Monday, my first, real, work week had started.
The last four days, since I've come here were rather calm and relaxed. Appart from a few sparing sessions I had no difficulty adapting to this new lifestyle.
That was until 3 minutes ago. A sudden call had abruptly interrupted our meeting. A mission had been assigned to us. The mission center had specifically asked for Sam and me. Apparently they needed a firecaster and someone strong.
After Myla had received the details we ran to the hangars.
This would be the first time seeing our airship, I noticed when running through the endless rows of vehicles.
Myla who had used her wind powers to go ahead was waiting for us, ready to lift off. As soon as we had all entered the ship we took off at rapid speeds. So fast infact that I almost lost my balance.
This ship was noticeably smaller. But therefore incredibly agile and fast. From the cockpit Myla shouted over to us.
Sam, Sho we are heading over to a small village north east to the cooperation. Apparently a few houses caught on fire. Sam is supposed to clear of any debris to make way for the fire crew and Sho, you have to save two children from a nearby mansion that is burning aswell. It's one girl and one boy. Their current location and status is unclear, you'll have to search them.
Is anything left unclear?
"NO, MAM!
"Good, than prepare for landing in 4 minutes!"
With that I started preparing for my first ever mission. I should be able to get both of the kids out of there, provided they're still alive. If they are I'd just have to find them. The fire itself can't hurt me, since as a fire caster I've natural heat resistance. For the children however the fire poses great danger. It'll be a race against the fire, huh?
Approximately 3 and a half minutes we dropped of Sam and Linda near the two smaller houses.
I thought the three buildings where near each other. How did the mansion even catch on fire from this far away? It took us another thirty seconds to get there, flying at high speeds.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
"Ok prepare for jump."
Jump? A short look through the open door explained it. Not just the house, but also the trees and grass around the house where burning. There was no way for any ship to land here.
Once we had slowed down enough I jumped, only stopping my fall right before impact. The air pressure I had created extinguished the fire close to me.
Even if I'm fireproof, the heat is still quite uncomfortable.
In the meantime Myla probably went looking for the closest landing spot. I was on my own.
Through the blazing inferno infront of me I saw the mansion. The giant house was engulfed in flames taller than the building itself.
It seems like the fire started on the upper level, since parts of the ceiling where already totally burned down.
So it's probably better to assume that the children are on the lower floor, where the fire hasn't spread to.
With a short sprint I closed in on the entrance. However right as I was about to kick in the door, a heavy wooden beam came falling down, blocking the entrance.
The other options available were breaking through the wall or entering through the roof.
Even though I didn't want to, I decided to start searching the upper floor, after all breaking the wall would be to risky.
With a simple spell I had shot myself into the opening. I landed in what seems to have been a bedroom. The burnt down remains of a huge bed aswell as what looked like a closed lead me to the assumption.
Other than destroyed furniture the room was empty. I left the room and found myself in a hallway. Atleast ten doors including the one I had just entered through, led to various rooms.
Should I really search all of them?
"AAAH!"
A high pitch scream came from right below me.
The girl..., they must be below me.
I ran down the hallway at full speed. At the end was a big room with two stairways on either side. One to my right and one roughly fifteen meters on the wall opposite to me.
Without wasting any time I jumped down the gallery that connected the staircases.
Now that I was on the lower floor I would just have to go into the direction from where I heard the scream. However that was easier said than done. This floors layout was completely different. No hallway. No door. Nothing.
"Help! Someone please-!"
It was the same voice as earlier. They probably are behind the wall, I thought.
"Thud!...Thud!"
The sound of something heavy smashing against the floor echoed through the house.
Not knowing what it is I began hastily searching for an entrance.
"Cre--eek"
The house sounded as if it was crying. It could collapse any second now. Without wasting any more time I screamed of the top of my lungs:
"GET AWAY FROM THE WALL"
With an precise explosion and a short run up I broke through it. The room I ended up in was the dining room. A long table stood in the center, with the food still on it. Behind the big chair in the back I saw them. The children I've heard before.
The boy, looked at me with a face filled with fear, anger and pain. In his right hand he held a short knife. Hiding behind him, was his little sister. Her differed face was filled with tears and her body was shaking heavily.
"W-who, are you! Stop, r-right there or else..."
The boy anxiously pointed the knife at me.
"I'm hear to save you. I'm a hunter her my ID."
I put my ID on the table and pushed it across. The boy slowly took it.
"We don't trust your kind. Look at what you have done." He pointed at the flames.
"But..." The girl looked at him.
"No we can't trust him. Remeber what that guy did."
I had no clue what he was talking about. The only thing that I was sure of, was that this while house might come down any second.
"Come on you two. We need to get outa here now!"
"Noo!"
This is getting annoying. Maybe I should just take them?
I slowly approached them.
"Stop, I won't show you mercy if you come one step closer!" The boy pointed the knife at my face.
"Cre---eek"
There was no time for this bullshit. I activated a propulsion spell and dashed at them. Even before the boy, could react I disarmed him, grabbed him and his sister and jumped through a broken window.
Just on time. Right as we landed a huge chunk of the house collapsed, throwing ashes and splinters everywhere.
Fortunately neither of the kids got hit.
Now I just need to get them out of here.
But as I wanted to jump an intense pain came from my stomach. A splinter hat pierced through my lower abdomen.
'Fuck!' I screamed in my head.
I'm so close. I can't stop here.
Behind the field of flames I saw two ships approaching. Finally, this has to be the firefighters ship.
With all my remaining strenght I carried the children towards where the ships were landing.
Only a few meters away from the not burning area two men came running towards us. Both wearing a black and red uniform.
"HEY, hey you!" They shouted at me. But before I could answer I fell. My sight became blurred and slowly I lost consciousness.
When I woke up, the first thing I saw was an unfamiliar face. A Man stood next to me. In his hands was a device that I last saw at the doctors. His uniform told me that he was a firefighter.
As I slowly regained my senses I looked around. I was laying on the ground, not far from the burning mansion. The fires around the building where already extinguished and a group of firemen was already putting out the last burning trees. From the house itself only a pile of debris and ashes was left. Everything apart of the main walls had burned down.
"Hey there, slow. Wait till you've fully recovered."
With on hand on my shoulder the fireman stopped me from sitting up.
For some time I just kept staring into the sky, wondering what happened, if the kids where alright and how long I've been unconscious.
Then finally the man spoke again.
"So, this should be long enough. How do you feel? Any pain?"
"No, nothing sir."
"Great, seems like everything worked out fine."
Come to think of it, how did they get that splinter out?
"Hey can I ask you something?"
He nodded.
"About the splinter, how did you get rid of it? I mean pulling it out could've worsened my condition. Maybe even to the point of the pills not even working."
"Ah that. Well I just cut out small chunks and then gave you a pill. And after that bit healed I repeated the cycle. I was actually worried about running out of pills."
"I see... How many did it take?"
Hopefully I don't have to pay for this treatment. If that's the case I'll be broke for quite awhile...
"How many pills? Let's see ... seven I believe."
"Ohh, and who pays for this?"
"Hahaha, no worries your association will be charged, not you."
What a relief at least that's taken care of.
But what now? Are they going to pick me up or do I have to get back alone? Why is no one here anyways?
"So, if you feel alright feel free to go. But incase there is anything left in there," he pointed at my stomach "contact a doctor or us, immediately. That clear?"
"Yeah."
"Good." He reached out his hand and helped me get up. I moved around a bit, to see if everything was fine and than I said goodbye.
While wandered around aimlessly I thought about how to get back to the others. That's when I remembered my phone. Back when I went shopping with Linda she gave me hers and Mylas contact info. When I reached into my pocket however all I found was broken glass and the broken remains of what once was my phone.
It probably broke when I jumped through that stupid window. Why where there wooden beams infront of them anyways.
"Sho, hey!? Up here!"
An know voice called out from above. When I looked up I saw a familiar airship flying above me. Through the open door at the back of the ship a man, with snow white hair waved at me.
When I waved back the ship took a sudden left turn and started descending downwards.
When it landed the white haired man came running towards me.
"Hey, you're Sho, right?"
"Yes... and you are?"
"I'm Ryton Chia, devision 3, wind caster grade A+, nice to meet you. If you'd please follow me."
Together we walked over to the ship. The ship that only a few days ago, brought me to the association. As expected, when we entered, I was welcomed by a familiar sight. Through the window to the cockpit I saw Mr Caloman. He greeted me with a small gesture than we took of.
"Uh, Mr Chia? Why exactly did you come to pick me up, again? I mean it's not that my squat doesn't have a ship, so why didn't they come?"
I hope nothing happened to them, but then why is Mr Caloman here?
"Ah don't worry, it's simply because they can't right now. Somen Kibis have been spotted near the burning houses. They're helping getting rid of them. That's all. And because we were called here aswell we decided to drop the other two of and come pick you up. It's unnecessary to fight with so many hunters anyways."
He's right bringing in a full squat of division 3 hunters to fight some Kibis is overkill.
But still something is wrong. Kibis usually don't come anywhere close to humans. Even if they did, they are so weak, anyone with a weapon could kill them.
"That's true. It's probably a dumb question, but I guess the Kibis that were found were pyro Kibis is that correct?"
"Correct, they probably caused the fires. Although it's still unclear how they even got there."
I knew it. These tiny fire ball like creatures often caused small wildfires but I never heared of them lighting houses on fire...
After a short flight we arrived over the scene. Around five buildings had been on fire. Three of them were already put out. Near the two burning ones I saw three wind casters, one of which was Myla. They fought against around 20 Kibis. The tiny burning creatures just randomly flew around trying their best to hit anyone.
Mr Caloman landed the ship not far away from them, but when we got there no Kibis were left.
"Hey, Myla." I called out to her.
"Huh?" She turned around and looked at me. With an relieved expression she walked over to me.
"Good to see you alive."
"What? Who said I might not be?" I said a little confused. Then I remembered. Right... I could've actually died earlier.
"Actually never mind," I added. "How have you been doing, and where's the rest?"
"I've been fighting Kibis for the last twenty minutes. Linda is in there" ,she pointed at one of the burning buildings "and Sam should be somewhere over there. He's helping with the aftermath."
"I see and what exactly is Linda doing in there? Isn't it a little dangerous?"
"Don't worry she's with a crew of firemen. They're looking for possible survivors. Also, she's immune to the fire anyways. You should know that. She'll be fine. You however, you scared the shit out of us. Having a 3 kilo splinter through your stomach without any water casters around. How did that even happen?"
She looked really angry. To be honest I didn't really know what happened either, but I couldn't say that. 'Ah, yeah that splinter was suddenly there ...' nah I really shouldn't say that.
"Well it probably happened when the house collapsed right behind me..."
"It probably happened...? I see, atleast you're fine now no need to be angry at you. But Linda... she won't be this easy okay. You'd better be prepared. She was ready to run all the way over to you. I could barely stop her."
I remebered the training fight we had on the first day. After which Linda was so upset just because it looked serious. Just imagining hoe she must've reacted when she heared that it was serious, scared me.
"Maybe I should go see how she's doing in there."
I looked at the burning building. In the meantime the fire was almost extinguished and the ruins slowly became more and more visible.
"Nah, you should just wait out here. Otherwise you might have to listen to everything in the fire. That wouldn't be the best place, right?"
"Yeah, right, I'll wait here."
"Great, I'll go check up on Sam. See you later, bye."
"See you."
Around ten minutes after Myla walked of, the first person finally stepped out of the house.
Behind the three firemen walked Linda, with a sad expression. With slow listless steps she walked out of the building. I didn't really know how to approach her so I just stood there and awkwardly looked over.
"Hey isn't she from your team?"
A little startled I turned around. It was Mr Chia who just tapped on my shoulder. He pointed at Linda.
"Huh? Yeah she is."
"Shouldn't you go say hello then? I'm sure she is worried."
"You're right, but... I don't know how I--"
In that moment I heared a lout voice screaming my name. Guess I don't have to worry about approaching her anymore.
"SHO!"
It was Lindas voice calling out to me. Before I fully understood what was happening, Lindas face was right infront of me. A shiny tear flew of her cheek. Time felt like it stopped, until I felt the sudden impact.
With unexpected force she almost pushed me over. With all my strenght I managed to stay on my feet. While I tried to find my balance Linda hugged me tight. I was so flustered that I tried to get her of, which unfortunately made tighten her grip even more.
Since I wasn't sure on how to react I just stood there until her loud sobs had stopped and her grip slowly loosened.
"A-are you alright?" She asked with a weak voice.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"God damn, I thoughed you died..." She tightened her hug even more. At this rate I might actually die.
"I-I can't breathe..."
"What, w-why oh I'm sorry."
With that she hurriedly let go of me and took a few steps back. Her face still bright red and filled with tears. As if she suddenly got embarrassed she starred at the ground. 'The whole situation suddenly got even more awkward', I thought as I looked around.
Mr Chia and the two women that fought along side Myla stood together looking at us. And not just them, the fire crew aswell as other bystanders were staring at us.
"Uhm Linda, how about we go somewhere else? I feel like people might get the wrong idea otherwise."
She nodded in silence, still not facing me.
We started walking in the direction Myla disappeared in earlier. I felt like it'd be best to tell Sam I was alive aswell. Not wanting him to be worried for no reason.
Bothering me the most however, was the question how they even heared about what happened to me.
"Linda? Who told you about my injuries?"
"Who? Myla of course. She heared from a girl of Mr Calomans squad that the hunter from the mansion mission got deadly injured. And that it's still unclear if he's going to make it. She probably didn't know that we were in the same team."
"Aha" I nodded. Guess in was just an unfortunate coincidence that they heared of it.
After walking for about two minutes we saw Sam and Myla talking to another hunter. It was Mr Caloman, who seemed to be saying goodbye to them. When he walked of Myla noticed us and waved lightly.
"Hah ha, Sho my man, glad to see you alive."
Sam greeted me with a heavy pat on my shoulder. Since I didn't know what to say I hust awkwardly smiled at him.
'This whole situation is so wrong...' I cried out inside my head.'
"So? ...care to tell us what actually happened?"
Under the pressure of three intense stares I started explaining what had happened. From how I entered through the ceiling and later heared the kids down below, to how I broke through the wall and talked to them and how in the end the time run out and I jumped through the window. While I told the story all of them listened interested.
"... and then I met Myla near the burning buildings."
Nobody reacted, did I miss something? No I think that was it. But still nobody said anything, we just stood there in silence.
Atleast I finally had some time to think. Than it hit me. What happend to the kids after I blacked out? They were nowhere to be seen, when I woke up. To be honest I didn't particularly look for them, but even then I should've noticed someone, other than me and the firefighter. But there was no one there.
Could it be that they were brought to a water caster. No they didn't have any bad injuries. Or did they?
My head started spinning, unable to come to a conclusion.
There was no other way, I have to ask someone. But who? Who was there? I know, hopefully I catch them before they go.
After briefly saying that I'd have to look for someone I ran of.
There they are. Seems like I made it just in time. Not far from me I saw four people walking over to an airship.
"Mr Caloman wait!" I shouted after them. Fortunately he heared me and turned around, in surprise.
After a few steps I stood right infront of them.
"What is it Sho? Has something happened?"
"No, nothing. I was just hoping you'd know where the two children are. You know, the ones from the mansion?"
"Ah those two. Well I heared they got escorted to the association headquarters." He leaned in and whispered: "A division one squat guards them from now on. The investigations led us assume that the whole fire was set up to divert attention from an assassination attempt. We found signs that the parents were killed before the fire was set."
If that's true than...
"Mr Caloman have you asked the kids if they have seen someone suspicious?"
"Of course we did, but... neither of them said a word. We even asked if they'd rather like to write it down. Yet the only thing written was the word 'hero'. Do you know what they mean?"
Hero? What could that possibly mean? Are they referring to me? No afterall...
"No idea sir. But may I ask who of the two wrote that?"
"The girl I believe. Does that make a difference tho?"
I see. I guess as the girl was the one that wrote it, it might actually refer to me. But whatever it means I should go see them, asap.
"Not really." I answered him. "Do you think I could see them?"
"Probably. Let me see what I can do. I'll find a way."
"Thanks, and excuse my sudden appearance."
"Ah, no problem. I'll see you around."
Only seconds after Mr Caloman stepped into the airship they flew of, leaving me behind.
For now I decided to go back to the others and exchange information.
After we met back up we decided to grab some food. And after we sat down Linda began telling about her part of the mission.
Lindas POV:
'A few hours earlier'
"Phew, what a drop. Right Sam?"
I asked Sam after we landed infront of the burning houses. Even now I wasn't able to fully get a hold of the situation. The flames were taller than the average person and the heat they gave of was so extreme that I feared I'd spontaneously combust.
Sam must've felt even worse. Different to me he isn't fire resistant at all.
"So what now?!" Sam said. Atleast that's what I managed to pick up. The constant screams and the intensly loud crackeling of the fire, made my ears feel numb. At first I didn't pick up on it but with every passing second I felt my surroundings getting louder. Until suddenly I felt someone's huge palm on my shoulder. As I turned around I saw the familiar uniform. A firefighter. An atleast 190 cm tall strong looking man with scares plastered all over his face stood infront of me.
Despite his scary appearance he somehow managed to calm me down.
"Hey you two. Glad that you finally got her. We need all the support we can get. I'm the head operator of this operation."
"CHIEF!" Someone called out to him. A young firefighter came running through the flames, in his arms was a woman.
"Chief we found three survivors in there. Two of which are still in there. I only managed to get this woman out, we need someone in there, NOW!"
"Good work I'll take care of that. Bring her to the nearest hospital."
The young man ran of, without another word. Whilst I looked at him disappearing around the next corner, I felt a strange stare on me.
It was the chief. I see he wants me to go save the other two. He probably read through our files and knows that I am a fire caster. Well time to do my job I guess.
Before he could even say anything I had already disappeared into the building. Surrounded by walls of flames I walked through the hallway.
"Hello!? Anyone in here?"
"Up here! HELP!"
The screams came from above. Judging by their volume they must be atleast two floors above me. Fortunately the interior was simple and manageable, thus I found the stairs instantly.
When I arrived in the third floor I heared the cries for help clearly. Following the direction they came from I soon found myself infront of a door.
Behind it were two girls around my age.
"Come on, we need to get out!" I forcefully grabbed their wrists and dragged them behind me.
They probably had a shock, and couldn't move well because of it. Fortunately they slowly got control over their body's and started running after me.
In record time we left the building. On our way down we met two firemen that were searching the upper floors. Apart from a small child, that one of the men was carrying and the two girls the building was empty. Atleast that's what they said.
Once outside a paramedic took care of the girls and I was sent into the next building.
I spent the next two hours searching and rescuing people. Unfortunately we couldn't save everyone. In the third building I found the atrocious sight of a burning corpse.
The smell was worse than anything I had ever smelled and the scene probably permanently left a scar in my memories.
Feeling extremely sick I left the building. Atleast the other floors were secured.
Barely being able to stand I walked a few steps away from the building and leaned against a street light. That poor man. As I thought that, I saw Myla coming running towards me. At first I was glad to see her face, but the moment I looked at it I knew something terrible happened.
"Myla what is it?" I asked, unable to wait any longer for her to tell me.
"It's Sho. He, h-he is critically injured... they don't knew if he's going to make it."
W-w-w-what no, why? It has to be a lie, r-right? Come on Myla say it's a joke. Say it! Please...
My mind went blank. This couldn't be. I felt all my strength leaving my body. No longer able to stand I slowly dropped onto my knees.
"Linda?!" Worried Myla crouched down next to me. "Are you alright?" I couldn't answer. My voice wouldn't let me. It was as if my throat was laced up. Motion less I sat there, watching the world spin before my eyes.
"I need a doctor!" I heared Myla shouting. But I didn'tregister it. All I heared was his voice repeating infinitely inside my head, like a broken record player.
We just met last week and yet... it's supposed to be over. Depressing thoughts flooded my mind, while still leaving an empty feeling.
Said feeling of emptiness wouldn't leave for the next twenty minutes. Twenty unbearably long minutes.
Slowly my mind and vision cleared up. I won't lose hope, I thought. I can't. For his, for mine and every one elses sake, I can't stop here.
With slow, weak movements I lifted my heavy body up.
"Linda?!"
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Afterall there's no time to waist."
Eventually she was convinced of my well-being and we continued our work. However that underlying feeling wouldn't leave my side.
At some point in time I was sent to another location. Apparently there was another fire.
Something about this didn't make sense. There's no connection between the fires. And I find it hard to believe that it's all just one strange coincidence.
The answer to my questions was delivered to me as I got into close proximity to the third fire.
At first I didn't notice, since my glasses were smeared with soot. But the closer I got the weirder the flames looked.
And after I wiped down some soot, I saw them. A horde of Pyro Kibis. So that's why...
I grabbed a little knife that I was always carrying around on missions. Unfortunately I didn't bring my bow, as it was supposed to be a rescue not a battle. But I doubt my flames would've hurt those guys anyways. In general elemental enemies are immune to their element, or atleast that's how I remembered it.
After I used a simple flare spell to get Mylas attention I charged into battle.
These guys are weak but the sheer masses were insane. 50? 60? I couldn't count all of them. Slicing through them one after the other I killed over a dozen until Myla arrived with reinforcement. Two female hunters accompanied her. And within minutes the four of us had the situation under control.
Together we fought of every single one until the street was empty.
Than we reported to the chief, who then created three search troops, all lead by one hunter. I wasn't assigned any troop as I was still in charge of searching through that last house.
*****
Sam's POV:
'After splitting up with Linda'
"God this heat..."
"Yeah right? The first time I was putting out a fire this big I felt like I was melting."
"Yeah, I could never do this as a job."
"Hahaha"
The fireman laughed. I was glad to work with someone nice, not like on my last mission.
But appart from him this mission was as dull as ever. And that eventhough I had the least difficult role. Linda and Sho had to walk through these terrible flames. In hindsight I should be happy with my task.
"Phew" I dropped a heavy wooden beam. Cleaning the aftermath was quite unexciting but still important. Thinking that I got back to work.
Occasionally I picked up Lindas voice after she came out of a building. Usually she was together with atleast one person she found in there.
But this time she was alone, almost falling over her own feet she walked to a street light.
Should I go look if she's alright?
But before I could I saw Myla approaching her.
Ah so she back aswell, great maybe we can take a brake together, I thought. However it all came very different.
They didn't talk much but for some reason Linda suddenly collapsed. Inwas about to rush over when suddenly someone behind me shouted my name.
'Shit, what now?' Apparently someone got buried under a collapsed house.
'Linda should be fine, right? Myla is with her so she'll be alright.' I decided to help rescuing the injured person and ran of.
Lifting the fallen debris was an easy task for me once I entered my enforced state. Within time the man was save.
After making sure I wasn't needed anymore I turned around and started walking back to Linda and Myla.
Yet before I turned around the first corner I met Myla. I knew at first glance that something was off. Her expression was tense and her body showed signs of nervousness.
"What's up Myla. Are you alright?"
"Yeah... I just wanted to check up on you. Is everything going well?"
For some reason she dodged my question. But because of her current state I decided to just play along. It wasn't until after the four of us were together again, that I heared what really happened.
After some short small talk we were interrupted by a sudden flare. No doubt that flare was Linda asking for help.
Myla told me to get the chief and bring him and a few men to her location. She herself ran of to help Linda. When I joined them with a dozen firemen all enemies have been killed.
*****
Mylas POV:
'After landing in the burning city'
As I was landing the ship I saw two familiar women waving at me. They were Ivory and Faith. Two hunters from Mr Calomans squat. But why were they here and where was the other half of their squat?
"Hey Myla. Finally, we've been looking for you."
"For me? Why?"
"The association send us to check up on the mission. So the four of us split up in order to search you. Guess we found you first. So how's your team doing?"
"To be honest, I don't know yet. We didn't arrive that long ago ourselves, so there was no opportunity for me to check."
While Ivory and I were talking Faith was restlessly looking around, as though she was looking for something.
"Faith, is something bothering you?" I asked her.
"Not really, I was just hoping to meet your new member. Mr Caloman told us a lot about him. Do you know where he is?"
"Ah you mean Sho. He's on a separate mission a few kilometers that way." I pointed into direction where the burning mansion was. Of in the distance one could see the tall tower of pitch black smoke.
"I see, how unfortunate..."
"Shouldn't we tell Mr Caloman? He could fly over and look if everything's alright."
"Yeah I'll call him, please excuse me."
After Faith left us, we continued talking about the fire.
Than after quite a long call Faith returned with a troubled expression on her face.
"Myla... I have some bad news for you... Sho, he's been injured pretty bad. Unfortunately we have no water caster in the area so a fireman is currently trying to save him."
"W-what?"
Did I just hear that right? Sho is injured and they need a watercaster to heal him. How, what happened?
"Don't worry Mr Caloman is on his way. He has some medical knowledge. I'm sure he can help him."
"I'm going too!" I was about to get back into the airship when Ivory held me back. Her strong arms pinned me down.
"Ivory why? Let me go!"
"Myla calm down. There's nothing you can do."
"But I..."
"You have to stay here. For Linda and Sam. They need you here."
"But I can't leave Sho behind."
"Do you think it would help him if you left now. There's a mission you have to finish. You are the leader. And that aside, you couldn't help Sho anyways."
"..."
"Go and look after the other two, okay?"
It took her atleast ten minutes to convince me, before I went to look for the other two.
When I found Linda, she was leaning against a light pole. After I told here about Sho she collapsed.
'Fuck not you too.' I thought, but fortunately she got up again. She was talking about something like "I can't stop..." before she ran of somewhere.
Not far from where I found Linda I met Sam. He almost bumped into me around a corner.
At first I was going to tell him about Sho but after seeing Lindas reaction I couldn't.
So I just asked some stupid questions before, suddenly a flare appeared above the rooftops. We both knew who shot that flare. It was Linda, she always use bright pinkish flares thar exploded when she needed help.
"Sam did you see that?"
"Yeah wasn't that Lindas flare."
"Yes, she must be in trouble. Go tell the chief and bring some firemen. I'll go look what happened."
"Alright! But watch out you never know."
With that I ran towards the direction of the flare. On my way I saw Faith and Ivory and asked them for help. Together we arrived on scene. Infront of us was a small army of Kibis.
And in the middle of them was Linda, furiously swinging around a knife, killing Kibi after Kibi.
Without a second thought the three of us plunged into battle.
Good that I carried my sword on me, otherwise this would've been a purely elemental battle.
Ivory and Faith on the other hand side weren't carrying any weapons and had to rely on their wind casting. Their high ranks, allowed them to still fight without any trouble.
Ever since I knew them and their team I had the goal of becoming a skilled wind caster and maybe one day being part of their wind squat.
But at the moment I had more pressing matters to take care of. Eventhough Kibis are low ranked enemies the numbers evened out our advantage.
Whenever I cut through one of them another one came jumping at me.
There wasn't a lot they could do, but still... coming into contact with them would leave some nasty burns.
Linda took most of the attackers on and created openings for us. Thanks to the strong elemental power of Ivory and Faith we soon took an advantageous position. And after grouping most of the Kibis together I used earth spells to drop heavy boulders on them.
After three or four boulders most of them had died.
As we were cleaning of the rest, Mr Calomans airship landed nearby.
When I was talking to Ivory an unexpected voice called out to me.
"Hey Myla."
"Huh?" What wasn't that Sho's voice? I turned around and couldn't believe my eyes. It really was Sho. He just stood there, no signs of being injured in any way.
I was so relieved that I didn't now how to react.
"Good to see you alive." I said, only to regret it immediately. Who would say something so stupid, I thought. But before I could say something else I noticed his confused expression.
"What? Who said I might not be? Actually never mind, how have you been doing, and where's the rest?"
I told him about what was going on while he was gone and were the others should be right now.
However what I actually wanted to know was how they managed to save him.
When I talked with Ivory just now she told me he had a roughly three kilo heavy splinter pierced through his abdomen.
But after he explained the process of removing the splinter I had such terrible pictures in my head that I decided to not press the matter any further. Instead we decided to talk about how he should show himself to Linda, since, well... she was still thinking he could be dead. I really shouldn't have told her.
I was so ashamed that I troubled her with the information, that I decided it'd be better if I wasn't there when she sees him. Otherwise it might get really awkward. Thus I left to look for Sam.
*****
Sho's POV
After everyone had finished their story I finally understood why everyone, exept Sam, though I was dead.
Sam was a little upset with Myla since he was the only one that didn't know what was going on. But he soon realized she stayed silent out of consideration.
Than it was my turn to give a detailed explanation of my day.
Later that afternoon, after we had a meeting with the chief and some other important figures we flew back to the association.
I was so beat up that after taking a nice warm shower I immediately went to bed.
Tomorrow I had a lot to take care of so getting some good sleep was probably my best option.