerable areas with precise strikes. Shortly thereafter, the boar succumbed, depleted of its strength.

The Lizard man wearing a feathered crown stepped forward, surveying the kill with satisfaction. "This is plenty of meat. Take it back to the village and let them feast in my honor!" he declared while holding a spear.

Another hunter approached him. "Young tribe heir, shall we bring more hunters back as well?"

"Yes," the crowned Lizard man replied, his voice full of confidence. "We'll need reinforcements so go now, since the animals from the other side have been scattered by the tremors.

Their only path across is the tree bridge, it's the shortest route to get over to this side, if not we'll place more tribesmen at the edges. We'll use this blessing from the great Gorgomon of the sky to our advantage."

The others nodded, their admiration evident across their faces.

"Amazing! The young heir Padtok is so wise!" one of the Lizard men exclaimed.

The rest chimed in with praise, their enthusiasm feeding Padtok's ego.

"Haha! Yes! Father should be celebrating right now. With this my place is set in stone. I'll be the future chief! My siblings must be dying of envy to me already," Padtok boasted, puffing out his chest while placing his hands on his hips.

"Please treat us well in the future, young tribe chief!" another Lizard man said, bowing deeply to the ground.

"Since you are loyal to me, naturally you'll be rewarded," Padtok added with a grin.

After basking in their flattery, Padtok raised his hand. "Now that's enough. I'll head back to the bridge with the others and guard it myself. Take this and head back to the village," he ordered the young Lizard men.

The younger hunters carried the boar back, their voices fading into the forest.

Lina, who had been watching from a hidden spot, felt a chill run down her spine. 'He looks dangerous… I'll need to be extra careful when crossing the bridge. And if they catch me…' She shuddered at the thought. 'But for now, I need to recover my energy.'

Beneath an ancient tree she found cover over the dense leaves and covered her surroundings, she then lowered herself shutting her eyes in near silence, she then softly gathered mana and chanted the spell which made her breath blend into the surroundings.

End of chapter