A dense dark forest, covered with a multitude of exposed tree roots that were larger than a simple person. Vines that had released their nets were stronger than any rope, but if you tear off a vine, all its strength would instantly evaporate, beginning to smolder right before the eyes.
Finn unhurriedly followed the tall figures in masks; they were so tall that the boy could reach only to their... navel with the back of his head. This was surprising to him, for he didn't know anyone taller than two meters, at least for all the time he had spent among people... that is, one night. But here they were almost two and a half meters. Only if... They were monsters.
Pondering this theory, he quickly came to the conclusion that it could be true, as monsters had no reason, no speech, and certainly didn't wear clothes. "Although, who knows, maybe this is a rare species of monsters; better to stay alert," Finn thought to himself.
Both behind and in front walked tall figures, and in the formation, to the right of Finn, walked the woman, their leader. At first glance, Finn saw no differences between them, but after spending some time in their silent company, he noticed that some swords on the hilts had their engravings. He didn't know their designations, but during the battle with the commander when the female leader threw and gave him her sword, he saw an engraving in a language so familiar to him, the single word that sent shivers down his body—Fate.
"Uh... M.. Mercenary...?" Finn began uncertainly; he waited some time for her to turn her head to him—"where are we going?" the boy spoke slowly; he had only recently regained the ability to speak, but his body still couldn't get used to the old sensations.
"We are moving to our abode, to the place where we live, learn, and work." Her voice sounded firmly, without any sarcasm. "I have no right to tell you the rest. Be more patient, human chi... Finn, be more patient."
"God, how tired I am and how I want to eat and drink... No. First, drink! In this forest, for some reason, it's hotter than it should be. Some cold water..." while Finn dreamed of water in his thoughts, the entire group had already reached the first landmark.
Reaching an unnaturally wide oak without leaves, the entire group stopped, and Finn stepped aside to understand what exactly had happened. His gaze fell on the base of the large oak; the bark seemed to match an ordinary oak, but if you looked closely, at the very base there was no bark. This was hard 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 separated from the overall color palette of the bark. It seemed this was some kind of door frame.
After a moment, Finn frowned and turned his head to the leader standing on the other side of the column. Feeling the attention on herself, she responded to 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 just wanted to examine this little tree myself," Finn thought sarcastically to himself, and then moved with firm steps toward the oak.
After about a minute of unhurried walking, Finn reached the base of the oak; he began to feel as if something inside the tree was moving, as if something alive lived inside the tree.
Placing his hand against the bark, he felt... "There is no life inside the tree; the tree itself is alive!" Finn looked at the tree in astonishment; now it didn't seem to him that this tree was ordinary. Continuing to hold his hand on the bark, he felt how the tree's heart beat in time with his own heart.
And a moment later, that area painted in the color of the bark began to move, deepening into the tree. And another moment later, Finn felt a hand on his shoulder; it was the leader who had silently approached him.
"The Great Tree recognizes you, Finn." Finn tried to catch in her voice a hint of any emotions, but he couldn't.
"And what next?" Finn asked.
"Go; we will follow you."
The voice sounded just as calmly, but in her voice there was no hint of command. She wasn't ordering him but simply asked in her own way.
Entering the dark passage, he felt nothing; though he was scared, upon entering, all fear began to fade, replaced by calm. As soon as Finn took a few steps inside the darkness, small lights lit up in the passage, illuminating the path.
Such a turn was very appropriate because ahead, literally one step away, was a staircase that spiraled down deep into the ground.
"And how long to descend there?" turning to the woman, Finn asked.
"Not long." The girl following him with a silent step replied curtly.
Turning back, Finn took an uncertain step onto the staircase made of wood. "Seems all good," Finn thought to himself.
No, he wasn't afraid; for all this time, almost three months of life in harsh conditions, feeding on 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.
Each sleepless night seemed like torture, and the heated sword cut into his skin, leaving numerous cuts.
Taking the first step, he assured himself of safety and began a slow descent down the staircase.