BXBX NOVEL Chapter 474: Scout Reports
Erend took a deep breath, his mind racing. The truth was, he didn't have a concrete plan yet. The magnitude of the threat they faced was daunting, and he felt the pressure of needing to find a solution. He met Aurdis' gaze, trying to offer reassurance despite his uncertainty.
"I... I still don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper because of the uncertainty. "There's so much we don't understand about this threat. The only thing we can do now is to gather more information, unite our allies, and… And prepare for whatever comes."
Aurdis's eyes softened, and she reached out, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tightly. The warmth of her touch grounded him, even as his thoughts remained turbulent.
"Whatever happens, know that you're not alone in this. I will help as best as I can. We'll face this together," Aurdis said.
Erend smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Her words meant the world to him, but deep down, he was resolved to protect her from the danger that lay ahead. He couldn't bear the thought of her being harmed, and he was determined to shoulder the burden himself, no matter the cost.
"Thank you," he said, his voice steady. "Your support means everything to me."
In his heart, however, a different resolve took shape. "I won't let anything happen to you," he thought silently. "I'll solve this on my own if I have to. I'll keep you safe, no matter what."
They sat in silence for a while longer, drawing comfort from each other's presence. The garden, with its serenity and beauty, offered them a brief sanctuary. But Erend knew that soon, he would have to step back into the fray, carrying the weight of his promise to protect the world—and those he loved—against the encroaching darkness.
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The scouts departed not long after receiving their order. Their unicorn's hooves moved in the cobblestone into the outside world of the Palace.
After sometime passed, the scouts finally arrived at their destinations.
Elendir and Aelar, moved silently along the banks of the River of Eldris. Their keen eyes scanned the water's edge, alert for any signs of the anomalies that Erend and his friends had reported.
The river is a place that once a tranquil haven for wildlife and lush vegetation, now felt oppressive and foreboding.
As they crept closer, they heard a low, guttural sound that made their skin crawl. Peering through the reeds, they saw a twisted abomination standing by the water.
It was a monstrous amalgamation of several animals and fishes, fused together in a grotesque form. The creature had the head of a wolf and fishes, the body of a bear, and the legs of a stag, with bat-like wings protruding from its back.
Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its movements were jerky and unnatural.
Elendir motioned for Aelar to stay hidden. They observed the creature for several minutes, noting its erratic behavior and the way it seemed to be searching for something. The twisted beast let out a chilling howl, causing the water around it to ripple unnaturally.
Quietly, the scouts retreated, their mission of observation complete. They knew that reporting this back to King Gulben was vital.
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In the dense and darkened expanse of the Forest of Thorns, two more scouts, Lyris and Theoren, moved with practiced stealth of the palace scout.
The forest had always been a place of beauty, with towering trees and vibrant underbrush. But now, it had turned malevolent.
Theoren reached out to touch a tree, only to pull back sharply as the bark seemed to pulse and twist under his fingers.
"Be careful," Lyris whispered, her eyes wide with caution.
As they moved deeper into the forest, they witnessed the flora acting with malicious intent. Vines lashed out like serpents, thorny bushes seemed to shift position, and the trees themselves groaned and swayed ominously. The once-friendly forest had become a deathtrap.
They stumbled upon a clearing where the plants were actively attacking a group of forest creatures. Rabbits, deer, and birds lay lifeless, ensnared by vines and thorns. The sight was both tragic and terrifying.
Lyris and Theoren carefully documented what they saw, knowing that this information was crucial for understanding the threat they faced.
Their orders were clear—observe, not engage. They retreated cautiously, leaving the hostile forest behind.
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High in the rugged terrain of the Gray Mountains Aranis and Faelar, navigated the rocky slopes with ease. The air was thin and cold, and an eerie silence hung over the landscape.
They soon came upon the strange symbols that Adrien had described. Burned into the rock were glyphs of unknown origin, glowing faintly with an unsettling energy.
Aranis knelt to examine one of the symbols more closely, while Faelar kept watch, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"These symbols... they're unlike anything I've ever seen," Aranis murmured. "They must be tied to the anomalies we've been observing. I will record it so we can try to decipher it later."
Their attention was diverted by movement in the shadows. Larger and more aggressive than any creatures native to the region, dark forms moved stealthily among the rocks. The scouts held their breath as they observed the shadowy figures—hulking beasts with glowing eyes.
The creatures moved with an unnatural grace, their forms shifting and flickering as if they were partially composed of shadow. The scouts noted their numbers and behaviors, knowing that these beings will posed a great threat.
Aranis and Faelar exchanged a look, understanding the gravity of what they had witnessed. They made their way back down the mountain, their hearts heavy with the knowledge of the dangers that lay ahead.
The scouts regrouped at the edge of the Elven territory when the twilight has come, their faces grim. Each pair had witnessed horrors that confirmed the Great Calamity's advance.
With their observations detailed and documented, they returned to King Gulben, ready to relay their findings.
King Gulben listened to their reports, his expression growing ever more serious.
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