How could I describe the forest at the outskirts of Valor?
There's certainly a lot of descriptors that could use to define this rustic place.
Massive.
Sprawling.
Evergreen
And ancient.
Yes. The foliage is so thick and massive you might think the branches and vines are damn rebars and metal wires. And inside, trees so thick you might mistake for pillars if not for their natural curvatures. And the green…
It's beginning to be summer, and the remnants of spring are still here, with the golden leaves fallen onto the ground. However, the branches have already vibrant and lively green leaves.
I do not know if it's the lack of pollution, this is a medieval after all, the scars of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses are far in the future. Maybe it's magic? I still didn't encounter any magical phenomena. The potion might count, but I'm talking about physics breaking magic, not alchemy.
I adjusted my sword on my hip holster, and tightened my arm-guards. Going inside the forest is an unsettling feeling for me. Even though I live mostly in a rural town back in my first life, the folktales of my dad that were drilled into me still haunt my mind.
Who knows what could be inside…
Skin walkers.
Wendigo.
Woodland sprites.
Or whatever.
This fear of mine is only cemented but the fact that I know those things exist here in some form.
This is Incursion after all, a world where gods watch from above and demons crawl from others and the earth is inhabited by phantasmal beasts. Creatures of myth and tall tells exist here in some form or another.
But it's too deep to turn my back now.
And, I wouldn't let fear get in the way on what I want.
The library is within the forest, deep, but I know it's still not far from Valor.
Following a beaten path, I keep my eyes and ears peeled for any incoming or hiding danger.
The woods are prime for predators to hide in, not just the magical but also the ground.
After a while, I came across a sign on the verge of being devoured by flora. Cleaning it off of overgrown vines and grass, I read what was written in the sign.
"Beware: traps ahead!"
On the bottom of the text, is an illustration of what I could discern as a crude bear trap.
"Maybe this is a clue?"
In the original canon. Ahab does encounter an area of the Valor forest with traps and he also meets a guy there… I don't know if I am remembering wrong but what's the hurt from thinking as if? Much safer anyways.
Taking the dagger that came along the sword – blessed be that old man – I cut one of the long branches as a proving stick.
I continue to walk.
My trek is occasionally broken by the beartraps biting down on my stick, making me look for another one.
10 beartraps bite down.
Unknown still left.
As I walk, I tap the stick. It is treacherous for whoever set these traps up, for the leaves hides them underneath.
A large metallic noise echoed, and the stick violently vibrate.
Another bear trap.
"That makes it eleven."
After the metallic echo of the trap, the forest stills as everything settled into silence.
The birds stopped chirping, the crickets quiet down, and the breeze became hollow. Turning to look around, the trees seem ominous, as if there's something hiding behind them. The darkness beyond doesn't help.
I draw my sword.
"Who goes there?"
Speaking is an usually idiotic action. You're announcing where you are, and especially more idiotic because I don't know what or where this danger could possibly be hiding.
But, that is exactly what I want.
I want to see.
To experience first hand the threats this world contains.
The ruffling of leaves made me turn left.
A growl that reverberates throughout the air.
And a small thud of each step.
I pointed my sword in the direction and watched closely.
Narrowing my eyes in the shade, I saw two pairs of eyes looking intently at me. Colors of ember, front placed, and vertically slit – the traits of a predatory animal.
I whistle.
Sweat forms on my face.
The beast came out and it looked like a merger between a wolf and a tiger. The proportion of a tiger, its size and mass, and the traits of a canine. The stripes resemble the surroundings, orange, dark and brown.
Its triangular fangs are pointier than the dagger in my person.
I released a breath.
And the beast growled.
I was the one first to move.
The tiger-wolf flinch at my audacity and foolishness.
Before I knew it, I was already in front of him.
I brought my sword down, and my edge bites onto its shoulder.
The tiger-wolf jumped the moment my sword made contact with its skin. Agile and fast, like that of a cat.
My cut was shallow and my vision is already blurring.
Cursed be the debuff!!
The tiger-wolf roared in fury, as it lunged at me with the anger only a hurt animal could brought up.
My eyes widened, as midway blink the tiger had already bridged the gap it created.
With little to react, I brought my sword up as a shield as the beast crushed into me.
The impact rattled my already dizzy mind.
My back crushed onto the ground below, making me spit in pain.
The beast was relentless, its crushing jaws encroaching into me with the agitation of a dangerous bear.
I have no margin to counter, no space to use my sword.
So.
With the drool of the beast leaking down on me, as it eyes blinded by the desire to devour.
In a moment of desperation, I took out my dagger holstered on my chest.
I gritted my teeth.
Flipped my sword, so that the edge pointed to its jaw, and let the tiger-wolf fall – following its intent to bite my head off.
My sword bites on its cheek, its eyes widening at the sudden pain.
With a dagger in hand, I shouted.
"RAGH!"
And stabbed at its eyes.
The beast roared in immense pain, only made louder by my corking my dagger, as I stirred the inside of its socket!
"T-take this!"
I took the blade out once more and stabbed it again, I repeated it until the beast let go of its jaw from my sword.
The beast let go, stumbling back as it rattled its head in pain. The sound of whimpering barking, similar to a hurt dog.
I stood back up, struggling to maintain balance, and watched the beast run off…
As it realizes I'm no worthy prey.
.