Cursed Empire: Rising against the gods

The lush forest was filled with danger at every corner. Becca was on edge because she felt like someone was watching her. Whenever she looked for the cause, she would only see an animal watching them from behind the trees.

Axel stopped Diego briefly and turned his head in a certain direction. Becca seemed confused by his calm yet serious stare toward a tree.

When she looked, she noticed that four of the druids had their bows and arrows pointed towards them. They seemed like they were about to fire, but were now hesitant due to Axel.

Soon after, their bodies were wrapped in vines, and ultimately, they disappeared among the trees.

Becca was utterly terrified by what she was witnessing, struggling to find the right words.

Axel continued riding deeper into the forest with Diego, "Becca, I need you to calm down for a moment." he said. "They are most likely tracking us by our heartbeats. If you need some time to relax, just let me know."

Becca shook her head and said, "I'm fine...worry about yourself." She attempted to act tough, pretending that nothing was bothering her. However, she was beyond paranoid that something was watching her. Every single moment, she felt the need to look around. Even the simple chirping of a bird on a tree branch was enough to frighten her.

Diego began to stop moving completely as Axel turned around to face Becca directly. He was smiling intently, which made her slightly anxious, "W-what's up, creepy-" before she could finish her sentence.

Axel moved forward.

Becca's anxiety was going off the roof where she was stumbling over her words, but what truly caught her off guard was the unexpected hug that she received from him, "Shhh, you are clearly frightened. I want to make you feel at ease so focused on my voice." He said softly at her left ear.

Becca struggled to form clear sentences, her face blushing intensely while her palms became so sweaty that she almost dropped the sword given to her.

He broke the hug and climbed down from Diego.

With an innocent smile, he said, "I hope that calmed you down because we have arrived at the center of the forest." Becca snapped out of her blissful embarrassment and noticed the open center.

She climbed down from Diego and followed Axel to the center. Once they stepped inside, countless roses of different colors began to bloom.

They stopped moving as they noticed a giant red rose begin to form from all the roses on the ground, "Hello human. What brings you here in my sanctuary." Emerging from the petal was a giant green-skinned man.

Axel sheathed his sword and approached the man, "It's a pleasure, we mean you no harm, but rather interested in establishing a partnership between Neverport and your tribe." He said with a calm and collected tone.

Axel was aware of how many Druids were watching them. Ready to attack if needed.

The druid leader laughed briefly before spouting, "Why would we. You do realize that the druid and human are not the best of friends. Why would we ally with you of all people?" Asked the druid leader.

"It's because this could be an opportunity of a lifetime. We are not asking you to join us during the extermination. We understand your position and where your stance is. All we want is to set a partnership between two neighboring settlements. We are willing to negotiate with whatever terms you believe will work with you." Said Axel.

"What if we just killed the both of you right now. It saves us the time to negotiate a pointless partnership." Many druids took aim at them.

But Axel just laughed as his arm begun to glow, "It would be a one-sided slaughter. The choice is yours."

A druid came down from the tree and landed on his shoulder. She whispered something to the druid leader who took an occasional glance at Axel and his right arm.

A broad smile appeared on the leader's face, "I see." He said as the druid informant transformed into a bird and flew towards the tree.

Becca gently tugged Axel's shirt and whispered, "What's going on?" She asked. He returned her question with a reassuring smile.

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Atlas. And I am more than happy to form a relationship with your settlement. But only if you do me a favor." Atlas's body extended closer to them.

"What favor?" Asked Becca.

"Recently my plants and animals have been getting killed by a distasteful group of orcs from the west and the group of demons up north. I want you to cleanse them for me. In return, the druid will agree to form a partnership." Atlas seems somewhat willing to accept this deal but Axel felt something suspicious.

But he understood the benefits of having them so he couldn't care less, "If that's-" but Atlas wasn't finished talking, "But the girl stays. And one of my officers will have to observe you, just to clarify if you did the task." He concluded.

Becca shouted, "WHAT!" Upon hearing the news. Axel immediately pulls her closer to discuss something, "This is perfect for the both of us. Try to form a friendly bond with the leaders. Besides, you will need to get used to having them around." He said to her, his attempts to calm her down were becoming more and more effective.

"I never encounter a monster. How do you expect me to-" she wanted to say something but Axel placed both of his hands on her shoulder and said to her, "Your first step to becoming a strong leader is the ability not to show fear. Don't let that hold you back, otherwise...you will make a choice that will result in all your friends and family dying." His words seemed to work.

She started adopting a serious face that he was waiting for, "Okay, be careful out there." She said.

Becca stepped forward with her hands clutched as she said to Atlas, "We accept your terms and conditions. I will remain behind as long as you promise that no harm will be placed on me."

Atlas nodded in agreement, "Certainly, I actually would like to chat with you and understand your opinion on certain topics while our brave warriors go and clean out the planet. It might change my opinion on you people." Atlas clapped his hand and emerging from the ground was a white wolf.

The wolf flashed a step in front of Axel and said, "My name is Arthur. I will act as the ambassador of my tribe. I hope we won't become enemies." He said.

Axel kneeled before Arthur and cheerful smiled, "Same here, let's go hunting." He said as their blue eyes glowed with excitement for the upcoming combat.

Their shared smiles sparked a brand-new friendship between the two warriors.