A branch broke with an audible Crack. Perytos' foot moved slightly; he bent down, picking up the piece of lumber. His hands were full of dry twigs and leaves.

  Should be enough kindling for now... Though I wonder, what was that aura we felt? There is more to that old grandpa than it seems.

  Perytos turned back, going to their campsite. He should have feared the dark. Monsters could be lurking in the shadows, but... after experiencing what he did, he didn't give it a second though. This little forest is nothing compared to the Tremor woods.

  Inside the protective bubble of the New Empire danger was greatly reduced. Thousands of squads of knights, adventurers, and hunters ensured that. Occasionally there were predators like Bush-snappers- Small, reptilian ambush predators that could bite through bone- or a pack of hyenas prowling in the dark, but they were rarer than usual.

  Despite what he told himself, Perytos quickened his stride just a tiny bit. The campsite was already in view; he hadn't gone far, just a few hundred meters into a nearby grove. Despite that he felt relief in seeing other people again. After surviving in a forest full of madness he didn’t think he would ever get used to the feeling of comfort.

  Callum was piecing together a fireplace, laying stones in a circle to ensure none of the sparks would spread to the cold but dry grass. He was surprisingly quick at it too. Like he had done this many times before, Perytos quietly noticed.

  He put down the stack of wood beside the occupied teen.

  Yet another insight into his companion...- he was a chatterbox. Like he talked a lot. The boy clothed in wolf pelts began boasting about how he once made a ten-meter wall of flame with some flint and determination to the hesitant Allys. Despite her brash outside, Perytos noticed she listened to him intently.

  "You see, the key is to have a lot of dry grass to stoke the flames. Once you have that, you're good. Oh, that reminds me. Once upon a time, I went fishing with my dad and caught a tuna that was ten strides long! I swear we had to pull it on a sled back home!"

  Callum prattled off, to anyone willing to listen. Allys just nodded politely in between the outrageous stories. She was willing to entertain the enthusiastic boy. Meanwhile, she was also setting up their packs, laying thick insulated rolls on soft grass. When Callum began telling them how he once wrestled with a pack of wolves alone, with no clothing and in deep snow, Perytos decided he had enough.

  He walked a few dozen meters away, far from Callum's range. In the fleeting light, he observed the sprawling, green plains. For miles there was just nothing except a field of tall grass, occasional medicinal herbs, and small insects. He tuned into his instincts, waiting for the familiar pull of danger.

  Perytos felt slight warnings ahead: twisting patches of grass, dangerous, pollinating flowers and fallen birch logs that probably held a snake or two. It was all too far for them to be bothered by it. He realized that their encampment was deliberately picked out.

  Danger wasn’t the only thing he felt. The telltale pull of safety would lead him directly behind him, to the camp. A few of the plants had the feel of being safe to eat, though he wasn’t totally sure which ones exactly.

  Suddenly, deep in the dark, yellow eyes shone. They were numerous. All stared at him. Perytos’ hear beat fast; he got ready to run. After a nerve-wracking moment, the eyes turned away, deeming him not worth the effort. His shoulders relaxed but he still shivered from the sudden spike of cold between his shoulders.

  That could have been bad.

  Your skill (Survival instinct) has reached level 8-9

  Herman was tending to his horse not far from Perytos. The slightly unnerved walked up to him to seek comfort and thank the man.

  "Anything I could help you with? You did us a big favor by taking us out of that town. Also..." He began apologizing in shame.

  "I am deeply sorry for bringing trouble to the two of you, it was my fault. I should have been more careful. Mercel was supposed to turn on the ench... " He stopped himself before he told too much in his absent-mindedness.

  The long-bearded man didn't reply for a moment, methodically moving the brush through the horse's mane. He suddenly asked, "Do you know how long I have had old Bella here?"

  The question moved Perytos off guard; he answered uncertainly. "I don't know, maybe five years?"

  Herman turned around, looking straight at him. His eyes were old, wise, and totally not the same as when he joked around.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "Three decades."- That simple declaration caused Perytos to gasp audibly. S-Surely not, right?

  "And you know what I've learned after thirty long years of surviving, nay, truly living in this world?" He asked, his voice full of quiet certainty.

  "It's that you don't leave your own behind. Even if you've known them for less than a day. Bella has been my loyal friend for thirty painstaking years. She has been my only friend when everyone tried to stab me in the back for riches and artifacts. I’ve been betrayed by everyone I know, yet she was there. She saved my life hundreds of times, In battle and during times of peace. She was always there for me."

  Shuddering, Herman added in a quiet whisper; the darkness growing darker around them.

  "She even accompanied me into the depths of Tartarus, fighting with me against the demon spawn." Perytos felt a chill run down his spine, despite the Tremor woods. Despite the undead, those words invited pure terror into his heart.

  Moving on, having seen that he made the teen uncomfortable, he added, "The point I am trying to make is, loyalty cannot be bought with anything, except kindness and companionship. When I agreed to get you to Titan's grasp, I'm going to keep that promise, even if I have to risk my life. We, the sentient races have got nothing left except each other in this ruthless world."

  When Bella nudged his arm offended, he added with an endeared chuckle, “And of course we can’t forget about our loyal companions who are willing to bear with us.”

  Hearing those words from someone who was clearly an experienced warrior, Perytos took them to heart. I hope I can be like him one day... Him and Stanford. They both were undoubtedly peerless fighters despite their older age, but they were also more.

  He thanked the man for his wisdom and went to get food. From afar he heard Callum giggling like a little girl, watching a tall spire of flames touch the sky. Perytos was not as amused as he- "How are we supposed to cook food on that, it'll burn the pan right off! I didn't gather the wood just for you to waste it all, you're going into the forest next." He chastened. At least Callum had the decency to apologize quickly.

  With a sigh, Perytos sat down on his appointed cot, his gaze entranced by the dancing flames. The last time I saw flames like that... He shuddered when a sudden chill sapped him of warmth, even near such a huge flame. Mercel sat down by his side, nuzzling his comfy snout on his thigh; breaking him out of it.

  "Hey Merc, tough day huh?" He petted the Lykani fondly with gentle caresses. Perytos took out his pocket knife- Even if he had no Skill for wood carving, it didn't mean he couldn't get practice in.

  He lost the wolf statue, so he defaulted to making something else. He picked up a piece of lumber and began whittling the tough wood with slow strokes of the knife.

  "Hey, what 'you doing?" Callum sat down beside him, looking at Perytos' hands.

  "Sorry about the fire, I didn't think about how annoying it would be. I got enough wood from the forest for the whole night."

  Perytos waved him away: "Don't worry, just think a little the next time." With a pause, he added. "Also, I'm carving a statue. Just something to do in free time I guess..." His gaze darkened a little, not a lot but enough to signal Callum to stop his inquiries.

  "So, why are you traveling to the capital? From the Empire's border no less?" Callum changed the topic, wringing his hands.

  Perytos shook his head. "It isn't the capital for me, at least it doesn't feel like it." He hesitated, debating what to tell Callum about. I am stuck with him for some time anyway, at least I could open up a little.

  "I come from a small town called Cortez's Edge." Seeing no recognition in the other boy's eyes, he clarified.

  "It's a small, isolated town north-west of the empire. You wouldn't know it. While technically we are part of the Empire, we've never gotten any aid from them. They just send their tax collectors." Petting Mercel's head gently, he continued.

  "Life was hard, but it was also rewarding. Working from sunrise to midday, with breaks to study was definitely intense, but at the same time, nothing could replace the feeling of going to sleep accomplished, knowing your hard work helped the entire community. Everyone was like family... When I went out to hunt some critters for dinner everyone cheered for me. Whenever we needed something in the house fixed, we could count on the neighbor to cover for us."

  Callum leaned in slightly, entranced by the raw emotion in his companion's voice.

  "Then, I still don't know why, I don't know how, but something changed. Animals were less frequent; I just saw giant marks of beasts that ravaged the land. Other hunters, the ones that wandered further than the little woods I hunted in, began disappearing. At first it was one person; it could happen. Then there were two, then three. Not a month passed and the whole town was feeling the effects: Beast materials were no longer harvested. Blacksmiths had no claws or teeth to make their alloys; alchemists had no herbs since no one dared to venture outside the walls. With a crippled economy, the city's wards began to fail when no one maintained them. They sometimes flickered, as if the enchantments were failing." He stopped, cowering in shame.

  "We fled. Dad woke us up one night. Half asleep and terrified, we picked up all our belongings. A trade caravan was in town; they agreed to take us. No goodbyes, no last chance to see the people you grew up with- We left those people to die, I don't know whether they're alive or not. I'm just... So weak"

  He felt an arm on his shoulder. "It isn't your fault; you did everything you could. Sometimes... sometimes life just isn't playing fair." Callum straightened. "But maybe that is the point. To overcome. To earn a life worth living..." He said in a soft tone.

  "Anyway, when we get to Titan's Grasp, I would like it if we stuck together. It'll be easier together. Also, apparently, I have some distant family there.” He offered his hand with a reassuring, soft smile on his face.

  Perytos shook the hand- A sign of what would be a long friendship.

  They ate some delicious stew before going to bed. The wooden bowl steamed and burned their hands, but they scarfed the food down their throats anyway. Herman informed them that it was Allys' famous rabbit stew; the no-nonsense girl just reddened suddenly like a tomato and went to sleep.

  Perytos couldn't sleep for a while, thinking about his fate while he watched the stars. Despite that, after eating a warm meal and being surrounded by people he valued, he fell asleep. The nagging voice in his head stopped.