A bit of relaxation
The night had been long, but Argolaith had managed to sleep through most of it, his body exhausted from the battle with the creatures of the forest.
The crackling fire had given him a sense of comfort, though he was never entirely at ease in the Forsaken Forest.
Its shadows were endless, its creatures endless, its dangers always lurking just beyond his reach. Still, sleep came to him quickly, as it always did when the day's burdens weighed heavy on his shoulders. He had walked many miles, fought fiercely, and now, his body demanded rest.
"It never gets any easier, sleeping in the Forsaken Forest," Argolaith murmured to himself, as his eyes grew heavy.
"But it's all I can do. Well, at least I've got a lot of meat and ingredients from the strange creatures I killed tonight. That'll keep me going for a while."
His thoughts faded as he sank into slumber, the world of waking hours slipping away from him.
In the darkness of the forest, his dreams twisted and contorted, taking on shapes and figures from the world of nightmares.
In the corners of his mind, he could hear the distant growls of beasts, the hollow whispers of unseen forces, and the gnawing sensation that he was being hunted—though by what, he could never say.
But despite the strange dreams that haunted him, sleep was still a reprieve.
His dreams were often like this in the forest—part horror, part wonder. He dreamt of trees that spoke in riddles, of creatures with eyes like burning coals, and of shadowy figures that moved in the corners of his vision, always out of reach but never quite gone.
Some nights, the dreams were terrifying. Other nights, they were strangely peaceful, as if the forest itself was whispering its ancient secrets to him.
It was the balance of the Forsaken Forest: beauty and horror, intertwined in a way that made you question what was real and what was imagined.
But tonight, at least, his dreams had been less disturbing. The shadows had remained distant, and the whispers, though present, had been quieter than usual.
There had been no strange figures stalking him through the woods, no overwhelming sense of dread hanging over him. Perhaps it was the exhaustion that kept his mind from spinning too wildly, or perhaps it was simply the calm before another storm.
When the hours passed and the first rays of sunlight began to pierce the thick canopy overhead, Argolaith awoke slowly.
His body groaned in protest as he stretched, his muscles sore from the battle he'd fought the previous night.
His limbs felt stiff, but he couldn't afford to linger for long. The journey ahead was still long, and every day was another step towards his goal.
"With how sore my muscles are from the fight last night, I'm surprised I slept so well," Argolaith muttered, rubbing his eyes and blinking against the daylight. "But those dreams have been less creepy, at least."
He wasn't sure why, but there had been a shift in his dreams over the past few nights. They weren't as vivid or as oppressive as they had been in the early days of his journey.
Perhaps it was a sign that he was growing more accustomed to the strange magic of the forest—or maybe, it was just the calm before something much worse.
He didn't know, and it wasn't something he had the luxury of worrying about right now.
As he began to prepare for the day ahead, Argolaith rummaged through his pack. He pulled out a handful of berries he had picked the day before, their bright colors a stark contrast to the dull greens and browns of the forest around him.
He also had a few strips of dried jerky left—tough, but nourishing. It would be enough to get him through the morning.
"Good enough for now," he murmured, popping a few berries into his mouth and chewing thoughtfully.
After he had finished his meager breakfast, he packed up his things and set off once again.
The forest stretched out before him, an endless expanse of trees and undergrowth, with only the narrow path he walked to guide him. He glanced down at the map he had stolen from athos's lab, It was tattered and old, but still useful.
"I wonder how far into the forest I am?" he muttered, squinting at the map. "Let's see…"
He traced his finger along the lines of the map, comparing them to the landscape around him. The further he went into the Forsaken Forest, the less familiar everything seemed.
The trees grew thicker, the air heavier with magic, and the creatures that roamed the area seemed to grow bolder.
"Wow," Argolaith murmured to himself, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "I've made it 461 miles, if the map is right. And it only took a few weeks. That's pretty impressive."
The forest was vast, far larger than most people could comprehend. And yet, here he was, inching closer to his goal, day by day.
Each step took him further into the heart of the Forsaken Forest, where few dared to tread.
But he wasn't afraid. Not anymore. He had seen enough of the forest's dangers to know that caution was just as important as strength.
Argolaith continued walking, the hours passing slowly as he focused on the task at hand.
The road, if it could be called that, was narrow and winding, leading him deeper into the wilderness.
He moved quietly, his senses alert to the smallest changes in the air. He had learned over time to listen to the subtle shifts in the environment.
Whether it was the movement of creatures nearby or the sound of leaves brushing against one another in a way that didn't quite feel natural.
As the morning wore on, Argolaith began to grow hungry. He had eaten his berries and jerky earlier, but his stomach was already rumbling again.
He needed something more substantial if he was going to make it through the day.
"I think I'll make a stop and have some lunch," he decided, looking around for a suitable spot. "There's a cave up ahead. I'll rest there for a bit."
The cave was a small one, nestled against a cliffside and almost hidden by thick vines and ferns.
Argolaith entered cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he checked the area for signs of danger.
He had learned to never let his guard down, especially in a place like this. The creatures of the forest were clever, and they would use any opportunity to catch him off guard.
Finding no immediate threats, he set down his satchel and began to gather what he needed for lunch.
Today's meal would be simple but satisfying—Zorath steak and a salad made from the magical plants he had foraged on his journey.
The Zorath was a creature he had killed the night before, its meat tough but flavorful once properly prepared. He knew just how to cook it to bring out its best qualities.
Argolaith took a small knife from his storage ring and began to slice the Zorath meat into thick, tender cuts.
The meat sizzled over the fire as he cooked it, filling the cave with a mouthwatering aroma.
As the steak cooked, he turned his attention to the salad. The magical plants he had gathered earlier had various healing properties, and he carefully mixed them together, making sure to avoid any dangerous or poisonous plants.
It wasn't just about the taste; the food had to nourish him and keep him strong. Every meal was an investment in his survival.
While the food cooked, Argolaith decided to take a quick bath in a nearby creek. The cold water was refreshing as it washed away the blood and dirt from the previous night's battle.
He scrubbed himself clean, making sure to rinse off any remnants of the forest's grime. His reflection in the water was a reminder of the harsh life he led—the scars, the dirt, the weariness in his eyes.
But it was a life he had chosen, and one that he would see through to the end.
When he returned to the cave, his meal was ready. He sat down by the fire, enjoying the warmth of the flames as he ate his lunch.
The Zorath steak was tender, the flavors rich and savory, and the salad was light but packed with nutrients. It was the kind of meal that gave him the strength he needed to keep going.
As he ate, Argolaith thought about the journey ahead. The Forsaken Forest stretched out before him, vast and untamed.
It was a place of magic and mystery, filled with both wonders and horrors. There were still thousands miles to go, many dangers to face, and countless creatures to encounter. But for now, he was content.
His journey was just beginning, and he had no intention of stopping until he had completed his quest.
With his meal finished and his strength renewed, Argolaith stood and packed up his things.
The map was folded and stowed in his storage ring, and his sword was ready at his side. The sun was high in the sky, and it was time to continue on his path.
As he stepped out of the cave and back into the forest, he knew that there would be more battles to fight, more creatures to face, and more mysteries to unravel. But he was ready. With each step, he was one step closer to his ultimate goal.
Argolaith continued his journey through the forsaken Forest, his mind focused on the road ahead and the adventure that awaited him.