After meeting the mysterious guardian of the forest, Alaric and Clem were on high alert as they made their way to Quinton Village. Every rustle in the bushes, every shadow that shifted in the corner of their vision made them tense. The forest seemed to be watching them, waiting for another opportunity to strike.
"Stay close, Clem," Alaric advised, his voice low and cautious. "We don't know what else might be out here."
"Right," Clem nodded, her eyes scanning the dense foliage around them. She tightened her grip on her dagger, ready for anything.
Their caution was soon justified when they stumbled upon a horde of beasts. There were six of them, all basic tier, but their leader was an intermediate tier beast, standing taller and more imposing than the rest. The beasts were a mix of predatory animals fused with elemental aspects—two wolf-like creatures with fiery manes, two boar-lizard hybrids with stone-like scales, and two cat-like beasts with glimmering, crystalline fur. The leader, a massive creature with the body of a bear and the wings of a bat, had eyes that glowed with an eerie green light.
"Get ready," Alaric whispered, his eyes narrowing as he assessed their adversaries. "I'll take the leader. Can you handle the others?"
Clem nodded, though her heart pounded in her chest. "I'll do my best."
The beasts attacked with synchronized ferocity, forcing Alaric and Clem to fight in tandem. Alaric found himself struggling to coordinate his attacks, the beasts' agility making it hard to land a solid hit. They darted around him, claws and teeth flashing in the dim light of the forest.
Clem was engaged with two of the cat-like beasts, their movements swift and erratic. She struck out with her dagger, but the beasts were quick, dodging her attacks with ease. Meanwhile, the wolf-like creatures were circling Alaric, their fiery manes crackling with energy.
"These beasts are too coordinated," Alaric thought, frustration mounting as he deflected another attack. "We're not going to win this way."
"Clem, I need support!" Alaric called out, parrying a swipe from one of the beasts. "Focus on the guards!"
Clem moved swiftly, her dagger flashing as she engaged the two boar-lizard hybrids guarding the intermediate beast. Her strikes were quick and precise, but the beasts were relentless, their thick scales deflecting many of her blows.
Alaric channeled his powers, his eyes glowing with a golden light. He needed to end this quickly. As he fought, a new ability surged within him. With a shout, he unleashed a wave of light that petrified the beasts, turning their limbs to stone and slowing their movements.
"What the...?" Clem gasped, momentarily distracted by the display of power. "How did you...?"
"No time to explain," Alaric replied, focusing on the intermediate beast. With its guards temporarily immobilized, he had a chance to strike. He summoned another new ability, forming a disk of pure light in his hand. With a swift motion, he hurled the disk at the beast, the attack slicing through its tough hide.
The intermediate beast roared in pain, stumbling back. Alaric pressed the advantage, landing a series of powerful blows. The fight was intense, but with Clem's support and his new abilities, they managed to defeat the beast and its guards.
As the last of the beasts fell, Clem looked at Alaric, her eyes wide with awe and confusion. "That was incredible, Alaric. How did you learn to do that?"
Alaric, catching his breath, shrugged. "I guess I just discovered something new. Let's keep moving. The village isn't far."
When they reached the gates of Quinton Village, they were greeted by the imposing sight of white marble walls embedded with light magic and physical attack repellent runes. Trees stuck out from the outside walls, where archers with night vision and forest manipulation abilities kept watch. The walls, said to have never been breached in a century, stood as a testament to the village's strength and resilience.
"Stop right there!" a guard commanded, stepping forward with his hand raised. "State your identity and purpose."
Clem stepped forward, her posture confident. "This is Alaric, from our village. He was lost in the forest and survived for two days. I take full responsibility for him."
The guards exchanged glances before nodding. "Very well, Clem. You may pass. But we will hold you accountable if anything goes wrong."
As they entered the village, Alaric was struck by the beauty and serenity of the place. Sakura trees lined the streets, their pink blossoms falling gently to the ground. The houses, made of polished wood, resembled luxurious beach homes, each one carefully crafted and well-maintained. At the center of the village stood a grand castle made of the same white marble as the walls, its elegant spires reaching towards the sky.
"This place is amazing," Alaric said, his eyes wide with wonder.
Clem smiled, her cheeks flushing with pride. "Welcome to Quinton Village. It's good to be home."
They walked straight into the market, where the alchemy guild resided. The guild building was like a wooden castle, its hall decorated with beautiful tapestries and intricate carvings. Clem approached the reception desk to submit the herbs for potion making, while Alaric took in the surroundings.
"Everything here is so... organized," Alaric thought, marveling at the guild's efficiency. "It's hard to believe a place like this exists in the middle of such a dangerous forest."
When Clem returned, she had a thoughtful look on her face. "Alaric, do you need new clothes? There's a shop nearby."
Alaric shook his head, a bit embarrassed. "I don't have any credits. All my belongings are with my grandfather. We should go there instead."
"Your grandfather?" Clem's eyes widened in recognition. "You mean the Arch Duke?"
"Yeah," Alaric said, surprised at her reaction. "How did you know?"
Clem blushed, looking away. "I should have realized sooner. Let's go."
They started walking towards Alaric's house, which was not far from the guild. The high-ranking member's home was a grand mansion, its exterior a blend of white marble and dark wood, surrounded by well-tended gardens. As they approached the door, Alaric felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
"Knock, knock," he said softly, his knuckles rapping against the door.
The door opened, revealing an elderly man with a commanding presence. His eyes, sharp and wise, widened in shock. "Alaric? Is that really you?"
"Yes, Grandfather," Alaric replied, a smile spreading across his face. "I'm home."
Clem immediately bowed, her voice respectful. "Greetings, Arch Duke. I found Alaric in the forest. He survived on his own for two days."
The Arch Duke's expression softened with relief and pride. "Thank you, Clem. You have done a great service to our family."
Clem straightened, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "It was my honor, sir."
"Come inside," the Arch Duke said, stepping aside to let them in. "We have much to discuss."
As they entered the grand hall, Alaric took in the familiar surroundings. The interior was luxurious, with polished wood floors, elegant furniture, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The scent of sakura blossoms filled the air, giving the place a serene and calming atmosphere.
"Alaric, you've grown so much," the Arch Duke said, his voice filled with emotion. "I never doubted you would find your way back to us."
Alaric nodded, feeling a mix of pride and determination. "I've been through a lot, Grandfather. But I'm ready to do whatever it takes to protect our village."
The Arch Duke smiled, placing a hand on Alaric's shoulder. "I know you will. Now, tell me everything that happened."
As Alaric recounted his journey, Clem listened intently, her suspicion growing. She couldn't shake the feeling that Alaric was hiding something, but she decided to wait for the right moment to ask.
After the Arch Duke had been brought up to speed, he turned to Clem. "Clem, you've done a remarkable job. Your parents would be proud."
Clem's eyes sparkled with pride. "Thank you, sir."
The Arch Duke then addressed both of them. "We must prepare for the challenges ahead. The beasts in the forest are becoming more aggressive, and we need to be ready for anything. Alaric, your abilities will be crucial in our defense."
Alaric nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. "I'll do my best, Grandfather."
As they left the mansion, Clem couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Alaric, there's something I need to ask you."
"What is it?" Alaric replied, glancing at her.
"Back in the forest, you displayed powers I've never seen before. Are you sure there's nothing else you're hiding?"
Alaric hesitated, not wanting to reveal the truth about the amber stone and his dark powers. "I've told you everything I can, Clem. Let's focus on preparing for what's to come."
Clem frowned, her suspicion deepening. "Alright. But if there's anything you're not telling me, I hope you'll come forward when the time is right."
As they walked through the village, Alaric couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Clem's questions than simple curiosity. He resolved to keep his secret safe for now, but he knew he couldn't avoid the truth forever.
"Alaric, back in the forest... Why did you said that you have no place to call home when you have arch Duke as your grand father? " Clem asked.