Chapter 25
The vines came without warning. Yet caution honed by years kept most of them alive when they strike.
They guarded against the beasts running to them, patrolling cultivators and mages walked around the camp with steady feet and focused eyes. The ones stationed all around the camps had their sights steady and unwavering to the shadows between the trees, staring down the possible danger that might be waiting for them to falter, to show weakness.
The dome around the camp shimmered as if saying, ’I’m right here, I’ll keep you safe. Transparent and thin yet solid and strong.
A short brown haired woman was sitting on a rock near her tent reading a book when she felt it. Deep underground, slithering like a giant snakes.
Immediately, she stood up on her guard, swiftly taking her staff on her hand, a beautiful and smooth red wood with elegant curves, curling at the top, hints of small cracks mark its smooth surface, proof of its battle worn journey, a scar to a warrior, a mark to a weapon. The hand white beautiful hand holding it tightened as it was moved horizontally in front of the woman.
"Alix, Caie, Chao" The woman ran towards her group’s tent and woke her companions up.
"What? It’s too early. I’ll cook Later Chunhua, let me sleep" One of them groggily replied, turning away from her and covering his head with his blanket.
"Get up you idiot! The foodie is you, not me. There’s something wrong" The woman hissed lightly kicking the man who, along with their companions immediately sat up and lunged for their weapons, not a trace of sleep in their eyes, looking at her for answers ready for battle.
Before she could explain a horn sounded loud, deep and booming! "Hooooonk! Hooooonk!"
"There’s something underground! Everyone on your guards!" The patrol group run between the tents to make sure everyone heard
"Hoooonk!"