“Mister!”
Megith was now up and running on her own two feet. She sprinted down the hill, through the tall grass, feeling the wind brush against her whole body and waved. Kihet sitting at the hill waved back and kept his eyes on his friend while Lily beside him folded pieces of paper into butterflies.
One group of children played hide and seek with Megith while others were trying to learn origami from Lily.
“Sorry, Aten. This is the only place I know safe enough for her to stretch her legs.”
[Welcome to visit.]
“Thanks. I’m surprised she remembered you.”
Aten replied with a nod.
“Also, have you seen Priqet and Yixy?”
Suddenly, Kihet felt someone pressed on his back. He glanced back and saw Lily leaning against his back with a smug grin on her face.
“Do you miss them?”
“I haven’t seen them around lately. Well, they finally got their big promotion. I bet they’re hunting a big prey.”
“Are you jealous you can’t join them?”
“Kind of. Who knows what useful materials I’m missing out on?”
“Is that all you can think of?” Lily let out a hopeless sigh. “By the way, she looks fine now. Are you going to tell her?”
“I’m trying to think how I should piece my words.”
“Just reintroduce yourself.”
“I wish it was that easy.”
[Coward.]
“I agree! You’re a big coward.”
“You two look like you’re having fun teasing me.”
He shot them a glare that forced them to shut their mouths. Even children behind them fell victim as they hid behind Aten shaken to the boot.
“What were you guys talking about?”
“—!”
When Megith appeared behind Kihet, his heart stopped for a split second. Thankfully, it looked like she didn’t hear the conversation. Her eyes curiously wandered around the group until she saw the paper butterfly in Lily’s hands.
“Are those butterflies? They’re so cute! Teach me to make some too!”
“Eh? Umm, okay.”
Megith forced open a spot between Lily and Kihet, already giving Lily a bad first impression. Kihet waved to her to let it be to which Lily frowned a bit. The whole time he was aware Lily staring at Megith’s chest probably wondering how they got that big.
“Mister, look! Look! I made one!”
“That’s great.”
“I can move its wings.”
“Hm hm.”
“It’s pink too.”
“Yup.”
“I made it for you.”
“Thanks. Hold onto it for now. My hands are full at the moment.”
Megith watched as Kihet tinkered his equipment. He adjusted the length of the straps on his shield so his hands could fit through them snuggly and allow him to dual wield weapons if necessary. He then took a brush and painted black lines indicating other modifications to be made.
“You’re Kihet, right?”
His brush made a long stroke across the shield’s surface, marking a line longer than he intended then froze. Lily’s ears and Aten’s antennas shot up. The three of them were frozen stiff as the kids around them continued what they were doing being oblivious to tension raising between the Enuis.
Kihet gulped and unconsciously played with his hair trying to hide his eyes. He could no longer hide it.
“It didn’t look like you knew before. How long?”
“When I woke up. You were trying to pass yourself as a stranger. I thought you had to act like we didn’t know each other so I played along.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Who else has such a gloomy face all the time? You really haven’t changed your habits when you’re making things, have you?”
One thing’s for sure was that they’ve known each other for nearly a century and old habits die hard. Kihet placed his shield on the ground giving Aten and Lily a look. Once they led the children back to the building, Kihet fixed his hair back to its scruffy style and gave Megith a good look at his face. Her eyes were then the widest Kihet ever saw them opened. Her hands moved over her mouth as her feathered ears spread like wings and tears flowed down her cheeks.
“———!”
Megith was at a lost for words and made muffled incomprehensible noises. From her perspective, she saw a dispirited Kihet. His expression was all she needed to answer what happened during the time she fell into a coma. From that, she confirmed about her brother’s fate.
“You should’ve told me it was you.”
“Are you mad?”
“I can’t after knowing how hard you worked to wake me up. But I suppose Malth isn’t as lucky as I am.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I thought with our crests and years of training, we were able to win. We weren’t strong enough against that Thing.” She rubbed her eyes. “How are the others? How is Sorah?”
“I don’t know. You’re the first one of us in a decade I can get to.”
“First? What do you mean?” Her voiced trembled.
Kihet was hesitant to inform her their village was no more. He was scared to learn of her reaction of Hannah, Lemi and her parents grave back at home. He knew she deserved to know, but at that moment couldn’t bring himself to give a reply immediately.
“How bad is it? Kihet.” She tugged his cloak. “Please tell me.”
Sooner or later Megith would know. He took a deep breath and made his decision.
“I want you to listen to what I have to say as calmly as you can.” Kihet grabbed her shoulders. “The village, the elder, Hannah. They’re gone. Lemi too. I watched her die in front of me.”
----------------------------------------
“I wonder how’s Kihet’s doing? It’s been an hour.”
[Worried?]
“En.”
Lily folded her eighteenth crane and added it to the pile other children made as well. She reached for her cup of water. Before her fingers wrapped around the cup, she saw tiny ripples formed at intervals. She then heard a hollow noise of wood clashing.
Aten also noticed the irregularity, signaling the caretaker to monitor the children as he went to investigate. The two of them picked up their weapons, ran towards the plains to where Kihet and Megith were.
A figure was suddenly launched into the air, doing a flip to dove back into the tall grass. Lily’s keen eye identified it was Megith who landed and lunged forward. As she went to draw an arrow and searched for the enemy, a stronger quake shook the field. This time, they saw Kihet jumped above the tall grass and blocked an overhead swing batting him back down.
“They’re fighting?!” Lily gasped. “Hey, Kihet! What are you doing?!”
“We’re sparring.”
Lily wasn’t sure it was considered sparring. Megith’s expression was dead serious throwing a flurry of jabs at Kihet with a bo staff that was brushed away with each thrust. They weren’t slow either. For someone with amazing observation skills, Lily had a hard time keeping track of how many thrusts Megith managed per second.
Suddenly, three spectral strings sprouted from Megith’s back. The ethereal tendrils were [Ribbons] a unique magic without the need of a catalyst only Enuis could use. However, Kihet was an exception as he bore the Oracle’s mark, which he realized its anti-magic properties was the culprit. It prevented him from casting magic he was once able to use when the Oracle’s mark was forced onto him.
“I’m going to get a bit more serious.” Megith warned.
“You should’ve been at the start.”
If Megith was to summon [Ribbons], it meant the fight was going to get more challenging. The [Ribbons] themselves were harmless, unable to do damage themselves. However, if used properly, it could be the most useful tool to outwit your opponent in a duel. He wasn’t much concerned since it was Megith, but it didn’t mean he should let his guard down.
He rushed at her, but she backed off towards the broken fence, holding him back with numerous thrusts. Failed to have pin her down, Megith’s [Ribbons] passed wooden planks into her hand as she assumed a throwing stance. Through her action, he could tell she was trying to buy time and recover her stamina. More importantly, she was trying to wear Kihet down.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The first debris flung at him, and he easily deflected it. Then came the barrage as wood, then pebbles flew at him. Not armed with a shield, he had to dodge until Megith ran out of things to throw. That moment was not up to him, but he was prepared. When it came, Kihet braced himself for another barrage but instead blinded by a bundle of freshly plucked grass.
He swiped his weapon trying to clear the view and that was apparently what Megith waited as her staff swung diagonally upwards, throwing Kihet’s hand up, not enough to disarm him. She quickly twirled her weapon on both sides then poked it into the ground and hurled a carpet of grass at him.
She then sported a javelin jump over the falling carpet and prepared to thrust down at Kihet when she lost sight of him. Did she over jump? She looked around restlessly but as her eyes wandered everywhere and couldn’t find him. She then saw Kihet emerge from the grass rug she used against him.
“Oh crap-!”
It was already too late. She managed to turn around after landing, but before she aimed her staff at Kihet, he closed the distance. He tackled at her waist, and they rolled downhill. At the bottom, Kihet came up on top with his mock weapon pushed up against Megith’s throat.
“I win. You haven’t changed that habit of putting on more of a show rather than going for a quick and decisive blow.”
“Stupid Kihet! You’re a meanie! You idiot!”
“Throwing tantrums won’t change my mind. Give up.”
“Are you that opposed?”
“I know you’re worried about Draigh too, but it’s too dangerous out there. You’re not strong enough to come with me.”
“But you’re travelling with the devil folk girl too! Oh, I get it! You already forgotten about Sorah!”
It was right there Kihet felt one of his nerves popped. He thought his friend was brighter than this and understood his circumstances. None of this was about Sorah.
“Don’t change the subject. You do know Lily gets to come with me is because she was chosen as a Hero and I’m the Oracle.”
“Is she strong?”
“I can vouch for her. We’ve fought a lot of battles together from Xu to Vivrus. And don’t even try it.”
“Hmph.” Megith pouted. She was hoping Kihet would be distracted to not see her reach for the staff. “If I wasn’t recovering, I would’ve won.”
“You would and I used that to my advantage.”
“You’re low!” She exclaimed, but she always knew Kihet was one that wouldn’t hesitate to use underhanded tactics. It was clear when she witnessed his victory against Irvan. “I’ll give up for now but mark my words, I’m going to win next time!”
“Yup.”
“That being said.” There was a mischievous grin on her face. “You’ve been holding me down for a while. I hope you’re not planning to do anything lewd~.”
“I just want to get my point across. My bad. I’ll get off.”
“Hrm. I wasn’t expecting such a straight forward reply. The last decade must’ve changed you a lot.”
“A lot of bad things happened.” Kihet extended his hand. “But I feel like I can continue to fight through it knowing you’re alright.”
“Aw shucks! You’re making me blush! Are you trying to hit on me?” Her response earned a scowling face from Lily. “But on a more serious note. Make sure you find Sorah no matter what, okay?”
“I will.”
“Great!”
Megith pulled herself up with Kihet’s assistance and walked back up the hill. Aten gave them each a container of healing ointment in case there were injuries from their duel.
“It was a bit rough, but Kihet and I are fine. Thanks for looking out for me as always, Aten.”
[Sorry about Malth.]
“You tried your best. There was nothing it could’ve been done.” Megith shook her head. “Anyways, I don’t like having long hair. Could I ask you to help me cut it when you have time?”
Just as Aten nodded, Lily silently moved next to Kihet and hugged his arm while giving Megith ‘a look’.”
“And you are…”
“Tomoe. I’m on a journey with Kihet as a Hero.”
“She’s really attached to you. What’s your actual relationship with her?”
“Hmm… guardian?”
“We sleep together every night!”
“Only sleeping? Well, that’s too light! Kihet and I done things more rough!” Megith boldly proclaimed.
“Wha-?! I-is that true?!”
“Megith don’t incite her. Please.” He begged.
“I wasn’t lying. When we had sleepovers, we’d have pillow fights. I fondly remember the seven of us laughing without any care in the world. I wish we could go back to those days.”
“Just, stop saying things that can lead to misunderstandings. That only happened when we were kids.”
“But is it true you sleep with her each night?”
“It’s true!” Lily immediately shouted out.
“It’s not.” Kihet quickly objected. “There were occasions on some nights but most of the time she clings onto me while I’m working and falls asleep.”
“Most.” Lily repeated.
“But you did.” Megith stated.
“I have my own circumstances. All you need to know I never laid my hands on her. Can we just put this behind?”
“Hm. Fine! However, you have to spend the rest of the day with me! We have a lot of catching up to do!”
----------------------------------------
With Lily not wanting to leave Kihet’s side and Aten feeling responsible to watch over Megith, the four made their way to the guild. Many eyes fell onto the unique group as most recognized one as the Oracle, the other a Hero, and Aten. Out of them, the one who garnered the most attention was Megith, the Enui that recently woke up from her coma. The guild immediately reinstated Megith’s adventuring license which was Soldier Rank upon her arrival at the guild.
“You’re Soldier Rank?”
“Surprised? Malth and I took a lot of quests when we arrived. We helped around solving problems like superheroes! What rank are you two?”
“Adept.”
“Pft…! I thought you were supposed to be more famous than me for being the so called Oracle!”
“Shuddap. I didn’t have time to raise my rank given my situation.”
“Now what quests should we take? I’m going take a look at the notice board!”
“And she’s gone. Lily, can you let go of me now?”
“No!”
“What’s gotten into you?” Kihet sighed then saw a board flipped towards Lily.
[Jealous.]
“I am, so what?” Lily hissed at Aten. “My position for being only one to tease Kihet is being threatened!”
Aten and Kihet exchanged looks and shrugs as neither of them understood why that was worth being competitive for.
“Tomoe’s stuck onto you like a beetle drawn to nectar, Oracle.” Priqet suddenly made his appearance from the gathering crowd. “Ahoy! Long time no see. Sir Aten, Tomoe how have you two been?”
Aten returned his greeting with a nod.
“Priqet, it’s nice to see you!”
“Likewise, Tomoe.”
“Where the hell have you been?” Kihet asked. “I thought you died in some cavern.”
“Nonsense! I’m as stubborn as a cockroach! You know, being her majesty’s eyes and ears isn’t the easiest work. We’ve worked our butts off after we got promoted.”
“And Yixy?”
“Just reporting the quest we recently completed. She’ll need a few minutes. By the by, what are you three doing here? Don’t tell me you spent all your reward already?”
“A friend of mine is forcing a quest on us.”
“You have other friends?!” Priqet gasped. “I’m kidding, don’t glare at me like that. So? Who am I supposed to look at among all these adventurers?”
On cue, Megith returned with a paper she happily snatched off the billboard and waved it to the group. When Priqet and Megith met, both of them pointed at each other.
“H-Holy Megith?!”
“Priqet? It’s you! How have you been? I see you’ve made it out of Soldier and you’re now Squire Ranked!”
“You two know each other?”
“Yeah! They were Malth and my escorts when we first arrived to Vivrus. After, we’d bump into each other frequently and sometimes we went on quests together.” Megith then made a fist. “You could say we were rivals!”
“I’m honored you think of Yixy and I that way. If you’re here, then-.”
Before he finished his sentence, Aten raised up his writing board and stopped him.
“I-I see. How unfortunate. I am… sorry to hear that.” Priqet frowned for a second. “So, which quest are you four tackling?”
“This! It says to slay three Dracalefic flies! Would you like to join?”
The moment Megith announced the quest in her hand, many adventurers looked their way. A Dracalefic fly was known to be a Soldier Ranked monster. They could fly faster than Wvyerns and cast magic from afar. Many adventurers even thought one of those monsters should be moved up to Squire Ranked monsters and Megith suddenly declared she was going to hunt three with six people.
----------------------------------------
BZZZzzzzzzzzz…
A long figure zoomed above them then a powerful gust of current pushed against their backs. At first, everyone couldn’t fathom the size of the culprit they caught speeding through the air. Their jaws dropped at the sight of the enormous beast, a Dracalefic Fly Lord.
Dracalefic Flies looked like dragonflies and ordinarily the size of orcas. A Lord was much slower in comparison as seen swimming or gliding through the air, but its length was about that of a blue whale. It had many delicate wings that were seemingly invisible, and a long body swayed similar of an overgrown unbalanced snake’s body. Its tail was extremely skinny, and the main body was bloated. Dozens claw like fingers from underneath carried a carcass back to its roost for feeding. The nasty mandibles dribbled with acidic viscera, making clicking noises.
“Yixy! I never thought I’d see you again! Those wings of yours got prettier and the fur around your neck is as soft as ever!”
“H-Holy Megith, please. I can’t breathe!” Yixy tapped Megith’s shoulders as her head was stuck between her chest. “Tomoe, Priqet, help!”
“I’m trying!” Lily cried.
“Unfortunately, I can’t do anything in this situation.” Turning his head to the boys of the group, Priqet shook his head. “Still, to see a Lord means we’re extremely lucky or unfortunate. It is among the strongest creature in Vivrus, but if we defeat it, we could have apothecarists create potions to give our weapons elemental properties.”
“Haven’t you guys fought one before?” Kihet asked.
[Not Lord.]
“I assume we’ll be fine. We did power up since the last we fought one.” Priqet laughed.
While the girls were fighting over Yixy, the boys scouted ahead.
The path ahead was treacherous. Roots and soft soil made the hike more difficult as the higher they climbed, the colder the air became until they came across a wall of icicles. It was an indication of the Lord’s territory.
“So how are we doing this? We need to slay three of them and there’s six of us.” Kihet asked as he burned open a tunnel in the Dracalefic Fly’s ice wall.
“Let’s fight each one in pairs.” Megith suggested.
“Naturally Yixy and I will be partnering up.”
“And I’m with Kihet!” Lily puffed up her chest.
“I was planning on choosing Aten.” Megith smacked Aten’s shoulder. “Anyways, losers have to buy dinner! Start!”
As soon as Megith declared that, Aten and her immediately dashed through the tunnel.
“What about the Lord-.”
“Kihet, we’re falling behind! We got to hurry up!”
The group scattered in pairs as they searched for their targets. Nobody wanted to confront the Lord as Kihet saw Megith and Aten already picked their prey. Priqet and Yixy faced the second one which left Kihet to face the Lord with Lily.
“You guys are merciless!” Kihet roared at other two groups for leaving the Lord for Lily and him to slay. “Don’t we get a handicap?”
“You snooze you lose!”
Megith lunged forth and severed a claw from the fly’s body. Aten dived onto its back and ripped off its wings to kept it grounded.
“Can’t be helped, you guys were too slow to pick your prey.” Priqet chirped. He hacked into the monster’s shell and bounced around.
Yixy behind him casted a spell to the pin their target down and provided support from the rear. “I’m looking forward to my free meal.”
“Same here!” Megith added. Above the Dracalefic fly, Aten nodded.
“If that’s how you want to play it… Lily, we’re going all out.”
“En!”
Lily launched a flurry of arrows in the center of one eye and punctured the casing protecting the Lord’s compound eye. Next, she loosened a bodkin steel bolt, penetrating the shell at its forehead. Subsequently, as the Lord completed charging its antennas to cast [Thunder], lightning was redirected to the steel rodded arrow stuck on its head inflicting small shocks to itself.
Normally while electricity coarse through one’s body, there was a chance anyone who came into contact would also be paralyzed. However, since the Oracle’s flames dispels all magic and effects caused by magic, Kihet was able to strike at it without consequences. He stabbed his shortsword into its side, stepping on the handle and drew another to climb atop of the creature.
The Dracalefic Lord thrashed around, throwing a tantrum after it felt one of its wings were cut off. It unleashed a high pitched screech indicating it was enraged while inspiring the other two to rampage about.
“Oracle, you’re being targeted!” Yixy shouted.
One of the Flies waved its claws and conjured ten large icicles aimed at the Lord’s back. Each one shattered upon contact and coated the Lord’s exoskeleton in thick layer of ice. The other copied the first Fly and instead of ice, hurled lightning bolts at random to drive Kihet back after he landed.
“Oi, keep you monsters occupied!”
“Sorry!” Megith apologized.
“Kihet, it’s going to fly!”
“Shit!” Kihet raced ahead only to stop as a lightning bolt struck a line in front of him. He looked up and saw a glowing light in its mandibles. “Everyone, find cover!”
A pillar of flame blasted down from the sky and burned everything in a fifty-meter radius for a solid ten seconds. The inferno engulfed the area, but there were no casualties among the party. Instead, both Dracalefic Flies took the brunt of the attack since they could not fly away and overheated. Megith, Priqet and Yixy used the creatures as cover while Lily was safe under Kihet’s protection.
Suddenly, the Lord felt an object kicked its back and severed the rest of its wings. It crashed onto the charred floor and narrowly skittered away from Aten’s death spike coming from above.
“Well, the other two are down. I guess, we should take down the Lord together?” Megith suggested.
“Does that mean we won since the Oracle and Tomoe didn’t defeat theirs?” Priqet asked.
“Ours defeated yours for you!” Lily shot back.
“There’s no use arguing. We still have to take it down.” Kihet held his weapon. “I’ll buy dinner, but I call dibs on taking my share of the materials of my choice.”