"No!" Mika turns. "You're too young to fight. You haven't even activated your Semblance."
"I did," I replied. Mika was about to open her mouth. I hurriedly cut her off. "Then we won't fight and just set up some traps. You don't have to worry about the bandits noticing us. I can detect them and evade them before they can see us. I can't stand still here and do nothing. I'm also not asking permission. I'm just telling you what I will do."
"Yeah, like what Sora bro said!" Aiden added.
Mika stares at us, hesitated for a bit but nodded. "After setting the traps, go back here immediately, ok?" she seriously said.
Aiden and I nodded.
Mika then looks over to Emerald and Neo.
"Don't worry. We will stay at the plaza," Emerald said while shaking and holding back Neo and herself as well.
*Neo Complaining Noises*
"Neo, please stay at the plaza. I will feel relaxed if you do, ok?" I said gently.
Neo nodded, but she did not look at my eyes. I feel weird, but I tried to ignore it. I need to focus on the task.
"Aiden, Let's go." We run away before Mika can change her mind.
Woolshope has a grass field on the west to northwest, mountains on north to the northeast, a forest on the east to southeast, and a wide river on the south. Bandits are attacking the southeast.
"Are you sure i's good to place trap here?" He asked.
"I saw the map earlier. The warriors plan to defend the pinch we passed by. There are other posts to defend but their more narrow and further. The plan is to make trouble to the bandits and at least chip their Aura," I answered.
"The question what kind of traps should we use? We are short on time. You said you have something?" I asked Aiden.
"This, dad calls this firewire. It will heat instantly the moment it detects Aura. It can destroy Aura Shield in 3 seconds. It's expensive and for one-time use only. You could still use this as a normal wire if you let it cool down. Here that's only 50 meters long." Aiden gave it to me.
"Ok then, let's split up, just make sure to stay within 20 meters so that we could assist each other," I said, impressed.
I randomly run around trees, creating a tripwire, hoping that the bandit will trip on it, damaging or destroying their Aura shield.
Five minutes later, I could already hear and sense people fighting. Mika has already takedown more than 50 bandits. Aiden and I already finished setting traps, and we are heading back to the plaza now. Plenty has fallen from Aiden's traps. Only a few fell from mine.
"You're so good at setting traps I should have let you do it and scout around instead. I just wasted 50 meters of firewire," I said.
I'm not that good. My dad will scold me for sure if he sees that 5% of my traps are unused, and only 50% of my traps did their purpose. My dad's hobby was hunting for food. So he teaches me how to hunt in the wild. It's a bit hard to set up traps for humans because I'm more used to hunting animals." He said.
Argh. My heart hurts for some reason. My pride hurts definitely, but this feels different. I stopped for a moment then activate my Vision. I tried to widen my Vision by shaping it into an oblate spheroid than its regular sphere shape. I'm aware of Aiden's trying to talk to me, the bandits near us, the warriors giving their all to stall time, and the fallen bodies of both bandits and warriors. I'm also aware of Mika's beating bandits. It's usually what I want to observe so that I can grow stronger, but for now. I want to ignore it. I need to ignore it.
Sora concentrate! Is it the Grimm? No. The villagers? No. What is it? Am I just scared? Dad, what to do?
...
"Hey Sora, listen and always remember," dad said seriously and staring at me.
I nodded.
"If you're lost or don't know what to do. Remember, nothing is true." Dad stops talking for a few seconds. "If you are trapped or can't do anything. Remember, everything is permitted. I hope these words will guide you instead of ruin you."
I repeated what dad told me. Even if I don't understand everything now. I will remember.
"Go now, they are waiting for you. Be careful on your way home. Say sorry to your mom for you and me. Fare--" Dad cut his words, stood up, smiled, then turned around. "See you later, my son." He's gesturing me to go out.
...
I still don't understand what you mean, dad. I don't know which one I know is true, but I do know that deep within our hearts. Everything is connected. May my heart guide me on what I seek.
I notice a bright gold/yellow glow with my Vision. It's Neo! What is she doing in the woods? Luckily the bandits just went past her. Where's Emerald? She's running to the forest. Is she holding a glass? It's Neo's Semblance!
"Aiden, Neo in the forest. I'll go after her. Emerald just realizes that Neo's gone she's running here. You meet with her, tell her I'm with Neo, then go back to the plaza. Just run that way. Be careful there're few bandits nearby." I pointed out where he needs to go. I hurriedly run toward Neo. I noticed Aiden noded then run towards Emerald. Be careful, brother.
Whoosh~Rustle~
I climbed the tree so that the bandits may not see me. I make sure that I'm 5 meters away from them before I make a move.
*Hmmm!*
"Shhh, it's me, Neo," I whispered.
Neo stops struggling, so I remove my hand from her mouth. I looked at her, annoyed. She tried to express something to me.
"Let's talk later. Let's get out of here first," I said.
We can't leave by climbing trees, so we have to move on the ground. We have three options for escape. First, wait till they all went away, but this place seems to be their escape route. Sigh, how unlucky. Second, sneak out towards the village, there are nine bandits only, but one of them has a custom-made weapon. Third, sneak out of the 100 meters radius without going closer with the bandit with a custom weapon. It will take longer, and we have a higher chance of getting spotted but at least much safer. Unless all bandits, retreat then we'll be surrounded. With few munites until the gold warriors going back, if they are not in a too bad state, they may force the bandits to retreat. The second option is our best bet then.
"Neo, this time, please follow what I say," I whispered to her. She nodded back.
I whispered to her some sign language for this escape.
Neo raise her thumbs.
"Stay here," I ordered.
She raises her thumbs again.
I climbed the tree then guided Neo to sneak around through bushes.
The first three bandits are easy to evade, with two of them busy talking and only one patrolling. I ordered Neo to stay still wait until the guy went past her and moved a bit further. She hides in another bush without a problem.
Next, two bandits are patrolling and one on higher ground. I distracted the guy on higher ground by throwing some rocks in the bushes near him. He yelled to the other two that he might have heard something. With the three of them distracted, I ordered Neo to take the chance and move to the next bushes.
That works better than expected. In games, the guy on the higher ground should be the only one who would be distracted. Well, I'm not complaining.
Oh no! One of the bandits went closer to where Neo's hiding. The guy pee at the tree just beside the bushes. Where's Neo? I used my Heart Pulse. Neo used her Semblance to hide. Nice trick, I nearly forgot about it. That bastard tried to show his **** to Neo. Damn! Want me to cut that tiny worm into million pieces? I calmed myself down. Luckily Neo's so disgusted with the tree blocked the view. We waited for a few seconds then we have an opening to move on.
Just two more, then we're out. The guy with a custom weapon seems to be busy with his scroll. Nice, keep on doing that and just ignore us. I'm a bit intrigued by what that guy is doing. I can't see writings or images on the screen with my Vision, with something blocking my line of sight.
He suddenly looked in my direction. I quickly hide behind the tree.
My heartbeat raised, and I start panting.
I focused on hearing anything because I'm afraid that I might get caught if I peek. How did the bandit know? I got past him without a problem a while ago. Wait, he only notices me when I tried to look at him with my eyes. If I remember correctly, I'm busy going to Neo. Thus I only see him through my Vision. Ok, let's try activating my Vision. He went back on his scroll. Somehow he can only notice me spying on him when I looked at him with my eyes directly. Sora, don't stare at people your sneaking at, just use your handy Vision. Tiring? Yes, but safer.
Ok back to our objectives. There are no bushes nearby to hide. What to do?
Snap!!!
Neo accidentally stepped on a twig. The guy with a custom weapon looked at Neo. He ordered the other guy to check on what's happening.
"Nothing here, boss!" The bandit yelled.
Bang!
Glass Shattering.
I, already behind the tree, rush towards the nearby bandit.
Whoosh, I cut his throat.
Thud! the body fell.
Just like that, I killed someone.
Sora unknowingly controls the bandit's Aura and creates an opening on their Aura shield.
"Ohh, to think that the dog got killed by a rat, like you..." The bandit unsheaths his tonfa with a triple barrel revolver.
I walk around him, trying to distract him, while Neo walks around the other way so she can run away.
"Your hands are shaking. Are you trying to hide your fear? Or it's your first time killing somebody?" The guy grinned then licked the blade of his tonfa.
Calm down, Sora! His intent was way weaker than dad. So why are you scared? Is it because I know I will die if I lose? It doesn't matter, Sora! Just buy time for a bit. Wait until Neo's 30 meters away.
Ok, let's evaluate the situation first. The bandit is way stronger than me, or else he already called reinforcement, unless he's stupid. He may not be more skilled than me, but he's definitely more experienced than me. What are my advantages? First, this guy might not know the length of my tanto. If he did, I haven't used my second tanto. Second, He doesn't know my fighting style as well as me to his fighting style. Third, my back is already facing the town. If ever he attacks me, I could use that force to push me away from him.
Neo is about to run. Nice, but what took her too long.
Woosh, the bandit, instantly covered 5 meters between us.
Ting!
I blocked it with my tanto. The vibration went through my arms, numbing them for a bit.
He then attacks with a diagonal slash from below. Dug a bit of dirt with his other hand, then throws it to my face.
I closed my eyes and see with my Vision instead. He quickly followed by a C shape punch. I jumped back once and was about to do it again, but I stopped.
He continued with a jumping roundhouse slash. I decided to dodge by moving in. Which makes us switch places. One of his attacks grazed me, damaging my Aura shield a bit.
"You're too silent. Let's make you talk then." He said, pointing his left arm to a tree.
Bang!
A pink figure behind the tree appeared.
"NEO, RUN!" I rush towards the bandit, the bandit rush towards Neo.
I need to be faster. I put nearly all of my unused Aura to my legs.
Woosh!!!
We both rush towards Neo.
I caught up to him, but his blade is already heading to cut Neo's head off.
Slash
"NOOOOO!" I will kill him!
"Heh," the guy laugh.
Shatter!
I saw Neo shattered into glass pieces.
"Huh?" that was a surprise.
Slash! Blood splattered, but the cut is not deep. I only cut his left brow, which causes bleeding.
"How!?" The guy yelled angrily.
"Boss Rig! Dogg's dead!" one of the bandits running from afar yelled. I need to run before they arrive, or I'm dead.
"I know, STUPID! Go back to your post! I will deal with this rat!" The guy ordered.
I guess this guy's pride save me.
"That Semblance of yours is terrifying. I will kill you before you became a threat after I violate that little lass from before." The guy said.
Leaves rustle, a sudden pressure in the air makes it hard to move. Birds in the surrounding flew away.
Swish
Swoosh
Woosh
Rig caught the throwing knife but was in a poor position to attack. I used this opportunity to stab him in the face.
He blocked it with his free hand, willingly let his hand got stab.
I let go of the sheath and let its momentum keep it on the air blocking his sight. I went behind him, caught the tanto I throw beforehand, and deliver a killing blow.
"AAHHH!" Ric screamed.
Boom! He shot both his tonfa.
Ric snarl and cursed, "****! That almost got me!" Ric's left eye got cut.
Arg, my Aura shield broke. I dropped my tanto somewhere. What bad luck I have today. I still have my second tanto.
"**** it! Your dead!" He pounces at me. Way faster and wilder than before.
Ok, I only have one trick on my hand. Oh please, manga, don't lie to me.
I change my stance to perform a Battou-Jutsu.
When Ric enters my blade's reach, I quickly unsheathed my blade. I intentionally hold my tanto at the bottom of the handle to extend the reach of my blade. It makes my drawing a bit slower. Just as expected, I only lightly cut his neck.
He has an ugly wide grin on his face. Until...
Crack! I hit his neck with the sheath of my tanto.
Yeah! SouRyuSen boi! I knew reading manga is not a waste of time!
Fortunately for Sora, the bandit due to blind rage and his perception that his Aura shield is useless against Sora's Semblance. He did not activate his Aura shield. Instead, augment his speed and strength, allowing Sora to snap his neck.
Crack!
I did hit him, but it did not stop his momentum from hitting my chest.
Grass and leaves, rustling as I rolled downslope. My whole body, aching. I feel so dizzy, and I feel like I'm levitating.
"Sora, bro!" I heard a familiar voice.
Before everything went black, I saw a bright green blur with a relaxing spring scent.
TO BE CONTINUED.