“I have good news and some bad news.” Rex reports to his waiting party after hovering to join them in a huddle.

“Bad first.” Chestor huffs his order as his nostrils flare and his grip tightens on his shield’s handle. His temper was dangerously high as the enemies’ number grew, including the warriors wielding special-looking weapons.

“Bad news, we landed next to an army currently at war.” Rex’s core flashes out before slightly dimming. “At least I think that’s what was said…” A soft, hazy glow blinks from him as he mumbles.

“And the good news?” Peter speaks up next to Tanner’s prone form. The healer was barely conscious as the older man slowly fed him some tonic from his hip pouch.

“Since landing here, the magic in the air is much… more.” Rex drew in tiny motes of light from the surrounding air, and a round translucent bubble took form above his core. “That’s better.” The Rex bubble shakes as the light flickers with his speech. “Back to the good news, the local spirits are helping me figure out a working translation spell to communicate with all the local races.” As one, they all turn around and stare at Rex’s little magic bubble.

“There are spirits here?! What about ghosts?!” Tanner demands from his propped-up lounging position.

“Hush dumba-ahem sick child, rest now. Adults need to talk.” Peter forces Tanner to lay back down as he pinches a spot on his neck. Tanner’s eyes roll back into his skull as he plops onto the sand. “Rex, what about these spirits?” Peter turns a glare on Rex’s bubble.

“There are others like you?” Davy unequips his heavy gear as he sits down with a heavy thump. Some enemies rustle in response, but the specially armed warriors wave them down. “Like a long last family thing?” He asks while pulling out a water bottle and taking a deep drink.

“Aren’t there spirits back home?” Syleen asks while stealing Fin’s water bottle while he is drinking.

“Sprites are spirits.” Fin shakes his head at her actions. “It’s like comparing a mortal to a golem.” He holds out his hand for her to return it.

“How so, Fin?” Rex asks, brimming with curiosity. Fin holds up a finger and takes a long slip from the returned bottle.

“Out with it, smarty pants.” Syleen giggles as she pushes him from behind, making him cough out some water.

“Seriously…” Fin glares at her until she backs up a bit. “They both can perform the same tasks, given they both receive the proper energy to do so, but only the mortal has an ego or soul.” He points at Rex. “Rex here is his own ego, so I think that makes him a spirit.” Fin looks around at the group, staring at him. “What?” He asks nervously.

“Is it really that simple?” Chestor turns to ask Lewin, and the rest of the group’s attention also shifts to her.

“How should I know? I study magical spell creation, not soul magic.” Lewin replies with disgust at his question. “You know I hate necromancy!” She huffs away from him in anger.

“Soul magic is necromancy? I thought that was dark magic.” Davy says while pulling out a meal ration from his storage.

“Dude, seriously? Here?” Chestor gives him a questioning look before his stomach rumbles loud enough to cause the warriors to ready their weapons.

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“Hahaha!” Davy spits a bite of his food, bursts out laughing, and falls onto his back, kicking his feet. “You’re so hungry; you scared the enemy!” He grips his sides as he continues to laugh.

“What are you do- GRR!” Chestor tries to look upset at him, but his stomach roars out once more. His bright red face turns towards the warriors, their weapons slowly lowering as his hands hold his rumbling gut. The one holding the spear turns his helmet to the side as a small burst of air escapes from the mouthpiece.

“We did miss dinner. What did you guys pack?” Lewin sits on a boulder while pulling out a container from her magical storage item. “I brought that special from that traven with the good wine.” She pulls off the lid as steam pours out with a mouth-watering aroma. “Still hot!” She claps her hands with glee as utensils appear.

“I couldn’t resist that bread shop.” Syleen snaps her finger, magically creating an earthen chair next to Lewin. “Trade bites? I also brought that good wine.” She bumps her shoulder playfully while pulling out a glass bottle of red glowing liquid.

“Don’t mind if I do.” Lewin giggles as two wine glasses appear in her waiting hands.

“Are you seriously having a dinner party- GRR!” Chestor gulps back his drool as he struggles to stand tall. A rumbling clinking sound caught his attention. “What’s so funn-GRR!” He turns toward the trembling enemies as his hunger interrupts him once more.

Unable to stand it, the spear-wielding warrior throws his head back, his visor opening as he howls in a broken manner. The other warriors sheath their weapons as they grunt and howl in a choppy way. Chestor watches as the armored enemies show their beast-like features. His stomach growls again, and the enemies go silent before they start slapping each other while howling.

“What the hells? Rex, what is-hmph!” Chestor turns around to question the spirit, only for a ration block to be shoved into his mouth. “Fanks…” He happily chews on the specially made food brick made for him.

“You’re welcome, lad. Still can’t believe you like these.” Peter shakes his head as Chestor quickly chews through the solid rock-like bread.

“I need the nutrients or something like that.” Chestor shrugs as he goes back to loudly grinding away at the foodstuff in his mouth.

“I have the basic translator ready. The more it is used, the more we can work on it.” Rex proudly reports as glowing necklaces fly out to each group member.

“So what are they howling about.” Chestor asks after swallowing his food. The magical device around his neck glows as the noise warps into words he can understand.

“How is his stomach louder than our battle howls?!” The spear warrior howls out laughing, and his followers all burst out in laughter.

“It even ate a rock… It was so starved it ate a rock…” The longsword warrior struggles to hold themselves up as their sides quiver. “Must not… laugh…!” They spurt out some held-back laughs, the grunts behind them unable to resist give into their belly deep chuckles.

“Did they invade us to find food for their pet beast?!” The tallest warrior roars with laughter as their giant battleax bounces on their shoulder. “They should have just asked!” His followers roar in good humor with him.

“Fuck off!” Chestor yells at them and shows them a hand sign.

“The rock eater speaks?!” The spear warrior blinks in shock before laughing even harder as Chestor gets redder with anger.

“It even changes… color…!” The longsword warrior falls to their knees, shaking, holding in their laughter.

“Calm down, rock-eater, don’t mess up first contact.” Lewin’s joke halts his outburst.

“Who’s side are you on?!” Chestor spins around, a hurt look on his face.

“No need for anger rock eater; it seems we can talk this out.” Peter offers him another food brick. “Rock?” He snickers before dodging a quick jab from Chestor.

“You shouldn’t attack your allies, Chestor the rock e-” Rex tries to join in on the joking.

“Rex…” Chestor glares at the bubble as he squeezes the food brick in his fist. The solid stone-hard substance crumbles to dust with a simple muscle flex.

“Understood, sir.” Rex deflates and dims his light.