Emile dismissed Mariah and she obediently left the tent. Afterwards, Blood snuck in and threw his body across the floor.
"What a joke," he said, stretching leisurely.
"It does seem weird—" Emile agreed, "I expected Fallen Sky to send their best people, or at least take it seriously."
"It must be because Fallen Sky is having more difficulty integrating all the kingdoms than we thought. There are generational grudges people hold against one another." Willow added.
"It's ridiculous." Emile said, "At least the soldiers seemed well trained, they just need a better commander."
"And that's you?" Blood asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"I could do better than Mariah, that's for sure."
"Emergency! More monsters are approaching the camp!" A man's voice sounded around the tent.
Emile quickly leaped up and exited the tent, his companions just behind him. He followed the soldier across camp to the area where the monsters were approaching.
Mariah was already present, ordering around the soldiers once more, although Emile could clearly see a delay in their understanding due to their inability to hear clearly.
"That's enough, Mariah." Emile called out.
"Sir! Your orders?" She repeated on autopilot.
"How many?" Emile asked.
"Similar to before! Around thirty approaching fast!"
"Only thirty?" Emile commented, "I'll handle it myself."
"Sir?" Mariah questioned.
"I could use a good stretch. And I'm sure the soldiers will feel more confident following strength rather than my title."
"But sir, there are thirty enemies! Your life is our highest priority!"
"Relax Mariah, it's just a couple Chosen creatures."
Emile stepped forward and weaved his way through the collection of soldiers Mariah summoned. He extended his arm and a whirlwind of essence flooded his palm.
He pulled his scimitar from his soul and brandished it to his side. As he walked forward, down the pathway the Scorching Hands attacked from earlier, he felt the ground beneath him rattle.
The leading creatures turned the corner and charged towards Emile. Meanwhile, behind him at camp the soldiers watched him advance.
Many of them felt a sticky anxiety swell up in their stomachs, their palms dampened, and thoughts of the worst case scenario infiltrated their minds. Mariah looked to Willow and Blood:
"You're not going to join him?!" She asked with urgency.
"And get my clothes burned? No thank you." Willow replied.
Mariah turned to Blood and opened her mouth, but looking at him a little closer, Blood looked like a kid. Out of options she returned her gaze to Emile's back, the action was just starting.
Emile activated his Nimbus Charm and rocketed into the onslaught of Scorching Hands. He held his blade low, about waist level, and weaved between the oversized rats.
His scimitar dug into the throats of many beasts, cleanly cutting through their dark fur and splattering blood across the battlefield. Thanks to his scimitars bleeding effect, the rats that didn't die immediately quickly bled out and collapsed shortly after.
Another flash of light engulfed the battlefield as Emile toyed with the Chosen abominations. He sliced, cut, beheaded, and tore apart the mini army.
His speed returned to normal and he was standing directly in front of a charging rodent. The rat tackled Emile to the ground, its crimson palms dug into his chest and burned his skin.
Emile grit his teeth through the pain and plunged his scimitar into the rat's skull. He pushed the beast off of him and activated Nimbus once more.
His body became a blur to the onlookers, a blur that instantly traveled to each standing beast and sliced their throats in a matter of moments. Emile brandished his sword in the center of a pile of corpses.
He dismissed his scimitar and pushed his hair out of his face. Looking at his chest, two blackened holes ruined his only shirt, but his skin had healed seconds after burning.
[Scorching Hands Slain] x 38
Emile casually walked back to the camp, inspecting his clothes along the way.
"You got hit," Willow commented.
"Yeah yeah, I know. I didn't think I'd run out of juice right in front of that thing."
"Honestly disappointing, do better next time." Blood laughed to himself.
Mariah, standing next to the two of them, stared at Emile with her mouth agape and her eyes held open.
"That was incredible, sir!" She bowed beneath him.
Feeling uncomfortable and awkward, Emile dismissed her compliments and returned to a tent with Willow and Blood. Night had finally fallen and the camp grew quiet.
Ten guards remained awake and patrolled the perimeter. Willow and Blood also fell asleep, but Emile remained awake. He left the tent and approached the edge of the crater.
Taking a seat on the ledge, his legs dangling over the abyss, he sat in silence. He heard a ruffling behind him, footsteps meekly approached.
"Emile?" A woman's voice softly cut the silence.
Emile's heart stopped. His body froze and he refused to turn around.
'Someone knows me?'
'Who the hell knows me?!'