"What was that?!" Maryann exclaimed.
"I don't know, it seemed like an explosive coming from above!
Her friend Mabel replied.
Maryann and Mabel were of the Acousa bloodline.
Just like the Verdugo and Divino, the Acousa was also an advanced bloodline having potential beyond normal human attainment, and also, an ability to achieve transformation, enhancing the physical features of their body.
They mostly thrive in water.
For this cause, most Acousa could always be seen at water bodies training and connecting with nature, harnessing chi to manipulate their way into greater competence of rhythmic flow with the water which causes them to level up.
The presence of water was always an advantage for this bloodline both casually and in battle.
They could literally live in the water (though not constantly), because they have the ability to develop gills in their upgraded state.
In their upgraded state, an Acousa can develop gills by the sides of their head on the upper part of their chin, scales and fins on their arms and legs.
Their arms and legs also grow longer, and depending on what level they have trained up to, they also become many times stronger than an ordinary human in terms of physical strength.
They heal intimidatingly fast, and have the ability to heal others fast as well.
They also move at high speeds in water, and coming in contact with water improves their abilities in battle and even in daily life.
Maryann and her friend Mabel were level 10 Acousa.
They had always been best of friends and also rivals since childhood.
They had always trained together, and did basically everything together.
Maryann was 20.
She was rather smallish in size, so her height was also small.
She was blonde and had a very long hair, the tip of her hair reaching her buttocks, and had bright blue eyes with a light complexion and an oval shaped face.
She had a very confident personality and an authoritative character.
Mabel was 22.
She was of an average height, also had a long black hair but not as long as Maryann. Her eyes were dark and she was brown-skinned.
They were both in a stream in the valley practicing for improvement of speed in water when the deafening loud bang sounded.
They had done lots of trainings, mostly using spears as this was their main weapon.
A good number of Acousa were known for using spears as their main weapon because it seemed to naturally come easy to this particular bloodline.
For Divinos, most of them are easily acquainted with bows and arrows.
For Verdugos most of them find it easier with swords and shields.
It didn't mean that any bloodline was restricted to any particular weapon, but the certain weapons seem to be the most comfortable to start with when they first begin their training.
Seeing a member of any of the bloodline being skilled with different manner of weapons means that such a person must be of a very high rank.
The ripple effect on the water that was made by the bang was enough to carry away anyone in it.
The duo only managed to hold hands as they were in the water and maintained balance enough for them not to be swept away by the forceful water ripples.
Even some pieces of rock fell off into the water and they unconsciously pulled into a hug as they attempted to dodge the clast.
They got out of the water.
"Let's go and find out what's happening up there Mabel", Maryann said.
"I don't know, is that really a good idea?, Maybe we should just look for a place to hide before whatever it is causing trouble above finds us don't you think?"
"Coward! Then I'll go on ahead alone while you stay here sulking", Maryann gloated.
"Okay okay, I'll come with you, I won't have you leave me behind and take all the glory when enemies are defeated" Mabel replied.
They went over to where their belongings were kept and began to pick them up.
They were both trained in using spears.
They put on their clothes, as they, up to this point were only covered in swimsuit.
They picked their bags and spears, and when they were ready, they started off, running up the mountain.
"Do you think it's the mages?" Mabel asked.
"Could be. You must have heared how they brutally wiped out squad 18 while they were returning from a mission a few days ago". Maryann replied.
"Yeah. Rumour has it that for the first time in history, the Sohei let their guard down and were completely wiped out effortlessly by the mages and that the mages only spared a single one of them to come back and prove to us that their strength had surpassed ours. They say he's currently in the dungeon at the bottom of the council tower". Mabel replied.
"I heard that also. But do you really believe it? Like, literally, the Sohei are the most powerful, most disciplined lot in the whole of the monk civilization, what do you think would make them to act so carelessly? Maryann said.
"Could it be magic? Maybe a spell cast upon them even before the mission". Mabel thought aloud.
"Yeah, that's a possibility. But you realize what this means babe, right? Maryann said.
"That the mages knew of the ambassador Felix escort mission and had gone ahead even before the Sohei set out, to cast a spell on them, probably as they were asleep a night before, which altered their senses before they left the walls, programming everything they wanted them to do and thereby anticipating their every move" Mabel conceptualized.
"It's plausible. We've heard of this kind of occurrence in history. Also, there was no way that the mages could have managed to enter Into the temple without being seen, except..." Maryann paused.
"Someone from within is working with the mages" Mabel said.
"There is a traitor among us Mabel, and if the monks don't find and destroy them, Monkogon temple is soon to be brought to doom".
At this point, they were just about to arrive at the top of the mountain, where the ominous figures were standing, facing the council tower guards.
As they jumped off the acclivity into the air there came in view the whole congregation and as well, the horrid sight...