As the small bee-like creature's energy converged on the oak tree, a brilliant light emitted from its form.
The ground trembled, and Fray's gaze remained locked on the tree as its sturdy form began to splinter.
With a deafening crack, the massive oak collapsed to the ground, its roots upturned.
Fray stood there, his heart pounding, his breath held as he awaited the next revelation.
But to his surprise, nothing changed. The surroundings remained the same.
The only notable change was the innkeeper, who approached Fray with a smile on his face, clapping slowly.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"You've done it, my dear guest," the innkeeper congratulated. "You've defeated your first challenge. Now, please, follow me."
Fray's gaze flickered between the innkeeper and the fallen tree, a mixture of confusion and anticipation swirling within him.
With a nod, he motioned for Lisa, Aslan, and Lysander to join him as they followed the innkeeper.
They were led back to the inn, where a sense of familiarity settled in. The innkeeper gestured for them to take a seat at a cozy table.
Drinks were set before them, and the innkeeper himself raised his own glass in a toast.
"Congratulations on passing the first challenge," he said, his smile warm and genuine. "You've earned a moment of respite."
Fray's gaze remained fixed on his drink, his mind churning with questions. He was in no mood for pleasantries, his determination to uncover the truth unshaken.
"Where are we now? What is this place?" Fray's voice was direct, cutting through the cheerful ambiance.
The innkeeper leaned back, his eyes meeting Fray's unwavering stare. "You are in Havenbrook Village," he explained.
As Fray and the rest of the group heard the village name, they all found it very familiar. Havenbrook Village was a small village in the outskirts of the Enshrouded Hallow Forest.
This meant that the woods beside the village were part of the cursed Forest. But that posed another question to the group.
"Why is all of this happening in a small village like this? And why are Havenbrook villagers so powerful and weird?"
"I know what you're thinking, but don't worry. The people of this village are all humans, except me and my comrades," the innkeeper explained as he pointed to the group of villagers who had played against Fray's team in the previous games. "But this village is in my territory, and the villagers here are my followers, and they helped me sometimes."
"In your territory? What do you mean?" Lysander asked. .
"Well, this village is considered a part of the forest," the innkeeper said. "In the forest, there are four leaders who control four territories. I am one of those leaders."
"Wait, you're one of the four leaders in the forest?" Aslan's curiosity was piqued.
"Yes, indeed," the innkeeper confirmed. "And I'm here to lead your first challenge."
"What challenge are we participating in?" Lisa asked.
"Alright, first, read this," the innkeeper instructed. He signaled to the skinny man, who brought forward several letters and placed one in front of each member of the group.
Lisa took a letter with a confused look and began to read. As she went through the contents, her eyes widened in shock.
The letter was an invitation for Lisa to come to one of the isuda cubes located in the Enshrouded Hallow Forest. However, the letter demanded that she come alone, without any guards, and set a specific date, one month from now.
The group looked up from thier letters, thier expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty. The innkeeper watched them closely, his gaze unwavering.
The group exchanged glances, each holding their own letter close, seemingly hesitant to reveal its contents. Fray, Aslan, Lisa, and Lysander sat around the table, the letters before them like mysterious artifacts.
As the tension in the air grew, the innkeeper leaned forward, his gaze shifting from one member of the group to another. "I can see you're all curious about the letters," he remarked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"you sent us these letters ?" Fray asked, his voice steady.
The innkeeper chuckled. "yes, you can say that. You've been chosen for this challenge for your unique qualities. Each of you possesses traits that make you suitable candidates."
Aslan raised an eyebrow. "Chosen? By whom?"
"one of the other four leaders of the Forest," the innkeeper answered. "We have been watching, observing, and assessing potential candidates for this endeavor."
Lisa's curiosity got the best of her. "But these letters... they're not telling the whole truth, are they?"
The innkeeper's smile deepened. "You're perceptive. The letters contain an element of truth, but they do not reveal the full scope of the challenge."
Fray's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean ?"
The innkeeper's gaze locked onto Fray's, his expression enigmatic. "The true prize of this challenge is the inheritance of the seventh hero of humanity."
"The seventh hero?" Lysander's voice held a note of disbelief. "But there were only six heroes in our history."
The innkeeper nodded, his smile cryptic. "The history you know is not always the complete truth. There is much that has been hidden, for various reasons."
Aslan, Lysander, Lisa, and Fray exchanged surprised glances. The revelation that there had been a seventh hero, unbeknownst to them, left them speechless.
"However," the innkeeper continued, "I won't reveal all the details just yet. What I can tell you is that you were not the only candidates for this challenge. There are three more groups, just like yours, facing their own set of trials."
"Three more groups?" Lysander exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
"Yes," the innkeeper confirmed. "All four groups must pass through the first challenge before progressing to the second. And rest assured, after passing the first challenge, you will regain your memories."
Fray's eyes narrowed. "Didn't we already passed the first challenge "
"Yes," the innkeeper replied. "but the other groups didn't finish yet, I can't let you pass to the second phase of the challenge, before they finish."
Aslan leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "So, what is the second challenge?"
The innkeeper's smile held a hint of mystery. "The second challenge will be revealed to you in due time. But for now, enjoy your respite and camaraderie. You've earned it."
With that, the innkeeper stood, his gaze sweeping over Fray, Aslan, Lisa, and Lysander. "Rest well, dear guests. Soon, the second phase will began, and you won't be alone in it."
After their conversation with the innkeeper, Fray decided it was time to seek some solitude and rest. The atmosphere within the group was laden with tension, and no one attempted to impede his departure.
As he walked away, a heavy silence hung in the air, a stark contrast to the previous camaraderie they had shared.
Lisa's gaze followed Fray's retreating form, her mind swirling with thoughts. As he disappeared from view, her thoughts drifted to the cryptic words Aslan had shared with her earlier.
She couldn't help but wonder what might have transpired between them in the memory that was lost to her.
....
The next morning, under the clear sky of Havenbrook Village, the group gathered once again in the central square.
The villagers had assembled as well, forming a curious and excited crowd. The innkeeper stood before them, his presence commanding attention.
"Dear guests," the innkeeper's voice rang out, carrying across the square. "The time has come for the next phase of the challenege. Are you ready ?"
Fray, Lisa, Aslan, and Lysander all nodded in agreement, ready to confront whatever trials awaited them.
The innkeeper's smile deepened, and he raised his hand. As he did, a warm, golden light enveloped the group and the villagers. The light seemed to radiate from the innkeeper's touch, bathing them in a gentle glow.
The villagers watched in awe as the light intensified, wrapping around the group like a protective cocoon. Murmurs of surprise and wonder filled the air as the radiant energy swirled and danced around them.
