The decision to journey to the Serpent's Tooth Mountains was made, but the practicalities of such a dangerous undertaking for the seemingly frail Pipkin needed careful consideration. Lumi began to gather supplies: sturdy boots, warm cloaks, dried rations, and various herbs known for their protective and healing properties.
"We'll need to travel light but prepared," she explained, carefully packing her satchel. "The mountains are unforgiving, and we don't know what we'll encounter."
Xylos, still confined to Pipkin's weak body, focused his will, attempting to draw upon the faint tendrils of his returning power. The "System" registered his efforts:
[Attempted Divine Energy Manipulation (Minor)]
[Result: Slight Increase in Physical Endurance (Temporary)]
[Potential Skill: Enhanced Stamina (Developing)]
While he couldn't yet summon waves or command the elements, he noticed a slight improvement in his stamina during their practice hikes in the surrounding woods. The journey ahead would be arduous, and any edge he could gain, however small, would be crucial.
Lumi also began to teach Pipkin basic self-defense techniques, simple blocks and evasive maneuvers. "It's not much," she admitted, "but it might buy you a precious moment if we encounter danger." Xylos, a god accustomed to wielding immense power, found the reliance on such rudimentary skills frustrating, but he understood the necessity of adapting to his current limitations.
As they prepared, they couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Veridian Eldrune's gaze seemed to follow them whenever they were in the village, and even Vexian's seemingly casual inquiries felt like subtle probes. They knew they had to leave Oakhaven without raising suspicion.
Their opportunity came during the annual Weaver's Fair, a bustling event that drew traders and travelers from neighboring settlements. The village would be crowded and chaotic, providing the perfect cover for their departure.
Under the guise of traveling to a nearby town to acquire rare weaving dyes for Lumi's herbal remedies, they packed their meager supplies and bid a quiet farewell to Pipkin's parents. Elara, ever worried about her small son, pressed extra provisions upon them, while Bram offered a gruff but heartfelt, "Be careful out there, Pipkin."
As they mingled with the throng of fair-goers, Xylos felt a strange sensation, a faint tingling on the back of his neck. He subtly scanned the crowd and noticed Vexian Malakor observing them from a distance, his expression unreadable.
[Proximity to Vexian Malakor]
[Potential Observation: Departure from Oakhaven]
[Threat Level Assessment: Low (Currently)]
"He's watching us," Xylos murmured to Lumi, keeping his voice low.
Lumi's hand instinctively went to the small dagger concealed beneath her cloak. "We need to lose him in the crowd."
Navigating the bustling marketplace, they ducked through narrow alleys and behind overflowing stalls, their hearts pounding in unison. Finally, they managed to slip away unnoticed, disappearing into the поток of travelers heading out of Oakhaven.
As they left the familiar sights of the village behind, the Serpent's Tooth Mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks shrouded in mist. The journey had begun. They were two unlikely companions a knowledgeable herbalist and a fallen god in disguise venturing into the unknown to confront a darkness that threatened to consume their world. The whispers of suspicion in Oakhaven had faded behind them, but the ominous silence of the mountains ahead held a far greater threat. The ascent would be perilous, and the secrets hidden within those shadowed peaks could determine the fate of Aethel.