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JULES
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Jules squatted down and motioned for Cyrus to do the same. “Soldiers up ahead, where we normally enter,” Jules whispered. “Come on, let’s find this Shrine before they do.” He directed them around the side of a hill to climb a much steeper slope, out of sight of the Search Party. Once on top, Jules took advantage of the high ground to survey the group.
> [Pang! Stealth increased to level 9.]
Jules silenced his System notifications again, and motioned for Cyrus to do the same.
“One step ahead of you. Again,” Cyrus replied. “I swear, you’ll never learn.”
“Looks like they’re still wandering aimlessly, though in the right general direction. Let’s book it to the ravine and rest there.”
“Roger, Cap’n.”
The two crouched down and moved as quickly and silently as their Stealth Skills would allow them. Trees became denser as they progressed through the lush forest, a mix of evergreens and palm trees. Jules made little sound as he jumped and swept over rock formations and logs overgrown with mushrooms that laid in his way, but he tended to trip and stumble through the underbrush between patches of wildflowers and clover. Cyrus, on the other hand, moved with poise and balance, though he made much more sound. Even when relying on his Skills, he moves with purpose and precision. Should take note of that.
Eventually, they made it to where Jules had spotted the Warg. Blood still stained the ground where Jules had sliced the 2nd Rank wolf’s neck wide open. Cyrus’ earth spikes lingered from the dirt as well. They raced up the ravine. Jules got there first, as always, and then he focused on his Tracking Skill to find a hint of the Warg. Cyrus followed suit.
“Why bother?” Jules teased. “My Level is way higher than yours.”
“Figure I can use the practice. Plus, you may have the higher Skill, but I’m more observant. You rely too much on the System sometimes.”
“Funny, I was just thinking that back there, after almost tripping the fourth time.”
“You should’ve thought about it after the first time.”
Jules crouched down to inspect the ground. No footprint, no scent, no nothing. Had to have left something behind.
“Sure you don’t know any Tracking Runes you’ve been holding out on me?” Cyrus asked. Where’re these questions coming from?
“No,” Jules said. “Can’t get any to stick.” Technically the truth.
“Interesting choice of words, stick…”
“What do you mean?” And why am I sweating?
“Oh, nothing,” Cyrus said. He walked over to a tree to inspect it, but Jules suspected he faked it. “Just lots of sticks out on the ground tonight. So, where do you want to end up with the Scholars?”
Something rustled in the bushes, and both boys crouched down and waited for it to move again. Jules wiped the sweat off his brow. He was burning up. Emblem on my chest is going mad tonight. A small white blur zipped across a small clearing up ahead. They both laughed at themselves for being frightened by something so small.
“Still,” Jules said, “could be a wolf cub, which would mean more nearby.” No sooner than taking two steps, they heard a deep howl. From the opposite direction? Faster than he’d ever done before, Jules squatted down, drew his bow, and knocked an arrow. Cyrus swept around a tree for cover and invoked his Runes to make another crude ice spear. His tattoos glowed a faint blue. More rustling ahead.
A few feet from Jules, four wolves rushed by them, headed in the same direction as the white blur, as if in pursuit. “Holy shit,” Jules said. He panted. Didn’t realize I was holding my breath so long. “Four of them just rushed by me. They saw me, I could see it in their eyes, but they kept running.” Jules caught his breath.
“They’re following that trail ahead, but we should wait a bit longer,” Cyrus said.
“We need to follow them while we can still hear them.” Jules left the cover of the trees and walked a few paces.
“GRRRR…”
A lone wolf stalked toward Jules from the side. Drool dripped down from its bared fangs. The sounds of the other wolves grew farther off into the distance. “Jules.”
“I see him.”
Jules slowly raised his bow and kept his body perpendicular to the wolf’s approach. Feign ignorance. “Give him the ‘ole 1-2 combo, in 3…2…”
Jules swung to face the wolf and loosed an arrow into its side. Cyrus hurled his spear at the stunned wolf’s heart, which killed it instantly. First sign of trouble. Let’s see how long Cyrus lasts. I just need to find the Shrine, then he can go home.
“Come on.” Jules slung his bow and his neck and crept forward through to the clearing. He tracked the wolves’ paw prints to a babbling brook just up ahead and didn't look back to see if Cyrus still followed. Excellent, a change in geography.
“Never knew this was here,” Cyrus said behind Jules.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“That’s because it wasn’t.” Wait for it…
“Ahh—I see.” Cyrus clapped Jules on the back. "Congratulations, Jules. You did it."
“We did it. But you can head back if you want.”
“Hell no. Lead the way.”
They followed the ravine around a bend, where the stream depressed into the land so much that the two lost sight of what was around them, their heads just level with the ground above. Completely lost the wolves now, but that doesn’t matter. This water leads straight to the Shrine.
“...And then she stepped on the ball!” Out of sight, three men, Soldiers, cackled away in the night breeze. Jules and Cyrus clambered up the ravine in the opposite direction and took cover in the underbrush.
“The Level Ups tonight will be insane,” Jules whispered. Cyrus elbowed him in the ribs.
The three men carried torches far on the other side of the ravine and continued to talk loudly. As if unafraid of what’s really out here. They’re close, but not going in our direction. Jules followed the water through the underbrush. Cyrus motioned for him to stop, but Jules forged on ahead.
“Fuckin’ hell, I hate night duty,” one man said.
“Are you kidding me?” another said. “Talkin' about a new Shrine—been ages since Coralith got a new one!”
“Damn Verdant Domain’s been hoggin’ ‘em all lately. Them and those blasted Obsidians,” the third soldier said.
“Just leave it to the Navy, I says. By morn, I’ll be off duty and asleep.”
“Idiot,” the third said. “This is inland, it’s our problem. Call yourself a Hydromage…”
“Watch it. Been fighting Drowners since before you soiled your breeches.”
“Aye, and Kraken too, I reckon.”
Jules advanced slowly, but more quickly than the trio of Soldiers. He’d stopped paying attention to Cyrus a while ago, but trusted he’d stay close by.
“Heard the Navigators were en route. Wanted to hole up in Coralhaven for a bit, I bet.”
Why would the Navs be coming in? Jules turned to find Cyrus, who wasn’t too far behind, and made some hand gestures. Send that way. Cyrus flipped off Jules. Then he faked a gasp and covered his mouth with the other hand. Slowly, and with a feigned struggle, Cyrus grabbed his middle finger and pulled it down, then grabbed his thumb and pulled it out. Cheeky bastard. I must be burning through his patience.
Jules couldn’t hear the whispered invocation from this distance, but saw Cyrus’ hand tattoos and eyes glow. Loud rustling sounds erupted near the Hydromages, and the gust of wind travelled down a path away from the ravine. One of the Hydromages laughed at the others.
“Always jumpy, new blood. Come, let’s follow whatever beast that be.” The seasoned Soldier led his protesting crew off into the distance. Once they were far enough away, Cyrus caught up to Jules.
“Can’t believe the Navs are getting involved,” Jules said.
“Yeah, well, gotta play it safe. Never know how dangerous a Shrine will be.”
“Anyway, to answer your question back there, about the Scholars, I’m serious about the Arcanians and Shinsorai. So I guess in two years, I’ll head to the south of The Verdant Domain.”
“Hm. Shinsorai only take their own people." Cyrus stopped in his tracks. "But I’m sure they’ll make an exception for someone…like you.”
Jules turned to face his best friend with that familiar lump in his throat. His emblem burned. “What is that supposed to mean?” It was more of a statement than a question. Here we go. This conversation has been a long time coming.
“Jules,” Cy said. “Why are we really out here?”
Breathe. Calm down. “We're here so I can find a way to join the Scholars. You know that.” Leave it be, Cy.
“Why don’t you just learn a bloody Rune, then?” Cyrus demanded. Jules clenched his fists. Well, Cy, I’ve certainly fucking tried.
“Well, Cy,” Jules said. “I’ve certainly f—”
Jules cried out and fell to his knees. The emblem on his chest seared with pain. He clutched it, trying to ease himself. A dozen daggers pierced outward, trying to escape from within him. A twig or branch snapped behind them. Then another one, then a rustle. Jules saw the antlers first.
The Warg burst through some trees toward them, then slowed its charge. It eyed Jules curiously, cautiously. Both boys froze. The beast was powerful, dangerous, and beautiful all at once, with a towering body, like that of a wolf, and a stag’s rack of antlers. Its massive feet were a mixture of both paws and hooves. Before Jules could study it, before he could admire it further, it dashed off again down the bank.
Numb to the pain through adrenaline, Jules jumped to his feet and pursued it. Cyrus yelled after him. The distance between the three continued to grow, and Cyrus shouted louder still. Dammit, going to draw their attention—shut up, Cy! Jules slowed down as he approached a zig-zagging bend that was blocked by a different creature entirely. Even though it was in a playful bow and wagged its bushy tail, it growled at him. Jules’ emblem pulsed, without pain this time, and he felt a longing desire, like he'd discovered a missing piece of himself. Odd, usually my chest only causes me pain. This is more like…sorrow?
“I think I—I think I know you.” Jules kneeled and offered out a hand. “Come here, little one.” The beast softened its face a little. Is that fox…purring?
Cyrus rounded the corner fast and knocked both Jules and himself to the ground. The little white fox growled again and turned its back to them. It snapped at the air and backed up into them. Jules saw the Warg before he heard it; it rushed around the opposite bend and charged straight into Jules, antlers down. Jules hit the ground, dazed. His diaphragm heaved, desperate to get air back in his system. On my back? Broken rib. He gasped and tried to get back up.
“Cy,” Jules wheezed.
Cyrus was glowing—actually, two Cyruses were glowing right now—and a dozen shards of ice floated above his head. Jules didn't hear him invoke the Scripts beyond the ringing in his ears. The fox continued to growl between Jules and their common enemy. Odd, kind of like I have that Tome that Hydromage got earlier today—No, focus Jules. It just feels threatened, too.
Two Cyruses merged back into one, and Jules’ vision returned. Jules focused his Regeneration on the rib. Cyrus had been busy dodging the Warg’s charges and launching his ice shards at it. Still laid out flat on the ground, Jules nocked an arrow and fired. For the third time today, he struck his target's side. The Warg thrashed its hind legs about, only further enraged. It lowered down its head and neck, dug its feet into the ground, and bared its fangs.
Cyrus launched three more shards at its neck, and Jules fired another arrow. He threw his bow aside, and then it rushed Jules again. It trampled over the little fox. Heavy paws crushed it into the ground, and it squealed and whimpered in the mud.
Jules got to his feet and dodged the charge just in time. He drew his father's short sword he'd borrowed for the night from its sheath. His chest was practically on fire. I don’t know why I’m so protective of that fox, but you're gonna regret that.
The Warg charged Cyrus again and knocked him aside. Jules was next. Both man and beast lunged toward each other. Jules grazed the side of its face with his blade but caught antlers to the chest again. It catapulted him through the air, and he landed next to Cyrus.
Jules' lungs collapsed, and the rib snapped a second time. He was afraid for Cyrus’ life, for the fox’s too. Steam rose off Jules' body. No other choice. Either way, he’s gonna see it.
Flames flickered around Jules' eyes, which now glowed crimson red. The Warg lunged at full speed, though it appeared in slow motion to Jules. He aimed both of his opened palms at the monster and shouted.
> « FIRE » [₹2,500 // ₹10,000]
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