Before the silvery sunlight peeps over the horizon, No. 13 is already awake. Being a super soldier means a quicker recovery so both No. 13 and Julia requires less sleep than the people around them. The two super soldiers sparred with one another along with some of the other guards that awoke early themselves. The giant silvery moon with all the stars provided enough light to train by. The night also provided a demanding challenge of awareness as the nearly invisible blades whip violently about. No. 13 has some knowledge on how to use a sword but his primary weapons were his own hands, guns, knife, and explosives. Since he can no longer rely on the industrial production for modern weapons, using these primitive weapons will have to suffice. Not that he is bad at it, most of his training with knives, staves, and the few fencing lessons transferred well.
He was a little shocked that the guards mostly only knew some rudimentary forms. Seeing how they fought last night, they don't really need to learn more advance forms he supposes. There were some guards that can come close to No. 13's skill level with a blade, and they seem to be the personal guards of the Andares family. He guessed that they were the ones that were suppose to kill any stragglers from the monster raid. The guards he trained against would do poorly on their own and they could only function as a unit. Julia also had some troubles. She has trained with knives before, but a sword is different enough that she sometimes miscalculated. She would come in close when she should use the full extent of her blade and sometimes she should use a two hand grip but fails to do so. He disarmed her often enough but she always remained calm and asked to go again.
Chase joined them a bit later. After trying different weapons, they found out that the spear and shield suited him best. Since neither knew how to use a shield and spear, the guards trained him personally. At first, Chase was a mess, the guards kept knocking the spear from his hands or even use their shield to throw him off-balance. After an hour, he was able to hold onto it so there were some huge improvement. At the end, he had to learn how to reposition his body and change his footwork to help compensate for the weight and the long reach of the spear. No. 13 believes it would be several years before he could match the top guards so No. 13 will have to be patient with the young man. Seeing huge improvements is easy early on and it becomes a struggle later to see even a minute amount of proficiency. Chase may be adequate in a couple of years, but No. 13 wants him to be an expert. As bad as he started with the spear and shield, he was worse with the sword.
When the practice was done the trio bathed in the cold river and only rinse themselves quickly before leaving. Servant girls brought them new sets of clothes to wear and took the dirty ones away to clean. Meanwhile, other servants had awoken during their training and started the morning's meal. The trio, unable to speak their language besides some greetings, food, water, and where to take a shit, they had nothing else to do with these people.
"Rachel, honey, time to wake up." Julia gently speaks into Rachel's ear.
Blearily, Rachel looks around and asks. "Is the food ready yet?"
The three others glance at one another, before julia speaks again. "That is why we are here. Out of us three, you know more of their language so we figured you should be the one to ask."
"I'm so hungry." Chase says while rubbing his stomach. "Rachel, my favorite cousin, only you can fix my stomach."
Rachel snorts. "Fuck off."
Chase then turns to No. 13. "My cousin is not a morning person as you can see. She is as sweet as a kitten when awake, but a lion in the morning."
"I see." That was only No. 13's response. He is not amuse and he lacks a lot of social knowledge on how to respond in this situation.
"Okay, okay, I am getting up." Rachel says.
"As soon as we are done eating, we will get your friends. You should probably ask Augusto if we can bring some food and water along with us. Your friends will probably appreciate it." Julia says.
No. 13 quirks an eyebrow. "Are you both going?"
Julia shrugs. "Wouldn't it be safer if we all went?"
"probably, still I think I would prefer for you to stay here and gather more information. Give me your observations no matter how mundane the details."
Chase salutes. "Yes sir!"
No. 13 ignores the young man, It seems when the situation is not dire, his personality changes into this unbearable one. If No. 13 had things his way, he would put the young man under danger all the time so he wouldn't be so annoying. Somehow, he feels like he is going to regret hiring this one.
Rachel had gotten up and left. The three of them sat around just observing the entire camp on top of the carriage. For one that lost a lot of people yesterday, the busy camp doesn't feel so desolate. The people are still busy, scurrying about and performing their jobs. The guards are still around the perimeter, appearing neutral like their own were not dead. For the three, it seems so different from the culture they have came from that it is a bit of a shock.
Julia was the first to spot an irregularity. "Say Devin, the guards lost about a third of their number last night right?"
"Well, I am pretty sure at least 20 died outright and the rest were injured to varying degrees. Why?" He ansers.
I just did a quick head count because I was bored, but there are more than 120 still around."
"Really?" No. 13 responds. He then does his own count and she is right. He looks at every guard carefully while he scans them up and down. A few were pale, some even seems sickly. The weird part is some still have holes and blood stains on their armor and they were the pale looking ones. "Do you think these people have some sort of rapid healing? Because I am fairly sure, some of these people should be down for days if not weeks."
Julia taps her finger on her chin and thinks a bit before replying. "I think so. Although, I don't know the method of their abnormal regeneration. I don't think they are like us."
"Maybe aliens has done something to change them. I mean , you two are a perfect example of the freaky shit science can do. Fuck, after hearing about you ssuper soldiers, I am fucking jealous."
"Maybe." Julia replies, ignoring his complaints. She then continues on. "I don't think it is the case though. Lets look for another explanation before we credit things to aliens."
"Hey, Rachel is coming back." Chase says.
The three drop from the carriage and then they walk over to meet Rachel. Before anyone can get a word in, an excited Rachel speaks first. "Guys! Guys! You will never guess what I saw!"
"If we can't, then tell us already." Chase replies with a playful mocking tone.
"Shut up. Anyways, I saw Augusto's wife performing magic!" Rachel says excitedly.
"Yeah, and I am Santa Claus and I only eat fudge but I am not the one full of shit." Chase replies.
Julia slaps him upside his head and he shuts up. Julia calmly ask her. "What makes you think it is magic?"
After giving Chase a glare, her eyes shifts to Julia. "I saw her hand glowing silver and after a moment, a guard that was hurt was healed! I am not lying, I really saw it!"
Julia's, chase's, and his own eyebrows must have raised up at that moment. Julia looks at No. 13 and asks. "Do you think it is possible? I mean, magic. I hate to say it, but it explains why some of these guards are not dead."
No. 13 doesn't know how to reply and takes a minute to think before saying. "Could be. I find it hard to believe unless I can see it for myself. But, if it is the case, then the guards are not fully healed just yet. Perhaps magic can close the wounds but judging from their pale faces, I think it cannot produce blood. It will still take a while before these people are up and ready to fight."
"Wait, why aren't you two more excited?" Rachel asks.
Julia smiles. "We are, we just cannot express excitement like you can."
Rachel sighs. "Somehow, I believe those words. You two seem to suck the fun out of it all."
No. 13 looks at Julia. "Was there suppose to be fun in that? I thought we're suppose to be excited?"
Julia smirks, unable to hold back a smile before one lit up her face. "She is just a bit depress that we are not hopping around like a hyper active kid."
"Oh. I guess I don't do fun and exciting then. She did manage to cause my heartrate to spike if it is any consolation."
"Okay, I get it, you two are robots, especially you Devin." Rachel complains. "I was so happy too and you both kind of ruined that."
Chase jumps in and then asks Rachel. "Is she still performing it when you left? I want to see it."
"Yes, but I don't think she can do it continually. She looked exhausted when I left."
"Oh." Chase says disappointedly.
"Well, lets talk about food. Where do we get it at?" No. 13 asks Rachel.
Rachel says. "Before we head out, the Anderes wants to eat and have a talk with us. I think he is interested in our services. From what I can figure out, they are a caravan and they are in a very dangerous path. The payout is huge but so are the risks involved."
"You hear that boss, our first job." Chase says happily.
No. 13 says. "Perhaps, but I want to know the details before we sign on. Well, I am not quite sure if we really have a choice in the matter. We are lost and on top of that, we have no supplies. Our situation is bad. Don't forget, we cannot speak, read, and write this language well besides maybe Rachel presently. There are probably more languages out there to learn and well, you get the picture."
"Do you think we can find a way home? I mean, magic exists here. There must be something we can do right?" Rachel asks.
"Not sure. I have never heard about anyone from this world coming to Earth but maybe, it has happened before and noone reported it or took the report seriously. I know I wouldn't." No. 13 says, hoping he can give hope to her, even if the odds are so minuscule. Sometimes, people need hope to rely on, at least it was in some stories he has read. He was suppose to be slowly introduced to the outside world and knows little of human behavior. He needs to make a note of finding a people's person, someone that his group can pay to interact for them. Currently, there is Julia and Chase. The latter makes him a bit depressed. Julia is his best shot but she can be overly aggressive. And himself, he actually might be the worse of the group.
"Devin, it makes you question why they didn't use magic last night, doesn't it? If magic is powerful enough to mend flesh, then the chances are, it could harm it. I know we know jack shit about this stuff but it just makes you wonder." Chase says seriously. It seems, he could be serious again when the subject is a serious one.
No. 13 shrugs. "Not a clue. I think we will find out eventually. Magic seems to be a normal phenomena in this world. It makes you question if we are in the same universe as Earth, does it not?"
Julia frowns. "Now that you mention it, I really don't know. It is definitely something to think about, manipulating energy through one's mind or will, how does that even work? Rachel, did you hear any incantations or see any odd hand gestures?"
"Rachel responds. Well, her hand glowed and then she touched near the wound and it slowly mended. I was not close enough and she could of whispered some words."
"Lets get going. It is still dawn on this world and I want to leave before the sun fully rises. It feels like spring here so perhaps, it is around 0600 hours." No. 13 says. He looks at his communication band for a final time. He has kept track of the sun in conjunction with the time on his band. His band kept time like it would have on Earth and his best estimate gives this world an extra three hours in a day. As for days, weeks, and years, they hope the people will have an answer. Knowing humans, they seem to always try and document time. Several cultures on Earth tried like the Romans, Chinese, Mayans, and so on. Hopefully they will not be so different here.
Given the strong evidence of their Roman history, the odds seem pretty good.
No. 13 took the lead with Julia taking the rear. They made their way to the Andares Carriage and saw servants setting up the table. They had to combine two tables together and eight chairs were set. In the light of day, someone cleared the area of the silverish blue grass. He noticed it last night but seeing it with the rising sun, he can now tell it was hacked and done poorly. It must of been a scythe, something farmers use to cut down wheat.
Upon their arrival, No. 13 sees Augusto talking to a highly attractive woman in her mid-thirties. Dark Raven hair cascades down her back like an inky black waterfall and the silver sunlight gives her hair a glossy sheen. Even though dressed in a travel tunic and simple pants, it cannot hide the graceful figure underneath. Though not as curvy as Julia, her slender frame and long legs gives her a regal bearing, like that of a queen. However, the face appears to be a bit worn and Augusto has one arm around the woman's waist and another holding her right hand.
Behind them, there were two girls whose face and figure nearly matches that of the woman in Augusto's arms. There is some slight differences though. The youngest, he would guess to be of his own age, has some slight dimples and is slightly shorter. The other, is slightly taller than the woman with Augusto and she possesses a more athletic frame and her hair is cut short, down to her chin. The older gives him that tomboyish vide while the younger gives him the feeling of a sweet girl. All three women had blue eyes but the tallest female, had the iciest blue eyes of the group. Now looking at it, her eyes matches that of Augusto's while the youngest, whose eyes are a bit darker, matches that of the woman. It is not difficult to see that the woman is probably Augusto's wife and the two young females are their daughters. The older of the two seems to take after Augusto and the younger, their mother. As for the older sister, he would place her age several years above his own.
Seeing them, Augusto gestures for them to take a seat. Servants pulled the chairs out when the group reaches the table. Everyone took their seats and through Rachel, introductions were made. The woman next to Augusto is his wife Lucia. The oldest daughter is Named Luminea, and the youngest is named Lucretia. On initial impressions, Luminea takes after Augusto, seemingly a strong woman, someone No. 13 could imagine taking charge and working towards bettering herself and expecting those around her to do the same. Lucretia is not like any of her family members. The girl seems shy and the red blush really shows through her creamy alabaster skin.
Warm cider was poured into goblets, the sweet smell of apples and the spicy smell of cinnamon seems like afine way to start the day with the chilly breeze blowing against their skin. Everyone had thick woven cloaks wrapped around their bodies while they sat there. Next, the servants brought platters of seared root vegetables and some small game like the rabbit they saw while traveling. Biscuits and butter were also served with the morning meal and the smell was probably made better because No. 13 was hungry.
Everyone began to eat when the servents placed the food on top of their plates. While eating, noone talked, everyone seems preoccupied this morning and it would be better if the talks began after their meal. While he ate, No. 13 secretly kept observing everyone. He was trained to keep gathering information and to pay attention to people's gestures and body language. So far, everythhing seems fine. Once Lucia ate, No. 13 spots some color returning to her cheeks. If what Rachel says is to be believed, she is the one capable of using magic. He wants to see it for himself, to see if anyone is capable of using it and the mechanism behind it.
With the meals finished, Augusto and his family began talks with the Andares family. No. 13 only paid attention since he needed to learn the language. He cares little about Rachel's friends and only has some slight feelings towards Rachel, whom decided to stick with him. It oddly made him feel responsible for her safety. He doesn't know why but his emotions are fluctuating lately without the drugs the organization made him take. The drugs were meant to inhibit some of his emotional responses, making him a more efficient and stable killer.
After their meal and discussion, a small plan was formed for now. After retreiving her friends, Augusto wants to discuss hiring No. 13, Julia, and Chase. Rachel would temporarily be hired to be the medium in which the deal could be made. In truth, she is the only one capable of representing both sides and to come to an understanding. She even stated herself that she knows nothing of negotiations but neither did No. 13, Julia, and Chase. It would have to be a skill she simply will need to learn and it would be a way for her to support herself. She reluctantly accepted the job because Julia explained why she should take it.
A guide waited for the group at the perimeter of the camp. She was a woman dressed in brown leather with colors matching the forest on a vibrant spring day. Her green cloak, made of many patches of differing colors of green, hung down to the back of her knees. At her hip, twin short swords were hung on either side of her hips. No. 13 can also make out the hidden array of throwing knives strapped to her chest, thighs and even some hilts were poking from her leather boots. She appears to favor small blades and No. 13 was expecting her to carry a bow, like a ranger he has read in so many books. But, he wonders if they come across any monsters, would she be of use. After seeing how little those heavy shaft of arrows had against those monsters last night, he has serious doubts about this woman's ability to sink a knife into the monster's flesh.
No. 13 was not the only one that was doing the observing. The female, whose age he would place around her early to mid-twenties, bore a scar from the right cheek down to the middle of her jaw. Instead of taking away some of her beauty, it gives her some sense of character. Hazel eyes of green and brown stare into his own and he has a feeling that though she is calm like a serene forest, she can unleash a storm that would uproot the trees and throw everything into chaos. Her wheat-colored hair was tied and bound into a thick braid that fell down to the middle of her back. Strands of hair fell free and framed her face, giving it a bit more of a youthful look. If she smiled, she would definitely have a generous one that would match well with her thin face. Overall, she looks like a runner from her lean athletic figure. Only a single word came from her mouth. "Avidia."
No. 13 nods his head and acknowledges her name. For himself, he really should come up with his own name soon. He cares little for Devin, a name someone else gave him and it reminds him too much of his servitude to those monsters. Everytime he hears that name, it makes him feel uneasy. Until he can come up with one, he has to stick with it for now. The others don't like calling him No. 13, saying it is impersonal, as if he were a toy instead of a person.
No. 13 tried to convince Julia and Chase to stay behind and wait, besides Rachel, whom would prove useful in collecting her friends and a way for him to communicate with their guide, but he failed in the end. As much as he is the boss, these two have a strong independent side. He knows he will need those with that personality trait to clash with him from time-to-time, but the reason why they are going is due to not wanting to be bored. It kind of irks him but he remains quiet. Nothing could be done now since they are on a deadline and they need to hurry up.
Before they left, Agusto gave them some weapons to use, calling them some gifts for making friends. No. 13 recieved a sword, longer than the one he used last night and is about a meter long. He strapped that to his left hip and he replaced his combat knife with two daggers sheathed at his boots. He gave his combat knife to Julia, whom seems to prefer the blade. As for Julia, she was given a finely craffted bow and a quiver of arrows. Chase was given a spear, a short sword, and some hardened leather armor that Augusto had a spare of. Rachel, she was the only one given nothing because she cannot fight. Chase gave her his pistol and she strapped that and the extra magazine into a pouch around her waist. At least she has shot a gun before, but that was on a practice range, when she was 13. It took a few minutes for Chase to instruct her on a refresher course so she doesn't accidentally shoot the people around her.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Too bad Augusto didn't have more armor around." Chase laments.
"If he did, he would of gave itt to his servants so they can do a better job of protecting his family." Julia returns. Then she adds on. "If you inspect your gear, you will notice that it was used before. Don't get me wrong, it is in good condition but I bet yesterday was not the first casulty they suffered. Going by the fact that this is a vast grassland, I bet most of the wagons carries food and water. I am sure what they are carrying is valuable, but I don't believe it is a cache of weapons."
"Fair point." Chase mutters.
"okay, lets get going before we annoy the guide and she sees us as amateurs." No. 13 sighs.
Avidia says nothing about that whole sequence. Unlike the others, she can keep a modicum of composure. He thought Julia would be better trained than this and wonder how her own organization operates because it needs a lot of work. From the little she mentioned, they were suppose to be well entrenched in their roles. Does that mean she never had behavioral modification treatments? Was she also given emotional suppressants like he was given? These questions would not probably ever be answered. He wonders if he can seem more carefree like the others one day.
During their travels, they finally found out why those trees are red and looks like they have blood coarsing through them. Avidia not only guided them but she taught them along the way. She caught a rabbit and threw it at the tree. Blood-like thick vines ripped from the ground and wrapped themselves around the body of the small animal. With rows of jagged teeth at the end of the vines, it ate away at the rabbit and then pulled the rest of the carcass under and into the dirt where everyone guesses it uses it as nutrients. It makes them glad they were not curious enough to try and figure that out yesterday.
With Chase and Rachel now having pale faces, the group continues on where Avidia showed them how to select safe berries, which herbs can be used as an anticeptic and as a hemostatic drug. Most of it left them, there was simply too much information, but if they retain some of it, their chances of survival will increase.
It took them two hours before they saw the shadows of humans in the distance. There were signs of beast and creatures they had to avoid and it took them longer than they anticipated to even reach 10 kilometers. No. 13 now beleives it was dumb luck that they did not run into any creatures yesterday. He is sure they can handle it well enough, but a casulty still could have occurred if a beast attacked Rachel and Chase, whose reflexes are still within normal human parameters. With their heighten senses, Julia and No. 13 would have a much better chance of spotting things and avoiding danger. Being trained as well as they are does not mean they will not fall prey to mental mistakes. Keeping focus is a demanding job, even for himself, whose brain was altered and made more efficient. All it takes is a lapse in judgement, a bit of exhaustion, and things would be over for him.
Rachel wanted to run to them but Avidia stopped her. She reminded the rash girl of potential dangers lurking everywhere and just because her friends are sitting about and waiting for rescue, it doesn't mean something will not happen. That was the impression No. 13 had gotten after a chagrin Rachel relayed her message. Chase scolded her a bit, worried evident in his tone as he did so. To break the awkwardness, Julia asked Rachel how her feet were doing after she had gotten proper footwear. A few blisters remains but she at least feels some comfort.
"Crap, we should of thought about bringing them some clothes, at least something for Carole. Her feet would kill her on the way back." Rachel says.
"Can't be helped now. We can't always think of everything." Julia responds. "Well, if they are grateful people, they would appreciate us bringing them food to eat while we head back."
No. 13 doesn't say this, but, traumatic events has a major way of altering someone's personality. He doubts the others are probably mentally sound now. After being dragged into an alien world and relying on hope to survive and a miracle to carry them home, he is not sure how much of a blow that would be to their mental health. Instead of making No. 13 compassionate towards their plight, it makes him wary of them. Besides eachother, Darrell, Owen, Carole, and Brittany are unlikely to be stable at the moment. He is sure it has not gotten that far yet but he beleives there are probably cracks forming already. They need a stabilizing force, something to ground them. Because he is not sure of what could provide them that, he will keep his eye out on them and eliminate them if necessary. He will not allow them to threaten him or the group. If it shatters the group, then fine, he can live with that outcome. At least, he would be fine and the others will be okay.
"Rachel!" Brittany shouts out and the voice sounds so loud in the serene silence. No. 13 felt a prick of fear and he searches, hiding his anxiety as he scans the area. He notices Avidia and Julia doing the same, each with a neutral look on their face. Once Julia is in the field or working on an important task, he can witness the training that was placed in her. Chase is that way to a certain extent and he remembers Chase saying that Julia's father is like a father to himself.
Avidia motions for the group to remain silent but it was too late. Deep within the trees, loud roars reverberate and a flock of birds empty themselves from the treetop and flee in a mad dash. Meanwhile, the shouting Brittany looks on in horror into the trees, trying to see if she can look pass the towering thick trunks, to see beyond into the mystery of what evil heeded her call.
Her friends backed up, looking like they are ready to run. Their tired visage now full of fear and energy. Unsure, No. 13 looks over to Avidia whom already has a knife in one hand, its blade surrounded with a silver glow. No. 13 eyes widens, his mind momentarily shocked. He knew that Rachel was probably not lying, that she really saw magic,
but seeing is believing, especially claims of that magnitude. His mind then goes back to last night, during the attack, and wonders where all the magic went and why wasn't it used. Shaking those thoughts, he pulls free his sword and gently pushes Rachel towards Chase and tells Julia to stay with them for now. He then steps besides Avidia whom only gives him a brief nod of her head and the two faces the trees. Whatever it may be, Avidia thinks they could handle it given her calm demeanor. As for himself, he is more curious about her glowing knife than he is about what is going to show up soon. Escape would of been probable if Rachel's friend were in better condition. Not having food for nearly an entire day, Carole's shitty moccasins that he made, and given the strength and speed from the creatures last night, it doesn't favor them well.
The thumping steps of something massive slightly shakes the ground. Low throated grunts and crackling branches was the first signal that something is near. Between the gaps of the trees, something large and green approaches. No. 13 cannot be too sure, but he thinks he saw amber colored eyes spying at them briefly. Soon enough, the picture became clearer as less and less obstruction blockss his view. It was definitely large alright and even No. 13 feels a bit of nervousness when seeing these creatures.
With every lumbering step, clawed foots the size of his arm would sink itself into the forest floor, leaving large imprints behind. The creature was covered in green sickly scales and possesses a large tapered head with rows of sharp razor teeth. A flickering tongue would swipe the air, covered in some vile thick goopy liquid. He estimates that each clawed hand could easily wrap itself around his head and tear it off. Each creature must be around 3.5 meters tall with a tail that is about 2 meters long. To. 13, they look like a mix between a human, snake, and worm and he feels an instinctual revulsion that tickles the most primitive side of his brain, telling him to flee.
The four lizrd men came quickly, their speed amazing for something that size. He is still glad that they are nowhere near as quick as himself but he wouldn't take these creatures lightly neither. In the background, he heard the others scrambling away and a yell from Rachel for him to be careful. Julia's arrow came flying in and striking the creature with great force but the sharpened tip barely buries itself into the creature's flesh. The hard scale and muscles probably too tough for her arrows to be effective.
Avidia threw a knife, the spinning glowing blade crashing into the creature with force and it exploded in a shower of silverish light, causing the leading creature to stumble a bit. No. 13's first thought is that the energy behind that knife is probably close enough to a grenade of the earlier models during the world wars. The affect on its target suffered some discoloring and broken scales and drips of blood oozing from small cuts that lacerated its body.
The creatures are now within 30 meters of the pair, their focus on what they perceive is the biggest threat to them. They are right of course and No. 13 does his mind trick to increase his mental processing speed and reflexes. While he trained himself to remain in this state for about 10 minutes, he knows he will need every advantage he can get. His gun will be his last resort but he wants to take these things down without relying on it.
To his side, Avidia takes out her short sword and surrounds that blade with the same silverish energy. He thinks he even sees a slight glow around her body but he pushes his own focus towards the incoming enemies. They are an imminent threat and he can always see magic at another time.
No. 13 rolls out of the way when the large lizard men tries to take him down with its massive size. He recovers quickly, only to avoid a swinging tail before he tries rushing in but another lizrd man swipes at him so he had to dodge the blow and misses out on an opportunity. More arrows came flying in, their goal is to help Avidia whose strength and speed is nowhere near No. 13's own but somehow that glow that surrounds her body makes her a couple of tiems faster than the normal human.
No. 13 moves quickly and feints a lunge and the creature bites, giving enough time for No. 13 to move again so the other lizard man would find it harder for the two to team up against him. With this new angle, he moves in once more, ducking a massive claw and then using the full extent of his leg muscles, springs himself forwards with sword in hand and swinging it with all of his might across the creature's chest. The blade manages to sink several centimeters in, the edge meeting thick strong bones that stopped its progress but not enough before No. 13 can feel the bones crack a bit before he had to back up and leap out of the way from the second creature that tried to smash him, but only manages to hit dirt.
With blood oozing from its wound, the one he injured lets out a loud shriek that even manages to hurt No. 13's ears. He had to ignore it and the slight headache that noise gave him because the other is nearly upon him. It tried to swipe at him and then it uses its tail to follow through with a devastating second attack that he leaps over after backing up enough for the claw to miss. On his way back down, he uses the force of his drop and his arms to swing the sword in both hands and delivers a vicious slash that manages to cause a gash several centimeters deep nearly down its entire back. Using the creature's distraction from the pain, he unleashes a flurry of cuts that leaves the creature bleeding all over its body. It tries backhanding him but his quick reaction and superhuman agility allows him to jump backwards to avoid it before it can land the strike.
He sees Avidia in the corner of his eyes stab a lizard man and quickly withdraw the blade. It managed to sink in and he thought he saw a small flash of lightning. It seems to have paralyzed the lizard man for a couple of seconds but it was enough time for her to escape from the first creature she injured with her makeshift grenade. He can then only surmise doing that trick requires a lot of energy, something she can only do for a limited amount of times.
Fuck, these creatures are tenacious. He used enough force earlier to even cut a super soldier nearly in half but this damn thing suffered only an injury. Granted it is a serious one, something that is likely to kill it if it can't find a way to heal itself. Its slows the creature enough to nearly take it out of the fight and he thinks he can now finish both of them off quickly since they are much slower than before.
Once again, he goes on the offensive and the lizard man with the slash down its back barely was able to swing its arm, its monstrous face in severe pain as it also must use its back to put enough power into trying to swat away No. 13. Easily dodging it and pushing the arm aside with his free hand, he manages to alter the swing so that the creature's arm would go high and he thrusts his sword into the softer flesh of the lizard man's armpit. The sword travels a good 5 or 6 centimeters before he withdraws the blade and kicks the tail before it can build up momentum to try and use it like a club. He uses that force to help him gain distance, pushing off the lizard man's body and making his way towards the one with its chest slashed deeply.
While the creature with its armpit pierced lies dying, No. 13 didn't have to worry about it and he needs to kill this one to help Avidia. She lacks his quickness though her skills are undeniable and perhaps better than his own. If they were gifted with the same physical traits, she would likely be better with the blade. She probably has more experience with bladed weapons as his own training was more diversified with guns, martial arts, wrestling, close-quarter combat, and a multitude of other skills. Training with a blade was never that high of a priority.
The creature looks at him, its drowsy eyes still holds enough recognition that its death has arrived. It weakly tries to swing but No. 13 avoids it easily and the lizard man falls flat on its face, its strength now completely depleted. Its last attempt at life was a tragic one and shows how the blood loss has weakened it severely. Without any pause, No. 13 uses his formidable strength and drives the tip of his blade into the creature's spine, killing it quickly and perhaps, a mercy so it can no longer feel any pain.
Turning his attention to the other two, Avidia is backing up, one of her swords is lodged into a lizard man's ribs and the other lizard man has about 10 arrows sticking from its body and just fell after the many trauma it could no longer neglect. Seeing Avidia tired and the flickering silverish light, No. 13 guesses she is near the end of her strenth. With quickness, he flies, his top speed like that of a hunting cat, and with a quick leap and the strength of his thrust, he sinks the sword into the creature's back and nearly pushing it out the other side.
They both fell to the ground but the lizard man is now out of strength itself. No. 13 twists the blade about, causing the creature to call out in pain but it soon succumbs to its injury and lies dead beneath its killer.
The only sound is the heavy breathing of Avidia while No. 13 is only slightly winded. The breeze blows, wrapping itself around No. 13 as he takes time to slow his beating heart. Without still saying a word, he cleans his sword on the grass and sheaths it. He will need to do a proper cleaning later. It took a while, but then he registers the silent people.
Looking around, No. 13 seees Julia still on guard, her pensive eyes scanning the field. Rachel and her friends have a shocked look with her friends showing a lot of fear towards him or the dead creatures perhaps. As for Rachel, there is a hint of fear in her eyes but also a little awe? Chase just looks amazed. No. 13 guesses since he accepts that Julia is probably a killer, he wouldn't view No. 13 too negatively.
Avidia, catching her breath, comes over and pats him on his shoulder, a brief smile touching her face. To his surprise, she moves over to the corpses and uses her knife to dig into their chest. Blood comes pouring out everywhere but she appears undisturbed by it. Her hand then roots around, grasps onto something and removes a bloody sphere before removing the same object from the other three. After cleaning it, she hands two over to No. 13 and gives Julia one and then keeps one to herself.
Looking around, the horror on Rachel's friends intensifies. No. 13 believes they will now have some trouble to try and convince them to come along. Honestly, he wants to leave them here but this one is Rachel's call. He needs her and he is willing to accomadate her to a certain extent. He already knows what she will do and he will keep his peace.
Without anything being said, Rachel shakes her head and he sees her walk over to her friends, a strained smile on her face as she hands them the food and water. Feeling their own hunger probably, they take the food and silently eat it, their expression not being much better prior to the food.
"Julia, how many arrows do you have left?" No. 13 asks her.
"15." Came the quick reply. He expected as much. As a trained combatant, she would keep track of her arrows. It is no different than someone counting their bullets as they fire off their gun. It is one of the earliest things taught to a soldier like themselves and to others that are into self-protection or firearms.
"Alright, I also assume you have been learning and I require your scouting skills to make sure the path ahead is safe. Keep ahead of us by a kilometer. If anything is suspicius, come back and don't take any chances on your own. We still know little about this world." No. 13 orders.
Julia nods and without saying a word, goes on the move. He knows her enhanced eyesight should be able to track them. He would of asked Rachel to send Avidia on this task but she is fairly worn out and she keeps shaking her head as if she is trying to gain focus. He probably knows why he did not see any magic last night, those that could use it were probably exhausted already. The fight only lasted about a minute and a half and the woman is already drained. He doubts many could use this energy as they would have made quick work of the monsters. Magic is something he will need to learn more about, just in case he fights against someone that possesses it.
"Chase, you, Rachel and her friends will take the middle. Rachel, ask Avidia to stay with you and to get your attention if she spots anything wrong. If it is urgent, call to me right away and if not raise both hands into the air to get my attention." No. 13 orders them. Somehow, the group does what he says but it doesn't make him happy. Most fear him and that fear will most likely end in a poor decision and a festering resentment. Even if he did save them, seeing their fear and distaste, they may think of him as a monster. Fine, if being a monster is what it takes to live, he has no problems with it. He is a pragmatist, peace simply doesn't exist in this world without the power to back it up. As corrupt as the US and many so-called democracies are, they bring some stability to the lives of their citizen even if they in from time-to-time start a war so they can gain access to another country's resources. Some of the things they enjoy, are from the blood of those that wanted freedom, a good life, and to be left alone too. Not all, but a majority of innocent people die far more than enemy soldiers.
The march back was quiet, everyone now on guard and wary. No. 13 enjoys the peace. He has been mentally exhausted and he doesn't know if the lack of those emotional suppressant drugs will affect his behavior in any way. 'Fuck,' he thought darkly, 'I hope I don't become emotionally unstable like those teenagers.'