Re: Apocalypse Game
chapter-186

Alan and his party of 30 players embarked on their journey northward from Fort Sterling at noon, under the bright midday sun. It had been five days since the undead apocalypse had engulfed Britannia, and the villages they came across along the way were hauntingly desolate. These settlements were now either abandoned or, more likely, had fallen victim to the relentless assaults of the Saxons or the undead hordes.

One thing was certain: during the daylight hours, there were no undead roaming about. This made their 60-mile journey relatively straightforward, as they encountered no hostile creatures along the way. It was eerily quiet, with no signs of life left in this part of the land. If not for the quest markers still active on Alan's map, he might have assumed that the fey village they sought would meet the same tragic fate as the other settlements they had passed.

After a two-hour ride, they finally arrived at the location indicated by the champion knight. What lay before them was a vast forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. The dense tree line seemed to go on endlessly, and an ominous feeling emanated from within the forest.

Even from their higher vantage point, Alan and his party couldn't discern the end of the tree line, and the sight filled the men with unease.

"Mr D, are you sure this is not the undead base?"

Daniel attempted to make a joke, but there was little laughter in response. The possibility that this forest might be home to the undead was a grim thought that weighed on their minds.

Alan had no time for jokes or hesitations. He was hoping to complete the quest and return to Fort Sterling before nightfall, for he knew that the coming night would bring with it another relentless onslaught of undead.

Before venturing into the forest, Alan sought information about the place from Percival and Dagonat. Unfortunately, despite their high relationship status, their response was nothing more than pre-written game lore, mentioning how the forest had been a mystery for centuries and was believed to provide guidance to the old kings and queens of Britannia in times of need.

"Alright, let's enter," Alan declared, and the group cautiously rode into the forest, following its winding path.

As they entered, Alan couldn't help but marvel at the towering trees. They seemed to stretch endlessly toward the sky, their branches reaching out as if trying to grasp the heavens themselves. The dense vegetation surrounded them on all sides, and subtle mists lingered among the trees. It felt as though they had entered the maw of some colossal beast, with even the sun's rays struggling to penetrate the forest's depths.

Alan decided to tell some players to light a torch and illuminate their path. It cast eerie human shadows that danced on the trees around them. Every rustling leaf, gust of wind, snapping branch, or hidden movement sent shivers down the spines of some in the group. The nervousness also had an effect on the horses, making them restive.

Alan, however, remained vigilant. In such an unsettling situation, he cast [Enhance Senses] and tactfully marked the trees along their route to ensure they would find their way back.

After an hour of cautiously making their way through the dense forest, Alan's enhanced senses picked up multiple figures lurking among the trees. He instructed the group to halt and called out loudly, "I am Alan, and we come in peace!"

There was no immediate response, and the figures remained still. Alan hoped that mentioning the quest objective would elicit a reaction.

"I am looking for the Fey people. We are here in the name of Artorius; let me speak with your leader."

In response, the figures emitted shrill whistles and promptly scattered, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

"Wait!! stop!!" No matter how much Alan shouted, his words fell on deaf ears as the figures retreated further away.

"We should capture one of them!" shouted Pinball, one of the convicts with a distinctive mohawk hairstyle, as he impulsively moved to chase one of the elusive figures. Alan, however, quickly intervened, raising his voice with urgency: "Do not hurt them, do not get separated! Stay together!"

Alan rode toward one of the mysterious figures, hoping to gain some insight or communication. The figure proved to be remarkably agile, swiftly leaping into the dense treetops. Despite its elusiveness, the group managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of it. It appeared to be a strange humanoid with an unusual, beast-like head.

"Stop! Do not chase after it!" Alan's voice rang out, cutting through the tense atmosphere. The group members were as startled as he was, and their minds raced with questions. Were these mysterious beings friend or foe? Alan couldn't afford to take any chances.

With caution still their primary concern, Alan resumed leading the group further into the dark forest. However, their progress was far from smooth, and after another hour of navigating the dense woods, he made a startling discovery. His own markings on the trees confronted him, revealing that they had unwittingly return back to their starting point.

"We are riding in a circle!" Alan exclaimed, his voice tinged with frustration and disbelief.

It was a perplexing situation. He had been leading the group in what appeared to be fairly straight lines for the past two hours. The only logical explanation was that the forest itself was imbued with some form of powerful magic, a treacherous labyrinth designed to deceive their senses and lead them astray.

Knowing that night would soon descend upon them, Alan resorted to using his [levitate] spell to ascend into the treetops. Rose, equipped with her special boots, followed suit. From their elevated vantage point, they could see nothing but a dense expanse of towering trees in all directions.

"Did you find anything?" Alan inquired, turning to Rose, known for her keen perception. She responded with a slight shake of her head.

Taking a moment to assess their dire situation, Alan made the difficult decision to leave the enigmatic forest behind. The uncertainties and dangers within were just too great to confront at this moment.

He chose to rely on the position of the sun to chart a path back south. Alan returned to his group and cautiously led them out of the bewildering forest. However, their escape from the forest presented them with another daunting challenge.

A foreboding message appeared before them: "

[The source of darkness has arrived in Britannia Land]."

The fifth night had begun, and they were now faced with the daunting task of surviving the night with such a small number.