*Author Note:
Hey everyone, after some thought i've decided to delete the original chapter 2 for this story. I felt that it was cumbersome and didn't advance the plot in the direction the story was meant to go. 7k words on a single scene while still stuck in the same place from Chapter 1? Dom goddesses? Magic penises? What was I thinking? In all seriousness, I was trying to do far too many plot points at once and realized it was better to space out these ideas to later parts of the story, including Ivenes' character. This is the first story i've created and there may bumps along the way as I experiment with new ideas. Thank you to everyone who continues to read and I hope you enjoy this new chapter. More will be coming soon.*
**Chapter 2**
The winds were strong in the morning, urging west in the direction of the Great Forest. Simon stood in front of the village entrance while a heavyset man turned the gate winch with great effort. The doors slowly opened, beckoning him back to adventure.
A group of villagers had come to see the two off. Aylin was familiar with them and exchanged goodbyes, however curt. It seemed she had made some friends in the time she lived here, especially the Elder who appeared solemn at her departure.
The old woman gave her a silver necklace with a green gem at the center. "It was my daughters when she was still alive. You reminded me of her in many ways."
"I will keep it safe." Aylin promised. Her eyes carried the deep sense of care she treated this gift with.
"Be careful on the road." The elder warned. "It is said that strange things are seen in that forest. Even an Enchanter should take caution. I would like to see you both return someday."
Simon nodded politely. Strange things to common folk could mean anything from high class monsters to harmless shadows and tricks in the light.
The two took their first steps out, and soon the village became small in the distance.
He remembered the Elders warning of the forest along with what Aylin had told him, '*there is a darkness sweeping through the area.*' And asked what she meant.
"There have been rumors of dangerous monsters from travelers." Aylin explained as they walked. "And though the others cannot feel it, the wind carries an energy emanating from there, the stench of death."
"A grim omen." Simon nodded. "All the more reason to stay on guard."
He pointed to the pouch looped around his belt. "I've come prepared. We have plenty of supplies here; though, it will help to forage along the way."
"Everything you have to travel is inside there?" Aylin looked at the small pouch as if she didn't believe him.
"It's a bottomless bag," Simon put his arm inside up to the elbow. "A mages best friend on the road."
"Bottomless? So you can store anything? Even a house?"
"There are limitations," he laughed.
"But things like camping supplies, yes. Its major downside is that food does not react well to it and spoils quickly over time which is why we still need to hunt along the way."
"That is something I can do effectively." Aylin showed her bow. Getting a closer look, he realized that it was handcrafted; the detail was impressive and etched with what looked to be Elven symbols.
"You continue to surprise me." He said. "What do these letters mean?"
"May the wind guide you." Her eyes tracked the etching, as if reminding herself of its meaning. "The Gods of the forest speak to me through it at times, carrying messages in gentle whispers that only touch my ears. This was one of them."
"I've heard that Elves worship a different set of Gods." He noted. "I would like to learn more about them someday."
"I would as well." She said, wistfulness in her voice. Her past was still a sore subject. He forgets that a lot of her knowledge is intuitive and new to her as well.
"How do you plan to find your tribe?" Simon asked. They would have the answers Aylin needed, but she hadn't shared any plans on meeting them as of yet.
"We will find them, or they will find us." Aylin said. "I am certain of it."
"How certain is that?" Simon questioned. He agreed to help her, but he did not want to stay in this forest for longer than needed. There were still people relying on his arrival in the capital.
"Continue as you would to your destination." Aylin said. "If we should meet the Elves it will happen naturally on our path."
"Is that what the wind has said?" He said, only half-jokingly.
"Yes." Certainty in her voice.
Simon had no issue with that plan. They finally reached the point where the Forest began in earnest. From his maps, there were a few different roads that ran through the area. Each path would see them through in about two weeks time if they made steady progress daily.
Their pace was further improved as Aylin effortlessly guided them forward to the point that he began to trust her judgement more than the map. She walked through this place as easily as one walked through their home.
"You were not lying about your understanding of the forest." Simon said. They had found a small stream not far off the main road and refilled their water. The Elven woman somehow knew where it was intuitively. "This almost makes things too easy."
The roads he travelled before reaching Aylins village was full of challenges and troubles. Now he found it was easier to relax his mind and enjoy the sights and surroundings of the forest. This place felt like its own world, with tall trees that rose up to the sky, their leaves blanketing them in its shaded canopy.
Up in the branches there were a few different species of monsters native to the Great Forest. He recognized them from the bestiaries of Haldstrom he studied; Shark Bills with their spiked teeth that stuck out of the cone shaped beaks, and Grey Singers that hummed soft notes that sounded like a choir when they harmonized. They were all harmless, class D monsters. That did not mean that there were not other dangers lurking out of view however.
His ears adjusted to the calming tune of the Singers, their intoxicating melody caused him to almost let his guard down.
"I am glad I could be of help." Aylin gave a faint smile before quickly snapping her attention to the side. "Wait."
She held up a hand as her eyes scanned ahead a thick lining of brush. Between the sound of the running stream was a slight rustling of leaves. Simon instinctively placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.
In the span of a second, three green figures jumped forward at incredible height. Judging by their stick like bodies and sharply serrated arms, he recognized them to be a team of Assassin Mantis, class C monsters that bordered to the next tier. They were equal in size to a human and often pounced on unsuspecting travelers with their incredible jump.
"So much for having a moment of peace." He cursed.
"Watch out." Aylin moved back and let loose an arrow that landed squarely in one's eye. Its death did nothing to slow the advance of the other two.
Simon drew his sword and dodged to the side, slicing the arm of one clean off before pivoting to cut the monsters neck. Green juices flew as his blade cleaved through with ease.
Instinctively he looked for Aylin. He had been out of the habit of fighting with others and had taken his focus off her.
The final Mantis stood in front of the Elf as she had her bow drawn. The monster did not approach, instead staring at her with its neck tilting forward as if attempting to get a better look at her. Aylin fired another fatal shot.
Its head jolted back as the arrow landed square in its left eye, but the Mantis did not fall.
This monster looked different than the others. half of its face was covered in a black sludge that dripped down the side of its mouth. The substance gnawed away at its flesh leading to an unnatural twitching as its body fought the infection.
"There's something wrong with this one." Aylin said. "It looks to be in terrible pain."
It couldn't be. Simon recognized this affliction from his home country of Tarin. He had not expected it to be here in Haldstrom.
"Stay back." Simon warned and stepped towards the monster. "It is being taken over by something. I must kill it now or it will evolve."
He rushed ahead, drawing a spell that sent electricity to his feet.
-*Electric Step:* A spell that picks up charge as the user moves, each step increasing the electrical energy flowing through the user while building up speed.
It was effective for charging up a killing blow, allowing him to use the forward momentum make a decisive strike that could catch most opponents unaware. More importantly, he needed its quickness to keep Aylin from being attacked. If that substance transferred to her the results would be fatal.
He ran forward as his surroundings became a blur, and in a fluid stroke, cut a line through the monster. The built up speed set him running a few feet past the Mantis as he skidded to a stop.
He turned to see the monster collapsed, black goo puddling around the corpse as it desperately looked for another living thing to attach to.
Simon turned, coursing mana to his hands and drew the symbol for a purification spell. "Rest now, and do not return to this plane."
The sludge shrieked away and dissolved as the symbol emitted a blue light.
Without wasting a moment he ran to Aylin, gripping her shoulders while searching for any residue that had clung to her. "Did any of it touch you? We have to move quickly if it did."
Had he been too careless? If it caught on to her so soon he would not be able to forgive himself. Mistakes cost people their lives in battle and Simon had already made too many for one lifetime."
"I am alright." Aylin steadied him, cupping his cheek. She kept far more calm than him. "It is ok. No one is hurt."
She must have sensed his fear. Embarrassed, he released his grip and stepped back. "I apologize."
"Do not be sorry for showing worry." She said. "What was that?"
