บท 35: Chapter 35 - Distraught
"Oh no…"
I stand there staring at the blue screen. I can't believe it.
"IAN! HEY! IAN are you ok?"
"Huh. What…I."
Howard grabs my shoulder and shakes me.
"What's wrong?"
"Oscar...He..He…"
I can tell I look distraught. I can't even speak properly. Howard stops shaking me and dashes into the forest. I grit my teeth and run after him. The only thoughts left in my head were, why did I send them out? I could have just asked only the goblins to go searching for things? What if Luke dies too? How can I explain this to Robin and Owen? Why did this happen?
I can barely keep up with Howard he seemed to be running faster and faster into the abyss. Neither of us knew where Luke and Oscar went, we just kept running. Keeping the mountainside to our left we run through the forest hoping to catch a glimpse of Luke or Oscar.
I see Howard stop in front of me. I couldn't catch my breath. I bent down breathing in and out heavily, with my hands on my knees.
"H-Howard what is it?"
I could barely speak. My voice was cracked and my throat was dry. I look up slightly and my eyes widen. Large trees shattered in half spread across the ground. There was a large gaping hole in the canopy, moonlight shining down on the destruction of the forest. What could have done this?
"It looked like some beast went on a rampage and knocked everything down. Could that be what Oscar and Luke encountered?"
Howard and I crouched down and followed the trail. Away from the mountain and deeper into the forest. So many unknown factors were piling up on top of each other. What made this trail? Where is it going? Where is Luke? Are we even safe right now?
Each step felt like a million years. I hear my heart pounding against my chest. Whenever a sound occurs I snap my head towards it. I was filled with fear and anxiety. My palms were sweaty and my throat was constantly dry. My head felt like it is being squeezed under the pressure. I wonder if Howard felt the same? He looked calmer. Cautiously surveying the surroundings in front and each step quiet and confident.
The forest was filled with dangers one cannot even imagine. We already knew about the den of golden wolves but this destruction could not be thor doing. They are intelligent, agile and crafty. What split these trees in half and plowed through them can only be something bigger.
"RRRRRRROOAAAARRRR!!"
A head-splitting scream occurs in front of us. Followed by the sound of trees falling to the ground. It was still on a rampage. Howard leaps up from his crouching position and starts to sprint towards the sound. I watch him as he runs further away. I pick myself up slowly and start to run after Howard too. Watching his back blend into the darkness.
It was not long until I see our culprit. Twice the size of Howard. Scarlet red skin with jet black tattoos covered in some sort of armor. It swings its huge log around like its paper smashing it into other trees. Each time it exhales I can see the miss coming from out of its mouth. Surrounding the monster were 10 golden wolves and the alpha golden wolf. The wolves growled and howled at the monster.
"Luke…"
I hear Howard say Luke's name but I could not see him. I search in front of me looking at every corner until I focus near the alpha golden wolf. There was a small golden wolf showing the most aggression. Its body almost touching the ground, with its fangs exposed and paws digging into the dirt. It looked ready to pounce on anything. Right behind it was Luke.
His face was covered in dirt and blood. His head swaying back and forth, eyes unfocused and his mouth slightly open. His chest was covered in bruises and scratches. He slouches down against the tree and looks in the direction of the monster. His mouth slowly forms a smirk and silent laughter escapes his lips.
I see Howard stepping forward but luckily I grab his shoulder in time before he exposes himself. I whisper to him as silently as I could.
"Stop Howard. You cannot go there."
"Why not Ian? Luke is right there. He is hurt, in pain and he might even die."
"Because what can we do if we were to walk there? That red giant thing will kill us and if that doesn't kill us I am sure the golden wolves will. The only upside is that the golden wolf next to Luke is the one from the necklace. I am not sure what happened but for now, the rest of the golden wolves seem to be on Luke's side. We cannot change that or else Luke, you and I will die in seconds."
Howard grits his teeth and looks at me with his worried and angry expression.
"SO what? You expect me to stay here? Stand here looking at Luke? I treat him like a son Ian. I do not know if you know how that feels but I cannot just stand here."
"Yes, I know. I know Howard. You, Lucina and Luke have a very special relationship and I cannot understand that. But if you go out there and attract the attention of those monsters and die what then?"
A sense of realization passes through Howard.
"Ok, Ian how do you suggest we do this?"
"The wolves are currently engaged in a fight with the red monster. We should detour around them all and come to the back of Luke."
"Ok...I understand. Luke...Wait for us."
"And Howard. I am sorry for before. I was not thinking clearly."
Howard pats my shoulder and shows a forced smile.
"It's fine, I understand. It's hard. Let's save Luke. Ok, Ian?"
"Ok let's move."
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