Within a week of walking, we were well out of the foothills, and trekking up the mountains. The snow that coated the ground crunched under each step, it's pristine form relatively unmarked by the footsteps of men. When the path faded away into the snow, we knew we were beyond the reach of civilization.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUFJ4x2waV
In truth, it scared me.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6pp8pELfX
I reminded myself of my mantra. One step in front of the other. I've come too far to back down now.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEVdWZmtZs
Several more days of traveling through the mountains put us in a deep gulch, the stream frozen over. The area was a bit foggy, but nothing extreme. Ahead of us, stood what the Weygate Mountains were named for: A giant elvish arch. The pillars on each side had to be as thick as a dozen mammoths. It blew my mind as we neared it. I couldn't even begin to imagine how in the world such a structure could ever be built.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V0hUm5cKC
Now that we were closer, I could detect markings engraved on the pillars. They were worn down with time, hence why I wasn't able to see them from afar. They were fascinating.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI7rzLh2Xb
"…What's that?" Veran's question drew my attention. He was pointing to a figure, half-shrouded by the fog. It stood, tall and slender, staring at us. From this distance… It seemed extremely tall. I would have to guess almost nine feet. A giant's child, maybe? It'd have to be a very sick one, with how thin the figure was.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyFUVSsesr
The three of us stopped, some hundred feet from directly below the arch, as we turned to stare at it, transfixed by just how odd it was.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACVb5hU0P2
Then, another one appeared.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m08j9Fu83
I tensed up, fear creeping into my limbs. Something told me that they were not giants. Giants were generally peaceful creatures. Perhaps it was in the way these slender creatures stood, watching, waiting. They were menacing.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4scf64iSgK
Another one stepped from the mist. As the third one came into view, the trio of slender creatures jerked forward, breaking out into a sprint.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15JpSrNf1N
"Run!" Marius shouted. None of us needed to be told. "By all that is holy, run!" We were sprinting towards the arch. As we ran, I noticed that the mist had suddenly become much thicker. It laid over us all like a blanket. I could barely make out the giant form of the arch now.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr6ql4Fz8n
My heartbeat pounded in my ears, as all I could think was running forward. All I could see clearly was Calavius, as he was running adjacent to me.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtZH1gl0qh
An unearthly screech echoed off the sides of the mountains about twenty feet behind me. Pure adrenaline pushed me to my limits. I've never ran this fast in my life, I swear.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb62xEP7Am
As we were passing under the arch, the air became drastically warmer, the ground softer underfoot. In the back of my head, I thought it was strange, but otherwise gave it no heed. All I could do was keep running. I did not want those things to catch me.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7txASTWgX
Soon enough, a rock jutting from the ground caught my foot, and I tripped. I rolled over, trying to get to my feet. Only to see a pale hand with fingers as long as my arm grab where I was just laying. I screamed. I looked up into what I swore was the eyes of Death itself. Pristine gold eyes stared down at me from a gaunt face. The creature's mouth was most horrifying of all, shaped like a circle, with jagged teeth around the rim, all pointing inward.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JmXFjBsHW
It reached for me again, it's claws barely getting a chance to scrape me, before Calavius entered my line of vision and drove his sword through the creature's chest. Its screams almost deafened me, as Calavius helped me to my feet, and together we continued running. I could hear the other creatures' feet slapping against the ground. They were gaining on us.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWZPZQyZLX
"Keep running!" Calavius shouted at me, before he slowed. I too slowed, turning.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPZLqxvh24
"What? No! Come on!"973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWMlIGW7HL
"Shut up and go! Catch up with the others! Hurry!" He turned, raising his sword. As another one of the slender monsters appeared, he aimed a chop for it's knees, taking it town with its own momentum. Without hesitation, he planted his blade in the creature's chest. It screeched, just as the other had. "I'll be right behind you!"973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg72rNK00L
So I ran. I prayed he would be alright. If there were any gods out there, then please let Calavius live. Please.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODlAb1iFEK
More screeches could be heard from behind me, signaling the demise of more of the monsters. It seemed a lot more had come after us than three.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEGKnOfFil
As the mist began to clear, I could see a shocking amount of green around me… It was grass?973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtDRG8cYyh
Some distance ahead, I could see Veran and Marius. Once the screeches stopped, so did they. I finally caught up, my breath coming in great, desperate gasps. I pointed back to where Calavius stayed behind, trying to get the words out, but all I could do was try to breath.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCpos8StDH
"Where's Calavius?" Veran asked, a hint of panic noticeable in his tone.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQxxnJwxKM
"Stayed… back." I motioned with my hand in the direction from which we were running from. After a few more gasps, I managed to get my breath back enough to properly explain. "Said he'd be right behind me…"973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaCcXRlQdn
Veran fell to his knees, clutching his fists. I knelt next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. I kept looking back up the emerald hillside, hoping, nay, praying for Calavius to emerge from the rolling mist. The seconds dragged into minutes, which seemed to go on for almost eternity. We waited in silence.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVCgZoOfAA
A figure appeared in the mist. One of the monsters. It was not running. Veran threw my arm off of him, and had whipped his bow out. He nocked an arrow and let it fly into the creature's chest. It screeched in agony, staggering back. Before I even had time to register what was happening, Veran had put another two arrows into it. As it fell, he was running forward.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahV5u3HQL5
Veran gripped its neck, and shook it like a rag doll.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp6PGQGBVR
"WHERE IS HE!? WHAT DID YOU DO!?" He repeated the question, only letting up from shaking the beast to give it time to answer.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FPjfHwaxz
"Gone," was the only word it said, it's voice low and gravely. It sent chills down my spine.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuJrqyxBAa
Veran screamed in rage, reaching for an ebony rock that was entrenched in the emerald grass. Without hesitation, he smashed the creature's head. He brought it down upon its head time after time, until it was nothing but mush. Then, Veran threw the rock aside, tore his arrows free, and stormed past us.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljlSUc1rE9
Marius and I shared looks full of pain for our companions.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjNDrG9tEo
As we went after Veran, I looked out to see a whole valley stretch out before us. Flowers as tall as men and every color of the rainbow greeted us, and towering far above us were massive pines. I could see clouds clinging to the very tops of them.973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEFn9XFTFn
Out of the five who set forth onto this journey, only three of us had made it. Who knew what other things were waiting in these mystical lands ready to take another one of us973Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4jOLesgIn
