Capítulo 57: The Dissimilitude
The ferocious battle reached an abrupt and eerie silence as the remaining Grove Stalkers, now bereft of their leader, retreated into the shadowy depths of the forest, melding seamlessly with the forest trees. Their spirits were now shattered by the harrowing demise of their leader at the skilled hands of Joaquin.
In the aftermath, three figures stood amidst the carnage Joaquin, Larry, and Gabbi. The lifeless bodies of the fallen Grove Stalkers lay strewn around them, a grim testament to the ferocity of the conflict.
The dark green blood of the vanquished enemies seeped into the forest floor, creating a macabre tapestry that stretched out in every direction, tainting the once pristine woodland with the indelible stain of death.
Joaquin scrutinized Gabbi intently before asking, "What did you do earlier?" Maintaining his intense gaze, he proceeded to question her further, "Why did the leader of the Grove Stalkers suddenly shift its attention to you?"
With a serene expression, Gabbi replied, "I merely employed a simple illusion to divert its attention."
Showcasing his skill, Gabbi conjured an translucent image of a grand, vibrant chicory flower accompanied by a sinuous, enigmatic figure. "As far as I can recall, the Grove Stalkers revere an entity that holds a deep affinity for flowers."
Joaquin appraised him with a grin, unmistakably impressed. "Your knowledge is extensive, and in spite of your modest aura, you have demonstrated greater resourcefulness than my subordinates. Your capacity to expeditiously evaluate circumstances and adapt surpasses my expectations."
He paused momentarily, contemplating his next words before extending an offer. "What if you were to heed my directives henceforth, and in return, I might permit you to indulge in the company of the slaves once I have satiated my desires in a few days time?"
Larry appeared visibly repulsed by Joaquin's crude suggestion, but Gabbi remained unfazed, his composure unshaken.
Gabbi responded calmly, "I will not follow any commands, but I can offer you my support." He then added, "As for your other proposal, I must inform you that I am, a eunuch."
Joaquin's laughter rang out in response to Gabbi's words, "Hahahaha!"
He paused, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Well, that's too bad."
In the near distance, two caravans came into view, drawing closer as Berto, Hugo, and a dark skinned woman approached them with purposeful strides.
Berto inquired with a hint of trepidation, "Why did your entourage attack the Grove Stalkers?"
Joaquin's countenance underwent a striking transformation, his penetrating stare fixating upon Berto with unyielding intensity.
The air around him seemed to crackle with the force of his indignation. "Dare you accusing that we are culpable?"
Berto's throat tightened as he swallowed with difficulty, striving to preserve a composed demeanor. "No, what I intended to convey is that the Grove Stalkers refrain from initiating aggression unless they are first provoked."
Joaquin scoffed derisively as he backed out, his voice dripping with disdain. "While my blonde slave was giving me blowjob, the Grove Stalkers attacked us without warning," he persisted, his eyes never leaving Berto's. "Do you truly believe we would attack anyone without cause?"
A tense silence enveloped the group until Larry interjected, his voice laced with confusion. "That's quite abnormal. Just earlier, the Emberfangs attacked our caravan without provocation, and even the typically passive creatures have become aggressive. What could possibly be the cause of this unsettling shift in behavior?"
Gabbi spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "As I see it, it would be prudent to continue this discussion later. Our lingering presence here has already attracted the attention of other creatures."
As he spoke, the sky above them filled with numerous two headed vultures, their eerie squawks echoing as they circled the aftermath of the skirmish. Some had already begun feasting on the grisly remains of the Grove Stalkers.
The group glanced skyward and surveyed their surroundings, realizing the truth in Gabbi's words.
They returned to their respective caravans, the dark skinned woman casting a fleeting glance at Gabbi as they departed. Hugo whispered to Berto, while Larry once again clutched his round locket.
Together, the two caravans continued their journey toward the foreboding Accursed Forest.
***
After countless hours of arduous travel, the two caravans, each accompanied by their own pair of bipedal creatures, finally opted for a safer route, one that would keep them clear of any monstrous encounters.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape, they found themselves drawn to the serene banks of a nearby river.
The night was fast approaching, and with it came a gentle, cold breeze that tenderly caressed their weary faces.
The towering trees that lined the riverbank swayed gracefully in the wind, their leaves rustling softly like a whispered lullaby. The soothing sound of the river's current, as it flowed over smooth stones and around natural bends.
The party diligently set to work, establishing their own temporary encampment. The tents were skillfully erected, their sturdy canvas walls providing shelter from the elements.
A crackling bonfire was kindled in the center of the camp, its warm glow casting flickering shadows on the surrounding area. The tantalizing aroma of a earlier meal wafted through the air.
Gabbi found himself seated near the bonfire of the camp, the fire's warmth providing solace to his weary bones.
In his immediate vicinity, only four other individuals shared the circle.
The blacked hair woman, bound by the chain of slavery sat hunched over her meal, shivering despite the fire's embrace. Larry with weary eyes and the dark skinned woman.
Meanwhile, Berto and Hugo maintained a noticeable distance, as did the henchmen of Joaquin.
Larry gradually closed the gap between them, taking a seat near Gabbi. "Thank you for saving me earlier,"
Gabbi offered a subtle nod in response, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames of the bonfire. The flickering light reflected in his eyes, hinting at a deep, unspoken memory.
In a somber tone, barely audible above the crackling fire, Larry continued, "I was once an adventurer, but those days are long behind me. This locket," he said, gripping the tarnished, round keepsake, "was a gift from my daughter."
His knuckles whitened as he clenched his fist, teeth gritted in suppressed emotion. "I've found myself drowning in debt after I killed a baron's slave who nearly raped my daughter. Now, my daughter resides in the church, suffering from a terrible illness. I desperately need money to help her, which is why I'm here."
Larry turned to face Gabbi, his eyes searching for understanding. "I'm not sure why I felt compelled to share this with you. Perhaps it was the way you respected my privacy regarding the locket, rather than simply because you saved me. Feel free to disregard my words if you wish."
Gabbi simply offered another subtle nod, his attention seemingly absorbed by the mesmerizing bonfire, as if nothing had been said at all.
With her raven black hair framing her face, the woman finished her meal, her body suddenly wracked with shivers.
Joaquin, clad only in a pair of pants, approached the campsite, the air around him thick with the pungent scent of a recent intimate encounter.
His voice was commanding and insistent as he spoke, "I cannot wait any longer. It is time to taste you. Come here!"
The woman's eyes darted around the vicinity, desperately searching for someone to rescue her from her impending fate. Her entire body trembled, and unshed tears glistened in her eyes.
Joaquin sauntered towards her, each deliberate step exuding an air of menace. A sinister grin spread across his face, revealing his dark intentions.
In her desperation, the woman reached out and clutched Gabbi's thigh, her voice quivering with fear as she sobbed and pleaded, "Ple-please save me!"
Gabbi cast a nonchalant glance around the black-haired woman, without warning, Joaquin seized her hair and yanked her upward. His voice was menacing as he bellowed, "Is there anyone here who dares to save this woman?"
Larry quickly averted his gaze, shutting his eyes tightly as he clutched the round locket in his hand. The dark skinned woman nearby paid no attention to the scene, while Gabbi's eyes were drawn back to the hypnotic dance of the bonfire's flames.
Hugo and Berto remained silent, and Joaquin's henchmen merely smirked at the display.
"Observe," Joaquin commanded, his hand guiding the black-haired woman's chin gently, forcing her to survey the area. "No one will come to your aid, for I am the one who wields power here," he continued, his eerie smile sending shivers down her spine. "Your hero exists only within the pages of a book."
As the realization of her fate settled in, the light in the woman's eyes began to fade. Joaquin's maniacal laughter filled the air as he effortlessly hoisted her body onto his shoulder and strode purposefully toward the tent.
With determination, Larry rose to his feet, firmly grasping his mace, he felt a sudden touch on his shoulder. It was Gabbi, who spoke with a tranquil voice, "This is on behalf of your daughter."
Larry's eyes flickered with a subtle intensity, betraying his subconscious action as Gabbi gracefully rose to his feet.
With an air of composure, he said, "I shall scout the vicinity and assume the role of primary lookout," before striding purposefully out of the encampment.
***
Perched atop a craggy outcrop overlooking the nearby river, he settled onto a weathered boulder, its surface smoothed by the passage of time.
His gaze was drawn to the celestial tapestry above, where three resplendent moons held court amidst a shimmering sea of stars.
Their ethereal glow cast a mesmerizing reflection upon the river's surface, as the gentle currents carried the mirrored image downstream.
The tranquil scene offered a sanctuary of solace, a haven from the chaos of the world beyond.
As he sat there, entranced by the breathtaking panorama, his full mask caught the moonlight, reflecting the celestial bodies brilliance in a dance of light and shadow.
Sucura contemplated thoughtfully, "That's precisely why I cherish fantasy novels as pure escapism; they remain untainted by the inexorable darkness that pervades reality, unless, of course, they bear the mark of darker themes,"
He lamented with a resigned sigh. "This is the very reason I abhor being transmigrated into another world, for without power, one is inevitably exposed to the sordid underbelly of that realm. It's akin to the sobering transition from childhood innocence to the stark awareness of adulthood, where one is forced to confront the gritty, often brutal, truths of existence."
Sucura allowed himself to drift to another thought as he gazed upon the mesmerizing river before him.
He mused to himself, 'The party remains valuable, particularly Joaquin, for I sense that within a few days, something inevitable will come to pass.'
Lost in contemplation, he spent several minutes absorbed in his thoughts. His eyes eventually lifted to the moon, a wistful longing evident in his gaze.
He extended his hand towards the celestial body, as if trying to grasp it, and whispered to himself, "Just a little more time… a little more time… I shall be reunited with you all soon."
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