After two hours, Vanessa called the group for a stop since she could feel something ahead. Terry could feel the smell of the ocean, so they should be in the limits of the southern side of the continent and yet, they didn’t find the signs of the other guild masters... something was off.

"There is a large concentration of people ahead," Vanessa said. "It must be a survivor’s camp. Can you check the area with your earth magic?"

Rebecca nodded and then she used her earth magic to feel the vibrations on the ground. She was truly skilled with that element, to the point that Terry felt like calling her blockhead or something. That probably wasn’t a good idea, though.

"Hmm, it is true, there are hundreds of people ahead, but I can’t tell their power level," Rebecca said. "Considering their movements, I don’t think that they are waiting for us or noticing our presences."

That was good, Terry would be able to use his cloak to stay invisible. Still, the sea was snowy and the ground was filled with it... he wouldn’t be able to move without leaving some signs behind. He could get invisible, but not intangible. The snow would hit against his body and he would leave footsteps on the snow.

"Let’s approach slowly, inform us if you noticed any weird movements coming from the camp," Terry declared.

Rebecca nodded and then the group began to move. There was only one mountain between them and the camp, so it didn’t take long for them to see the area ahead. The southern side of South America was a breathtaking landscape covered in a thick blanket of snow. The usually lush and green terrain had transformed into a winter wonderland, with snow-capped mountains and frozen valleys stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was crisp and cold, and the beauty of the snow-covered landscape was both serene and awe-inspiring.

As the trio climbed to the top of the nearest mountain, they were met with a stunning view that revealed more than just a camp. Spread out beyond the walls, they could see what seemed like a small city within the fortified encampment. Numerous buildings of various sizes were clustered together, forming streets and pathways within the walled confines.

The walls of the camp were well-guarded, as the trio could spot a significant number of guards patrolling the walls and stationed at strategic points. These guards appeared vigilant and well-prepared, indicating that the occupants of the camp were taking security seriously.

From their vantage point, Terry, Rebecca, and Vanessa could see the activity within the camp – people moving about, tending to tasks, and going about their business. The city-like layout within the walls suggested that this camp was more than just a temporary outpost; it seemed like a well-established settlement in this snow-covered region.

"They could move to a better area with these numbers... why would they stay here?" Rebecca asked. "Was it because of some portal where they can get a lot of resources?"

"Maybe," Vanessa replied, trying to see if the guild masters were there.

There was always a chance that the guild masters didn’t arrive yet since they crossed the continent in ten hours. That kind of speed was unheard off, after all. Still, while they didn’t find any signs of them, it was hard to say if they hadn’t arrived yet... At least there were no signs of battles nearby.

"What now?" Rebecca asked.

"We can’t exactly invade the place Without knowing if the guild masters are there," Vanessa said. "We also don’t have any way of confirming if they are there or not just by waiting... so we are truly in a bind.

Terry wondered what he should do... he wasn’t the patient type, so he thought of going in first and then leaving the others behind to do some digging until they reached the camp. However, if the assassin was truly there, then the people of the camp would know about him and that he worked with Rebecca and Vanessa most of the time, they immediately would assume that they are hidden nearby.

"We will keep things simple since I don’t like this situation," Terry declared. "We will approach and try to talk with whoever is in charge. If they receive us with hostility, then we will show them something interesting until we confirm if the guild masters are there or not and then we will look for the assassin. Easy peasy."

Rebecca and Vanessa exchanged glances, a mixture of uncertainty and determination in their eyes. While Terry’s plan seemed straightforward, they knew that the reality of the situation could be far more complex. Still, they recognized the need to move quickly and save as much time as possible. The impending threat that awaited within the fortified camp demanded their attention, and every moment counted.

With a nod to each other, they silently acknowledged Terry’s strategy. Despite the uncertainties, they trusted in his leadership and experience. The three of them had faced numerous challenges together, and this was just another test they had to overcome. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Still, it was night and it would be better to show up in the morning and use that time to rest a bit and then gather some information about the place. The group took turn with the watchin, and while they didn’t sleep well even after making a shelter using earth magic, at least they didn’t see anything our of the norm.

"By the way, would they speak in English?" Terry asked. "I heard everyone in South America used to speak Spanish or Brazilian."

"Spanish and Portuguese," Vanessa corrected. "My grandmother knew a bit of both, I should be able to handle the conversations."

"All right, let’s go then," Terry declared.

It was the first time that they were heading somewhere they didn’t know they would be welcomed or not by humans, but they were ready for anything that might happen... even though they hoped that it wouldn’t end in a fight.