Chapter 93: Pincered

Forest’s POV

I have only thoroughly spoken with Ember once before. That conversation occurred a few days ago, on the morning of Ace's trial. We didn't know each other well then, and we still don't. Despite that, though, we both recognized something. That intellectually, we thought along the same wavelength. Not in a book-smart way… it was more… real-world, realistic… casual even.

We just understood one another.

It was almost like a joke back then. Hunter had mentioned seeing this monster at the time, and just in case his story wasn't all make-believe… Ember and I had started chatting about what we would do in events precisely like the one we were in now. And that's when three game plans were created between us, just in case we ever found ourselves in legitimate danger.

At the time, I never actually considered we might be forced to use such a faulty, imprudent plan against one of our own. And honestly, I had forgotten what we had discussed back then. So, when Ember flashed two fingers my way earlier, I was confused at first, but after a few seconds… it clicked for me.

Between us, either could signal the other, and depending on the number of fingers displayed, that was the plan the signaller wanted to carry out. Two fingers mean a pincer attack, where one person acts as a distraction and buys as much time as possible until the second can execute an attack from behind the opponent.

When Ember asked me to grab Code some spare clothes from his tent, she transmitted a hidden message in plain sight. It was a message that only I could understand. She trusted my level-headedness and skills in perceptibility to not only take note of her indicators but also choose the correct course of action to carry out this plan in the most efficient manner possible.

With that being said, Code's tent is positioned at almost a ninety-degree angle to Cliff's left, even perhaps edging more behind than in front of him. This means that if Ember could conjure up a worthwhile distraction… Cliff won't pay me any attention while I quietly exit and circle around to the side of Code's tent.

If I make it that far, the tent will act as a buffer and a shield, keeping me out of Cliff's line of sight. I'll then be able to creep around the back and along the tree line until I am within range to launch an attack on Cliff's blindspot. This plan could work, but only if Ember can thoroughly distract Cliff and buy me enough time so I can get into position.

And just as I expected, every action... every step of my rapidly formulated strategy was executed perfectly. On my way out of the tent, I only caught a glimpse of Ember's antics as Sky got involved, which was not part of the original plan… however, I wasn't complaining as it only further benefited Ember's distraction.

Considering his massive stature, I was unsure whether I could land a decisive blow against Cliff’s exposed neck. With doubt looming the entire crab walkover, I eventually settled for the safer option, and then… it was time.

Sprinting up from behind Cliff, I lacerated my wooden sword against the side of his stomach. As I assaulted him, Cliff exerted a loud 'oomph' as his body lurched to the side in reaction to my ambush, while I grimaced from the blowback of the attack… pain resurging within my injured hand.

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Ember charged at him from the front while Cliff was still caught off guard, utilizing his weakened state to her advantage. Cliff may have been stronger, taller, and heavier than Ember… but he was currently stunned and off balance. As if attempting to sprint straight through a brick wall, Ember tucked her head behind her shoulder and rammed shoulder-first into Cliff's ribcage at top speed.

A spew of saliva shot out from Cliff's mouth as he teetered back, furious and in agony from what had just occurred. He extended his left hand with his long wingspan and seized Ember's right arm. Yanking her toward him, Cliff delivered a nasty punch with his right fist across her face.

This time, it was Ember who spat out a mix of blood and saliva, but to my surprise, she almost instantly veered her eyes back on Cliff and smirked. Cliff was still off-balance and staggering about, but he was determined to bring Ember down if he was going to fall. Seizing an arrow from his quiver, he attempted to skewer Ember through the neck with the arrowhead, but she dodged it by lunging her head to the side just in the nick of time.

Getting in position behind Cliff, I knew I had to do something fast. Reeling the sword just behind my head, I brought forth as much vigor as possible into a full-fledged swing, hammering the blade into Cliff's left calf. This time, the tip of the dull wooden blade had somewhat marginally lodged itself into Cliff's skin, and Cliff hollered out in pain as he finally sank to the ground.

My left hand violently convulsed in agony, but I couldn't waste any time concerning myself with it. Promptly running around just beside where Cliff's head was twitching in discomfort, I seized as many arrows as possible from his quiver, whose fletchings were poking out from just above his right shoulder. I then chucked every arrow away, tossing them all in the direction of Hunter, each one landing in his general vicinity.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Cliff's right hand swinging toward me in a hail-mary attempt to grab me. Unable to think about how to react, I quickly kicked him on the side of the head with as much force as I could hastily gather. There was moderate strength behind that last attack, but I quickly realized that the area I had just hit was sensitive... as Cliff immediately brought his right hand to his head, wallowing in agonizing disarray.

After emptying the rest of his quiver, I wrapped around him to reposition myself at a different angle. I readied myself to land another blow, striking him on the back of his left hand. Instantly after I hit him, a bright red mark on his hand emerged as if he had just gotten a sunburn. The human body's natural reaction to pain went into effect as he swiftly reeled his hand out of danger and brought it close to his chest to protect it from further injury.

Fortunately for us, this natural impulse of Cliff's ended up loosening his hold on Ember as he wailed another cry of torment, his body shuffling in agony on the ground.

Luckily, Ember instantly recognized that this might be her only chance to break free. Acting on this brief window of opportunity, she began to maneuver herself off Cliff to escape before I gave her an assertive shove, causing her to roll over a few times, separating her from Cliff while I scampered off myself. My back hunched over, I ran toward a wheezing and pale Code, who was on his knees, still regaining his ability to breathe.

His eyes flashed an alarmed expression of concern, but I had no time to explain. Hurling my sword toward Hunter and Sky, I tipped Code backward and picked him up with both arms. Moving as fast as my body would allow, I carried Code over like a baby to the rest of the group, who had all regathered as one. Approaching them, I quickly scanned the line of heads, double-checking to ensure everybody was okay.

Myself, Code, Ember, Sky, Delta, Hunter, and Faith... yep, everybody was here and looked to be doing... well, they're doing the best they can, even Faith.

Hold on… Delta?