“Any who receive this message, pass it onto your local garrison. Forces of the Traxian Empire have breached the Abenstadtian corden and are now roaming the countryside. Maintain vigilance and be prepared for battle.”
- Flyer Spread by Arterian Rangers
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“Feels a little odd though, hmm?” Hanabi mused out loud.
“Tch, we didn’t need you here.” Natsuki scoffed.
“Wasn’t talking to you.” She growled back.
“Guys, please.” Aoi let out a quiet and exasperated plea.
“I know, I know. Just control that dog.”
“Oh? Dog, huh? That must mean-”
“That’s enough. And you. You’re walking with me now.” Tsugumi unapologetically tapped Natsuki over the head with the butt of her spear, stunning the unruly punk into silence. “Honestly, you two haven’t changed at all.” She berated Hanabi as she dragged her aside.
“Hey, hey!” Hanabi squawked.
“Seriously, I thought you leaving the class would’ve calmed you down at least. Isn’t that what worldly journeys are supposed to do?” Her friend tutted.
“I have!” She defended herself.
“Lies.” Tsugumi chuckled, giving Hanabi a soft rapt with the shaft of her spear.
“Ugh, you’re unbelievable sometimes.” Hanabi brushed it aside before sighing.
“Sensei is too emotionally invested, your leader Mila needs to keep an eye on her. Sir Grorok would be invaluable helping anyone, he is like ten soldiers in one. Better for the smaller team. You? A rascal. But a good helper. Especially for an already established squad.”
“Eh?”
“An answer. For you. Does feel odd, but makes sense.” Tsugumi smirked.
“Huh? Oh!" She let out a soft chuckle, "Gah. Good to see you haven’t changed from being an annoying rascal.” Hanabi muttered.
“Takes one to know one.” The rascal grinned.
“Hey, we’re on a mission here. Keep quiet you two. I’m glad you’re back with us Hanabi-san, but please try not to be so distracting.” Aoi’s voice grilled them from the rear.
“Sorry, Aoi.” The two apologized.
Chided, they decided to keep their conversation to gestures and movements instead of words. Both Tsugumi and Hanabi pointing fingers at each other to direct their ire at being scolded. They shared a small grin between each other as they settled down, the two returning to their duties and keeping watch on the flanks.
Their job was simple yet troublesome. Being the bigger party and more well coordinated squad, Aoi’s team was to head down the leftmost tunnel and seek out the lizards. From there, to search for signs of Sophie, or to wait for reinforcements and wipe out the lizards infesting this cavern. It was as Tsugumi had said. Eva was still too emotionally unstable and was seconded to MIla and Grorok. Hanabi herself was transferred to Aoi’s squad. An odd affair that worried her a little, but at least the others didn’t seem to act like she was returning to the saintess program, of which she had no intention of doing.
Natsuki was still a little shit. Tatsuki was likely a psychopath. Izumi was quiet. Tsugumi was at least nice, as was Aoi. It was like she was back in school. All the misfits grouped together again. Tch, Hanabi chuckled to herself, some things never change.
“Stop.” Someone hissed from the front.
In an instant, the entire group froze and held their weapons out. Leading the advance, Izumi the scout held up a hand, silently gesturing towards something on the ground. A rudimentary rope wrapped around rocks and some metallic trinkets likely from the desecrated shrine. An alarm.
The scout guided each of them over, one by one. Their playful expressions or looks of disdain all swapped to more dour and grim expressions. The task ahead and the thoughts that followed from the discovery of the trap. Hanabi frowned, a noise based system, that means the sound itself or the echo is close enough for something to hear. They’re near.
Hanabi’s hand tightened around her sword handle. It wasn’t her main choice of weapon, but she had struggled to beat the lizards earlier. Only managing to gain purchase after someone else had jabbed one. Stab, split, and tear.
“Alright. Enough joking around.” Aoi hissed once they all crossed the trap, “Proper combat formations, as sensei instructed. Tatsuki to the front, Tsugumi, Natsuki, take the flanks. Izumi, keep scouting but drop back the moment you see something.”
The squad fell into position, a few disgruntled grunts and harrumphs but no outright complaints. Hanabi was surprised, they functioned a lot closer together than she had thought. She also couldn’t help but grin a little at Aoi taking charge.
Back when they were in school, she had been so very quiet. Even when they had arrived to this world, she still remained fairly reticent to engage with others. Seems she has developed a new side to her, good for her.
“Hanabi, watch the rear for now.” Aoi addressed her.
She hurriedly nodded, flashing Tsugumi a smug smile as she dropped to the back of the squad. Guess Aoi doesn’t know what to do with me yet.
As the group advanced, their steps grew smaller and smaller, Izumi stopping them after more and more traps. The lizards seemed to be prepared, though hastily at that given the barely hidden traps. But Hanabi only felt more uneasy. There are too many traps, and badly made if anything. Are they really that afraid of us? But they could easily overwhelm us with numbers alone. Even if we ignore their natural strength. I guess back then, Grorok and Eva must’ve frightened them.
Whatever her doubts were, she would find her answers soon. Izumi had signaled the group to halt once more. As they all fell silent, they could hear the pitter-patter of lizard feet and low growls coming from further down the passageway. Whilst only faint light shone the way, mostly provided by crude torches, they were here. Right where the lizards dwelled.
Hanabi followed everyone’s gaze as they turned to Aoi. The bow carrying girl had her brows completely furrowed, a decision now weighing upon her.
Their orders were to search then summon the others. But they were too close to rest, and too many traps to simply traipse back out of. Yet, engagement was even more risky. Already lower in number, they were at an inherent disadvantage only tempered by the arcane strength that imbued itself into their bodies. Even still, they had no idea how many more lizards there were or if the pathway behind them was truly cleared. Hanabi cast a quick glance at the walls behind them. Though none looked to be harbouring camouflaged lizards. Neither did the walls which took Sophie by surprise. Damn, we gotta find her too. Hanabi remembered.
She could hear Aoi audibly sigh.
“Hanabi, take the sides. Natsuki get in position next to Tatsuki. Tatsuki, don’t charge ahead, let them come to you. Tsugumi, set up behind him. Izumi, try to make some noise and then, with me.” Aoi made up her mind.
Hanabi saw Tatsuki scowl, the kid too eager for battle. Thankfully, Natsuki steadied him, the battle line slowly forming. Hanabi could see Aoi’s vision, this tunnel was narrow enough without any yet discovered side passages that exposed their rear. If they were to even the odds, then it would be to funnel the lizards in here.
A shrill screech and roars followed as Izumi retreated back to friendly lines, her trembling hands barely holding onto her crossbow. The others readied themselves and braced for the incoming onslaught.
Hanabi held her sword out by her side, her free hand balling into a fist. Let them come.
What little light from ahead illuminated the shadowy figures as they crawled, ran, and skittered towards the squad.
The squad held their breaths, and the familiar twang of bowstring signaled the full breakout of hostilities. An arrow sailed past Hanabi and the other members of the defensive line, striking true as a wail echoed from the lizard ranks. A more hasty and unfocused thunk followed from Izumi’s crossbow, the bolt zipping by. But if it hit the mark or not, Hanabi did not know, for the roar of the lizards were upon them.
A heavy thud nearly sent Tatsuki sprawling to the ground if not for Natsuki’s longsword quickly cutting into the foe. Lizards launched themselves at the shieldbearer and frontline. Tsugumi quickly thrusting her spear into the melee.
A lizard pouched at Hanabi, her sword instinctively swinging upwards and biting into the side of the creature. As blood and flesh crashed against her, she let go of her sword and threw a ferocious punch directly at the blade’s handle. Using her own momentum and the lizard’s attack, the blow connected and forced the blade straight through the creature. Pulling her sword and hand out of the bloody mess, she ignored the innards coating her arm and turned to attack another one.
This one was a mess of yellow and red, uncaring of its comrade ahead of it. Tearing past the dying lizard, it threw itself at Hanabi, knocking the sword out of her hand. With a hefty grunt as she landed on the ground, she aimed a punch at the lizard's abdomen. Like her, it too was momentarily stunned. But unlike her, it was wielding a makeshift club, the implement caught on the rock beside her. Seizing the moment, she launched a flurry of punches against the creature.
Beside her, another lizard was embedded by both arrow and bolt. The creature shrieked in pain before Tsugumi impaled it through the eye, twisting her spear to ensure a cessation of internal activity. Tatsumi had recovered from the initial onslaught, launching his own by brutally hacking away at any and all that dared to approach. Natsuki slashed and cut wherever there were gaps, trying his best to fill in gaps left by the raging axeman.
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Hanabi jammed her fingers into the lizard's eye socket, blinding the creature before closing her fingers around the fleshy veins and squeezing. Roaring in pain, it tried to pull away only for Hanabi to pull, ripping its eyes right out of its head. Blinded and bleeding, it struggled to stay upright and Hanabi simply pushed it aside, throwing its eyes onto another lizard nearby.
Surveying the situation around her, she scowled. We’re holding, but just barely. Tsk, she scoffed. Taking a small breath, she flexed her sore hands and readied herself for more fighting. Maybe just punching shit isn’t the best idea.
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Eggs, hundreds of eggs surrounded them. With a methodical indifference, Sophie and the mermaid smashed them all. Through magic or force, more and more pulpa mixed with eggy liquids coated the cavern floor. Whatever plans the lizards of Oakbeach might’ve had, they were certainly no more. The few lizard guards there were quickly neutralized before Sophie could even react. The mermaid’s aggressive strength and power far beyond what even she had expected from watching it tear bodies apart.
Still, with the two of them, there was little left of the birthing chambers before long.
Exhausted but powered by purpose. Sophie found herself eager to press forward and reunite with her comrades, or at least find a way out of the caves. The two of them stuck close to the waterways, allowing the mermaid to continuously replenish her strength and magicks.
The mermaid chittered and clicked her tongue, frowning before hissing towards a certain passage. Sophie joined the mermaid and strained her ears, catching the sound of steel echoing faintly down the cavern halls. Though it meant conflict, Sophie couldn’t help grinning. People were here, fighting. They came back.
Giving her companion a nod, the two of them set off towards the noise.
Pushing forward, the mermaid suddenly jolted mid slither and a clatter of bangles could be heard ringing along the walls. Alarmed, Sophie jumped to protect the mermaid only for the two of them to quickly realize that they had tripped a makeshift alarm. The two quickly stood shoulder to shoulder, ready for a fight. Only for none to be forthcoming save for a few alarmed lizard-like growls echoing from somewhere ahead of them.
The two quickly clung to the sides of the tunnel, trying their best to blend in with the rocks. Though in her opinion, a large slithering mermaid and a pale little half elf hardly blended in much against the damp gray-brown rocks.
The mermaid led the way, now more cautiously advancing as she tried to keep an eye out for traps. Sophie felt a slight slope as they walked but didn’t question it. Taking careful steps with her still soaked boots, each splish and squelch making her flinch a little. Yet, nothing came to greet them. No sentries, no ambushers, not even anymore guards.
Slowly but surely, Sophie could feel an ever increasing breeze. Tiny, but present that indicated they were getting closer to something significant. The smell too, took a turn for the worse. Guano, lizard feces, and other unpleasant things normally easy to handle on their own had coalesced to a stinky damp foulness due to the moisture in the air. It wasn’t bad enough that she needed to gag, but it was close.
They found themselves atop a small rocky outcrop, a few feet above a chamber that seemed to house a few makeshift hovels besides a pool on the far side. Most of the inhabitants however, seemed to be bracing themselves against a passageway on the right most side of the chamber. There, the two spied upon what seemed to be two dozen odd lizards currently fortifying the tunnel entrance.
That must be it. The two passed each other a knowing look. They were almost there. The mermaid let out a soft growl, its face passing between hatred and anxiousness. Sophie took a deep breath and offered the mermaid a gentle pat, the mermaid furrowing her brow before clicking her tongue and gesturing downards. Sophie nodded in agreement.
The mermaid deftly swung her way down almost imperceptible handholds in the rocky cavern wall. Far more adeptly than Sophie ever imagined a sea creature on land could be. As for herself, she tried her best to stealthy descend, carefully lowering herself rock to rock, foothold to foothold. It took her far longer than she’d like to admit to catch up with the mermaid. But when she did, she could feel her own breath still for a moment.
What looked to be ramshackle debris strewn hovels were actually hastily assembled structures using what looked to be ship parts. At first she was unsure of her observations, but after seeing a rusted and fading yet still distinguishable mast like figure having turned into building material, she knew. Scavenged from a shipwreck? Or is it their own? And if what the mermaid says is true, then have they just… been trapped here? Stars above….
No time was given for reflection however, as the mermaid carefully threw open cloths and other materials constituting as ‘doors’ to the hovels. Whatever within died quickly enough though thankfully, most were empty as the lizards gathered for battle.
“Tatsuki! Watch yourself! Not that far ahead!” A faint voice echoed down out from the growls and screeches of lizardfolk.
“Just fucking help me kill them!” Another yelled out in response.
With both of them straining their ears to try and hear more. They knew they needed to act. Another knowing cast was shared between them and the mermaid hurriedly scrounged out what looked to be a sailor’s rusted scimitar from one of the hovels. Sophie accepted it, though internally she had doubts about the efficacy of a rusted weapon that looked more like a museum artifact more than anything. Better than nothing, I suppose.
Resolved to bring this to an end one way or another, Sophie saluted with her blade to indicate her readiness. A little confused but understanding the intent, the mermaid clicked her tongue and pushed forward with her.
The ‘streets’ of this makeshift settlement were mostly empty, the lizards having almost all gathered behind shoddy barricades as they waited for the inevitable assault from the tunnels. The duo had one chance, but judging by the two dozen lizards, they would have to wait for an opportune moment. But I can’t just sit here, what if someone gets hurt or killed because we didn’t act fast enough? Sophie scowled to herself.
“Forward!” A voice roared, louder than the din of battle or the nervous screeches of lizards. The fighting grew closer.
Sophie’s ears perked up. It’s that outlander, Aoi? It has to be.
Casting a quick glance at some nearby hovels. She noted how a few were less well crafted than others, not that any of them were particularly good. She tapped the mermaid’s shoulder to draw her attention, miming collapsing the buildings with their hands before swinging her arms like a swashbuckler.
Catching her meaning, the mermaid pointed to a hovel, then pointed to Sophie and another. With a firm nod, their plan was in motion.
As the sounds of battle drew even closer, occasional shouts could now be heard more frequently, though in her concentrated state of mind, all they were was but a blurr. She reached her hovel and searched for any weakened support structures. Breaking a few things here and there, she tried to remain as quiet as possible. That is, until she accidentally managed to punch out a back section of the hovel, sending the badly attached wooden plank flying outwards and to the ground, landing with a terrific plonk on the rocky floor.
She froze as a few of the defenders turned to her.
“Ah, shit.” She muttered out loud.
As one of the lizards began hissing and another shrieking, all hells broke loose.
The mermaid’s building came crashing down nearby, the debris sending a cloud of dust into the air. As Sophie winced from the loud collapse and coughed from the dustiness, she stepped back before ramming her hovel at full force, pushing the already poorly built structure over the edge. It groaned and creaked before planks and beams snapped or cracked under the weight. Sophie darted back out the door, only stopping when she was caught by the mermaid and steadied. At the cave entrance, glints of blood covered armour shone through and the very human battle cry of the saints now echoed into the cavern itself.
“Now! We can help, ack, from behind, ack.” Sophie managed to between coughing fits from the dust cloud that now covered her.
Chaos and confusion overtook the lizard ranks as the collapsed hovels trapped them against their own barricades.
She barely had time to recover before the mermaid tapped her on the shoulder and clicked her tongue. She gestured for Sophie to stay close before miming keeping a lookout.
“Got it.”
She followed the mermaid as they darted between the hovels and towards the pool. Sophie was momentarily puzzled before the dots connected themselves. An aquatic creature that knows hydromancy, of course! And I’ll bet…
The mermaid closed her eyes and began an eye catching dance. She swayed and gestured, her arms moving like elegant quills, sketching out a grand design beyond Sophie’s comprehension. Her actions however, did not go unnoticed. For one of the braver lizards had followed the perpetrators and now shrieked loudly to alert its comrades.
That I’m here to keep troublemakers off her. Sophie shot forward like an arrow, sprinting at the now surprised lizard. It jabbed at her with a makeshift spear but she deftly sidestepped the blow. With an opening now made, she swung the scimitar with all her might. Rust and erosion had given her the advantage to bring down the hovels, but they were unkind masters and the scimitar merely embedded itself upon the lizard’s thick hide, barely even cutting into the skin. Fuck!
It roared with anger and tried to slap her with its spear. Rot had not done wonders for wooden weapons and its shaft snapped as Sophie raised an arm to block the blow. Exploding into a shower of splinters and two halves, Sophie had enough wherewithal to grab the one with the spear-tip. As it screeched in frustration at the broken weapon, Sophie attacked. With a speedy thrust, she caught the creature’s softer underside and cut it ever so slightly. Before it could react, she dashed past it and threw her body weight towards where the scimitar was.
Though her arms were a little more gangly than the average human and likely weaker as well. She weighed about the same. The weight forced the blade to cut deeper into the lizard and it shrieked once more, though this time in pain. She then grappled the monster and began repeatedly stabbing at its head and neck. Some blows were deflected by the hardened hide, but some went through. Combined with the scimitar cut, the lizard’s strength gave out and it fell. Sophie straddled it to deliver another flurry of stabs, now more targeted and deadly.
She pierced skin, muscle, and bone, practically hammering the now makeshift dagger into it. In her frenzy, she ignored the blood and flesh that now covered her arm, simply carving an ever bigger hole in the creature with every stab.
Only when it gurgled and shuddered its last did she stop, her torso practically smeared by the creature's bloody death throes. Rising from the corpse, she found two other lizards surrounding her. Though her ferocious display did its part, the two neither advanced nor retreated, wary of this feral elf that had butchered their comrade.
Their worries did not last long. Splishes and splashes began echoing as the entire cavern seemed to shake. The three combatants paused, all now looking around to determine what was happening.
Crash.
A hard jolt sent the three staggering around, Sophie almost falling at the violent quake.
Soft, cool air surrounding her, making her straighten up at once from the chilly touch.
The hells…
A shadow loomed over her as she felt the moist, watery, yet surprisingly solid touch on her back. The hells is this?! Turning around, she nearly screamed at the faceless hydro monster that rested its appendage on her shoulder. It was both humanoid but not, empty yet full. Standing a full two heads taller than her, it was almost as large as an orc. Yet, unlike the greenskins, there was no face or other features, just a formless creature of matter. A being of pure water, summoned into existence, an elemental.
The shrieks of the two lizards brought her back to reality, and when she turned to face them, it was too late. The elemental’s arms turned into needle-like spears, shooting forward with pinpoint accuracy. Within seconds, the water was tainted by the blood of the lizards, two perfectly straight lines cutting directly into the heads of the creatures.
As it stood, unmoving, its task accomplished. Sophie felt another presence beside her.
The mermaid wore a serious expression, but a familiar click of the tongue enquiring about her well brought her much needed reprieve and allowed her a moment to sigh.
“I’m good.” She answered.
She took a deep breath.
“Yours?” She motioned to the elemental.
An affirmative click of the tongue.
“Good. More useful than me, at least.” She joked before pulling the scimitar out of the first lizard, “Let’s finish this, shall we?” She shot the mermaid a smile.