[Caleb Martin Souza]
Lv 3
Title: Mindful Watcher
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Primary skill: Mana Soul Core
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Trait: Mana awareness
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Speed – 1.18
Strength – 1.15
Stamina – 2.04
Constitution – 0.62
Mana - 8
Finesse – 1.12
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Free stat points: 0
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[Alert: The beholder is currently suffering from Cancer, grade 7.]
Caleb looked over the screen, his eyes fixed onto the message bottom. He stared at it, unblinking. Not reading the words, but simply wishing it away. Whether his record gave him a way to get rid of it, or it simply vanished, he’d be better for it.
[Caleb?] Kana said.
“Hm?” he replied, letting the screen fall away as he turned to her.
[You okay?]
“Yeah” he mumbled. He stood slowly, dusting his trousers off, before strapping the sword sheath to his waist.
They were preparing to go into battle. After Cut had slept for about two hours, he’d gone ahead to scout out the town, as the rest of them cleaned up. The group had packed up the last of the tents now, Reinhard placing the pack on his back as Roeca and a few others put the finishing touches on covering up the remnants of the fire.
He looked to the faces of the others as they all prepared too, double checking their weapons. The atmosphere was grim. Only a few spoke, the rest were silent, their faces blank or their fear clear as day. Only Eriana stood out her expression filled with a cold determination, the magic around her blade twisting violently as she readied herself.
Caleb looked to Sierra who knelt against the ground, looking to the floor with closed eyes. Ryan stood next to her, adjusting the straps of his leather armour, before looking off into the night. Caleb followed his gaze, into the darkness beyond, sensing a magic presence getting closer jump after jump.
“Cut’s back” he said. The others looked to him, then in the direction he stared towards. There was a burst of mana in in front of them and Cut appeared, his face filled with frustratin.
[What’s wrong?] Roeca said, stepping forward.
[They were there. Saw a fire outside the church hospital and tried to get closer to scout them out. Appeared near a guy in one of the cloaks they wear taking a piss right outside. Sorry, he might’ve seen me]
[Dammit Cut] Roeca muttered.
[Look, I know I fucked up, I’m sorry] Cut said [He might not have even seen me]
[I always taught you to-]
[Stop] Reinhard said curtly. [Even if they’re expecting us, or if they’re on the move it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change what we have to do. Let’s go.]
The two brigadiers nodded, and then Reinhard began jogging into the distance. The group all glanced amongst themselves, then followed behind, this time the run far more accommodating. Caleb glided across the floor, taking it easy with his strength and speed.
The group jogged silently, for five minutes, only the sound of heavy breathing and footfall filling the space between them. Then as they came over a hill, the town came into view. Much like Arrell, a river curved around and passed behind it, the buildings mostly the same. The only noticeable difference was the lack of light within the windows.
Up ahead Reinhard slowed, and the rest of the group did too.
[If this becomes a prolonged battle, Cut and Roeca have healing artifacts. Find them if you become injured]
They all nodded, then followed Reinhard as he crouched, quickly making his way towards the village. The others followed suit, crouching as they raced towards the village.
[Alert – You are entering an area of danger]
“Crap” someone muttered.
[What?] Reinhard said.
“W-we got a message” Sierra said. “It says we’re entering an area of danger”
Reinhard nodded, then put a finger to his lips as he pulled his war-hammer off his back.
The group all drew their weapons, Caleb feeling their magic warp as they mentally prepared for battle. Reinhard then slipped between one of the gaps of the building, making his way forward as the group followed behind.
They inched forwards slowly, holding their weapons tight. Caleb could feel one powerful magic presence up ahead, only a few metres away.
“T-there’s someone really strong” he whispered. The others all glanced back to him, and Reinhard nodded. The brigadier came to a stop close to the edge, where the house ended and the main road began.
Everyone stopped behind him, quiet. They could hear voices, slightly distant, likely coming from the steps right outside the church hospital. Caleb furrowed his brow as he focused in on the voices.
[You think they’ll get here soon?]
[Of course mate]
[But they’re already forty minutes late.]
[They’ll be here]
[You’re not just saying that?]
[Yeah, just felt like lying for no reason. Gods Vad, of course I’m not just saying it you idiot]
[Sorry]
[It’s fine. Just have some patience]
[No, Vad’s right. I don’t like it. We shouldn’t just be waiting here]
[Yeah, let’s do something I’m tired of waiting!]
[Keep it down will you. What if one of those monster things hears us?]
[Or worse a Brigadier]
[The Brigadiers ain’t coming here you doofus]
[Well, they could be. Bell said he saw one]
[Bell’s been smoking too much pi-leaf]
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[Hey!]
[Could I have some quiet please?] a calm voice said, regal in the same fashion as Roeca’s.
There was a beat of silence, followed by a muttering of apologies. Caleb could only really catch one voice.
[S-sorry father]
He frowned.
Father? he thought. Well, I guess they are cultists.
[We’ll go carefully] Reinhard whispered. [They could have dangerous artifacts and there’s a priest with them. He’ll have a blessing]
The others nodded, and Reinhard looked to Cut. Cut gestured to a few others to get closer to him, then grabbed them and teleported across the road, to the gap between the other houses.
Now with the forces split, Reinhard gestured for them to move once again, round the house as Cut’s group flanked the cultists.
They moved carefully, back around the house, and then two down, only one house over from the church hospital the voices were a lot louder now, and Caleb could make out the feet and heads of sleeping men. They crept forwards, the other group opposite them.
Reinhard gestured for them to wait, then peeked at round the corner and quickly pulled back.
[Does anyone a projectile attack?]
James raised his hand, his hair still covered by the shirt Reinhard had given him. Reinhard nodded, and beckoned him forward.
He whispered something in James’ ear and the boy nodded, before Reinhard looked to them and across the way. It was time to fight.
James stepped forward, the mana shifting around his hand, and then leapt out of the alley as he prepared to fire, followed closely by the others.
An explosion rocked them all and instantly people were gone. Caleb didn’t know who, didn’t have time to figure out before chaos descended upon him.
People were screaming, Reinhard was shouting and Caleb was already on his knees, in the town road grabbing at his left ear. His face covered in a warm wetness and the ringing was louder than anything he’d ever heard.
He could feel the landscape of mana shift around him instantly. He looked forward, the world around him moving in slow motion.
Cultists had seen them and were already moving to fight.
A slash of air cut across the battlefield as Cut teleported towards the priest, who now hovered in the air ablaze with lightning. There was another boom, then mana missiles and skills were flying, raining down on the cultists, crying out as many fell, but more still charged forwards.
Caleb felt small as he struggled to stand, his sword trembling violently in his hands as the cultists approached.
Then Ryan and Sierra were helping him, pulling him up, then pushing him behind them. He found his balance against Kana as Ryan and Sierra charged, meeting the cultists head one with some of the others.
But some cultists made it past them, swords raised as they charged, their expressions monstrous.
Kana cried out for Caleb to run, but the helplessness had seized him again. He was frozen, his eyes fixed onto the blade that came for him. Kana yanked him backward, and the slash missed. But the man continued, preparing to slash again.
Caleb stumbled backwards, raising his sword. He blocked the blow but reeled away, the sword almost knocked from his unsteady grip. The cultist slashed at him again, but through sheer desperation he barely blocked the blow, tripping over a leg as he did.
The cultist slashed yet again, but the swing was poor, panicked and Caleb was starting to regain his bearings. He moved, and the sword only grazed at the armour, nicking into his shoulder before he pulled away. But Caleb slipped, his boots slick with blood and with a desperate cry, the man barged him hard, sword forgotten and both of them slammed to the floor.
Caleb coughed hard, then felt the man grab at him. In a sheer panic he pushed back, and struggled away. They rolled in the dirt together, weapons lost.
Then Caleb broke free and fought desperately to pull himself upright. But as he did, he came face to face with another cultist, dagger aimed for his throat as the man thrust it forward. Caleb’s sword was still on the ground.
He knew instantly he couldn’t do anything in time. His eyes widened and he froze in place.
Then he was on the floor. It shocked him for a moment, but before he could make sense of it Kana screamed. Instantly he felt his blood go cold as his chest grew hot. He shot up to see Kana, the knife in her gut as the cultist barrelled into her, both falling to the floor.
Without hesitation, Caleb lunged for the man. But they’d fallen awkwardly, Kana's body stood between them, the cultist kicking her backwards as he pulled out another dagger. Caleb caught her as the cultist stood, screeching in sheer frenzy. Caleb’s eyes grew wide as the man dove at him.
For an instant it felt like he was going to freeze, then he felt the warmth of Kana’s blood on his hands. In one smooth motion, he let her go, grabbed a sword off the ground and brought it between the two of them.
Their blades clashed, and Caleb braced himself. But the extra pressure never came. The attack had been weak, even without using his skill.
His eyes widened. They were weaker than him. He’d fought monsters and these were just men. Of course, they were weaker.
But he'd let them hurt Kana. He’d let them hurt Kana and they were weaker than him.
With a sudden roar of fury he batted the man’s dagger aside. The man cried out, the force from Caleb’s swing enough to rip the blade out of his hands and shatter his fingers.
Then he punched the man, crushing part of his face as he knocked him to the ground, then raised his blade upwards. The cultist scrambled back; hand raised in defence as he cried out. Caleb hesitated for a moment, staring into the man's fear filled and pleading eyes. Then he remembered Kana’s scream.
He cut down, the sword’s edge biting into the dirt before he felt any resistance. He heard a cry of desperation behind him and spun around. The first cultist was charging at him with his sword, only a step away from stabbing him.
But Caleb was fast. And his swing was faster. His sword flashed through the air, no technique, just pure power and speed. He cut the cultist in two, the man’s sword shattering.
Then he looked down, to Kana, and rushed to her side. She sobbed, shaking as she lay on the floor, clutching the knife in her stomach as blood seeped into her clothes, and pooled onto the floor.
“I-it’s ok. It’s ok” he muttered, as she grabbed him tightly. But it wasn’t. She dying because of him and he didn’t know what to do. He needed help.
He looked up, tears in his eyes.
“Help!” he roared.
But there was no one to help. He’d killed two cultists, and almost all the other ones were dead, but the battle wasn’t over. The priest leaped around, his entire body covered in lightning as he desperately tried to run, only to be fought back by everyone, Reinhard, and Roeca at the forefront of the battle.
He cursed. They had the healing artifacts. If he wanted to get Kana help, he had to end this now.
“I’m sorry” he said quickly, pulling away from Kana as he grabbed his sword.
Instantly the sword changed, the star in Caleb's drawing out its power. He could feel it in his mind now, understand the enchantments instilled within the metal were for toughness, and the barely visible runes lining it's edge for sharpness. The weapon glowing brightly, enough to illuminate the surroundings as he strengthened it. Then with a desperate cry he leapt forwards and slashed at the priest’s open back. The priest cursed, dodging the unexpected blow with a blast of lightning.
But it was enough to distract him, slow him down. And the others didn't waste it. A blast of wind obliterated his leg, followed by a slash of blue, a barrage of mana missiles and then as the man screamed, falling out of the air, Reinhard smashed him against the ground a supernatural strength behind his hammer, the boom shaking the earth.
The priest's lightning died instantly, and Reinhard fell to one knee. The cultist was dead, and the fight was over. They’d won. But Caleb turned to Roeca, still filled with desperation.
“The healing artifact” he said desperately. She looked to him eyes wide.
“It’s Kana. She’s injured” he said, pointing to her. “I- I need it”
Roeca nodded, fumbling with her bag as he rushed back to Kana. He fell to the floor, kneeling at her side again. Her hands found his instantly.
[You left] she mumbled, clutching him tightly. [Why did you leave?]
“I’m sorry” he mumbled. “But’s it’s ok now. Everything’s ok”
Kana nodded, feeling the anguish her words had caused Caleb clear as day. She winced as the cold of the knife spread through her gut and clutched his hand tighter.
[Sorry] she muttered.
“It’s okay. Everything’s ok” Caleb repeated. He held her for a few more seconds, then looked up at Roeca as she held the artifact in hand, staring at him as she stood still.
“What’re you doing?” he mumbled. She hesitated, staring at him, then glanced behind.
“What’re you doing?!” he shouted. “She’s fucking dying! Don’t just stand there! Help! Just- help!”
Roeca snapped out of her trance and started forwards, jogging slowly, before reaching them.
She dropped to her knees, then wrapped the band around Kana’s arm, twisted the dial on it, and pulled the blade out Kana’s stomach. Kana gasped and writhed in pain, crying out. Caleb held her tightly, his heart sinking as he watched rivulets of blood seep out of the wound.
“It’s ok” he muttered. “You’re going to be ok”
He watched intently as the magic of the artifact flowed through Kana. He held her hand tightly, feeling the hard thumping of her heart in her fingers.
She cried out in agony, but bit by bit, less blood flooded out from the wound, and as the magic came to a crescendo, the flesh around the wound begin to shift, knitting back together.
Kana's breaths grew steadier and steadier, and her wound disappeared, replaced by slightly marked flesh. The magic of the artifact died, the dial on it losing its colour. Kana felt at her stomach, then looked up at Caleb wide eyed.
He instantly pulled her into a tight hug.
[Ow, ow] she chuckled. [That hurts]
“S-sorry” he said, instantly loosening his grip. He held her for a while longer, before pulling away, still holding her shoulders as he looked into her eyes.
"You've done that twice now”
[What?]
“Putting yourself in danger to save me” he said. “Please, don't ever do that again"
Kana hesitated, then nodded before looking to Roeca. The brigadier kneeled next to them staring at the floor, expressionless.
[Thank you] Kana said.
“Yeah” Caleb said, earnestly. “Thank you. Seriously”
Roeca mumbled half-heartedly something in response, before looking away. Caleb followed her gaze to a charred corpse, armour, artifacts, hair and skin all gone. Only Cut’s sword remained, lying a few feet away.
He felt his blood run cold once again. Before he could say anything else, Roeca stood and walked over to Cut’s corpse, kneeling beside it. He stared at the two as Sierra, Layla and Ryan rushed over to them, the others gathering into their groups.
Then his eyes wandered, his gaze passing over all the corpses strewn through the street. At least thirty cultists lay dead on the floor, most caught in the crossfire of magic, but some cut down by blades.
And on their side, Angelina knelt on the floor beside James' arm and Markus stood over a patch of ice, where Olivia lay dead in a pool of blood, a sword in her neck.
The sight made him feel sick, Roeca's expression most of all. He looked away.
He’d never wanted to be home as badly. Never wanted to get away from a place as much as he did now.
He clutched Kana's hand tighter, as tears sparkled in his eyes.
“It’s going to be ok” he whispered.
Eriana frowned as she watched Caleb mumble to himself but shrugged and looked away.
She stood tall, sword bloody as it rested on her shoulder, looking amongst the dead with a flat expression. She'd barely been able to do anything again. The cultists had been weak, carried by their artifacts and the mines. But the priest with his lightning powers had been more than enough to hold them all off for the minute the battle had lasted.
He'd been the strongest person she'd seen yet, and she hadn't even been on his radar. She clenched her jaw tightly, the leather of her hilt creaking under her fingers.
She kicked at the dirt, then turned to look over Reinhard who'd retrieved the satchel the priest had been protecting. The brigadier stared at the contents of the bag, his face pale.
[What’s wrong?] Eriana said.
[T-they're the rubies of Arithor]
[Is that supposed to mean something?]
[Arithor was a great calamity. Sealed away during the Old age. If they're using these, actively trying to summon it, this is far worse than we first thought. I get why you might’ve been sent now]
[Well, we've got them, don’t we? So, it's all over]
[No. There are seven rubies. This group only had three]
[So, let's go find the other ones]
[Patience godchild] Reinhard said, standing as he regained his composure. He turned to everyone else, and cleared his throat loudly, drawing their attention.
[The situation is more dire than we first anticipated. But because of those that've fallen here, we've made headway and have a chance to stop any further turmoil. This group were waiting for another. We’ll set up camp in hiding spots, in pairs. Wait for this group, then strike as soon as they enter the heart of town] Reinhard said. [I understand this is not what you want to hear right now, but it's necessary. If we work together now, we can grieve later. In a world without a calamity.]
He glanced to Roeca, who looked to him with tear-stained eyes but nodded.
[Alright everyone. We'll clear the dead, move the mines, then hide. Let's move!]