“I’m guessing they're on the move?” Dreiki asked.
Rixam nodded, “Kaara managed to regroup with them as well. I managed to listen in with my magic. Tadios won, but Sancta’s out.”
“I see, so let’s regroup with Tadios and abandon the rebellion plan. We can defend the clearing if we have enough time to set our traps.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually.” Rixam said, crouching next to him as he curled his wings, “Why not bring the traps to them?”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Tadios is helping Sancta right now and Deka is on the move, but Tulos is here. Why don’t we ambush them and take out Anitus and Amaro with the last of our potions?”
“It’s risky to do that with Deka and Vilka nearby, though. Especially since Kaara is there too.”
“Yes, but the rebellion will keep them busy, and Luna’s summoning a bunch of elementals right now anyway, right?”
“What are you getting at?”
“I want to fight those two Xirxus chrometails. Me and Gornax have been talking about it for a while now.”
“But-”
Rixam raised his hand, “I know, I know, it’s risky, but I wouldn’t be suggesting this in any other scenario. I know we can take their horns. We’ve been training hard, and I’ve learned a lot of new techniques from L’Maya. Gornax has been studying that Rorik fellow too.”
“We’ll need the two of you distracting Vilka if we intend to keep the current plan. I suppose we could trap the Xirxus in a love bomb and get them to cut their horns, though,”
“No. I want to fight them. I want to take them myself.”
Dreiki gave him a puzzled look, why was he trying so hard to fight the Xirxus?
“Can I tell you something?” He said.
“Sure, what is it?”
“You already kinda know how I’m looking for my sister. How she was taken away. She’s some of the only family I got left, and every day I spend not looking for her or fighting for her I feel… wrong.”
Dreiki raised an eyebrow, “Do you think someone related to your sister’s kidnapping is in the camp?”
Rixam nodded, “In a way, maybe. In reality, probably not. I just need peace of mind. I don’t know where my sister is, or who’s keeping her, but…” He took a breath, “When we got separated by those poachers, there was someone who could use lightning magic. That can only mean one thing, you know?”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“One of them was a Xirxus,” Dreiki said, sighing. What could he say? He knew Rixam was strong, but from what he had witnessed with the two eldest Xirxus brothers they were on a completely different level of power. They likely had some form of Ux which put their durability and strength ahead of everyone else’s. Soul marks were a big reason for the gap in power. Dreiki did not know exactly how they worked, but their effects were clear. Noble children, including the Tibur, were faster, stronger, and could cast greater magic than non-nobles like him. While that gap in power might be able to be closed with other methods, they were currently powerless to close it right now. How could Dreiki explain that to Rixam? How could he tell him it was better to be strategic and stay out of a direct confrontation?
Especially since it seemed that Rixam had been grappling with this for such a long time. He was getting restless, and Dreiki could understand it. He could only imagine if someone he loved was currently being trafficked while he enjoyed good food and hard training.
“I couldn’t help but overhear,” Tulos said from below them, “That you were talking about my brothers.” He grinned, “Perhaps I can offer a compromise to our tactician where everyone gets what they want, including me.”
“What did you have in mind?” Dreiki said cautiously. Dealing with Tulos always felt like walking on eggshells. Dreiki had to watch every word he spoke around him for fear that he might discover the truth about him and the other Noxa. He was nice on the surface, but there was a layer of deceit which kept Dreiki on his guard at all times. It was very easy to slip crucial details around Tulos if they talked for any extended period of time.
“I myself never liked the idea of setting my traps off in the middle of a boring old clearing. Such drab atmosphere. I always imagine ambushes coming from the trees,” He spread his hands out, “Regardless, the location is not my only issue with this plan. I believe they would be too cautious after a rebellion started and their numbers were reduced. I propose we go with Rixam’s idea and bring our trap to them while we intercept their path to Tadi. Not only that, I also propose we make my brothers fight one another. Mainly because I want to see them have a serious fight, but secondarily because it would allow Gornax and Rixam to clean up what remains.”
Dreiki cupped his chin. It did not sound like a bad idea. If they allowed the brothers to weaken themselves, they could have Rixam and Gornax helping pick off as many nobles as possible before the timer on the potions ran out.
“I agree with Argo, though,” Tulos continued, “The two of you could have trained for years and you would not have caught up to my brothers in terms of raw power. However, if they weaken themselves, I think it will be a much more even match, don’t you?”
“But will we even have time to do all of that-” Dreiki said, stopping himself. They did not have time to argue either, “Fine. If you’re confident you can win, then we’ll spring our trap on them. Try to take their horns, but if you can’t do that in time, then retreat and regroup with everyone in the clearing. Any time you guys can buy for us is more time for Tadios to meditate and gather his strength, but don’t risk your own horns for it, please.”
“With all due respect, Argo, I don’t plan on running until I have their horns. It’s not about winning this game, it’s about sending a message.”
“I understand. I’ll be helping you every step of the way, then, so come back with those horns.”
Rixam punched his palm, “You can count on it.”
“Tulos, can you rally everyone else? We’re proceeding to the next stage without Tadios, and making a few minor adjustments to the plan.”
“Will do,” Tulos mused, “But without Tadios’s fire do you think we’ll have enough power to spring the trap properly?”
“We will with a bit of science and luck.”
“How so?” Rixam asked.
Dreiki smiled, “Remember what I taught you about oxygen?”