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Chapter Four: Rugged Paths and Hidden Enemies
After leaving the abandoned city, Amatres, Clover, and Nami relied on the scarce information they had found in the ancient book to locate the forsaken temple that was said to hold the artifact capable of nullifying the magic of the VELER stone. The directions were vague, pointing toward a remote region between the treacherous "Fangs" mountain range and the dense "Ever-Shadow" forest—an area few dared to approach due to its harsh terrain and rumors of dangerous creatures dwelling within.
The journey to that region was grueling and full of challenges. It involved climbing narrow mountain paths where the slightest misstep could send them plummeting into a deep ravine, and traversing parts of the Ever-Shadow Forest where sunlight barely pierced the tangled branches, creating an atmosphere of perpetual darkness and mystery.
One night, while camping in a shallow cave to shield themselves from the bitter mountain cold, Amatres examined the map they had drawn based on the book's descriptions. The markings were fragmented and unclear, making it difficult to determine the exact route.
"I hate these forsaken places," Nami growled, hugging herself near the campfire. "Everything here feels like it's watching us."
"Vigilance is always necessary, Nami," Clover replied calmly as he sharpened his blade. "But fear won't help us. We need to stay focused on our goal."
"My goal is to get out of here as fast as possible," Nami shot back sharply. Then, turning to Amatres, she asked, "Are you sure this artifact even exists? What if it's just a myth?"
Amatres sighed. "I don't know for certain, but it's the only hope we have. We have to try."
"Hope is good," Clover added. "But it's not enough. We need to back it with hard work and caution."
The next day, while crossing a narrow mountain pass, they were ambushed. A group of masked bandits suddenly appeared, armed with swords and daggers, attempting to rob them of their supplies and anything valuable they carried.
"Bastards!" Nami shouted as she recklessly pulled out her small dagger. "They think we're easy prey!"
"Wait, Nami!" Amatres warned, but she had already charged in.
Amatres and Clover quickly joined the fray. Despite his disability, Amatres displayed remarkable combat skill, wielding his sword with power and precision. Clover moved with calm efficiency, landing deadly and accurate strikes. Nami, though reckless, fought fiercely and swiftly, dodging attacks and delivering sudden stabs.
After a short but intense battle, the three managed to repel the bandits, who fled in panic after suffering some losses.
"Your recklessness nearly got us killed, Nami," Amatres said seriously as he checked a shallow wound on his arm.
"But I helped defeat them!" Nami snapped. "You're always criticizing me!"
"Because you act without thinking too often," Amatres replied. "We have to think before charging in."
"Overthinking leads to paralysis," Nami retorted stubbornly. "It's better to act decisively."
Clover stepped between them, speaking calmly: "You each have your strengths. We need to learn to complement one another. Nami's boldness can be useful at times, and Amatres' caution is essential to avoid unnecessary risks."
They continued their journey, facing new challenges every day. At one point, they had to cross a raging river using fallen tree trunks as a makeshift bridge. The water was cold and fierce, and Nami nearly fell before Amatres caught her at the last moment.
"I would've been fine!" Nami yelled, blushing as she pulled her hand away.
"I don't think so," Amatres said with a faint smile. "Even the boldest sometimes need help."
Later in the journey, as they were resting in a rugged rocky area, Clover noticed someone watching them from afar. The figure was hidden among the rocks, but Clover's experience revealed their presence.
"Someone's watching us," Clover whispered cautiously. "And it seems he's not alone."
The three quietly crept toward the rocks and managed to surround the spy. It turned out to be a young man in tattered clothing, holding a bow and arrows. He looked scared and confused.
"Who are you, and why were you spying on us?" Amatres asked firmly.
The young man hesitated at first but then began to speak fearfully: "I... I'm just a hunter. I thought you were bandits."
"We didn't see any hunting tools on you," Nami said suspiciously. "Who sent you?"
The young man trembled and said, "No one sent me. I swear."
Clover studied him intently and said, "You're more frightened than a simple encounter with strangers would explain. Are you hiding something else?"
After some pressure, the young man admitted that he had been working for a group of Edward's soldiers who were searching for Amatres in the area. They had promised him a reward if he provided any information.
Amatres grew angry upon hearing that. Edward still hadn't stopped hunting him.
"Do you know where these soldiers are?" Clover asked the young man.
The young man hesitated, then said, "They were camped in Willow Valley, about a day from here."
"Thank you for the information," Amatres said. Then, turning to Clover and Nami, he added, "We have to be more cautious. Edward is sending his men after us."
"That means we're on the right path," Nami said defiantly. "They fear us."
"We have to reach the temple before they catch up," Clover added.
After two more exhausting days of travel, they began to see signs of the region described in the book. The towering Fangs mountains loomed ahead, their sharp peaks piercing the sky, and the dense Ever-Shadow Forest emerged on the western slopes.
The path grew more rugged and dangerous. They had to climb jagged rocks and descend steep cliffs. At one point, Amatres nearly fell, but Nami grabbed his trembling hand and pulled him up with force.
"You would've died!" she shouted in obvious worry. "You need to be more careful!"
"Thank you, Nami," Amatres said, breathing heavily. "You keep saving my life."
"Stop saying such nonsense," Nami replied, blushing and looking away. "We have to look out for each other."
Finally, after much hardship, they reached the entrance of a narrow valley between the mountains and the forest. The valley looked abandoned and overgrown with creeping plants and wild trees. At the end of the valley, they saw an old, crumbling stone structure that seemed to be the forsaken temple they had been searching for.
The temple was built from massive black stones covered in moss and lichen. Its walls were cracked, and its roof partially collapsed. The place looked deserted and eerie, but Amatres felt a strong sense that they had reached their destination.
"This is the place," Amatres whispered. "The temple of the artifact."
"It looks creepy," Nami commented as she glanced around cautiously.
"We need to be careful," Clover added while scanning the area for any signs of danger. "We don't know what awaits us inside."
With hearts full of hope and anxiety, the three began exploring the forsaken temple, ready for any surprises that might lie ahead in this forgotten place. Their journey had brought them to the edge of the unknown, where ancient secrets might reveal themselves, and where they might find the tool they needed to shift the balance of power in their struggle against Edward.
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