CHAPTER 13: On the Road to the Dawn Mountains

At dawn, the group left the manor, wrapped in a cold mist clinging to the ground. Merick had given them a detailed map of the route to follow: a mix of forest trails, rivers to cross, and steep passes leading to their destination.

They were all dressed accordingly. Rena wore a long gray coat lined with fur, a thick scarf around her neck, and sturdy boots. Lucas, in a dark blue coat and leather gloves, insisted on carrying a large sword at his belt, even though Merick reminded him they were only going to explore. Eliam, on the other hand, wore lighter clothing suited for movement, but his thick cape kept the biting cold at bay. Shela, dressed in a black tunic with golden decorations and a dark cape, carried a bag filled with potions and herbs she had carefully prepared.

"The Dawn Mountains... Seriously, couldn't we start with somewhere... flatter?"grumbled Lucas as he stared at the hills rising on the horizon.

"Complaining already?" Shela shot back, walking ahead of him. "Want me to make you a potion for endurance?"

"No thanks," Lucas replied, slightly annoyed.

Rena walked next to Eliam, her gaze often lost on the road ahead. She was nervous but tried not to show it.

"You're doing well for a first mission,"Eliam said, breaking the silence.

"I feel completely out of my depth, to be honest,"she admitted.

"That's normal," he replied calmly. "But you're doing better than you think."

A few steps behind them, Lucas was paying close attention to their conversation, frowning as he watched Eliam talk so naturally to Rena.

"What does he think he's doing?"he muttered under his breath.

Shela, overhearing him, rolled her eyes.

"Oh, stop it, Lucas. If you're jealous, at least pretend you're not."

"I'm not jealous!" he protested.

"Sure. And I'm a mermaid."

Lucas didn't get a chance to reply as Eliam suddenly stopped, raising his hand to signal danger.

"Wait."

Ahead, the forest grew denser, and a faint cracking noise echoed. Everyone froze.

"What's that?" Rena whispered.

Eliam squinted, scanning the shadows between the trees.

"Probably animals... but let's stay cautious."

Lucas eagerly drew his sword.

"Finally, some action!"

"Put that away," Shela murmured. "If it's just animals, no need to scare them."

Eliam shot Lucas a look, and with a groan, Lucas sheathed his weapon.

"Let's keep moving. Stay alert."

They made their way through the forest, careful of every sound. Eventually, after an hour of cautious walking, they emerged onto a clearer path lined with white stones.

"Good,"Eliam said, consulting the map. "If we follow this trail, we should reach the mountain's base by nightfall."

"Good," Lucas said. "I hate these forests. Too many weird noises."

Rena couldn't help but lift her eyes to the snowy peaks of the Dawn Mountains. They seemed almost unreal, bathed in a soft light that contrasted with their imposing height.

"Have you ever seen mountains like these?" she asked.

"Not me," Shela shrugged. "But they don't exactly make me want to climb them."

Eliam smiled faintly.

"They're sacred to many magical beings. Some say they hold ancient secrets, relics... and creatures best left undisturbed."

"Great. Just what I wanted to hear," Lucas muttered.

They continued onward, stopping briefly for a quick meal before resuming their journey.

Rena, meanwhile, couldn't stop thinking about Rose. She pictured her aunt pacing the house, worried, trying to figure out why her niece had disappeared.

Finally, she turned to Eliam.

"Do you think my aunt is okay?"

Eliam looked at her, his eyes a mix of compassion and seriousness.

"She's probably worried, no doubt. But your aunt seems like a strong woman, doesn't she? She'll hold on."

Rena nodded, though it didn't ease her concern.

"I wish I could tell her I'm okay."

Eliam placed a hand on her shoulder.

"She probably knows, deep down. Sometimes, those we love don't need words to feel we're safe."

Rena gave him a faint smile.

"Thanks, Eliam."

Lucas, watching the scene from a distance, scowled even more.

"He's everywhere," he grumbled to Shela.

Shela, busy organizing a pouch of glowing stones, ignored him.

Night fell as they finally reached the base of the Dawn Mountains. The cold was sharper, and Merick had advised them to camp here before starting the climb.

Eliam lit a fire while Shela prepared herbal teas from her supplies. Lucas worked on setting up the blankets, occasionally throwing sour looks at Eliam.

Rena stayed near the fire, gazing at the stars, wondering what awaited them in those mountains. The quest of the Guardians was just beginning, and already, she felt that nothing would be easy.

The night wrapped their campsite in a deep darkness, broken only by the flickering glow of the campfire. The surrounding silence was heavy, almost oppressive, and the wind blowing through the trees seemed to whisper forgotten secrets.

Rena sat curled up near the flames, her thoughts drifting to her aunt Rose and everything she had left behind. But as she stared into the glowing embers, a faint, distinct whisper brushed her ears.

"Rena..."

She froze, her heart racing.

"Did you hear that?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Lucas, busy checking his sword, raised an eyebrow.

"Hear what?"

"A voice... someone called me."

Eliam stepped closer, his expression serious.

"It's probably the wind. These mountains have a strange reputation. Legends say they whisper to sensitive souls."

"Sensitive?" Lucas scoffed, smirking. "Maybe the mountains are just telling you to get some rest."

Rena glared at Lucas, but before she could reply, a long howl pierced the air—deep and resonant.

Shela, who had been filling water bottles near the fire, dropped one of them.

"What was that?"she whispered.

The howl was followed by another, then another, until a chorus of cries filled the night. Rena felt her stomach knot.

"Wolves?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Eliam exchanged a glance with Shela before replying.

"Not ordinary wolves..."

Lucas grinned, though this time it wasn't out of mockery.

"Werewolves."

Rena's eyes widened, her heart pounding harder.

"Werewolves?! But those don't exist…"

Shela stood up, holding a glowing potion in her hand.

"In this world, everything you think of as a myth exists. Werewolves usually live near mountains and forests. They're connected to nature and prefer to avoid humans... but they can be dangerous if provoked."

"Dangerous?!"Rena exclaimed, instinctively stepping back toward the fire. "Are they coming here?"

Eliam placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"They won't attack us without reason. As long as we stay by the fire and don't disturb them, they should leave us alone."

Rena nodded, but her hands trembled slightly.

Lucas, on the other hand, looked thrilled by the situation.

"I say we should go check it out. It'd be a good chance to test our skills."

"Shut up, Lucas,"Shela growled. "If you want to get yourself eaten, do it far away from here."

Ignoring her, Lucas stepped closer to Rena with an expression meant to look reassuring.

"Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll be here. Unlike some, I actually know how to fight."

Eliam rolled his eyes.

"This isn't a competition, Lucas."

"No, but if Rena has to count on someone, it might as well be me," Lucas replied with a smirk.

Rena blushed slightly, uncomfortable with the palpable tension.

"Uh... I'm fine. Really. Thank you, both of you."

Eliam stepped back a bit, crossing his arms with a sigh.

Shela watched the scene with amusement.

"If you two could focus on the mission instead of Rena, that'd be nice," she said.

Lucas shot her a glare, but before he could reply, a rustling sound came from the bushes, freezing them all.

"It's getting closer," Shela murmured, her eyes glinting faintly in the dark.

Eliam drew a dagger, his senses on high alert.

"Stay near the fire. If these really are werewolves, they won't come too close while it's burning."

The howls had stopped, replaced by an oppressive silence. Then, in the darkness, two glowing eyes appeared between the trees, followed by a third, then a fourth.

Rena felt her breath catch in her throat.

"They're watching us…"

Lucas placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, but Eliam stopped him with a gesture.

"No attacks. No sudden moves. They're testing us."

"I don't like being tested,"Lucas muttered, but he obeyed.

After what felt like an eternity, the eyes disappeared into the shadows, and the silence returned.

"They're leaving," Shela announced, exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Rena finally allowed herself to breathe again, though her heart was still racing.

"I... I didn't know this world could be so terrifying," she murmured.

Eliam gave her a gentle smile.

"You'll get used to it. And remember, you're not alone."

Lucas, still standing beside her, placed a hand on her shoulder.

"That's right. And if you ever need someone to watch your back, I'm here too."

Rena nodded, though she could feel the tension between the two men.

Shela, observing the scene from her corner, sighed.

"It's going to be a long climb through these mountains,"she muttered to herself.