10 days since the escalation...
Today the remnants of the City guards were set to leave Trios. They were now stationed behind a wooden border built in haste when their camps were being ravaged by the saviours.
It was currently dawn. The sun wasn't even properly up in the sky and Housten had chosen this time to leave the city behind.
The saviours could rarely be seen during this period of time, thus making it the most fitting for a retreat without any further hindrance.
Consequently, the guards were busy with whatever they could pack. Adrain was mainly overseeing their activities and occasionally helping them. He had already packed his necessities the previous night.
He was also the last Captain left in the camp. Two of them had died at the hands of the players, whereas the rest of the three had escorted the earlier batches of people towards Rimrock City, their current destination.
Oh, speaking of the three batches, the City Lord Augustus had conveniently run away on the very first batch itself.
In fact before going, he had proudly stood before his people and proclaimed how his departure was of utmost importance to all, how he would inform the City Lord of Rimrock and together they would ride back with an army, defeat all the saviours and achieve glory.
In reply the people had even pounded their feet on the ground, raising their voices and cheering the departure of the City Lord. It was as if they had all gathered in front of the gates to see a hero depart, to bring them honour and fame.
It was absolutely ridiculous given how seconds later Lord Augustus had practically slunk away with his tail between his legs.
Unlike the City Guard Chief Housten who even though having the chance, chose to remain stationed at his post and like a leader made sure of everyone's safety as they left the town.
Adrian would always have respect reserved for people of such discipline and loyalty.
*
At around 5 am, they left the place.
Adrian cast one last look at the gate behind him. The WELCOME carved on the gate in a cursive form had once looked like he was returning to home. Now though it didn't at all look pleasant to the eyes as smokes arose upto the skies behind it.
'I shall come again, dear Trios...just wait for me.'
He shed few crocodile tears internally as he turned away. He has set his sights on this city and by hook or crook, he shall make it his!
The road ahead was long, covered with fresh trails of the several footprints and wheels of the carts that has gone before them. Grasses covered the paths they were walking on and jungles on both sides of the road.
Trios was built at a strange location. Out in the wild, surrounded by the Great Canopy on one side and the Dawn Mountains on the other.
It's almost as if the government had planned on isolating this city from the mainland...which was indeed suspicious considering the fact that they have yet to intervene or send help and supplies to them.
With the last of the people of the kingdom abandoning this city, it became far unlikely that any attention would be paid to the development of this place.
Along the way, they had a taken a small break before resuming their journey.
None of them wished to remain among the wilderness for too long. Not only did they fear a sudden attack from the saviours but also the dangers of the wild animals around here made them extremely cautious.
*
"Hey isn't that the umbrella they all talk about?"
It was currently evening. After walking for so long, a guard at the front suddenly pointed out something in the distance.
Looming over their figures, just in front of them were several hundreds of trees, their branches intertwining with each other and forming a large umbrella like structure.
The Great Canopy...this massive forest of hundreds of thousands of miles was in the shape of one huge umbrella, and the guards could only see just a tiny portion of it from their positions.
They would need to take a small detour through a path in this forest. This path opened up straight to the border city named Rimrock.
Fortunately they didn't need to go deep in the forests; it was strictly prohibited to do so as well.
The dangers present within it haven't even been fully discovered. No clear maps for the entire Great Canopy existed anyway.
Even the maps simply painted the entire area green.
The guards walked into it, holding onto themselves despite the feeling of uneasiness deep in their chests.
Following them was Adrian. His gaze looked to be transfixed towards a certain distance in the forest, his eyes turning slightly watery.
_________
The first indication came in the form of the deadly silence.
They were in the forest. Massive trees surrounded them, their branches dangling in the slight breeze; countless leaves twirled and made abrupt sounds that disturbed the fragile tranquility of the silence at times. Shrubs, bushes, tall grasses with sharp blades covered much of the flora of this region.
However, the fauna was seemingly absent. Adrian expected chirping of birds, howling of wild animals, anything that would indicate existence of life
...but nothing could be heard.
It was dead silent.
Even the guards felt uneasy, their eyes darting around nervously, trying to locate for problems that didn't exist.
Few of them including Housten had their eyes narrowed, their bodies stiff and their senses on high alert for any immediate danger.
And yet, nothing.
The second indication came in the form of occasional twitches among the green landscape. Sounds of fallen leaves being crunched, the rustling of bushes and the feeling of being watched, as if several gazes were zeroed on them.
Waiting for the perfect moment to...hunt.
Adrian and the others had already given up on walking slow and now looked like they were jogging, while all the time looking around them, their weapons readied.
Finally they came.
At first it was a flicker of light,then a short distance ahead of them, a small fire ignited.
Another burned at their left, another at right. As if being triggered, several other fires flickered amd came into existence with a small whoosh, increasing in number until the guards were completely surrounded.
Adrian's breath caught for a moment. His eyes could detect atleast hundreds of players.
And leading them was of course...
"We finally meet, Sir Housten."
Nyx dramatically bent her upper body and performed a low bow to Housten, as her eyes scanned their group and...locked on Adrian.