Chapter 13

The Unexpected Ambush

Lupo and his wife reach the border of the forest and the northern crags, a valley at which both biomes converge. They hear a click, turning there heads to one of the trees standing on the branch, is Bjorn. He lands onto the cobbled moss below and the pair converge to meet with him. Bjorn explains the strange, and in his words, annoying, ordeal with speaking to Emilia. The green haired and busty woman in her human form is so relaxed in her everyday duties. He complains on why she is so strict but acts so laid back and motherly. Even noting that she had two large dragon eggs behind her as he was next in line to for the paperwork. She was more preoccupied with those than the citizens of Nocturnia. The only word he knew was those two eggs were the children of the Emperor himself... the Moonshine Dragon who protects our Moon and the Stars at night. They must be so important to this Emilia woman even if she is just an Aunt as Bjorn proclaims. He sighs but shows the papers for all 3 of them with their names glowing on the parchment.

As Lupo sighs from the long and drawn out tangent of his uncle his wife is fascinated by the story and giggles at the small ordeal Bjorn had to go through and comforts the old soul. She points at the third Walker that Lupo was leading and Bjorn saddles up giving Lupo a small look while just pointing at the satchel that he gave him. Lupo raises his arms and shoulders tilting his head at his wife to show this is her doing. Bjorn grins and slaps the reigns to lead the group up the valley to the mountains.

The northern crags isn't as treacherous as most would claim. Given if you had the supplies and the endurance any can pass through this vast valley of snowcapped peaks that rarely melt unless it's the hottest of days. The only thing you mostly worry about is your footing, most beast or fauna in the crags reside near the tops or in crevices high up where people wouldn't normally travel, Gryphons and Tigripines, A large broad feline that have rows of jagged and sharp bone along its back, rarely are seen unless provoked. Best that the Acherons know all to well. They are the usual of the problems that reside due to them wandering too far from their territory as of late. Which gets even more curious on the contract at hand.

If it is one of the fauna that strayed to far from its nest what is going on with their natural prey animals in the region? Bjorn did say that when inside the central hub of the Kingdom of Nocturnia many hunters and farmers are having issues with gathering meats for the upcoming winter. There were more people requesting the license to hunt outside the natural territory than ever before these past few years. It is very perplexing indeed. Nevertheless they can't be too focused on other people problems until they finish this contract.

Though he was against it they are making a lot of time with the idea of taking their Walkers out. The distance they have traveled would have taken many whole days or even a week but these four legged beast are getting through the mountains in half that time. As night approaches they make camp on a Ridgeline at this elevation the stars are vivid and condensed lighting up the night sky with colors of purple, white, pinks, and yellows. The milky sky is radiant and alive with no moon out tonight to drown it out. They eat some jerky as the fire cackles all there is silence before Lupo's wife speaks up to Bjorn. "Tell us that story again, the one with the the woman of dark and light" Bjorn adjust the fire with his sword as he clears his throat "Alright, This story is passed down from generations for even when me and your father was just young boys. Our parents told us this tale. Perhaps one day you too will tell your children of it too eventually" lupo choked on his Jerky from the comment as his wife laughed and patted his back to help. Bjorn uses his fingers to count. "My word perfect timing as well, nearly an Ion ago when records started. A figure of divinity was here before even that. It is prayed that this God split into pieces and created our world as we know today-" He looks up "-and shines our nights with their speckles of essence and divinity to watch over us mortals. It Gives us warmth from the sun, and showers us the waters of life. Every century we celebrate their gifts and generosity and as of now just so we have it in the next coming months we shall celebrate for the tenth time." He picks at the fire again "Some say it bears the figure of a woman and as to why we say Goddess in vain. Out of respect for our creator as everything is in the image of them." He then chortles "But that's only a mere tale we tell our children! So they may be blessed and appreciate nature some say!" He laughs some more. "For all I know my creator is your grand father and mother. For you, my brother and your mother." He hits his chest with a closed fist "May she rest in peace."

Lupo nods as he finishes his jerky. Bjorn finishes the campfire story and they return to their tents. Lupo sits in front of the tent to keep watch. after a few hours his wife open one side of the entrance, He uncrossed his arms as he starts to enter the tent but is stopped by her. "Do you have any idea what we are searching for yet?" Lupo shakes his head and speaks quietly "All my senses point to a wild pack of fauna going to far out of their territory.. but it just doesn't make sense at all." He sighs and gives her a kiss "Once the sun breaks through the horizon we'll keep looking" She nods and continues to start her watch as Lupo lays onto the camping furs. Slowly drifting to sleep.

The dim light of the sun enters the horizon of this day the mountain birds and bugs chirp to wake the trio up to start the search again. Bjorn places dirt over the now charcoal pit as Lupo's wife tends to the Walkers. Lupo exits out the tent and stretches checking his belongings and feeling his beard. He waves to Bjorn as he nods back and he looks to his wife. She turns her head and smiles. Lupo begins to walk towards the bags of rations to get something small for breakfast and a swig of water. The animals go silent. The bugs that were chirping cease. The walkers heads stand straight up their eyes widen as they sense something and Lupo freezes. His wife looks to the walkers puzzled as she places a hand on one of their necks to see what's wrong. Bjorn looks to Lupo and squints, he watches Lupo's eyes and then looks out to the blinding sun and grunts slightly as time seems to slow down. Three figures covered in blinding white light masked by the sun dive into the breaking sunlight and creating a dark shadow above the trio as all three beings hit the middle of the camp grounds picking up a bunch of dust and debris as they seem to crash land. This pushes Lupo back into his tent breaking it. Bjorn gets into a stance and crossing his arms to shield the dust, wind, and rocks that pelt his body and Lupo's wife leans against a walkers side who are now startled and bucking.

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The dust starting to clear and settle, Lupo blinks using his arm to shield his eyes from the bright light that seems to be emanating from these beings as it starts to dim. A look of shock befalls the trio as the three beings in the middle of their camp grounds bare large white wings on their backs and there feet that are barely touching the ground below them is a large crater searing and cackling from their landing as their wings flap. Each facing one of the three hunters.

One of the winged men speaks to the other two his voice is heavy and accented, a language unknown, "Cel so walkers, sen pe seeth so soo sock." They move in unison hovering towards the walkers as Lupo's wife draws a dagger from her hip and goes into a stance. Bjorn shakes his head and wipes his face from the dust as he draws his sword from his side. "The hell?!" One of the winged men looks to the woman next to the walkers seemingly ignoring her and goes to scoop one of the walkers "Stop! What are you doing?!" She yells and points the dagger at the being. It's scoffs and with great speed slaps her wrist causing her to drop the dagger as it slides along the rocky surface. The she turns to the man who is floating right in her face looking down at her it speaks with disgust "Ptean hwou sclockan..." and without warning round house kicks her In the side sending her flying to the opposite end of the camp site crashing into the bags and small boxes.

Bjorn eyes widen as they glow bright blue. He grits his teeth as he open his free hand as it builds up a cluster of ice "You bastards!" Shards of ice expel out of his hand towards the one that is directly in front of him. With quick reflexes, the being braces, throwing his arm in front of him a flash of light emanating from his forearm and a white and blue shield seemingly appears out of thin air just in time to clash with the beam of ice. The one that knocked the the sorceress to the ground ignores the fight and grabs Bjorn's walker flexing his wings upwards and with a jolt launches himself into the air while holding the four legged beast with ease. The one that watches Lupo hmphs and starts to glide towards Lupos walker as he tries too get his bearings still from their landing and yells out too his wife. She lays in the rubble seeming to be unconscious from the blow and he tsk. He winces and stands, as he does this, the being stops and notices Lupo stand and turns to speak to Lupo with a shout, "Mundah! Sen pe flicksin oo el un thack so" Lupo has no idea what he is saying and tries rushing towards the being trying to tackle him. The man only turn to the side and dodges the tackle waving his hand with swipe in frustration saying a one word phrase in its strange language "Flialpel!" He swoops towards the back of Lupo forming his hand in a chopping motion and hits Lupo's neck. Lupo gasps and then let's out a bit of air as his vision goes dark and blurry and falls to the floor. Bjorn, still shooting his ice beam looks to Lupo in shock "Lupo!" At that moment the being he is shooting at gets the opportunity to deflect and fly sideways and at break neck speeds lunges at Bjorn summoning a blue and white spear and thrusts it at Bjorn's face.

Bjorn grits his teeth his eyes dilate and moves his head as quick as he could. The tip of the spear scrapes the bridge of his nose drawing blood as he barely was able to dodge that attack. These things are fast. Bjorn side steps to gather his footing. With the sword facing the spear, he strikes it on the broad end to flick it up. And with his free hand he lurches forward and punches the winged man in the stomach pushing him back. Bjorn at this point is slightly panting but his adrenaline in flowing.

These things, or people, are heavily trained. They go for weak points to end the fight quickly... he darts his eyes to Lupo then to his wife, damn, they are both out of the fight but they aren't dead. These have to be the ones that took the walkers from before. Dammit to all, were they watching us this entire time... to hell with it. I'm not letting them take another one. Bjorn takes a deep breathe and exhales relaxing his shoulders. The one who is fighting him stands ready but does not attack. The one that knocked out Lupo hovers in the air his wings flapping staring at Bjorn and the other winged man. Bjorn notices this. He thinks to himself, Good, Lupo's distraction stopped him from pursuing another Walker if i can do the same with this one maybe one of them will come too.

His eyes begin to glow as the air around him starts to crystallize and swirl around him. Ice begins to form on both his hands and up his arms and shoulders he drops to a low stance as he seems to be charging an attack. The one in the air suddenly yells at the one below him. "Ee im sle eth ut sa! Ee flan cin ee the ut. Ceefloup..." He lifts his wings upwards then thrust them to down as he takes off into high in the sky like a blur. Bjorn blinks and looks at the one in front of him. The man makes his weapons disappear and he does the same acrobatic technique and with a boom of the air flies off at blazing speeds after the other one. Bjorn stops charging his attack with a exertion of air as he stands straight up staring at the two dots slowly getting smaller heading towards the clouds to the highest peaks of the mountains north. The same location that the one that took Bjorn's walker went.

He falls to one knee and places a hand on his nose feeling the blood ooze out and feeling a bit of a burn from that spear. Wondering what would have happened if it hit its mark... he stands up again and runs over to where Lupo's wife resided and checks on her first. Knowing all to well that Lupo would scold him for not doing so first. She a bit scratched up and her gear slightly tattered but she seems fine outwardly he checks the spot where she was kicked. The section between her ribs and stomach was tender and bruised pretty good, no doubt she fractured a rib or worse broken a few of them from that impact he fumbles through his satchel and pulls out a red phial. He uncapped the too and opens her mouth lift her head gently and pours the liquid into her mouth. After a few seconds she starts coughing then groaning. Straining her eyes she opens them as Bjorn sighs in relief. He slowly helps her sit up as he give her a smaller red vial and tell her to drink it when she is ready. He then heads over to Lupo.

Checking his neck there doesn't seem to be anything broken. That man hit him directly on a pressure point knocking him out. He lifts his nephew head up slapping his face a bit. "Lupo can you hear me?" After a few moments Lupo groans slightly brushes Bjorn to the side and sits up on his own rubbing his neck in the process. "What in Goddess name were those things" He opens his eyes wide and jolts up in the direction of where his wife was but relaxes as he see her sitting up drinking the smaller vial. Bjorn speaks up "Those things, seem to be are targets, and I have no idea what or who they are... they are humanoid and they spoke. They seemed military... Scouts probably. They had to have been watching us for some time." Lupo grabs a red vial and chugs it down and coughing right after. "Whatever those things are they know that we are here now. We have to figure out where they went..." Bjorn points to the largest mountain in the crags that goes up high past the clouds. "They flew that way but that is too high for us to breathe but we know where they might be coming from. We have to report this to your father. Most importantly those Moonshines." Lupo sighs knowing he isn't going to hear the end of it to his father. Knowing now that this is only the beginning of a bigger ordeal and he might have got himself into something way above his paygrade.