Chapter 305: Sylveris’ Mortality

Aelric’s voice drew the group’s attention away from the vast expanse of the Scarlet Canopy and back towards him. He turned slightly, allowing his gaze to pass over the assembled exiles before gesturing towards the stream flowing beside them.

Its clear waters travelled over smooth stones before reaching the cliff’s edge and plunging into the forest below, where they vanished in a magnificent cascade. His expression had grown serious, and the casual amusement that often accompanied his remarks was nowhere to be seen.

"Although the view is certainly worth appreciating, I did not bring you all the way here simply to admire the forest. What I truly wanted to show you were glimpses of the route we will be taking to reach the Sanctuary."

Regaleon shifted his attention towards the stream. Vermilion light glimmered across its surface, while the steady rush of the waterfall filled the silence between them. A cool breeze rose from the gorge, carrying the clean scent of water and damp earth.

The instant they understood that Aelric’s explanation concerned the Sanctuary, the group straightened almost instinctively. Whatever admiration they had felt for the scenery was pushed aside, and they gave him their undivided attention.

They had not endured the dangers of the Nether Lands merely to arrive at their destination without knowing what awaited them along the way.

Aelric raised his hand and pointed towards a distant mountain range that appeared to be the source of the stream. Even from their elevated position, the mountains looked enormous. Their peaks rose so high that several seemed to pierce the clouds, their uppermost slopes fading into the haze.

"You see those peaks? They are known collectively as the Forbidden Alps, and they will be one of the defining milestones of our journey."

The group followed his finger, their eyes settling on the tallest and most imposing summit. Its jagged crown stood above the neighbouring peaks like the broken blade of some colossal weapon.

"However, reaching them will not be as straightforward as following this stream all the way to its source. Do not let the distance fool you. Before we even arrive at the foothills of the Forbidden Alps, we will have to cross two more regions of the Crimson Forest."

"Two more regions?" Sylveris repeated, her brows drawing together. "I thought you said the forest was already divided into several territories. Why do we have to pass through other regions when we can simply travel across the Scarlet Canopy to reach them?"

Aelric smiled faintly, apparently expecting someone to raise that question.

"Like I explained, the Scarlet Canopy, despite being an enormous region in its own right, with an environment distinct from its surroundings, is ultimately just a small corner of the Crimson Forest. It forms the forest’s outermost section. As for the two regions we must cross, they are known as the Sanguine Mire and the Thornwild Expanse. Both lie much deeper within the Crimson Forest."

He lowered his hand and gestured towards the terrain surrounding the cliff.

"As a matter of fact, we are already standing near the edge of the Sanguine Mire. The moment we venture farther in that direction, we will have entered it."

His words carried an implication that Vaelorin was quick to catch.

"Do you mean the only thing separating the Sanguine Mire from the Scarlet Canopy is this waterfall?"

"Not exactly." Aelric shook his head. "This entire stretch is still part of the Scarlet Canopy, as you can tell from the trees surrounding us. However, once we move deeper into the forest and cross its natural boundary, the environment will begin to change. The Sanguine Mire, as its name suggests, is a vast marshland, while the Thornwild Expanse is characterised by exceptionally dense vegetation and enormous thorn-covered growths scattered throughout the region. Neither is particularly welcoming, although for entirely different reasons."

Before anyone could make an ill-considered remark or launch into another series of questions, Aelric continued.

"Look at the stream. If we begin tracing its course upstream, we will eventually reach the Sanguine Mire. The water originates in the mountains, passes through the Mire, and then continues towards this part of the forest. Consequently, it is one of the few reliable geographical features we can use to guide our journey."

Caelestra glanced down at the flowing water before turning towards him. "Does the stream also pass directly through the marshland?"

"More or less. We cannot follow its banks the entire way, since certain sections become difficult to navigate, but its course will give us a general sense of direction. Besides, once we reach the Mire, things will become considerably more complicated and dangerous."

"As always," Kaeloris murmured, adjusting his spectacles. "One can never expect the Nether Lands to offer a peaceful passage without some form of lethal complication."

Aelric gave him a brief look. "You are beginning to understand the place."

Aureleah, however, was less interested in the observation than in its practical implications. Her silver eyes remained fixed on Aelric.

"Since you have already told us about these regions, you might as well explain how dangerous they are. We need to know what to prepare for."

Aelric lowered his hand and looked towards the distant forest.

"The Sanguine Mire is inhabited by an unusually large number of poisonous and venomous creatures. Both Animas and Netherytes have adapted to its environment, and many possess biological characteristics that make them particularly troublesome. Some produce toxins through their skin, others deliver venom through bites or specialised appendages, while a few release poisonous substances into the surrounding air."

Veyrath’s expression changed almost immediately. His nose wrinkled, and his eyes widened with growing apprehension.

"You mean we can be poisoned simply by breathing?"

"Not everywhere." Aelric shook his head. "But certain areas have air that can become hazardous. The Mire contains several varieties of fungi and vegetation that release toxic spores, especially when disturbed. There are also pools of stagnant water containing substances that can cause severe reactions if they come into contact with exposed skin."

He paused before adding, "But the most dangerous feature is the fog. Unlike the Scarlet Canopy, where the mist is largely a harmless concentration of Nether energy, the fog in the Sanguine Mire is genuine miasma. It is considerably more dangerous."

The colour seemed to drain from Veyrath’s face.

"Wonderful. A forest where even the air has murderous intentions. I am beginning to miss the hospitality of the Breeding Nest."

Nobody laughed because Aelric’s next words had already drawn their attention elsewhere.

"Although your enhanced constitutions may allow you to resist it to some extent, I cannot say the same for her."

He nodded towards Sylveris, who had been standing quietly beside Aureleah. The young girl blinked, seemingly caught off guard by becoming the subject of the discussion. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her clothing, though she made no attempt to protest.

And or the first time since their arrival in the Nether Lands, the group was forced to confront the question of Sylveris’s mortality.

Unlike the others, who had been Awakeners before becoming Etheryeans and therefore possessed a foundation that helped them withstand certain environmental hazards, Sylveris remained an ordinary human.

Worse still, she was only fourteen. Whatever resilience she had developed through training could hardly compensate for the difference between her constitution and theirs.

Aelric had not explicitly called her a liability, but the implication was difficult to overlook. In a place like the Nether Lands, where survival was uncertain and even a moment of carelessness could prove fatal, someone who required constant protection could become a considerable burden.

The group fell silent, each considering the uncomfortable truth behind his warning. They might dislike the way Aelric had presented it, but none could deny that Sylveris would be more vulnerable than the rest of them.

They could not simply abandon her, much less contemplate harming the girl. Even if anyone entertained such a dreadful notion, Aureleah’s presence alone would make acting upon it an entirely different matter.

The silver-haired Assassin had already shifted closer to her younger sister. Her expression remained composed, but the slight narrowing of her eyes suggested that she had understood precisely what Aelric was implying.

There was, therefore, only one course left to them: they would have to find a way to ensure Sylveris did not become a hindrance to the group. It was a necessary consideration, but one far easier to acknowledge than to accomplish...