Getting through the first village was nothing challenging. After all the most hostile thing I had to endure there were the looks and well, I have seen all of them before. I kept my sword and shield strapped to me and out of my hands while I was in the village. I did so to avoid spooking the locales at all. After all, there was nothing I could do about being big and green. But I could stop them from seeing me as big, green and armed. As Dido continued her best impression at being a fearless leader I simply rolled my eyes and followed. After all, it seemed that this crystal condition was just a ways ahead and that is what I was here to observe.
However when we came into view of the village we have been seeking, well, I'll just say that I was somewhere in between amazed by what I saw or shocked. On the one hand the crystal formations were almost beautiful. I have never seen anything like it back on the islands. But as we drew closer it became clear that this beauty only hid tragedy. As it appeared as if the villagers as well had been infected by these strange crystals. I saw Dido immediately move in to an attack as I shouted from behind her.
"Wait! There could still be a way to-" My own voice was cut off my a infected villager who lunged at me with a pitch fork. I side stepped fairly easily as the movements of this being were very...jagged and random. And just as I met eyes with this creature. The unfortunate truth sank in.
There was no curing this place. I was looking into the gaping eyes of a empty husk. I had taken this contract in order to investigate a possible cure for the condition. But this seemed to be a situation where the 'cure' was to stop the spread of this curse further.
"I'm sorry." I whispered to the souless void as I armed myself finally with steel and shield. Before slamming the shield into the husk so hard that it fell apart almost on contact. Scanning the battle ahead I could see Dido atop the crystaline horse, seeminly having the time of her life.
"Well, seems someone is enjoying themselves..." I told myself as I stepped over the broken minion and closer to the battle ahead.