Rise of the Nightmare Crestmaster

Aldrich wasn't fretting over nothing, it wasn't just the fall that could kill them. Giant eagles had variants at grade one too.

It was rare but still a very real possibility, if such a being attacked them from the air there would be nothing they could do.

Last time they happened on this flock of giant eagles hunting fish on the sea, their nest was probably somewhere on these cliffs.

Aldrich released his [Invisible Sword] and pointed at the eye of the giant eagle on the bridge. His meaning was clear, if anything happened you will die first.

No one else but Aldrich could see the sword created by pure Aurora and to everyone it looked like there was a stalemate.

A long moment later just when the time of the skill was about to run out, the giant eagle spread his wings and flew off of the ancient land bridge.

Aldrich didn't allow himself a sigh of relief, he just kept a vigilant look to his surroundings. Even with increased perception it was almost impossible to notice a foe from the air.

By the time he could notice it was already too late, it would be different if their party had a Weaponsmaster who ignited the archer symbol, bow and arrow.

Archers would usually get increased perception, eye sight and a connection with the land.

There is a skill that called [greater eyesight] that allowed them to look through great distances as if they were there.

This skill would allow their 'eyes' to see through some obstacles, but not too many. They excelled in tracking and scouting. Aldrich hoped that someone in the party would ignite this symbol.

The Weaponsmaster crest maybe the most common but it was also the most versatile, there were quite a few adventure parties made up of only Weaponsmasters of different symbols.

There was a general sentiment that Weaponsmasters were the bottom of Crestmasters but that was only an opinion held by the ignorant.

There is no such thing as a weak crest or a weak symbol. Only weak people.

After going through much of the ancient land bridge, night came and they had to spend it on the bridge. They would have to spend another night too.

Aldrich had the necklace with him this time and if the words of the blind priestess could be trusted then he wasn't in any harm.

Only if her words were to be trusted and Aldrich didn't trust her.

For a time he was swayed by her, he still felt that she indeed didn't have any ill intentions, this had nothing to do with his emotions.

This is a rational approach. Why trust her when she could be just as dangerous as that banshee? She did seemingly save him, but wasn't her arrival at the right moment too suspicious?

Who knows, what if she was in cahoots with the banshee?

Aldrich didn't like to think that way of a savior but he had to cautious and careful not to fall for a trap. If she was really honest then he didn't mind being careful now than sorry later.

And so he decided not to sleep on the bridge, he told the others that he had to keep watch so the eagles wouldn't ambush them at night, which was technically true.

Two days later Aldrich was in a snappy mood and his temper flared at the slightest mishap. The party was already begging him to sleep, this result hurt his pride.

With his current status as a Crestmaster who had great physical enhancement he wasn't too bothered by staying up for three nights, but human habits were not so easily defied.

Sleep has already been ingrained into his bones and suddenly changing that was met with a terrible outcome. Despite him having sufficiently high attributes, it was still not an easy thing to do.

Finally they were off the bridge and Aldrich had to be retired to the carriage as the party returned to Rathoa and slept in. The next week was spent on imperial roads so it was much safer and faster.

Eventually they found themselves in a flood of people going through the great gates of Voryhrm, the city of hope and the uncrowned capital of Vorian.

Aldrich was back to his normal self and decided that he didn't want to try that again. Sleep was a blessing from Altunan given to mortals to rest and recuperate.

After one hour they passed through the gate smoothly without any trouble, the guards didn't inspect all travelers otherwise the line wouldn't move, they just chose people at random.

"Did you see that guard touching me like that? Perverted piece of shit! We should get rid of him."

As they were passing under the gated Aldrich heard something too dramatic from a couple walking in front of them, the voice was a woman's. It seems they were unlucky and got held up by the guards for inspection.

"Calm down, they were just doing their jobs… you have a habit of exaggerating things out of proportions." A man judging by the voice answered.

Aldrich got a sudden sense of déjà vu, the couple were wearing matching cloaks that were clean but unremarkable otherwise, their hoods covered their faces.

He felt like he might have seen these figures, as if he heard these voices somewhere before but he wasn't sure. He walked behind them to see their faces out of curiosity.

"—Aldrich! Where are you going?"

He stopped in his tracks turned around and his free were a distance away from him, looks like he drifted a bit. He turned back around looking for the strangers but they were already covered in a sea of people.

Aldrich returned back to his friends, he couldn't put his hand on where he saw these familiar silhouettes. Soon he threw the matter to the back of his mind.

After all, it was just a random thought, he ought to focus on something else. He was back, finally! This trip took a whole month but at last he was back with honor.