I peer closer at the Solar Son and notice a few obvious differences from the rest of his force, as I assume him to be the leader given both his high level, the shiny quality of his robes and the clear deference bestowed upon him the few times others approached to speak to him.
First, his eyes are nearly miniature suns, glowing like twin lanterns in their sockets. Secondly, his very veins themselves seem to be a glowing yellow in color instead of your run of the mill blue. Finally, on his forehead, a strange mark appears to have manifested, a symbolized depiction of the sun but almost raised from the flesh, indicating its difference from a tattoo he may have gotten.
My only guess is that he unlocked a racial evolution or advancement at Journeyman tier, somehow: perhaps genetic pre-disposition?
Anyway, I watch his movements, trying to get a read on his stats and notice something concerning, or more so.
He appears little more athletic than a base human!
Which can only mean one thing….
…he has stacked his mental attributes with nearly all of his free points.
If he is defended well by the rabble surrounding him, he could lay waste to our smaller force from afar with his powerful magic and likely huge Mana pool.
I decide to make an executive decision, right here and now.
I believe an assassination is in order.
First, I describe my crude plan to my compatriots, each up for anything to help our threatened allies back at the Village.
As they move into position, I prepare myself as well, seeing my buffed stats from my Class ability in effect once more and further buttressed by an additional point now as well. My stone armor supplements my recently purchased set quite well and I have my hatchet held at the ready. As a final preparation, I gift my Huntsman’s Athleticism to my Companions, the best option to help them survive our plan.
“Go.” I state simply over our bond.
A moment later, roars, screeches and screams break the relative silence of the forest as pandemonium breaks out at the far end of their lines, where the majority of their mages (glass cannons much like their leader) are being ripped into by a large, angry Husky and a small, yet far angrier still, hawk.
The front-line forces, the warriors, soldiers and other melee classes, rush back to defend their clanmates wildly, they hustle streaming past their yelling leader, who I can hear ordering them to slaughter whatever they find.
As the leader is left with but a few body guards loosely surrounding him, I leap softly from tree to tree until I hang above them by one arm. My legs dangle in the wind while I mentally let my companions know it is time to flee before they are overrun, their distraction a complete success.
Stolen novel; please report.
For but a moment as I hang there, as that is all I have time for, I wonder, truly wonder at the turns my life has taken to reach this current moment, the sheer outrageousness of it is enough to almost make my chuckle.
Almost.
Instead, I drop over 50 feet straight down onto the Solar Son’s head--feet first!
Unfortunately, I come to a jarring stop held aloft by a shimmering golden dome now suddenly encasing the man.
Before his bodyguards can even turn, I shake off the surprise landing and start hammering on the shield with hatchet and fist both.
Wild Rampage eats into my HP as I swing and swing with powerful strokes, noticing his men beginning to react out of the corner of my eye.
In desperation as I see the outline of the man under me begin casting something, I channel my Style into my movements, powerful hits turning into earth shattering blows—literally! The ground cracks beneath the shielded solar mage at each successive strike until at last….it breaks!
I fall awkwardly onto the man, his curse of pain and outrage informing me of his status still amongst the living.
I scramble at him ungainly on the ground when I see his casting is about to finish while he recovers from the disruption.
He manages to finish before I reach him and launches a bolt of pure plasma at me!
I flop on my side like a fish at the last moment, saving some body parts at the least and my life at worst, before raising an irate eyebrow at the man as he scrabbles backward on the ground, his guards coming up behind my slightly charred form.
But too late…
I hurl my hatchet full force at the undefended head of the man as I spin to block and dodge the nearly half dozen spears and staffs that soon occupy my previous position.
Casting a quick Eco Missile, I hammer a large rock, almost a boulder, into the ground in the center of their loose formation, jarring them off balance and allowing me the time to leap straight up to my former perch.
I feel Artemis already leaping from tree to tree back toward the settlement like some furry, canine Tarzan and Horus keeping pace lazily overhead.
I send them a feeling of success through our bond before following quickly behind, a now headless snake and a widespread outcry of panic left behind in my wake.
After getting enough distance from the enemy group, we head back to ground level and jog the last half mile or so to the settlement, the waiting force all lined up and ready.
Without stopping, startling a fair few members of the shield wall, we leap over their heads, and the second rank of spear and pike-men behind, to land with bent knees right near the command area, where Grover and several other villagers stand.
Grover, eyes alight with fresh hope at the sight of me, asks, “Were you able to get at least one of the advance teams taken care of?”
Bemused at his apparent lack of recent information, I correct his misconception, “We managed to do more than that…both advance Parties have been eliminated. Also, we had time to stop and give our regards to the main force as well.” I mention with a knowing smile.
“Really?! That’s great, we really do have a shot! Belina did say to have faith in you—wait, what do you mean you gave them your regards??” he says excitedly before catching on to my wording.
“Well, what appeared to be the Clan head seemed to be having too easy a time…so we excised him. Should disrupt their army a good deal. That was our intent, anyway.” I explain with a wolfish gleam in my eye.
“How?? He had to be surrounded by guards and the rest of their force!” Grover exclaims in near disbelief.
“They really should have kept a better eye on the trees…” I state cryptically, before continuing, “My companions were able to distract the majority of the force and that, paired with the element of surprise, enabled us to take him down and flee before we could be overwhelmed.”
“Somehow, I don’t think that is all there was to it…but, really, from the bottom of my heart not just as the ‘Mayor’ around here, but as someone who has loved ones inside this village: Thank you so very much, truly.” Grover says earnestly, a soft smile of gratitude gracing his lips.
“Don’t mention it.” I reply simply, before turning at the sound of marching boots, shouts and the rattle of metal bumping against metal.
They have arrived….