57 Splitting up the band (1/2)
Part 1
”Over here, its this way!”
Ashley was guiding the group towards the inside of a secret cave located on one of the nearby mountains. To reach the entrance, they all needed to climb the outside of the mountain since there was no visible passage insight.
Since they were all wearing bodies that carried monster-like features they didn't face much trouble during their climbing.
Daren faced a little bit of trouble since it was still very early and he couldn't access his lion form, so Auren had to carry him on his back. Gustav was also finding some trouble when using his centaur body. It seemed like walking with four legs was harder than it looked.
”Need some help?”
Evlin came to his aid after realizing how much trouble he was facing. Gustav kept trying to climb the rock formation but his hoofs were simply not made for this kind of situation. The mountain was too steep for him.
”I think I would like to change my choice of monster...”
”Don't worry, we will probably encounter many more as we advance. Just hold on to me and I will carry you.”
”...”
”What...?”
”... It's a little embarrassing...”
”Trust me, I know... When I first arrived in this world I had to spend the whole day being carried on the back of my caretaker once... Just put your arm around my shoulder and I'll do the rest.”
Gustav followed her command and Evlin proceeded to place her arm around his waist. She started to climb the wall of the mountain towards the entrance Ashley was pointing to using her free arm and the claws on her legs to pierce the rocks.
”Miss Evlin...?”
”Just bear with it... We will be there in a second...”
”It's not that... I was just wondering if you were ok...”
”What do you mean...?”
”The way you looked when you woke up this morning... I've never seen you like this before... So...”
”Afraid...?”
”...”
”I just got a message from all the people in this world that hate me the most saying that they're coming to take my head... I think I would have some kind of mental problem if I wasn't afraid...”
”...”
”But I'm the leader... The leader doesn't have time to show weakness or the group will fall apart from it... So I need to keep looking forward...”
”Are you sure about that...?”
”...?”
”You will need to release your feeling at some point... Or they will just keep piling up until they explode inside you... There is no shame to show weakness to your family... Being weak is not a crime, remember?”
”What should I do then...? Just find a small corner and cry for a bit until I start feeling better...?”
”... You don't need a corner... You have your sister right beside you don't you?”
”...”
”Just go towards her and say that you need her by her side for a little bit...”
”Yeah... Ok... Thanks Gustav...”
The two arrived at the entrance and went inside the passage. The rest of the group was waiting for them in the dark cave located in the middle of the wall. Because of the heavy shadows Evlin almost forgot that those were her friends due to their monstrous silhouettes and for one second considered going for her crossbow to attack.
”Man you guys look scary when you are all in the dark like this...”
Ria heard that comment and started to smile like a little kid.
”You heard that darling? Even the great Evlin is afraid of my terrifying appearance!!”
Ria was trying to make a scary face for Auren, but the truth was she was probably the less intimidating member of this group right now. She was basically the same old Ria of always, except she was green and had a tail. Even Daren in his human form was more scary thanks to his dead-eyed expression.
”Yes Ria, you look completely horrifying...”
Auren tried to indulge her delusion but looking at her trying to make a monster face was just absolutely adorable for him. Rather than running away afraid Auren just wanted to hug her right there and now.
”Afort of her sister right now.
But this time, she couldn't, because Ashley was making her planning face. The same way Evlin would have a gamer face whenever she wanted to disrespect her opponents during fights, Ashley had a face that she would only show whenever she was deep in thought planning their movements.
Evlin had seen that face many times during their missions to retrieve silver metal from strongholds. Whenever she had that expression it meant that she should not be disturbed under no circumstance for she was preparing a plan for the team. And with access to the dryad's memories, Evlin couldn't even imagine the amount of planning her sister was working on right now.
She then decided to leave her request for a later time once Ashley didn't look so stressed. She didn't feel it was fair to ask for comfort when her sister herself was looking like she was in a bind.
”Everyone stop!”
Ashley, who was walking ahead of the group, gave them a signal to halt just as they arrived in a wide space inside the mountain. A huge cave with four holes in the wall. Each hole was big enough to allow the passage of an elephant. Evlin observed her options and looked at her plant sister.
”Which way Ash?”
”... All of them.”
”Eh...?”
”We will need to separate into groups and enter each of these passages to reach the other side.”
”Why would we do that??”
”For security measures... Demons are not like monsters... They don't usually act in large groups unless they are organizing an attack against adventurers. They tend to hunt by themselves so that they don't have to share their spoils of battle...”
”...?”
”If all seven of us arrive together like this, it will raise some suspicion to the demons on the other side...”
Daren wasn't very comfortable with the idea.
”Wait... Doesn't that mean one of us will need to go in alone??”
”Yeah, but it's ok, I can do that.”
”What!!??”
Evlin was opposed to the idea.
”What are you talking about?? We have no idea what we may encounter in these passages! I'll go with you!!”
”Evlin, trust me! I know what I'm doing. I'm taking the safest route to the other side.”
”Still, why can't we go together?”