This eerie moment would not last forever. Way forward needed to be chosen, and it fell to you to decide, with both groups, and your companions, looking to you for guidance.

First impulse shown by the warrior woman didn't seem unreasonable or unexpected. Be it vengeance or retribution, she had been wronged. Her response seemed only justified. But something stopped you, and perhaps it was not just Sparky's pleading glare.

Enough blood was shed this day, and you could be glad that all of your companions had come through unscathed. But at the same time, could you simply let these men go as if nothing had happened?

They seemed momentarily sincere in their regret. Their gazes were either downcast or resigned, free of the bluster and lust you've often seen either in both man and monster. Would it return, or would they hold onto the spark of the other way, way that was so drastically divergent from the route Vult was leading them down?

And with this considerations, a new path emerged before you. Another option.

"You will join me." You announce, with certitude that perhaps surprises even yourself a little bit. "You've recognized that you were gripped by darkness. You are not the only ones by far. If you are serious about renouncing it, you will accompany on my journey to confront and defeat it."

Silence descends on the ruined camp. It was silent in anticipation of your answer, too, but there seemed to be a subtle difference now. Perhaps it was just an illusion, as you asked yourself what made you pronounce this judgment so confidently; it was not Laurentia, who herself was expectantly waiting for how this unfolds - as far as she was concerned, what truly mattered was that the men seemed to not want to hurt anyone anymore. Your choice to recruit them came as a bit of a surprise to her.

Still, what were you going to do if they refused? Cut them down? Let them go? Find some other path? But something told you...

"YES." The man that had expressed his willingness to submit to the woman's judgment says, looking up at you. "M'lord... I don't presume to understand what you expect me to do to help given forces you command, but if there's anything I can do, then I am yours."

He drops on a knee before you in a gesture of fealty.

His peers follow suit.

You glance at your companion's reaction - it ranges from stunned surprise from the humans, aside from Smutkin who seems to be taking it in stride while Phineous grins with satisfaction. Olga simply nods as she watches the events unfold, Chloe offers a strange mixture of relief and disappointment.

Looking back at the restored mercenaries, they seem to be awaiting your next commands.

"Do you think you can trust them?" The warrior woman you've liberated asks. Her question prompts the outspoken mercenary to turn slightly towards her, though he does not lift gaze at her.

"M'lady... I know anything I say-"

"Lady, I am now? You had different titles for us, not long ago."

The man sags further. "I wish I could unmake all that hap-... all that we d-... all that I did. I do not dare to ask for your forgiveness. But I am resolved to give what I have left to offer, to atone for it."

There's a moment of strained silence. Chloe's ears perk up momentarily, and she frowns as if she heard something that escaped your notice, but she just shakes head dismissively when you give her a questioning look and so you turn your attention back to the scene before you.

The warrior woman looks down at the men with a stony expression, though you imagine her emotions must be in a bitter struggle.

After a few moments her features soften ever so slightly.

"It's Hilde. That is my name." She says. "And I won't be speaking for others, but... if you end up surrendering what's left of your breath for the ones who saved us... then consider yourself forgiven by me at least."

Another of the captives steps forward and says. "I'm Helena, a wandering merchant. Lady Hilde speaks my mind as well."

Two remaining women, Gertrude and Nina, farm girls, also step forward to echo the sentiment.

There's an alien, grotesque sound that takes you almost an entire second to identify as several men sobbing. Even those who managed to retain their composure flagged visibly as a tension escaped their bodies, and perhaps moreso their minds and souls.

After a few moments it's again Hilde who speaks, turning to you. "I think we're done here." the woman says. "Please forgive me, sir Mouse, for not volunteering my own blade..." She looks to the side and mutters bitterly. "...for whatever good it would do.", but she quickly meets your gaze again. "...but I suspect it would be best used ensuring the other girls make it back to the city safely."

She gives you a look of regret that reminds you of Celestine and Alicia a bit, and their own struggle when choosing to uphold their own vows and duties while you (and in this case especially Sparky) headed off onto your own assignment. You acknowledge her with a solemn nod. "Very well. We will share some supplies with you."

"That won't be necessary, especially that you yourself will need them on your quest if you're picking up additional... people." Hilde shakes her head. "We can make do with what we scavenge here and forage on our way."

Hilde did raise a point that part of your mind had already been nagging you with. You've created a bit of an logistical issue for yourself.

>Spend some time sifting through what was still usable in the outpost stockpile. This will delay your departure until evening, but at least you won't have to backtrack. And you can give the women directions to your wagon.
>You've already lost enough time with distractions and you still have at very least two days of travel before you, maybe more if your numbers and terrain slow you down. Depart immediately, you'll have to make do with what you catch and forage on the way; the women can help themselves to whatever is left in the camp and perhaps your wagon if they wish to recover it.
>Leave the women in the camp and head towards your wagon instead. That would mean some backtracking and assuming wildlife has not yet taken care of them supplies left there would be stretched too thin to actually cover your elevated needs, but they would ease the need to slow down for hunt and foraging...
>other idea

additionally, do you wish to hang out with someone during the trip?
>Better stay close to the new recruits and ensure their sincerity perseveres.
>Queen Olga, talk with her on her thoughts on how the situation was resolved and any other matters
>Maia, see if she found something out from the men
>Sparky, the boy seemed happy to have seen the matter resolved without further bloodshed
>other idea

>>5942491
>You've already lost enough time with distractions and you still have at very least two days of travel before you, maybe more if your numbers and terrain slow you down. Depart immediately, you'll have to make do with what you catch and forage on the way; the women can help themselves to whatever is left in the camp and perhaps your wagon if they wish to recover it.
mongol mode

>Sparky, the boy seemed happy to have seen the matter resolved without further bloodshed
we haven't talked much with him

>>5942508
+1

>>5942491
>You've already lost enough time with distractions and you still have at very least two days of travel before you, maybe more if your numbers and terrain slow you down. Depart immediately, you'll have to make do with what you catch and forage on the way; the women can help themselves to whatever is left in the camp and perhaps your wagon if they wish to recover it.

>Better stay close to the new recruits and ensure their sincerity perseveres.
Our new penitent crusaders need an introduction to the madness that is our quest.

>>5942491
>You've already lost enough time with distractions and you still have at very least two days of travel before you, maybe more if your numbers and terrain slow you down. Depart immediately, you'll have to make do with what you catch and forage on the way; the women can help themselves to whatever is left in the camp and perhaps your wagon if they wish to recover it.
>Sparky, the boy seemed happy to have seen the matter resolved without further bloodshed

bumperino

"I appreciate your concern," You say after ruminating on the matter for a bit. "...but I believe we will be fine. None of us - and I believe also the..." You look for a suitable term to use.

"Penitents?" Sparky offers.

"Yes, that's good. Thank you." You nod at the boy and turn back to Hilde. "I meant to say, none of us is unfamiliar with wilderness survival. And our destination does not lie that far away, either. We'll be fine."

"If you say so..." The woman looks at you a bit mournfully as your imminent parting looms. "Words cannot express my gratitude, sir Mouse, and I know my blessings to be worth less than nothing-"

"Don't say that, miss Hilde. A kindness shared is never lost." Sparky interrupts her, prompting the woman to give him a smile that held a little bit of bitterness, but nonetheless did reach her eyes all the same.

"Then accept all of it I have to share, holy one. I... wouldn't dare to dissuade you from peril you seem resolved to confront. But for some reason... no, I cannot bring myself to say anymore. Goddess give you all speed and favour." Hilde says and falls silent.

You determine there's nothing more to be said that would do anything but make the parting more awkward for her and the other women. It was time to go.

"Alright, everyone, wrap up whatever you're doing and head for the camp exit! We're departing." You announce. Then you look over your companions, starting from where the thirteen restored mercenaries picked themselves up, looking expectantly to follow your lead.

Looking towards Elle, you are met with a mixture of anxiety, resolve and perhaps tiniest bit of bitterness. She was not there where Olga and Chloe had found the state Hilde and other women were in, but you are sure she could fill in the blanks. Then you look to the twin scouts, who despite showing signs of internal struggle as they come to terms with your new recruits, clearly keep their distance.

Your gaze falls onto Smutkin.

"Smutkin, you're in charge of the penitents until we can sort them out. Take Phineous with you and have them help themselves to some equipment."

"At once, leader." The bard gives you a nod. You don't wait and watch to see the command carried out, instead you turn and survey the former mercenary outpost one last time, taking in the run down sight. Carnage of your fight was only a part of it. When the Beast took over, it must have smothered any remaining care for anything but violence and ferocity in the mercenaries stationed here.

For now, though, darkness had dispersed.

You set out. But still you steered your path by a stockpile and picked up one of the sack of rations that looked unspoiled, at least for the good feeling of carrying something extra for those under your charge. There was still some ground left to cover.

It doesn't take long for your companions to gather outside the now deserted outpost. After a quick headcount, and stowing away of the dwarven masks - incidentally, you catch yourself wondering how your new recruits will do without this protection. Suppose you will have to rely on the protections conferred by your spiritual companion's assistance.

In any case, you think looking at the group, listening intently to Smutkin as he regales them with a tale, presumably about the quest they will be helping you undertake, their resolve will probably tested before too long.

For now your gaze passes by rest of your companions as they too have shifted into the determined stance, eager to hit the road and get on with it.

And so you depart, leaving this detour behind you. After brief consultation with Tithe, you confirm your bearing and press onwards. With the twins, Chloe and Elle as pickets, and the gargoyle's ever vigilant gaze covering you all from above, you settle in a decent pace despite having lost the benefit of a road. Only civilization that would await ahead of you now was the clandestine hideout of the cultists.

The confrontation was drawing near, and as you walked, you were reminded of how tangible and imminent it was becoming. The fight you've just been through left you with mixed bag of emotions. There was elation over victory, and glances cast on the group of men following you, and the winged boy traveling at your side, made you feel warmth you have only scarcely experienced since your childhood met its drastic end. But at the same time, questions and doubts emerged from corner of your mind, assaulting both yourself and Laurentia's presence who did her best to comfort you - not with platitudes, but with quiet affirmation of her resolve to see this through.

She too, though, would not bring herself to dismiss some of the questions out of hand. Such as - have you played your hand prematurely? Would the powers you had called upon serve as well the next time? You've wiped out a few score of aberrations, but what you'd be facing is an army along with its leader.

From a rational standpoint, your position seemed extremely tenuous at best, insane at worst.

Even so, you felt a strange sense of calm.

Stranger still, it seemed to have a physical component.

Looking down, you notice that Sparky who is traveling - well, strictly speaking, he seemed to be floating alongside you. Still, somehow it felt natural. Just as that he was looking up at you with a soft smile, giving your arm a reassuring squeeze.

"Sparky." You say. "Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Sure, Mouse. What about?" The boy asks.

"You seem... content." You say. It's not much of a question, but it seems your companion understands what you're trying to convey.

"Hmm..." He hums and looks forward, thoughtfully. "I just... I don't know, Mouse. It felt wrong to... to see these people get cut down right after they chose to get fixed."

"They chose?"

"I'm not sure how to explain it. I offered, you know..." He trails off. "Um. It's like this. The good glow, the kind I made friends with when traveling with you, it gets stronger when it's given. And it's like... I mean, part of it was in the books the nice lady gave me, back then. You remember?"

"The nuns in Alicia's castle." You think back to what seemed an eternity ago.

"Yeah, there was a lot of stuff like that, that seemed really right, and it helped me help you and the others. But it's like it was... only part of it. Like a shadow. Or a reflection. I dunno. But..." He trails off again and you let the boy collect his thoughts. "I really don't know how to put it. It would feel like lying to say I understand it better. So I guess I don't. I just... feel."

"Keep doing it." You nod, prompting a grin from your transformed friend.

"Oh, but I didn't answer your question." He then remembers something.

"You said you simply feel?"

"Yeah, but that was in general." He shakes his head. "I'm pretty sure that when I tried to help them, some of them chose to accept, others... I guess others liked more what they became. And those... did not open their eyes again."

"Those thirteen did." You note.

"Yeah."

Well, you suppose that was in line with how sincere they seemed. But...

"You said they can still turn back."

"Well duh. It's their choice. And they did make some awful choices before. But... maybe they'll know they can choose better now?"

"Maybe we all do." You ruffle his hair.

>Ask Sparky about something else
>Seek out a different companion to talk to
>Actually, maybe you could try to... meditate while walking? Would that even work? Would you trip on a rock or something...?
>other idea

>>5947387
>>Actually, maybe you could try to... meditate while walking? Would that even work? Would you trip on a rock or something...?
hey, we need all the practice we can get

>>5947387
>Actually, maybe you could try to... meditate while walking? Would that even work? Would you trip on a rock or something...?
auto-walking here we go

>>5947387
>Actually, maybe you could try to... meditate while walking? Would that even work? Would you trip on a rock or something...?

>>5947387
>Actually, maybe you could try to... meditate while walking? Would that even work? Would you trip on a rock or something...?

OP ?

I apologise for lack of update this weekend, inspiration has not been as forthcoming as I would've liked. I'll endeavour to make up for it during the week.

>>5953944
Alright OP, thanks for informing us.

A semi-random thought crosses your mind as you walk. Or perhaps not random at all. Perhaps between this philosophical exchange and the resolution of the recent fight, it was inevitable that your line of thinking would drift in that direction...

"Sparky, I might need your help with something." You say and the boy looks up to you eagerly. "I'm going to try to... meditate while walking. Get the feel of the light. See if I can... I'm not sure what I expect, really. It just feels like a right thing to try."

"Sure, Mouse. I'll help. You want me to give you a push?"

"Perhaps if you feel that would help. But mainly I was thinking you watching out so that I don't trip and fall."

Sparky gives you a small smile. "I'm on it!"

With that, and a movement of his wings you're not even sure was aerodynamically appropriate, the boy maneuvers up and to the side and before you know it you have yourself a shoulder angel.

"Don't worry, Mouse, won't let you fall!"

"Thanks." You nod with a smile and... focus inwards.

For a while you end up simply walking forward, becoming more acutely aware of this sensation or that as you try and corral your thoughts into the proper mindset. In the back of your consciousness you perceive your spiritual companion's mixed sensation of amusement and apologetic encouragement - she conveys to you that in order to succeed in what you're attempting there's not much else she can do to help but root for you.

It's only when you recognize your own growing frustration that you are able to actually collect yourself and put yourself at ease, and after a while of careful balancing you find yourself settled into a rhythm as the reality around you takes on an entirely different quality...

It's hard to put to words. You felt as if the world around has become clearer and sharper as you traversed it, but at the same time the images that reached you seemed blurry, as if captured by a corner of your vision.

Yet you did not feel like you were missing out. It was as if the less important artifacts fell into background, while the essence came forth into the front.

You were not alone, either.

"Every step you take gives me additional measure of hope, Defier."

Woman of light was traveling alongside you. Quickly you recognize her to be Laurentia, even though it's more through your connection to her, as her form felt a bit different here than it did in the realm of pure shadow. More... tangible, so to speak. Which is a strange assessment to make since you clearly remember carrying her, and trading gestures of reassurance and trust.

But that was not all. Turning around you see a small star smile at you. Not like you could see facial features, you could simply tell it was Sparky as he sat on your shoulder. And despite the former imp blazing like a pocket sized sun, your "vision", if you could call it that, was not impaired to miss the less pronounced, but definitely there, constellation of smaller, but steady lights surrounding you.

You and your companions. You were pushing through, and the shadows parted to allow you.

The shadows you grew familiar with edged themselves in around the horizon, like a layer behind that which you could see with your own eyes. The backdrop against which vibrant colours of life were cast.

Your gaze drifts back towards the front and as you take in the sight you can make out a gradient, as if you were descending towards where the blackness was deeper and thicker.

Yet your movement seemed unimpeded. Even so, you could visually confirm - so to speak - that you were headed in the right direction.

The colder, more rational part of your self chafed and rebelled against that description. How could heading straight towards the heart of pure evil be anywhere closer to right - when whatever you could offer to confront it seemed either laughably ineffectual, such as your physical strength, or of dubious dependability and possibly a trap, such as Laurentia's light?

Yet despite these slivers of anxiety forming for, you could say, understandable reasons, for now at least you felt at peace as your growing band passed through the wilderness; whether it was closeness of multiple fonts of light, including the goddess herself, or perhaps Smutkin's tune accompanying you in a sprightly marching note, or perhaps your own convictions and memories and reasons for your quest - some of them walking next to you, some of them you know eagerly and anxiously wishing, hoping and praying for your success...

And yet there would be always questions.

Was your apparent confidence born of a delusion? Were you walking into a trap that would spring around you and strip you of everything you cared for before ending your existence?

Did your actions inspire false hope and invite further misery?

Was it just you, or the woman locking step with you that was thinking these things?

Were doubts a sign of healthy mind, or were they fractures in your armour?

As if to illustrate your concerns, you become aware of several tendrils of blackness that seem to try to worm their way into the bubble of light that travels along your path - for some reason you don't feel it appropriate to attribute it to yourself, even though Laurentia seems to feel it to be - nonetheless, the intruding probes dither and vanish without coming close to you or any of your companions. Still, they do serve as a reminder that your advance is not entirely uncontested.

In any case, you seem to have made another breakthrough in your affinity to light. Having finished cursory survey of this partly familiar landscape, you had a choice ahead of you...

>Those incursions are troubling. Make a deliberate effort to fight them, perhaps it will deter them
>Or perhaps the opposite route would be better - try if you could obscure your group's presence somehow, see if the shadows lose interest
>Perhaps you could turn your focus towards the light that shelters you, see if you could glean something more from it...
>Or perhaps you could take it easy instead, take this chance to rest and gain strength for the struggles you know are coming.
>Or, perhaps you could take the meditation a step further and push your conscious focus further, though you're unsure what that would mean for your physical body
>Perhaps you could take this chance to discuss something with Laurentia
>Perhaps you could approach and talk to another of your companions
>other idea

>>5956423
>Or perhaps you could take it easy instead, take this chance to rest and gain strength for the struggles you know are coming.

>>5956423
>>Those incursions are troubling. Make a deliberate effort to fight them, perhaps it will deter them
Its practice alright

>>5956423
>Those incursions are troubling. Make a deliberate effort to fight them, perhaps it will deter them

>>5956423
>Perhaps you could turn your focus towards the light that shelters you, see if you could glean something more from it...

>>5956423
>Perhaps you could turn your focus towards the light that shelters you, see if you could glean something more from it...

Those incursions are worrying, you decide after some deliberation. But emboldened by your recent victory, you feel you should be able to do something about them. Perhaps if they are met with appropriate opposition these probing attacks could be made to stop.

Additionally, it might serve as a valuable exercise in wielding the light against the forces of shadow.

So resolved you narrow your focus, and the peace of your mind hardens into an effort of active vigilance. Your perspective shifts somewhat, part of the ambience shifting into blurry obscurity while the contrast and contours of the shadowy tendrils grow in prominence.

For a moment you're unsure on how to proceed. But just focusing your gaze - or whatever passes for the way you perceive the world around you right now - allows you to get a grip on your feelings on the seeping corruption trying to encroach on you and your friends. Following your instincts you swing the weapon you didn't realize you were wielding...

Begone.

There's a discharge of power, and the tendril you were focusing on evaporates.

You continue.

Proceeding methodically to the rhythm that carries over from Smutkin's tune, you proceed to push back against the darkness which recedes under your onslaught.

You lose track of time in your pursuit. You do derive a measure of satisfaction from seeing the darkness withdraw, and are somewhat reassured by the measure of success you are met with, but as you continue, a realization begins to gnaw at the back of your consciousness, and your companion that has been mostly watching you fight while offering her supportive warmth, conserving her own power, confirms that the suspicion is a valid one rather than some tendril of intruding doubt you may have missed. No, your efforts were systematic and with no significant flaw...

Save for one.

They were, indeed, not entirely effortless.

Little by little, you felt your focus and your strength wane as you continued to exert yourself. The shadows were pushed back, but for little more than what took you to pick another target. You were tiring - they were not.

You vanquish one more tendril and allow yourself to resume a resting stance. Your body probably also fell into a more relaxed breathing schedule as you traveled onwards, your companions at your side.

As you do, the shadowy tendrils go back to their slinking around the edges of the bubble of light you were travelling in, much like they were before you started. At very least they didn't seem more aggressive or agitated than before, but you still suppressed an internal frown. Have you been exerting yourself for nothing?

No. You hear her say. Not for nothing. Laurentia directs your attention towards the edge of the illuminated area, and you are made to see that it has, perhaps, flickered ever so slightly further out. Could your effort truly push back the darkness?

But as you examine the shadow's edge further, you feel your spirits sink a bit. When you weighed the mental exertion against the results, the effect seemed meager. You were not exactly sure how long your kind's lifespan was, as it was virtually always interrupted violently, it was certain to be nowhere near enough for you to make a difference going this route, as a simple calculation would tell you. Calculation... would suggest that this was a dead end.

Of course, calculation would also suggest your errand was a fool's one.

You smirk internally and let this particular concern at least be washed away by warmth of luminous embrace, prominently of the goddess at your side of course, but also of your friends traveling alongside you.

On impulse, you shift your attention towards the light itself.

The area around you, a patch of clarity burned out in a crust of oozing shadows. With a faint feeling of guilt it occurs to you that perhaps you were taking somewhat for granted as you had explored and experimented in the shadowy realm ever since gaining an amount of agency in it, but perhaps you were neglecting giving the phenomenon itself some focus and attention.

Reaching towards the light seems to yield no immediate effect. It felt a bit like trying to grasp air - it was simply there, and for all your progress in navigating this ethereal realm, you seemed unequipped to touch the intangible.

Luckily, that didn't seem to be the case the other way around.

As your senses failed and flailed, like a child trying to reach for a star or the moon, the star shone back. It was so subtle at first that it didn't even register to you - whether it would be as a gentle breeze, or an ambient glow, or a fleeting touch. But when you brushed against it, you were struck by an array of recollection.

From your mother's embrace, or your father's grip; fleeting smiles of your companions and friends, and heartfelt warmth of those surprised to receive help from someone like you; and partly - there was a nuance you were unable to pinpoint at this time - the wholesale deluge of light enveloping you in Celestine, or Laurentia's, metaphysical embrace.

You felt a tear well up and drop, but you were not convinced it was yours.

You were overcome with a sense of yearning, and you were almost certain most of it belonged to Laurentia, as she shared in your perceptions. As if she wanted to melt and thaw into the cushion of the light and cover and wrap herself and with it like a blanket.

But she couldn't. Neither of you could. At some point, you had to stop. You were not sure why - was it awe, or dread, or reaching some invisible, imperceptible barrier or a gulf, you couldn't tell.

As it were, you stood at the edge, and took the warmth in. You let it flow through you - from your memories of childhood, to the bonds with your companions - all tied in the luminous weave supporting and sheltering you... and as you contemplate this, you notice another of the wayward tendrils trying to worm its way towards your companions, and get a look at how it is obliterated. You realize that the process differs somehow from where you were smiting the incursions with wrath and indignance. Where the ones that you fought back got burnt, severed and crushed, this one simply disintegrates, as if unable to exist in the ambience it attempted to corrupt.

How strange, you feel yourself think, as you bask in the ambience, feeling no hostility or danger, and yet on some primal level, an undertone of awe.

You lose track of time.

The time however doesn't lose track of you. At some point that is difficult to pinpoint you are reminded that you have work to do in the material plane, and that comes together with realization of a presence descending upon you from above, and of stone claws coming to rest on your other shoulder, the one not occupied by Sparky.

The light recedes from all around into the background and beyond perception, to wailing grief of Laurentia who quickly composes herself and you are offered her sensation of embarrassment that quickly solidifies into resolve to see the task through at your side.

Your attention, as it were, is elsewhere though, as Tithe speaks:

"Leader, there is trouble ahead."

"Report." You prompt the gargoyle and take in the surroundings, and you can sort of predict what the animated flier would bring forth - the forest around you was relatively sparse, but you walked among thickening strands of mist.

"There is thick fog and mist ahead. I spotted it earlier, but expected it to clear by the time we reach it. It may be an unnatural phenomenon."

You jog your memory back towards the planning and research sessions in the Cathedral city library. If memory served, you should be traveling across swamps and wetlands next. There were other routes you could take, but at this moments they would all include detours and higher chance of walking into another mercenary camp, so you would have to navigate the treacherous landscape instead. Which would not have been that much of an issue between your scouts both land based and aerial, but faced an unnatural mist.... you could be facing a serious hurdle.

>Stop here for the night. It was getting late anyway, and you could use the rest. Perhaps the weather will clear overnight.
>Proceed slowly and carefully, see if you can navigate the terrain even in these conditions. Perhaps it could even end up to your advantage?
>Try to skirt the wetlands. That would mean longer route, but if you could find area where fog is thinner, you might still end up ahead.
>other idea

>>5963211
>Proceed slowly and carefully, see if you can navigate the terrain even in these conditions. Perhaps it could even end up to your advantage?
Now's the time to try out Laurentia's terrain altering magic

>>5963217
>Proceed slowly and carefully, see if you can navigate the terrain even in these conditions. Perhaps it could even end up to your advantage ?

>>5963217
>>Proceed slowly and carefully, see if you can navigate the terrain even in these conditions. Perhaps it could even end up to your advantage?

>>5963225
Hmm... it seems that there is a budding consensus on pressing ahead, however the implied write-in >>5963225 could change things around somewhat. So I'd welcome if Anons who voted or are going to vote would clarify whether they wish to try and explore Laurentia's powers in this way.

>>5964767
I would vote against it. while it would make travel easier we would probably lose any advantage the fog would give us.

>>5964767
I'd give it a try

It was too early to stop.

You knew you could keep going before you needed rest, feeling strangely restful after your walking trance, even though your flesh did meekly inform you that you were not entirely tireless and neither were your comrades. For now, though, that was not an issue.

The issue, however, was in visibility coupled with a treacherous terrain. Although you were confident in ability of your specialists - Chloe and Tithe, for certain, and you've come to appreciate Janet and Harriet's skill as well, and Maia had good head for the outdoors as well - you were looking at a great reduction in your pace.

Which in the end made it all the more imperative to keep going while you could. Besides, the obscuring mist might have easily turned into a blessing in disguise, sheltering you from enemy patrols and lookouts.

"Scouts ahead." You command. "We're going while we can."

The twins salute, the dark elf nods. Maia volunteers to watch the rear and you go on to have the penitents split up to cover flanks, under supervision of Smutkin and Elle. Olga, flanked by the two golems, you keep close to the center, the few mounts accompanying you guided behind, and so you proceed onwards.

And as you do, your concerns are quickly validated. Although the nimble scouts are able to navigate the treacherous ground without trouble, finding a path to support the rest of your company is another matter. With some effort and patience, however, you make your way forward, albeit at a pace that leaves you with a small measure of anxiety and frustration that your spiritual companion is quick to try and soothe with her wordless encouragement.

In the end you proceed steadily, if slowly. It's not easy to keep track of time, but even in the fog it becomes apparent that the afternoon turns into evening. But it still feels you could cover some ground before turning in for the night - inasmuch you could hope to find rest in this terrain - when Tithe shows up before you with unpleasant news.

"I'm sorry, leader, but we must backtrack a bit. There is no good path forward from here."

You groan inwardly, mulling over whether to turn around immediately or set up whatever semblance of camp you could and leave the frustrating delay for the new day's light, but your thoughts are interrupted.

Wait. Leave this to me.

What do you mean, you ask Laurentia, as you feel a buildup of light aligned energy. Olga turns around, her ears perking up slightly and her amber eyes twinkling with curiosity.

That prompts another worry from you - if her majesty could notice something was going on, what if so could your enemy?

I'll be careful. Trust me, please. You hear her response. And it does put you at ease somewhat, perhaps more so through how eager she is to help than out of recognition of her confidence. In either case, you reach towards her, and put your own will to work in attempt to support her.

Soon enough it becomes apparent what she is working towards. Her power took upon a nurturing, almost tangible quality as it concentrated and spilled forth around you - the mythical hallmark of the goddess, the touch of life and creation. The fog, now enshrouding your group in its milky embrace, thick enough that you had difficulties making out some of your companions, became backlit with a field of barely perceptible twinkling particles, and below your feet the ground rumbled and shifted gently as the world around you was reshaped.

The change was subtle at first, but even then you could tell it was fundamentally pronounced as the next step you took was met not with a wet squelch, but with softness of a rich meadow, and the fragrance changed to match, as the fog remained, but freshened up significantly.

Go. "Go." You speak as one, and your companions follow along before the sound of the command dies down.

You pick up the pace, and surge onwards, and the land accommodates you. One step after another, the way forward is obvious and welcoming, and you take it.

You travel onwards in a dreamlike state, a shadow of the light trance that nonetheless felt as real and tangible as it got, probably achieving speed you could not match since leaving the road.

Again you lose track of time, even well into the night. But eventually, at some time, the time makes itself known to you in form of Laurentia's soft thoughts.

We should rest. She informs you. And in one final burst of force, the fog around you swirls and, following a soft pulse of warm glow, clears with a gentle draft, as if a sigh of relief.

You blink as you take in the sight, then nod and share your gratitude with Laurentia. Slowly, with varying degree of awe, understandably most pronounced among the penitent ex-mercenaries, your group enters a hidden grove that emerged from the swamp, a flat clearing covered in lush, green, soft grass, enclosed in a ring of trees among which thicket of roses formed a natural barrier separating the meadow from the swamps both physically and... fragrantly. In the far corner of the clearing a spring with pond of clear water was formed. Few isolated beams of moonlight somehow piercing the clouds above further enhanced the otherworldly scenery.

"What an impressive show of power... and very subtle, too. I hardly felt any movement of raw energy take place." Olga commented as she walk.

"It was not a show, Olga. It was a gift." Sparky responds.

"Then I am grateful." The dark elf queen smiles. Chloe raises her eyebrow at Olga's soft response, though you estimate she too has developed an appreciation for how the dark queen had carried herself since leaving her role of the dark citadel sovereign behind.

"Er, boss, I take it we're stopping here?" Phineous asks, his voice heavy with hope.

"Yes." You nod. "As Sparky says, it's a gift and we will not squander it."

Phineous salutes with a wild grin, but rather than picking a spot for a bedroll, he reaches for his drawing implements.

As you watch him and the others settle in for the rest, you pore over your own choice of how to proceed...

>You stopped to rest, so rest it is. You can feel fatigue both on physical and mental, and probably not just your alone. Settle in and allow yourself to dream.
>Lay yourself to rest, but try to retain your lucidity as you relax, you could still spare some effort on exploring the mystical realm.
>Take this chance to approach one (or more?) of your companions and talk to them about something.
>other idea

>>5969667
>You stopped to rest, so rest it is. You can feel fatigue both on physical and mental, and probably not just your alone. Settle in and allow yourself to dream.
See, it worked. Now I won't push it.

>>5969667
>>You stopped to rest, so rest it is. You can feel fatigue both on physical and mental, and probably not just your alone. Settle in and allow yourself to dream.

>>5969667
>You stopped to rest, so rest it is. You can feel fatigue both on physical and mental, and probably not just your alone. Settle in and allow yourself to dream.
we already pushed ourselves with the walking meditation, now we rest.
>>5969680
thanks for the idea, anon.

>>5969667
>You stopped to rest, so rest it is. You can feel fatigue both on physical and mental, and probably not just your alone. Settle in and allow yourself to dream.

OP you should archive this since we’re on page 10

https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Kuroinu oh it's already archived, nice

Kinda surprised at the score of older threads desu
Perhaps the votes are all from lurkers silently enjoying the quest, but if anyone is samefagging the vote on archives- just don't.

In any case thank you for your attention, friends. Mouse & co. will return.

>>5972702
see you soon, OP