The Against All Odds

CH 22 - Unknowingly

The morning had greeted Menhir Bastion with sunlight slowly filling the room. On the other side of the room, which was a little separated from the extinguished campfire, Alisha, Belladona, and Matilda were still asleep in her sleep. Thin blankets cover their bodies, and their faces reflect the serenity in their dreams that may be full of fantastic adventures.

However, the silence of the morning was interrupted by a rowdy sound that slowly echoed within the room. Alisha, who slept closest to the source of the sound, finally opened her eyes slowly. He felt puzzled for a moment, trying to understand the origin of the noise.

Alisha turned her head away and soon realized that Leo was awake and busy tidying up some bags of supplies and swords given by Gideon before leaving. Although still a bit sleepy, Alisha could not help but be curious. He put the blanket over his body and sat down slowly, rubbing his still-heavy eyes from sleep.

"Leo, what are you doing?" ask her in a soft voice, trying not to disturb her busy best friend.

Leo, without stopping from his activities, smiled at Alisha. "We're all going on adventures, Alisha."

Alisha raised her eyebrows, still half asleep. "Ah yes! I think I slept too long." Then get up and straighten up the blanket.

Meanwhile, Matilda who was sleeping near Alisha began to be aware of Leo's presence. With his eyes still half-closed, he frowned. "Go? To where? Is everything okay?"

Belladona, who had started to wake up from sleep, overheard the conversation. He yawned and calmly said, "It looks like we're going to start the adventure this morning, Matilda."

However, Matilda was still too sleepy and felt fussy. "What the hell, Belladona? It's too early to be adventurous. I still want to sleep." He put his hands on the blanket tightly.

Belladona, who was awake enough, pinched Matilda's cheek gently to wake her up. "Hey, Matilda. Do you want to sleep here until the Mowldarks come?"

Matilda woke up quickly, rubbing her red eyes and tidying up her tangled hair. "Alright, alright. I'm up." He moves in to tidy up his blanket and joins Leo in preparing everything for the trip.

Alisha, who had previously only listened, was curious about what they were talking about. "Mowldark?"

Belladona looked at Alisha seriously. "Mowldark is a dark monster with three mouths on its face. The monster you faced at the hotel."

Alisha put on a serious face, her eyes focused on the emotion-filled memories. "It was a monster at the time..." He then bit his lower lip firmly, almost to the point of bleeding, and tightly squeezed his pants with both hands, trying to hold back his deep anger.

Leo looked at Alisha's emotion-filled expression, he could feel Alisha's feelings. He placed his hand on Alisha's shoulder gently as support.

Belladona reached out to calm Alisha. "I'm here with you, Alisha. No need to worry."

"I also don't know for sure, this problem has also recently occurred. But what I do know, the portal we passed yesterday, is the last portal of your century, the 21st century."

Alisha pondered for a moment, her eyes focused on the floor. After a brief moment of silence, he raised his face with a determined smile. "It turns out, there's no turning back, huh? But what can be done," said Alisha, reflecting a feeling of disappointment. However, her smile grew stronger as Belladona held her hand as a form of support.

"You're a part of us now, Alisha. We'll face it together."

Leo, who had been busy before, had now completed the preparations. "Alright, we have to move now. We don't know when Mowldark can come again."

The four of them continue their journey preparations, ready to face whatever awaits in this mysterious world of Erder.

Before they set out, Leo decisively told them to cover their clothes in thick robes. Even Belladona, who may have previously felt unnecessary, had to submit to the rule.

Matilda, who disliked the robe, grumbled softly. "It really sucks, Mr. Leo Demhian. Why should we wear it? It feels like we're hiding."

Leo replied firmly, "This is Gideon's command. We need to cover ourselves so as not to be suspected by the Thellidian royal side. The teleportation scroll would be meaningless if we were captured before we could get it."

Matilda pursed her lips, yet she knew she had to follow orders.

Leo explained their goal now firmly to all the members of the group. "Our main target is to buy a teleportation scroll. The scroll was the key to escaping the dominions of Thellidia Kingdom. However, we need to remember, these scrolls are not cheap. At least that's what Prince Gideon said before he left."

Alisha nodded in agreement, showing her mental readiness for this trip. "We're going to need as much money as possible. If necessary, we'll have to figure out a way to get it."

Belladona added, "In addition to money, we can also try to exchange valuable or rare items that we meet on this trip, can also be by hunting monsters. Anyway we have to be creative in finding resources."

When all was ready, the four of them immediately stepped away from Menhir Bastion and out of Dorston Citadel. The warm sunlight shone around, creating a long shadow beneath them. They feel excited and ready for this new adventure.

However, without them noticing, someone in a mysterious robe was watching them from one of the Dorston Citadel towers. The shadow of the figure was hidden in the darkness, and none of them were aware of the mysterious presence. Matilda was busy tidying up her thick robe, Belladona was checking her equipment, Leo was leading with his ever-vigilant sharp eyes, and Alisha was pondering, focused on her mixed feelings.

The mysterious figure in the tower remained silent, his eyes could not be separated from the group. Perhaps this is the beginning of something bigger, something that will take them on a deeper and more surprising adventure. Under the clear sky that morning, none of them knew what awaited ahead.