Panic.
A taste of thick, warm air.
Then a deafening silence.
Rouma stumbled directly into the treatment facility. She appeared to have napped because she was very exhausted. She was covered in scars and marks.
The three-headed snake symbol etched into her earring was all that could be seen in the waning light. Will she soon die? I can't say for sure. Something was stuck in my throat, and I had to swallow it. The back of my throat was starting to burn—this dread.
Fear. Sudden. Really unexpected.
The reverberation of the world's motions reached my numb ear. We had the genuine thing here. This is the real deal. This moment felt like it would never end for me.
Then I became aware of a set of eyes watching me.
"I-is she going to be fine?" Yes, I did inquire. While Kenru and I exchanged looks, I sensed Bonbon and Sir Borracho running up behind me.
He unblinkingly answered, "Yes. She's on the healing base. The safest area. She will come back after an hour or two."
"So what are we going to do now?"
Kenru dragged his gaze away from me. Staring at the crystal fountain, he said, "We have to defend the towers."
"I'll take the Appu lane." Sir Borracho voluntarily commented, appearing to have recovered from excessive drunkenness. A barrel was slung over his back. From his demeanor, it seemed as though the weight of the barrel posed no difficulty for him.
Mr. Borracho's off-the-cuff statement gave the impression that he had sobered up. He was carrying a barrel on his back. His demeanor suggested that the barrel's weight was no obstacle for him.
Kenru scratched behind his neck and lowered his musculature-displaying arm back into the scabbard. "Bonbon takes the middle lane, the Senta. You take the Shita lane. I'll roam the river lane, which runs across all lanes."
I slowly turn my head and fixex my eyes on his gray eyes. S-Shita... was the only word I could utter at the moment.
"You know the forest. You'd seek forage if needed. You'd rummage through the wild and safe plants as you usually do." Kenru voluntarily explained the reason why he'd put me in the bottom lane.
"Right..." The thought of how big a spy he could become lingers in the back of my mind. In a short period of time, he was able to identify the seventh region's delegate. The guy with the blue hair from the 9th could be a very important person.
As I moved my gaze towards him, his lips begin twitching as he inclines his head. He holds my gaze and says, "This is the Mors field girl of the seventh. Try to survive or at least recall your presence when needed. Don't die."
There...
He mentioned the ultimate scare tale, which I've been hearing inside my head. His voice was low, gruff, and masculine. Behind the sexy voice was a hint of danger.
But no.
No.
No.
I have to live. I have to survive.
For Poras and Cali.
As I returned his look and nodded in agreement, I could see the color drain from his gray eyes. My chosen route was the Shita one. Since I didn't have my friends' level of strength, I knew that trouble was going to start. I continued to cling to my fate despite the gauntlet that the Queen of the Seventh had thrown down for me. Let's pray it'll keep me safe. He broke eye contact with me and began to get himself ready for the hunt. I had assumed he would take off running in the direction of one of the walkways going to the towers, so imagine my surprise when he instead pulled out a sword and spun it deftly above his head. When the blade was moved, clouds of silver and white mixed together in a whirlwind.
I can't say for sure that it's an aegis, but the vortex's distinctive form suggests that Kenru plans to employ it as a mode of transportation. A huge leap into the air and a landing on the aegis' surface follow. Before getting up from the ground, he cast a quick gaze in my direction.
I looked up to see Sir Borracho and Bonbon jogging along the middle and upper routes with apparent ease. The chubby warrior downed another drink and waved goodbye.
"Walk the lane. Walk the lane." Bonbon's repetitive chant resembled that of a child's, but I didn't even manage to glance at him, as he seemed eager to engage with Senta.
I maintain a firm grip as I catch my breath.
I observe the Shita lane. The path appeared to be an ordinary alley lined with wildflowers on both sides. To the right, there's a large pile of rocks that I believe serves as a barrier around the Mors field. On the left side, there were big trees leading into the Mors forest.
"Hide. Stay hidden, Idrish," I recall Killan's words to me. "Stay hidden," I repeated to myself.
I swallowed.
I flinched and tighten my grip on my own hands. I quickly head towards the path that enters the forest. I wouldn't stray too far from the bottom lane.
I would just patrol along the edge of the forest. I should remain concealed within the confines of the Shita.
As I walked among the trees, I could smell the scent of tree bark and moss. I passed by deer in the vicinity, busy munching on grass. The singing of birds accompanies my careful steps. The Mors forest boasted a beautiful canopy of trees.
A paradise within hell.
Indeed.
I covered a few meters. I make an effort to avoid making noise, much like in the old days when I hunted for food. Just like this.
I glanced at the Shita path once more.
I saw no one.
I felt no one.
Over a kilometer had passed since I set out. I sat cautiously on my hands and peered down the trail once more.
The grass was new and green outside, and among the scorched umber rocks were thickets of dangerous plants. While driving down the lower lane, I noticed one of the two towers.
That other tower was only a few meters to the north.
I started walking again. The trees around me have thinned out recently. I took a quick look around me. You may find shelter among the few trees that dot the long grass up ahead.
I had an idea for a plan. I needed to get down on my hands and knees if I didn't want to be discovered.
Yes.
No.
Yes. Yes, I really should.
As I squatted down, my hands touched the dry ground. I made my approach slowly towards the nearest tree in the open.
My heart stopped for what seemed like forever. The wind rustled the thick grass. Drops of sweat are tracing my forehead.
I was within striking distance of the tree now. Not too far away, I could also make out the other tower that needs protecting.
I must get there without being caught or ensnared.
I got in a hurry and started to creep up the tree. While making my way to the tree, I am slashed by the sharp edges of some tall grass.
Then...
I ducked for cover under a shady oak tree like a seasoned outdoorsman. It has a superb canopy and is a mature tree. Green and woodsy aromas fill the air.
After taking a deep breath, I made my way closer to the tree. When I come close to a standing position, I saw and heard a shadow nearby.
I duck into the tall grass for cover.
We got company.
An antagonistic force.
They might be dispersed all throughout this wood. Where, though, is he?
My breathing sped up.
I took a thorough look around me. In the subsequent minute, I only noticed the rustling of grass blades. Where did he go? It's not like he just vanished.
Absolutely positive!
Yes.
He was here a little while ago.
Once more, I took stock of my situation. There doesn't seem to be anyone here.
Then, very suddenly, my eyes rested on a towering tree. Behind a tree, I could make out the toe of a boot.
Boots worn by masculine warriors.
I was crouched in the grass, ready to strike at any moment, when I drew the daggers at my hips. Surprisingly, I was not experiencing any sensations.
I had zero. No weapon of the House Calore was in my possession.
When I thought it was safe to retreat, the enemy hiding behind the tree started laughing.
After pausing for a second, he launched himself into the air and spun around in midair before crashing to the ground under the tree.
My whereabouts were already known to him. The antagonist is as tall as Killan, and his long, silky ebony hair falls in a cascade across his massive shoulders. His entire face, save for his scarlet lips, is hidden by a silver mask. His symbol, a dark jaguar, was embroidered on the right side of his princely attire.
He hailed from the eighth section. Likely members of the royal family.
In his usual manner, he inquired, "What's with the hiding, tiny little elf?"
For the time being, I couldn't afford to try and guess who's hiding behind that mask. The wheels in my head were turning on a possible getaway.
He's not an opponent I couldn't defeat.
Unfortunately, I was not armed.
"You can't run, sweet pea!" he yelled. Then, he made a sweeping motion with his right hand, and a ball of crimson flame formed around his fist.
A mage. A whisper.
"Run!" he mockingly shouted, waving his hand towards my position.
The fire rope began to advance toward me. I dove to the right to evade the attack. The point of impact erupted in flames.
A blaze!
The masked guy started laughing again. Now both his hands were ablaze. "You'll get roasted. I will definitely cook you evenly!"
He hurled streams of fire in both directions. I couldn't move right or left, and retreating was not an option as the flames will surely catch up to me.
I had no choice. I lunge toward him and pray he allows me to live.
As I turned to face him, my heart races faster. Then I felt the weight of the useless gauntlet on my hands. It was as if something wants to break free from it.
My hands started trembling, until I felt nothing.
As I landed on the ground and look up at the enemy in front of me, a massive ball of fire greeted me. I envisioned myself watching the deadly fire engulf me.
Until I heard the clinking parts of the gauntlet. My hands instinctively moved in front of me due to the approaching fire. Suddenly, it was as if a magnetic force draws energy from me to my hands.
Inches before the enormous ball of death could strike me, the handle of a metallic shield emerged from the gauntlet. From that handle, a large shield rapidly formed, protecting me from the enemy's attack.
I was wielding a shield. What kind of magic is this?