After hearing that, Argo fell asleep thanks to the day's chaos; his body was aching, but he felt his attributes had increased thanks to all the fighting. Hours later, he was woken by his mother nudging him. ''Argo, wake up and get something to eat,'' she said.
His eyes opened, feeling heavy, but he shook his head as he replied. ''Let me go clean first, I'm covered in Urvak blood.''
The older woman smiled. ''Hurry up, you're stinking up the place.''
Following that, he stood up and stepped out of the hut only to notice it was raining and the sky was grey. He shook his head and walked over to the water basin, made from an Ocean Walker they harvested from the shores of the valley in the south. It took them a week to drag it back to the cliff.
Argo leaned over the turtle-shell basin. He dunked his head into the rainwater, fingers raking through his hair to wash away the blood and dust of battle. The act was boring until the water stilled, and he caught his reflection for the first time in years. He'd never bothered with his appearance, but now he froze, captivated by the face staring back.
Long white hair, bound in a sleek ponytail, framed a handsome face. His features were almost too perfect: high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and lips that held a hint of defiance even in stillness. His eyes, a bright blue, burned with an intensity that seemed to pierce the water itself.
The face was covered with the scars of his exile as a Forsaken. Argo's breath caught, hands hovering over the basin before he shook his head and continued washing himself as Athena appeared in a puff of smoke, landing on a nearby perch as the American Lion slumped down nearby.
The Grey Owl's gentle voice sounded in his mind, soft as a whisper on the wind. 'Greetings, master. Did you rest well?'
He smiled, feeling the weight of fatigue lifted. ''Yes, Athena, I feel much better now I've slept,'' he replied warmly.
Turning to the lion, his face softened with gratitude. ''I owe you my thanks, and a name.''
After a moment of thought, a spark of memory flickered in his eyes. ''Aslan,'' he said thoughtfully. ''I once had a cat by that name in another life, and it always felt right.''
The American Lion let out a happy growl as the connection got stronger. Still, soon he was brought back to reality by Morgana stepping outside, looking ready to fight, causing his eyes to narrow. ''Where are you going now? Haven't you learned your lesson?'' he asked.
''It wasn't my thought we were ambushed by the Urvaks during our journey through the Dead Pass; they came from nowhere and overwhelmed us,'' she justified her capture. ''But this is important, I've been hired by a trade caravan from the Kratavi Tribe, the leader sent a message through the trader.''
Argo fixed his mother with a suspicious stare, his eyes narrowing as if questioning her judgment. Morgana bristled, her voice defensive. ''Ar, don't give me that look! We need the supplies, and I'm itching to see more of the world!''
His brow furrowed deeper. ''And what if you get caught again? If the Urvaks are sniffing around, more will come.''
The older woman let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly, though she nodded in acknowledgment. ''The Kratavi are bolstering the caravans with extra warriors to keep those wretched cannibals at bay.''
Argo remained silent, his gaze unwavering, until he finally exhaled, softening. ''Go. Explore. You've earned a break from raising me.''
Morgana blinked, caught off guard. She'd braced for his anger, not this. Her eyes drifted to the Ghost in the Darkness and Watcher, and a warm smile spread across her face. ''I keep forgetting you're nearly a man now. You're the same age your father was when we first met.''
Following that, Argo watched his mother step beside Aslan without fear as she knew the beast was his, her fingers gently ruffling the thick fur of his mane. His bright blue eyes met hers, steady and knowing. She turned to Athena, perched silently on a low branch, her feathers catching the morning light.
''You two,'' Morgana said softly, her voice thick with emotion. ''Watch over my boy while I'm gone. Keep him safe.''
Aslan let out a rumbling purr, nudging against her hand in agreement. Athena tilted her head, her sharp eyes glinting, and gave a soft hoot, her wings rustling as if to seal the promise. Morgana's face lit up, her heart warmed by their loyalty. ''Thank you,'' she whispered, her smile radiant despite the ache of leaving.
She stood, brushing dust from her clothes, and glanced at Argo, who stood a few paces away, arms crossed, watching her with an unknown expression crossing his face. Seconds later, she approached him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a love-filled goodbye hug.
''Look after yourself, Argo. Make sure you stay safe and avoid the Ashen Ones; they shouldn't be able to find the cliff thanks to the Dead Woods,'' she said, voice full of worry.
''I'll be fine, mother, I helped rescue you, didn't I, and you taught me everything you know,'' he replied, smiling. ''Plus I have these guys now, they won't let anything happen to me.''
When Morgana heard his reassurance, she smiled before gathering her pack, slinging it over her shoulder, and checking her belt for her dagger and waterskin. With a final look at Aslan and Athena, she turned to Argo. ''I'll be back before you know it.'' she smiled.
Argo nodded, his jaw tight, saying nothing as she stepped onto the winding path. He watched her grow smaller, her silhouette framed against the rising sun, until she vanished around a bend, leaving only the crunch of her footsteps fading into the morning air as the wind brushed against his skin.
After that, he pulled up his status to see what benefits he gained from fighting the Urvaks and helping his mother.
[Name: Argo]
[Level: 1]
[Experience: 70/100]
[HP: 2]
[STR: 16]
[STM: 6]
[CHA: 2]
[INT: 2]
[BP: 8]
[Skills: Beast Master (0) - Beast Vision (0) - Hunter (1) - Crafting (0) - Beast Realm (0)]
'Oh I leveled up,' he mused. 'And gained one in HP, Charisma and Intelligence.'
Argo decided to save up his Beast Points and shook his head, turning to Athena. ''Now, mothers gone, I don't know what to do.''
'Why not go hunting? Or gather some food?' the owl suggested.
Argo stretched his arms, wincing as his joints popped, and muttered. ''I'll heat some of Mother's stew, then we're heading south. My dagger's useless after chipping against that Urvak's bones. Need to craft new weapons.''
Athena, perched on the hut's doorframe, swiveled her head and hooted softly. ''Wise plan. Eat quickly, we've got ground to cover.''
He stepped into the hut, the familiar scent of herbs and smoked meat greeting him. He grabbed a steaming portion of rabbit stew into a carved wooden bowl and sank into a creaky chair. As he bit into the chunks, the rich flavor sparked a surge of energy, steadying his resolve for the journey ahead.
Aslan entered the hut, lifted his massive head, watching him with a quiet, protective gaze. ''Don't stare,'' he said with a half-smile, scraping the bowl clean.
He stood, rinsing the bowl, and began gathering his tools for the weapons he'd need. With a final glance at the beasts, he nodded. ''Let's move.''
After that, the two creatures jumped into the Beast Realm as he spoke. ''You both can go rest, the journey to the Southern Shores is safeish, I shouldn't have an issue.''
Argo began walking south by leaving the cliff behind, only to walk through Dead Woods as which was covered in fog. The white blanket blocked his view, but his senses came to life, allowing him to hear the distant howls of beasts and scuttling of Wood Mice rushing through the underbrush.
Sometime later, he stepped out from the treeline, but his breath caught as he nearly collided with a towering herd of Columbian Mammoths that are known as Plainwalkers, their shaggy forms dwarfing anything he'd ever seen. Their shadows swallowed the ground, casting the world in fleeting darkness.
These beasts were far more imposing than the pictures in the books he'd read back on Earth, their tusks curving like massive scythes, their hides thick and scarred from battles but warm enough to keep the cold away. There were hundreds of them grazing across the grassland, and the closest one turned to him, its dark eyes scanning him, to work out if he was a threat.
The creature lumbered closer, its trunk brushing gently against his body. A low growl rumbled from the Beast Realm, but he stopped it, sensing the Plainswalker's curiosity. The beast sniffed, then unleashed a bellow, prompting the matriarch to charge forward, her massive feet thundering against the ground.