The first few hours of their journey were uneventful, a steady trudge through the snow-laden forest. Nyx consulted his map frequently, adjusting their course to follow the frozen river as closely as possible. He had chosen this route for a reason: it provided a relatively clear path through the dense woods and offered a reliable source of fresh water, even if it meant melting snow.
As they walked, Nyx shared his knowledge of survival techniques, gleaned from years of voracious reading and careful observation. "When you're hiking, especially in cold weather, it's important to stay hydrated," he explained. "Dehydration can lead to fatigue, confusion, and even hypothermia. We need to melt snow regularly and drink small amounts throughout the day."
He emphasized the importance of energy management. "Pace yourselves," he said. "Don't push too hard, too early. Conserve your strength for when we really need it." He also discussed the importance of proper nutrition, recommending that they prioritize high-calorie foods like dried meat and nuts to maintain their energy levels.
Torvin, despite his initial bravado, seemed to be struggling. The weight of his axes and bearskin cloak was beginning to take its toll, and he lagged behind the others, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Nyx slowed their pace, offering words of encouragement and sharing some of his own supplies.
Lyra, despite her earlier fears, seemed to be holding her own. She moved through the forest with a quiet determination, her eyes constantly scanning the surrounding terrain. She pointed out signs of wildlife – tracks in the snow, droppings, and the faint scent of animal musk. "We need to be careful," she said, her voice low. "This forest is home to wolves, bears, and other dangerous creatures."
Nyx nodded in agreement. "Wolves are pack hunters," he explained. "They typically avoid humans, but they can be aggressive if they're hungry or protecting their territory. Bears are solitary creatures, but they're incredibly powerful and unpredictable. If we encounter either, we need to be prepared to fight." Or avoid at all cost if you're dealing with a mother bear"
As dusk approached, they reached the foothills of the mountains, their destination for the night. The entrance to the cave was partially hidden by a thick curtain of snow-covered branches. It was small, but offered reasonable shelter from the elements.
They cleared the snow from the entrance, gathered firewood, and started a fire inside the cave. The flames provided warmth and light, chasing away the shadows and the creeping cold. They ate a meager meal of dried meat and melted snow, then settled down for the night.
Nyx took the first watch, his axe resting across his lap. He listened to the sounds of the forest, the rustling of the wind through the trees, the distant howls of wolves, the creaking and groaning of branches weighed down by snow. He knew that they were not alone, that the forest was alive with unseen dangers.
Hours passed, the fire slowly dying down. Nyx began to feel drowsy, his eyelids growing heavy. He nudged Torvin awake, then reluctantly surrendered his watch.
He drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with anxious thoughts. He dreamed of wolves with glowing eyes, of bears with razor-sharp claws, of shadowy figures lurking in the darkness.
Suddenly, he was jolted awake by a piercing scream. It was Lyra.
He scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. He grabbed his axe, his senses on high alert.
"What was that?" Torvin asked, his voice trembling.
Nyx strained his ears, listening intently. The only sound was the howling wind, now stronger than before, and the gentle patter of snow against the cave walls.
"Lyra?" Nyx called out, his voice barely audible above the wind.
There was no response.
Nyx turned to Torvin, his eyes filled with dread. "She's gone," he said, his voice hoarse.
Torvin stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean, she's gone? Where could she have gone?"
Nyx grabbed a torch and rushed to the entrance of the cave. He peered outside, his breath catching in his throat. The snow was falling heavily, obscuring everything beyond a few feet. He could see faint tracks leading away from the cave, but they were quickly being covered by the fresh snowfall.
"She went outside," Nyx said, his voice grim. "Something must have lured her out there."
Torvin rushed to his side, his face pale with fear. "What do we do, Nyx? We have to go after her!"
Nyx hesitated. He knew that venturing out into the storm was incredibly dangerous. The darkness, the snow, and the wind would make it impossible to track Lyra, and they could easily become lost or injured themselves.
He quickly considered the facts. They were deep in the forest, a blizzard was raging, it was night, and someone lure her what happen its likely a trap.
"We can't," Nyx said, his voice firm. "It's too dangerous. We'll never find her in this storm. We have to wait until morning."
"But what if she's hurt?" Torvin protested, his eyes filled with anguish. "What if she's freezing to death?"
Nyx sighed, his heart heavy with guilt. "I know, Torvin. But there's nothing we can do right now. If we go out there, we'll just end up getting ourselves killed too. We have to be smart, not reckless."
They retreated back into the cave, their faces etched with grief and despair. They huddled around the dying fire, their thoughts consumed by the fate of their lost companion.
As the storm raged outside, Nyx tried to piece together what had happened. He replayed the events of the evening in his mind, searching for clues, for some indication of what had lured Lyra out into the darkness.
He realized that they had been too careless, too complacent. They had underestimated the dangers of the forest, had failed to take adequate precautions. Now, their carelessness had cost Lyra her life.
"We need to be more careful," Nyx said, his voice low and grim. "This forest is not our friend. It's a hostile, unforgiving place. We need to be prepared for anything. From now on, we stick together, no matter what. And we don't trust anything, or anyone."
Torvin nodded in agreement, his face pale and drawn. "What do you think happened to her, Nyx?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Nyx stared into the dying embers of the fire, his mind filled with dark thoughts. "I don't know," he said. "But I have a feeling we're not alone in this forest and we might as well expect something worst."
The storm raged on, its icy breath whipping through the trees, a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked in the darkness.
That night, neither Nyx nor Torvin slept. They huddled together in the cave, listening to the whispers of the snowstorm, their hearts heavy with grief and fear. The test of warriors had just begun, and already, it had claimed its first victim. And for Nyx, the loss was more than just a tragedy. It was a warning.