With Siyu's cultivation energy, it was entirely possible guide them back, but that was not his intention. There was other work to be done here. And of course, a safe journey to the Demon Hunter base would serve no one.

Something was calling out to Siyu; or more accurately, calling out to Frey.

“Are you sure we’re going in the right direction?” Elizabeth asks, frustration with the forest already beginning to build.

“I’m sure,” Siyu says dismissively, before signaling to Frey.

“Yes?” Frey reponds lightly.

“A boar is coming; prepare to hunt,” Siyu warns.

…

…

…

“This tastes horrible,” Elizabeth complains with a bitter expression.

“I agree. Unfortunately they didn’t leave us any spices.” Frey responds, struggling to keep the food down.

“People have to eat,” Siyu says absent-mindedly, as they watch the scenery. "Maybe we should have stewed it... We need water..." He says.

“This feels… so uncivilized.” Elizabeth responds in exasperation.

“I think that’s the point,” Frey answers, taking a big bite of the boar, hoping to eat quicker.

…

…

“Where are you leading us?” Frey asks, weariness on his face.

“Forward. There’s something we must find while we’re here.” He says, moving a tree branch away and walking past it.

“Is this worth the trouble?” Elizabeth asks, her emotions becoming more expressive. “Why can’t we just go back, clean ourselves up, have a nice meal, and enjoy our lives?” She ponders, breaking branches as she moves forward.

“No one will do this work for us,” Siyy says with amusement. “Just keep moving forward; you’ll be okay.” He says, hoping to offer some comfort.

Frey didn’t speak further, giving Siyu an unknown look as he moves through the forest. His thoughts didn’t escape Siyu; there was doubt in those eyes. Siyu gives him a smile in return, ignoring the look. As is his right, he thinks to himself.

…

…

“Stop,” Siyu says, halting their steps. “There’s a monster ahead.” He says.

Frey unsheathes his sword, and Elizabeth does the same. They led the way forward, where they saw a giant snake watching us from the trees.

“I’ll go up; you wait for it below,” Frey says before leaping a few times to climb a tree, before using it to leap towards the snake.

A red color appears on Frey’s blade as he moves through the air, quickly dying the blade in crimson. An unbearable heat wave suddenly appears in the surroundings, stirring up the wind.

As Frey’s fleeting figure comes closer, an annoyance overcomes the snake at the man's arrogance. The snake’s tail strikes out like a dart, both forceful and swift, aiming to bring Frey back to the earth, where the snake intended to bury him. Frey was unfazed, his sword slashing out at the quickly approaching tail. The super-heated blade slices through the snake’s tail with little resistance, and with the clash, Frey’s momentum slows, allowing his feet to find the earth safely while leaving a deep, searing cut at the end of the snake’s tail.

A deep and impactful roar is released from the snake, awakening the beast from its presumed leisure. But it does not climb down from the tree, its head stands erect and on guard against the next clash. A green aura covers the snake’s tail as the partially separated tail knits itself back together.

“We can’t let it heal! This will drag you down here.” Elizabeth announces, a pink mist manifesting on her sword. With a flick of her wrist and a burst of wind, the pink mist is pushed upwards, finding the snake, and lingering in the snake’s surroundings.

A heaviness overcomes the snake, and its body goes limp, falling from the trees.

Elizabeth approaches the snake’s relaxed body and plunges her sword down to its head, before leaping back. The snake’s body, realizing its doom, struggles fiercely before its body relaxes once more, becoming still.

Elizabeth walks forward. “Foolish snake,” she says, receiving her sword from the snake’s body. “Snakes shouldn’t be climbing trees.” She says.

“Well done,” Frey says, sheathing his now cool sword. “Unfortunately this snake is not venomous and there is no venom sac to harvest. But its gall bladder and its blood should be worth something.”

“Leave the blood. We shouldn’t waste too much time here.” Siyu suggests. I never hurt to take a memento.

Frey gives Siyu a nod before moving to dissect the snake, taking its gall bladder.

…

…

They continue to walk forward, facing monsters and beasts, while struggling to find food and water. They made sacks out of animal fur to carry their food and water, and to shelter them from the rain. Frey’s control over fire was a great help to helping them produce a somewhat useable leather and Elizabeth’s power was very effective in keeping creatures away from their campsites.

As they walk on, they began to start talking when they could, telling each other stories. The wildness was all around them, and they found comfort in knowing their companions were nearby. In this way, they grew closer, and a bond began to form.

Siyy knew this bond was tying them together, to face the uncertain journey they were being pushed towards. A future that they needed to face together.

Siyu did not participate in the fighting and was simply on the lookout for any signs that would lead them to what he was looking for. From the monsters they went on to face, he could decide the way forward and he could sense what challenges the day would bring them. His instincts were pushing and restraining as he fumbled to find the way. But the path was clouded, and he could only walk ahead step by step.

They push on. His two companions following Siyu's lead, but for him, he was unsure as to the direction. He could only hope that their struggles would bear fruit.