LIGHTNOVELONLINE Through the wilds
The dense jungle loomed before them, each tree towering overhead, casting shadows across the narrow path. The sunlight barely made it through the thick canopy, with occasional beams slicing through the foliage, revealing the swirling dust in the air. The constant hum of insects and the rustling of leaves surrounded them, keeping Kael on edge. Every step felt like a venture into the unknown.
"You know, if we get lost out here, I'm blaming you," Kael muttered, glancing at Jin, who walked beside him with an infuriatingly casual swagger.
"Lost? I don't get lost," Jin replied confidently, swinging his spear over his shoulder like it was a walking stick. "And neither do you, if you stick close."
Kael, walking beside him, couldn't help but smile at Jin's confidence. But something made him uneasy. His eyes shifted to the dense trees lining the path. Suddenly, he noticed a subtle movement — the leaves and moss on a nearby tree rustled unnaturally, as if disturbed by something unseen.
Kael tensed, his hand instinctively drifting toward the hilt of his blade. "Jin, did you see that?"
"Relax, would you?" Jin chuckled, swinging his spear over his shoulder. "It's just trees."
Kael wasn't convinced. "You say that, but I saw something move just a moment ago. I'm telling you, this place is crawling with beasts."
"Ah, you've been reading too many old stories. You're paranoid," Jin teased, nudging him. "Besides, if anything dangerous shows up, we'll handle it."
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the dense foliage. Kael froze. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword.
"Uh... Jin, did you hear that?"
Jin turned, his mischievous grin faltering for a moment as his eyes scanned the jungle. There it was again, a deep, rumbling growl. Slowly, they looked up to see a large beast—coated in dark, shimmering fur—looming behind the trees. Its glowing eyes pierced through the shadows, focused intently on them.
"Well... that's definitely not a squirrel," Jin muttered, swallowing hard.
"No shit genius" Kael whispered, pulling Jin behind a tree.
The creature prowled closer, its nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air. They both crouched low, trying to stay out of its line of sight.
"I thought you said we'd handle it," Kael hissed, his heartbeat quickening.
"I didn't think it would be that big," Jin whispered back. "New plan—avoid it!"
After what felt like an eternity, the beast turned away, lumbering off deeper into the jungle. Kael exhaled, relaxing slightly.
"That... was close," Kael said quietly.
"No kidding," Jin replied, visibly relieved. "Let's keep moving before it changes its mind."
"So where exactly is this port again?" Kael asked, brushing leaves out of his way. "You said it wasn't far."
Jin paused, tapping his chin dramatically. "Hmm, now that you mention it, I think it's... that way." He pointed into the thickest part of the jungle, where the trees seemed to merge into one solid mass of green.
Kael stopped dead in his tracks. "You don't know where we're going, do you?"
"Of course, I do!" Jin replied with an exaggerated gasp of offense. "I'm just... considering our options."
Kael sighed. He had no idea how he had gotten into this situation. One moment, he was minding his own business, and the next, he was tangled up with Jin, a trickster who seemed to thrive on chaos.
Just then, a rustling sound broke through the foliage, making them both freeze. Before they could react, a fearsome creature burst into the clearing—a leopard-like beast with a massive rhinoceros horn. Its eyes glinted with hunger, and it let out a low growl, ready to pounce.
"Run!" Jin shouted, grabbing Kael's arm as they bolted back into the jungle. The ground shook beneath them as the horned beast lunged, its powerful legs propelling it forward. Kael's heart raced as they pushed through the underbrush, branches slapping against them.
"Why do you keep getting us into trouble?!" Kael yelled over his shoulder.
"I swear, it's not my fault!" Jin called back, laughter mixing with panic.
They dashed toward the edge of the jungle, the sound of the beast's pursuit echoing behind them. Just as they broke through the trees, the creature halted abruptly, skidding to a stop as if sensing something in the distance. It let out a low growl, then turned back into the shadows of the jungle, as if frightened by an unseen force.
Kael and Jin exchanged bewildered glances, panting heavily. "Did it just... give up?" Kael asked, still catching his breath.
"Guess we're lucky!" Jin replied, relief flooding his voice. "Let's get out of here before it changes its mind."
With a final glance back at the dark jungle, they hurried onward, the looming threat behind them fading into the distance.
As they moved forward, the sight of Sloken spread out before them. The village was unlike anything Kael had ever seen, half of it appearing to float atop the shimmering water. A large, circular piece of land dominated the center, where most of the village's buildings clustered together. Small, rustic houses made of wood and stone ringed the central area, and in the middle stood a larger building—likely the chief's home—its walls adorned with colorful banners fluttering in the gentle sea breeze.
Radiating out from the central circle were five smaller strips of land, like spokes on a wheel, connecting the main area to the surrounding shore. These narrow routes were bustling with activity, each dedicated to a different craft. On one, villagers worked tirelessly in the fields, harvesting crops from the rich soil. On another, fishermen cast their nets into the water, preparing for the next haul. Others were busy building ships or repairing nets, their hands working swiftly in the warm afternoon sun.
Five ships were docked at the nearby port, their masts reaching high into the sky, swaying gently as the waves lapped against the wooden docks. The port itself was connected to the central circle of land by a wide bridge, allowing the villagers easy access to the ships. Kael could see people loading crates and barrels onto the vessels, while others prepped the sails for what seemed like an upcoming journey.
The village had a peaceful, industrious atmosphere, the sound of the waves and the soft calls of seabirds creating a soothing backdrop. Despite its calm, Kael could sense the importance of Sloken, with its well-maintained port and bustling trade.
What caught Kael's attention most, however, was the strange, glowing symbols carved into stone obelisks that stood at the village's edges. Jin followed his gaze.
"Ah, those," Jin said, grinning. "That's the MANTRAS—keeps the wild things from venturing too close. Old protection magic, woven deep into the stones. As long as they stand, no beast dares cross the village boundary."
Kael marveled at the glowing runes that pulsed gently with a soft, golden light. The obelisks had a weathered, ancient feel, as though they'd been standing there for centuries, silently protecting the village from the dangers lurking in the jungle.
But as he stared, a chill ran down his spine. He recalled the mantras he had seen in his own village, similar in form but different in essence. Those markings had been fierce, aggressive, meant to strike fear rather than provide safety. The memories flooded back—mantras carved with an intent to attack, meant to ward off intruders in a way that felt almost predatory.
A heavy silence settled over Kael as he compared the protective aura of Sloken to the harsh aggression of his past. He turned to Jin, a question forming in his mind, but the weight of his memories lingered, casting a shadow over the bright landscape before him.
"So," Kael said, dusting off his clothes, "what's this village like?"
Jin stood up, looking toward Sloken. "It's quiet. Mostly a fishing village, but my friend Tarek lives here. We'll be able to rest, grab a drink, and figure out our next move."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "This friend of yours... is he as trustworthy as you?"
Jin pretended to look offended with a little grin he said. "I'll have you know Tarek is an upstanding citizen. Or... he would be if he didn't get into trouble so often. But he's reliable when it counts."
Kael sighed. "I'll take your word for it."
They made their way into the village. As they approached, they noticed an unusual buzz of excitement in the air. Colorful banners hung from the buildings, and clusters of villagers were gathered in the central square, chatting animatedly and laughing.
"Looks like something's going on," Jin said, peering over the crowd. "Let's find out what it is."
They wove their way through the throng until they reached a group of villagers who seemed particularly animated. Jin stepped forward, a grin on his face. "What's the occasion? Is it some kind of festival?"
A villager turned toward them, her face glowing with excitement. "You must be new here! The village is celebrating—our chief’s daughter has been accepted into the academy!"
Jin nodded, his face neutral but hiding his worry. "Tarek's always been ahead of the rest. No surprise she got in."
Kael glanced at Jin, eyebrows raised. "Tarek... the chief’s daughter?"
"Yeah," Jin confirmed, smirking slightly. "She’s the one we’ve been searching for."
Another villager chimed in, pride evident in his voice. "She’s not just anyone. Tarek’s a once-in-a-decade genius. We’re all so proud of her."
Kael looked around at the joyful crowd. "I guess that explains the celebration, but if it's such a big moment, why isn't she here?"
Jin frowned. "That’s what’s bothering me. She’s not one to miss her own celebration. Something’s off."
They asked around until finally, a villager stepped forward. "You’re looking for Tarek, right? I saw her earlier today, heading toward the cliffs near the cave."
Jin’s eyes widened. "The cliffs? Isn’t that a dangerous place?"
"Very," the villager replied with a grim nod. "That cave is full of twists and turns. Worse, there are strange creatures that lurk there. She loves adventure, but if she hasn’t returned yet, it could mean trouble."
Jin’s jaw clenched as his worry deepened. "She wouldn’t just disappear, especially not with her academy selection being such a big deal. Something must’ve happened."
Kael scanned the festival scene, feeling a mix of unease and urgency. "So, what now?"
Jin’s expression hardened with resolve. "We go find her, of course. We can’t just sit here while she’s out there, possibly in danger."
"Are you sure?" Kael asked, glancing at the villager who had warned them about the dangers of the cave.
Jin didn’t hesitate. "Absolutely. We don’t have time to waste."
Kael looked at Jin, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure this is the right call? We don’t even know what we’re up against in that cave."
Jin met Kael's gaze with unwavering confidence. "I know Tarek. She’d never back down from a challenge, but that’s exactly why we can’t leave her out there alone. I won’t let her face it without help."
Kael sighed, still uneasy but trusting Jin’s judgment. "Alright, let’s go find her then."
With a final glance at the village’s celebration, Kael and Jin turned away from the festivities and headed toward the cliffs. Their journey had just taken a dangerous turn, but they knew they couldn’t leave Tarek behind.