The dense dark forest, covered with many exposed tree roots that were larger than a simple person. Vines that had released their nets were stronger than any rope, but if a vine was torn off, all its strength would instantly evaporate, starting to smolder before your very eyes.
Finn slowly followed the tall figures in masks; they were so tall that the boy's back could only reach their... navels. This was surprising to him, as he didn't know anyone taller than two meters, at least not in all the time he had spent with people... which was one night. But here they were almost two and a half meters tall. Unless... they were monsters.
Lost in thought about this theory, he quickly came to the conclusion that it might be true, since monsters had no minds, no speech, and certainly didn't wear clothes. "Although, who knows, maybe it's a rare species of monster, better to be on guard," Finn thought to himself.
Tall figures walked both in front and behind, and to Finn's right, a woman, their leader, walked. At first glance, Finn saw no difference between them, but after spending some time in their silent company, he noticed that some swords on their hilts had their own engravings. He didn't know their meaning, but during the battle with the commander, when the female leader gave him her sword, he saw an engraving in a language so familiar to him, the only word that sent shivers down his spine – fate.
"A... M... Mercenary...?" Finn began uncertainly, waiting for a moment until she turned her head to him. "Where are we going?" the boy said slowly, he had only recently regained his ability to speak, but his body couldn't yet get used to the old sensations.
"We are moving to our abode, to the place where we live, learn, and work," her voice sounded firm, without any sarcasm. "I am not allowed to tell you the rest. Be patient, human child... Finn, be patient."
"God, I'm so tired and I want to eat and drink... No. First, drink! It's hotter in this forest than it should be. Some cold water..." While Finn was dreaming of water in his thoughts, the whole group had already reached the first marker.
Upon reaching an unnaturally wide oak tree without leaves, the whole group stopped, and Finn moved aside to understand what exactly had happened. His gaze fell on the base of the large oak tree; the bark seemed to match a normal oak, but if you looked closely, there was no bark at the very base. It was difficult to notice with the naked eye.
Instead of bark, there was paint, very similar in color to the bark, but not perfectly accurate; it slightly detached from the overall color scheme of the bark. It seemed to be some kind of doorway.
A moment later, Finn frowned and turned his head to the leader who stood on the other side of the column. Sensing his attention, she met his gaze.
"A stranger must pass first; such are the customs of our clan," her voice was full of calm.
"I doubt she's lying. Well, I wanted to examine this little tree myself," Finn thought sarcastically, and then moved with a firm step towards the oak.
After about a minute of leisurely walking, Finn reached the base of the oak tree. He began to feel something moving inside the tree, as if something alive lived inside the wood.
Placing his hand on the bark, he felt... "There is no life inside the tree; the tree itself is alive!" Finn looked at the tree in astonishment; it no longer seemed like an ordinary tree. Continuing to keep his hand on the bark, he felt the tree's heart beating in time with his own heart.
And a moment later, the area painted in the color of the bark began to move, deepening into the tree. And a moment later, Finn felt a hand on his shoulder; the leader had silently approached him.
"The great tree recognizes you, Finn," Finn tried to catch any hint of emotion in her voice, but he couldn't.
"And what's next?" Finn asked.
"Go, we will follow you."
The voice sounded just as calm, but there was no hint of a command in it. She wasn't ordering him, but simply asking in her own way.
Passing into the dark passage, he felt nothing. Although he was scared, upon entering, all fear began to disappear, replaced by calmness. As soon as Finn took a few steps inside the darkness, small lights lit up in the passage, illuminating the way.
This turn of events was very timely, as ahead, literally a step away, was a staircase that spiraled down, deep into the earth.
"And how long will it take to get down there?" Finn asked, turning to the woman.
"Not long," the girl following him with silent steps replied meekly.
Turning back, Finn took an uncertain step onto the wooden staircase. "Everything seems fine," Finn thought to himself.
No, he wasn't afraid. For all this time, almost three months of living in harsh conditions, eating monster corpses and resting with a heated blade in his arms. Everything that had happened to him in these two days seemed impossible to the boy. He generally thought he wouldn't get out of those caves.
Every sleepless night seemed like torture, and the heated sword dug into his skin, leaving numerous cuts.
Taking the first step, he made sure it was safe and began a slow descent down the stairs.