Tales of the Storm

Chapter 17 : The Frostfang Forest

In the year 767, on the third of March, as Orion ventured into the Frostfang Forest, an immediate awareness settled upon him. The dense woods seemed to watch him from every angle, an unsettling feeling that he was not alone in this realm of untamed wilderness.

The distant howls of wolves echoed through the air, their eerie calls serving as a haunting reminder of the untamed nature surrounding him.

The forest was a world of its own, where towering pine trees stood sentinel, their branches heavy with snow, forming a majestic canopy that filtered the pale sunlight. Every step Orion took left a faint crunch in the snow beneath his boots, the cold air nipping at his cheeks as he pressed forward.

Amidst the silent majesty of the forest, frozen ponds of water glittered like shards of glass, their surfaces glazed with a thick layer of ice that mirrored the surrounding landscape. Orion's careful steps allowed him to cross two frozen rivers, their icy surfaces a treacherous path that he navigated with precision, mindful of every movement to avoid the lurking dangers of plunging into the frigid depths below.

His journey through the woods was not without its trials. A confrontation with a wild boar became a test of skill and survival. Their encounter was a flurry of charging hooves and slashing tusks. Although Orion managed to land a blow that wounded the creature, the boar's instincts for self-preservation kicked in, and it retreated, disappearing into the forest. Orion chose not to give chase, realizing that his path lay forward, deeper into the heart of this winter wilderness.

As he pushed onward, every rustle of a snow-laden bough, every distant howl, and every footprint in the snow painted a portrait of the Frostfang forest, a land where nature reigned supreme, and where the unwavering spirit of a lone traveler sought to carve its mark.

He continued walking for a while, diligently tracking the faint traces of blood left by the mountain bandits in the freshly fallen snow. However, luck was not on his side; the recent snowfall had obscured the tracks he was relying on.

Amidst his growing frustration, Orion's mind began to operate on its own, honing in on the lingering scent of blood that stubbornly persisted. Similar to the way he had discovered the wounded wolf, his focus shifted as an undercurrent of anger intensified the connection to this scent. It was an instinctual pull, leading him forward with an unspoken determination.

Unbeknownst to him, the scent of blood would not guide him to the mountain bandits as he initially assumed. Instead, it would lead him to another unexpected encounter. This time, it was not a lone creature but a duo of goblins, their essence reeking of bloodshed. In the midst of his anger, Orion had not considered the distinction between human blood and its source; all that mattered was the trail that beckoned him forward.

Orion's words dripped with determination as he addressed the pair before him, a mix of anticipation and readiness evident in his tone.

The goblins, in a hurried and animated exchange, revealed their intent through a stark contrast of desires. "Meat for tribe!" one proclaimed, swiftly countered by the other's claim, "No, meat for me!"

The confrontation ignited with a flurry of weapon clashes, the metallic symphony of blades colliding resonating in the frosty air. Orion recognized a shift in himself since his initial encounter with a goblin; a growing strength forged through his experiences, even though those experiences had mostly revolved around rest and tending to the grim aftermath of the hamlet's tragedy.

Fueled by his anger, Orion's approach leaned on an instinctual charge, the surge of his emotions momentarily blinding him to the inherent risks. It was as if anger provided a veneer of confidence that momentarily eclipsed the danger at hand, prompting him to act with more audacity.

However, this newfound intensity came at a cost, creating openings that the two goblins skillfully exploited.

Their strategic advantage allowed them to land several hits on Orion, each small cut taking a toll on him despite their seemingly minor nature. The cumulative effect was far from negligible, considering the frequency of these attacks.

Amidst the fray, Orion's resolve found expression in a lethal strike that connected with one of the charging goblins. With a powerful spin and all the strength he could muster, he decapitated the goblin in a single swift movement, a testament to his growing prowess.

Exhausted and breathless, Orion's vulnerability became apparent as the remaining goblin seized the moment. Charging with a spear, it struck with brutal precision. Orion's desperate evasion attempt only partially succeeded, resulting in a grievous wound that seared with pain.

Clutching his injury and gasping, Orion's determination blazed even brighter. Through gritted teeth, he declared, "You... I won't yield to a mere goblin, no matter the odds. I cannot falter. I must rescue my friend and reach Kurua." His reference to the wolf underlined the depth of his commitment.

The remaining goblin's demeanor shifted dramatically at the mention of "Kurua," a reaction laced with pure, unadulterated fury. Driven by his seething emotions, the goblin abandoned restraint and surged toward Orion, his spear poised for another strike. His newfound speed caught Orion off-guard, yet a combination of luck and instinct propelled him to evade the lethal assault.

In response, Orion executed a powerful vertical s***h that found its mark. The goblin's demise was sealed with a deep, fatal wound stretching from face to belly.

Orion collapsed, his energy utterly spent. Gasping for air, he struggled to regain his breath. In the aftermath of the battle, he employed torn fragments of the goblin's clothing to makeshift bandages, tending to his wounds as best he could in his weakened state.

After a period of rest, he consumed some of the provisions he had discovered in the inn's cellar the previous day. Gradually revitalized, his thoughts circled back to Sephistos' explanations regarding mana and aura. It became increasingly apparent that these concepts were interwoven with the events that transpired at the spiritual stone altar that night.

The sensations he experienced, the surge of energy that coursed through him, all of it aligned perfectly with the notion of mana.

Orion's thoughts became consumed by this topic, and he found himself losing track of time as he delved deep into contemplation. What he believed to be mere seconds of introspection actually stretched on for an hour or two.

Eventually, he began to vocalize his thoughts, almost as if having a conversation with himself. He concluded his inner monologue with a firm determination, "If mana flows within every living entity and the very fabric of the world, I should be able to harness it even without being at the spiritual stone altar."

He attempted meditation to replicate the previous event. However, this endeavor tired him rapidly, and his focus seemed to waver. Yet, he clung to his determination, persisting despite the weariness. Hours passed, and at last, a faint trace of mana tickled his senses.

Orion had succeeded in one aspect of his goal, but the process was far from complete. Absorption and mastery of this mana remained essential. He strained to draw this energy into himself, but his attempts proved futile, leaving him frustrated. Eventually, he conceded, recognizing that mastering the absorption aspect required further effort and understanding.

In the heart of the night, Orion resumed his journey, his steps cautious and swift to evade the lurking wildlife. The moon cast an ethereal glow on the snowy landscape as he pressed forward, acutely aware of his vulnerability amidst the nocturnal wilderness. After an hour of determined progress, he emerged from the dense shroud of the Frostfang forest.

The world before him transformed into a majestic plain, bathed in the gentle radiance of the moonlight. At the farthest edge of this expanse lay his destination, the base of the formidable Frostfang mountains.

With the end of the forest behind him, Orion's goal drew nearer, stoking the fires of his resolve.