The long trip was nearing the end, according to Chelsey, we were four days away from Trennet Village. Night time came once more and we set up camp and did all necessities before the two went to sleep. As what became routine, I started meditating first and then afterwards I practiced with my sword.

Nothing has been happening with the meditation except for letting me feel lightly rested which helped with my problem of not wanting to sleep. Even within what would be presumed my mind which is still completely empty except for the one thing that was far off in the distance. The air stayed thin and all I would do inside is empty my mind and relax the body.

Once daylight started to break is when I would arouse myself out of my subconsciousness and start swinging my sword but this time as I was slowly coming out, I heard rustling in the nearby bushes. Uncertain of what it could be, grabbing my sword, I started walking towards the source of the noise.

As I neared the source I heard quiet voices that were hard to make out. Once I was in front of the bushes where the rustling came from, I grip my hilt as I make a swing.

Instead of my blade making a clean cut through the bush, it was instead met by a clang of swords clashing. Confusion settled into my body but it didn’t stop my body from instinctively jumping back. Afterward I started to understand what was happening and proceeded to survey my surroundings.

While I stood there, I heard a whistle and two figures bolted out of the foliage, full speed trying to pass me. Before one could make it past, I take a step and swing. Instead of needlessly waking the others up, the crimson blade pinpointed the targets neck, cleanly slicing it off. Before the body collapsed to the ground, I was making haste towards the other. Just before the other closed in to the carriage, I already caught up and his head was the only thing that got close.

Turning around and walking towards where they came from, I see another figure step out of the bushes, brandishing a blade. Once I was close, I saw a man wearing a tattered chestplate that had chainmail layered underneath. On his right shoulder he held a medium sized blade which he was using to rest on a leather shoulder pad. He had a fierce look on his face, with a scar running diagonally down his face, covering his left eye.

We both stood there, studying each other intently before the silence was broken “Yer’ pretty fast, I fo sure thought mah boys would get pas’ ya.”. The scar faced man spits on the ground towards me.

Before he could say another word, I dash towards him swinging. He blocks it effortlessly and creates space between us. “Not much fo talk arnch ya.” He looks at me intently as a smirk slowly emerged “Well, I ain’t eitha.”. The man bolts towards me and releases a flurry of attacks. Managing to block all the attacks, he pushes me back. Giving no time for rest, he continuously attacks. Every swing he made was intense, giving little room to counter.

Finally when we clashed swords, with brute force, I pushed him back. Before he could attack again, I rushed in. Every swing, with my force stronger than the last, his back was getting closer to the forest. Unexpectedly during the attack, he blocked a swing and before I could get in the next he threw his fist into my gut.

“That’s quite ta’ strength ya got there.” I hear the man say as I stumble backwards. He pats his blade on his shoulder pad while looking past me “I’m having fun here but sadly we sadly gotta go.”. He turned around and started walking to where he came from. Before he entered the forest, I started to rush towards him but as soon as my foot hit the ground, I heard a whistle and several flashes of light fly out of the forest.

My legs and right arm get pierced with arrows and I drop to my knees. While holding myself up with my blade, I look towards the man who's looking over his shoulder past me. “Don’t cha worry, I hav a feeling we’ll fight again.” and he disappears into the forest.

I start to hear a pair of footsteps behind me as I begin to pull the arrows out of me. “Are you okay Crim? We heard fighting and saw a body on the way here.” Chelsey rushes up behind me placing her hands on my shoulder. When she peers over my shoulder, she sees me pull out the last arrow in my leg.

“Sorry, he got away.” I pull myself off the ground, using my sword as leverage.

She takes her hands off my shoulder “Don’t push yourself! It looks like they didn’t get near the carriage so you did a good job!.”.

“I’ll be fine.” I turn around and go help clean up the bodies and pack up camp. By the time dawn was in full bloom, we were back on the road.