Norbert did not stop for anything, focusing only on returning to the village in time. Images flashed through his head of a night attack, with all the torches out as those bats dived on them, picking them off one at a time. Only for dawn to come and the raptors chasing after them. Both during the day and night, under constant assault.
Azalea having given up when the sun came up of Norbert stopping, he was more of a beast going on instinct, barely listening to the directions she gave him. The fourth sunrise came with Norbert having not stopped since, tiredness creeping on him, eyelids heavy as he continued to run, using more and more of his power each passing hour, knowing that when he stopped, he would not be moving for some time.
The wiser option would be for him to stop before, to rest and recover, but the urgency of what could happen at any moment, needing to notify and find the location of the bats. If only he could have a nice place to sleep instead of all this moving about. Norbert started to slow down, waking himself up in a stupor and slapping his face, hoping it would keep him awake as he sent a bit more energy into himself, feeling a spike of wakefulness.
Norbert heard his name being called out. Looking around like a lost puppy, Norbert saw a hand point in a direction; moving his body that way, the town came about himself, now looking at its side, having overshot the town entrance.
Now seeing the fields on the other side, the wheat above the grass, around the village, Norbert could see it was cut down, unlike out in the plains. Coming around to the front entrance Norbert jumped over the wall, hearing a shout from all around from the people stationed on the walls.
Not stopping, Norbert ran forward, slowing down from his inhuman pace to something more realistic, allowing him to get out of people's way when needed. Running between the houses, Norbert went to the gate, seeing the tents still there, happy that the party had not moved off yet.
Slowing to a walk, Azalea hopped off Norbert's back as the two went to the table inside. Only Dousan and others Norbert did not know were looking around at a map. Having a glance, Norbert realised it was of the ravine, spots marked out where Norbert assumed the traps were placed.
Norbert saw Dousan look up and open his mouth as he caught his eyes with Norbert. "Norbert, are you ok?" he asked.
Norbert continued forward, replying, "Just a bit tired, but there are bigger fish than that" he walked to the table, taking his backpack off as he took out his bestiary.
Flicking through the pages, Norbert went to the flying create section, trying to find out what he found before. Norbert saw birds, he had typically seen, passing over a pterodactyl-looking creature and flicking past several dragons, making a note to look at it later. Finally, he found it. Norbert flipped it around and slid it across the table.
On the page was the giant bat, with features about it. Norbert began speaking, "Went further up, the ravine expands out to a canyon, at night two of these creatures came down and made a picnic of the raptors. The plan isn't working; there are just too many raptors."
Azalea stepped next to him. "He's right, we spotted two of these, but there are just too many raptors out there for us to deal with them by ourselves if we …." She stopped when looking at Norbert's face.
Even though sleep knocked on his door, Norbert could feel the room's gaze on him again. Looking down at Azalea, Norbert asks, "What?"
Taking from the table, she held out a dagger for Norbert; looking into it, he saw his reflection. All over his face, his veins were purple, glowing even in the daylight. Realising how far he pushed himself, the words "Oh shit" whispered out of his mouth.
Suddenly no longer able to keep himself standing, trying to force a bit more energy to keep himself up but was unable to; having hit a wall, darkness surrounded him, and the last thing he felt was two arms on his back, stopping himself from hitting the ground.
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***
With the ceiling with the hole in it, Norbert could see daylight above, a wispy cloud floating up in the sky. Moving his head slightly, Norbert thought it looked like a dog, imagining it was chasing after a ball the owner threw.
Lifting his hand into the air, Norbert imagined throwing the ball to the dog, chasing after it only to return it.
"Good to see your awake", Azalea said, Norbert able to recognise the voice. Still holding his hand in the air, Norbert tilted his head to the side, seeing Azalea sitting on a chair with a book open in front of her. Seeing her green eyes stare straight at him, Norbert slowly lowered his hand. Norbert asked, "What happened?"
"Well, after your mad dash to the village, spewing nonsense that somehow made sense about the bats and showing them in your bestiary, when I saw your face covered in light and showed you, all the colour drained from your face, and you collapsed. Thankfully I was able to catch you and stop you from impaling yourself. Brought you over here, and you've been sleeping soundly for the past three days when everyone else has been preparing for the chaos you brought."
Norbert nodded, thinking about what she said. "THREE DAYS!" Norbert shouted, bolting right up in the bed, the bed sheet going down his body; Norbert looked down, thankful he was still fully clothed, though they must smell pretty funky by now.
"Yes, Norbert, three days you've been in bed, not surprising as you were awake for the previous four", She finished, closing her book and placing it in her backpack. "Come now; you've been asked to get a briefing of what you saw when out there."
Norbert nodded, moving his stomach and grumbling; Azalea turned around and looked at Norbert, "We can get you some food on the way."
Norbert nodded in kindness, following Azalea as the two of them headed to the mess tent. Going inside, Norbert loaded his plate with food, taking it with him. Norbert headed out again, taking the food with him.
Having entered the tent once more, Norbert looked around, seeing Dousan again, looking over scattered maps and paper. Munching on a piece of meat, Norbert looked towards Dousan, again assessing what he had seen.
Wanting more excellent details on the numbers and the distance travelled, Dousan just nodded in response at his answers, having confirmed it. Asking how far it was, Norbert supplied the time he spent running, comparing it to how far the ravine was.
Dousan whistled in response at a distance, flicking through his notes, looking for a piece of paper, and holding it out in triumph when he found it—presenting it to Norbert, who just looked at it, unable to read what it said. "What does it say?" he asked.
Dousan replied, "It's the latest reply to the request for backup from above, which said that no more will come. Isn't that just splendid news?"
Norbert looked, not believing that he would need to go through all that by themselves, the days of slaughter coming for them. "And how is this good news?" Norbert asked.
"Oh, it's not; it's terrible. But if we do make it out the other side, the rewards will be great," Dousan finished, looking back at Norbert, who could only see the worry in the man's eyes.
Shivering at his stare, Norbert had to ask, "Are we going to all make it out?"
"Pssh, we will, just takes a bit longer than expected and will need to be extra careful" Dousan said. Norbert just nodded in response. Norbert gestured towards the exit with a dismissive wave from Dousan Norbert left.
As he left with Azalea in tow, a shout came out, "We're going to be leaving tomorrow; as our fastest when out there, you will be going back and forth between here, getting anything we need from the traveller."
Norbert waved back in confirmation, taking the last bit of food and heading back to the mess hall to clean up the plate. Having cleaned up after himself, he left, wondering what he would do for the next day; seeing Azalea standing there still, Norbert went up to her, a question on Dousan's last remark.
"Do you know who the traveller is?" he asked.
"Yeah, they open and close the gate, the same person your bird friend is hanging out with," Azalea responded.
Norbert nodded, seeing them all pop about the place, wondering about the mystery they had for themselves. Looking back at Azalea, Norbert asked, "So now what?"
Smiling, she walked down the street and to the house they were sleeping in. "But of course, it's time to study."
Norbert sighed, nodding as he sat on the bed, taking out the bestiary, indicating he wanted to read through this to understand what they would be up against. Receiving encouraging words in response, the two continued studying throughout the day and into the night.
Stopping only when Azalea relented, saying she needed her sleep. Norbert nods, about to leave, but unable to. Azalea's hand grasped onto his own, letting himself be dragged into bed. Norbert just stared at the hole in the ceiling, wondering how to entertain himself in the night.
They heard Azalea whisper next to him, "Thank you for saving me."
Norbert turned his head to the side and only saw the steady rise and fall of her breathing as she slept.