The extermination team had been gone for a few minutes by now and me and Alex along with the two Kwehs were just sitting around on a couple lawn chairs he had brought out. Honestly this whole thing was surprising me, just the sheer nonchalant actions of everyone even though there is a huge pack of wind throwing wolves that are still, to this very moment, attacking the fence.
However everytime even a small windblade made contact with the fence a loud BOOM would rattle my chest and the next second a yelp would sound off from the treeline.
"That is Hannah right? The sniper? She is super accurate with those shots. But I gotta ask Alex.... Why is everyone so calm even though theres something so dangerous just on the other side of that fence?" I couldn't help but ask as I started to pet Bubba, the Kweh that I learned had come over to make sure I was ok while I was blinded, or well had my eyes closed.
"Well Jimbo, it's simple. Ever single gifted that has taken up the mantle of adventure, hunter, whatever you want to call the crazy bastards that decide to explore the new worlds that opened up to us. Every single one learns this lesson sooner or later..... Death is inevitable in this world, just like on Earth. Yea, it's true that in the other worlds there's more dangerous things than what we have on Earth but the concepts the same. Everyone dies, It's just a matter of how you die, So why waste time being scared? Enjoy your time alive and face each challenge this new world presents with courage and determination."
Not expecting such a philosophical answer I was truthfully a little stunned. Even with all the howls and yips and growls that seemed to surround us right now, this man was still smiling like he just won the lottery and is living his best life. After having a few seconds to digest what he said I realized that the mindset to continue surviving on this side of the portals had to be a strong one. The mindset to face death but still smile and have fun doing it was something nobody from the past world could have ever achieved. Only through the hardships the human race suffered through this last decade could have pushed our minds to this level.
"That is an amazing view on life Alex. Thank you.... On a happier note though, Um, which Kweh is this that's currently rubbing it's scent all over me?" Despite the deepness of the situation I was still being covered by the scent of a Kweh at the moment, to the point where it couldn't be ignored anymore.... That and also because whichever Kweh it was, was getting more and more forceful with its headbutts since I stopped giving it attention.
Alex looked over at me and laughed. "That would be Bubba. She gets a little aggressive when she doesn't get what she wants."
"She? Who the hell named a girl Bubba?"
"Boy your talking to em. Plus I don't really mind seeing as how I used to know a chick named Roscoe. She was a bad bitch every single day of the week and twice on sundays, boy let me tell ya what I wouldn't fuck with her even if I was suited up in highclass armor made from the baddest monster around... But that's all in the past." Alex said that last sentence with a look of melancholy as he looked down at the ground, but not two seconds pass when he perks right back up.
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"Anyways, I'm surprised we haven't seen hide nor hair of that Alpha. I mean the rate Hannah is blasting off those rounds I would've assumed that the pack was cut down enough to piss it off and reveal itself."
About that time like a signal was given in the universe a loud deep guttural roar rang out over the farm and moments later the only sound that was heard was a massive amount of running steps away from the farm. I looked at Alex but he only shrugged with a shake of his head as he was just as confused as I was.
"Looks like this one's a little smarter than what we are used to around here Alex. If it's alright with you and Kelly I was thinking it would be a good idea to set up shop around here and maybe use your farm as a base of operations for a week or so? We have our own camping gear but we just need a place to rest for a moment inbetween expeditions into the nearby woods."
Jack Laney said as he walked up with the man named Paul right behind him. Paul looked a little haggard as he had one arm that was cut and still bleeding but otherwise he still looked around with vigilance.
Alex nodded and stuck his hand out towards the barn. "Ya'll don't need bring out the gear. I've got an office set up in a corner of the barn next to weapons shed that could easily be cleaned up with a few cots put in. That'll keep ya out of the weather and with all those Kweh in there it gets pretty warm at night. Let's go on inside so we can see how the rest are doing."
That sounded like a good idea since this whole time I was still worried about Hector and how he was doing.
Upon walking into the house I see Hannah and Claire on the phone with HQ and Kelly is giving Hector a glass of water. Jack and Paul go over to the girls while me and Alex head over to Kelly and Hector.
"How's it hanging Hector? You feel any better?" Alex asked as he took a seat on a big recliner next to the window so he could keep an eye out.
"Meh, low and to the left, but I do feel a little better. Thankfully the wolves aren't poisonous so I should heal up just fine by tomorrow. After that Me and Jim should probably head back home."
"WHat? But, but what about the Alpha around here? I was thinking we could stay and help out Jack and his team." I blurted out with excitment but Hector only looked at me with a serious glance.
"Jim, you've barely stepped a foot into the world of adventuring, You maybe killed one of those wolves? And only using the electric fence at that. What Jack and them are going after is something that a newbie like you couldn't handle right now. Hell I'm sure even Jack himself is doubting if his whole team together could handle that thing without coming away with a a limb missing or worse. I should have prepared better Jim, this wasn't supposed to be like this for your first mission and I'm sorry but we need to head back and get you some better stuff before we come back." Hector was adamant about us leaving but I knew the only way I was going to get stronger was if I stayed on this side and struggled and strived to become stronger.
"Hector.... I need to stay over here. If I turn back now after facing this kind of situation and being able to survive.... I just can't. I was scared yes, but at the same time I felt alive! I felt more alive here than I ever did in the 10 years we struggled and crawled back on earth. I chose to be here and I need to follow this choice and see it through!" I looked back at Hector with the same look he gave me. A look of determination, A determination to fight for this new life.
"Haaaa, Jimmy....." He looked at me for a few seconds before he turned to Alex. "Can he stay here for the time being? I'm sure that Jasmine will want to come take a look at him but I can't just let him wonder off by himself."
Alex and Kelly looked at eachother before chuckling. "This boy made an impression on me the moment one of my Kweh took the initiative and started rubbing her scent on him. It's not everyday that a Kweh acts like that... So yea, the boy can stay here with us. But, only on the terms that I can teach him a thing or two and he helps out around the farm. You agree to that Jimbo, and I will take care of ya while you're here." Alex stuck his hand out at me and I looked at Hector and Kelly and they both smiled at me and Hector gave me a slight nod, I turned to Alex with a huge smile on my face as I took his hand in mine and gave it a good hard shake.
"I won't let you down Alex. You neither Hector, I won't let this opportunity go to waste!"