Sleeping before a battle had always been difficult for me, so I decided to take a stroll in the middle of the night.
The city was quite large, with enough space to accommodate several thousand people, but at this moment, its population barely reached eight hundred inhabitants. A dark figure standing on an elevation, more like a palisade, caught my attention.
"What is this fool thinking? Does he want to end his life?" I rushed up the stairs only to discover someone I knew well standing at the top, a figure clad in black uniform and a black cloak.
"Ragni? What are you doing here?" Yes, it was her, the figure in the black attire and black mantle.
"Observing," Ragni didn't take her gaze off the marshland, even though it was about a hundred meters away. Clearly, she could see something: "All I see are the yellow reptilian eyes; it seems they are preparing to attack the village."
"What stopped them?"
"Yes, the presence of a larger predator scared these creatures away."
"A predator?"
Ragni pointed at her chest with her thumb.
"They fear me, so they haven't attacked."
"So, if you stay here, they'll leave?"
The dragoness frowned.
"Normally, that should be the case, but they are hesitating, and that worries me," Ragni bit her lip, "It means they think there's someone among them stronger than me, but that individual is currently immobilized."
"Are there many of them?"
"About fifty or so gathered around the city, but there might be even more dangerous creatures lurking behind them."
"Can you tell what they are?"
"All I see are reptiles; they blend well with the surroundings."
"That's not good. If we leave the city with you, they'll attack the villagers, but without you, we'll lose a valuable warrior."
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me," Ragni smirked, "But there's more to it. The predator is strong as long as it stays within its territory, surrounded by its tribe. If we venture into open ground, they might dare to attack me."
"And what about the village residents?"
"They'll prioritize dealing with threats based on significance, meaning I'll be their primary target."
"Ragni, your animal instincts are surprisingly useful," I attempted to pat the dragoness on the shoulder, but she easily dodged.
"I feel for this village, though. A young girl, sensing danger, ventured into the marsh. I want to help them in any way I can, but I doubt I can handle these monsters alone."
"Your words have given me a couple of ideas. Don't worry; we can overcome this."
Ragni snorted and went inside, but I noticed her ears were slightly reddened.
For breakfast, Ricardo joined us.
"I don't know what you did, Miss Ragni, but my daughter survived. She's still feverish, but she's the first to live for more than a day after the attack. Perhaps she'll recover."
"You're thanking me too early. I used herbs to slow down the poison spread; it will only delay the effects. We need to figure out what these creatures are before I can prepare an antidote. Without it, she'll only survive three more days."
"I understand, but as long as there's hope, I'll believe in you. Have you already formed any theories about these attacks?"
Kurone pulled out a large encyclopedia from her bag once again.
"Well, from the creatures capable of hissing, they could be snakes or lizards. But to strike from such depth and even reach under a carriage... it could only be basilisks, hydras, or wyverns. We just need to find out a few more details, and we'll find the antidote."
"Elder, can you tell us if such attacks have happened before?"
"Not in my memory, but our city is only three hundred years old. It was built upon ancient ruins. Perhaps the previous city was destroyed during a war. There are still semi-ruined stone walls that serve as the foundation for our houses," Ricardo paused for a moment, deep in thought, then continued, "Yes, there's also an underground passageway; it was probably their refuge. Several tunnels lead to a large hall from every house. In case of an attack, we can hide there."
I had a bad feeling – this place seemed too suspicious.
"I want to explore this dungeon. Can you guide us?" I asked.
"Krito, what are you thinking? It's just their cellar, right?" Katrina's voice sounded uncertain.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. Let's go; we'll find out everything there."
The entrance to the cellar was in our abandoned house. It turned out to be an impressive space; it seemed the entire hill beneath the city was hollowed out and supported by stone arches. Though the cave wasn't entirely natural, one could notice columns along the walls, and the floor was paved with large bricks. In the far corner of the room, there was a small lake.
"Where did this lake come from?"
"Ah, it seems there was a depression in the floor, and water seeped through, creating this small lake. It will serve as a source of fresh water in case of a long siege."
It seemed too suspicious – a lake in a depression, in a brick-paved floor, but where could it come from?
"Ragni, please illuminate the area brightly and throw some light up to the ceiling."
"As you wish."
The hall was illuminated brightly for a few moments, and what couldn't be seen under torchlight revealed itself. Deep grooves lined the cave's walls, and in some places, there were even through-holes and cracks. In the center of the lake, one could see an irregularly shaped recess resembling an opening tulip bud – round on one side and with three pointed petals on the other.
"Krito, I think I noticed some movement near the ceiling," Ragni's reflexes were on point.
"Let's get out of here, slowly backing toward the exit."
As the bright light faded, a faint rustling, sometimes resembling hissing, could be heard in the darkness. We rushed toward the door and closed it behind us.
"Mayor, order to bring all barrels of flammable pitch you have to this cellar, and have all residents barricade the doors to the shelter."
"But if there's an attack, we'll be defenseless!"
"If it happens, they'll attack from there."
"What are you talking about?"
I silently flipped through the monster encyclopedia and opened the page with the Hydra. The illustration depicted a creature with a snake tail, two front legs, and three serpent heads with rows of sharp teeth. Its claws were lizard-like, rounded on one side and featuring three sharp claws on the other. This was its trail.
"Here's our monster, and she's come here not for the first time."
The Hydra.
Strength and size depend on the number of heads, ranging from one to thirteen.
Young hydras have up to 5 heads. Their size is no larger than that of a human, and though their weak venom might not be individually dangerous, they can pose a threat when attacking in large groups.
Adult hydras have more than 5 heads. Capable of rapid reproduction, they possess a potent venom and are dangerous adversaries in one-on-one combat.
Note: P.P. (Particularly Perilous)
"Krito, do you think it's them?" Katrina seemed visibly nervous. "But if they were here, the city's inhabitants would have noticed their presence. Although if they recently appeared, they could indeed multiply that fast. However, this trail down here doesn't fit your theory."
"Keep reading, there's a reference to the section P.P."
I opened the book to a page titled "Ancient Hydras".
Ancient Hydras.
Hydras with more than 10 heads. Their size can rival that of a small house, with all heads acting independently but controlled by the main head.
Among the most dangerous inhabitants of swamps, they reproduce once every few centuries, choosing vast marshy territories for their nests and migrating across entire continents. Adult hydras from previous broods guard their clutches.
Note: R.A.T.F.O. (Run At The First Opportunity!)
"They could indeed be here; several centuries ago, one of them destroyed a city that stood in this very place and has now returned for a new cycle. They despise fire and bright light, so during the day, they likely hide in caves beneath the swamp."
"But in Merenlake, there are five large caves scattered across different parts of the swamp," the elder said.
"Let me guess... near the five trade routes leading from here?"
"It can't be," Ricardo's face turned pale.
"Most likely, all these caves are interconnected, centered in the heart of the swamp, your city! Cities existed here before; I'd date the stone walls beneath your city around 500-600 years ago. Most likely, before them, there were other cities destroyed by hydras."
Everyone fell silent; staying in the city was dangerous.
"I'll order my people to gather everything necessary and evacuate the residents to the nearest towns," Ricardo said.
"It's too late: hydra attacked the caravan with your daughter in broad daylight. They're probably nearing the day of hatching, and emboldened in search of new prey. Ragni, you said they're waiting for a monster bigger than you? Most likely, the mother from the brood can't leave the nest until..." I hesitated; a rather grim picture of the near future emerged, "But soon, they'll come here as a whole pack."
"So, our city is doomed," Ricardo understood the hopelessness of his situation, "You are strong; you'll surely escape from here. Please, take our children with you and run while you can."
"We'll do everything within our power," Katrina tried to encourage the elder, but she didn't know what to do either.
"Why so dejected? I have a couple of ideas, and we'll save your city. All we need to do is destroy the mother before the hatching, and then her little ones will scatter in fear."
"But we don't even know where to find them, and more importantly, if we can defeat them. Don't make promises you can't keep," Ragni protested.
"And who said I won't keep them?" a pleased smirk appeared on my face, "Just do as I say, and everyone will survive. Meanwhile, focus on the antidote; we'll need it."
"I don't know, lad, what you have in mind, but I like your spirit. Here, all the money of our village," Ricardo pulled out a small chest from under his cloak, "There's fifteen hundred gold coins. It might not cover all your risks, but it's all we have."
"Better keep the money until the mission is completed."
"If we perish, I'd like our money to go to something worthwhile."
"Why so pessimistic? Everything will be fine. And you can pray for us so that the hydra doesn't end up having thirteen heads."
"An unlucky number?" Ricardo asked in surprise.
"No, it's just..."
I flipped forward a few sections.
Section R.A.T.F.O.
There was little text on the page, accompanied by a frightening illustration of a scaly snake head with membranes behind its ears and three rows of teeth.
Royal Hydra, or the Hydra Queen.
A thirteen-headed monster, the prime mother of all hydras. Exists as a singular specimen. Kills all hydras capable of matching her strength. Habitat unknown, strength unknown.
Extremely dangerous, under no circumstances engage in combat with her!!!!
The guild was in despair – the monster was not just dangerous. The Hydra itself was dangerous, and surrounded by her pack, practically unbeatable. Even the confident princess of black dragons hung her head.
"Why are you all so gloomy? We have an important battle ahead; we should warm up," I said.
"Krito," Ragni called out to me with an uncertain voice, "I've almost finished the antidote for Maria, but there's an ingredient we won't be able to obtain. We need a sample of the Hydra's venom from biting a victim, preferably in the form of blood from her heart. But there are too many of them, and we won't be able to determine whose venom it was."
"No problem," my carefree response surprised Ragni, but I didn't give her time to object, "If my memory serves me right, the guardians of the ancient Hydra are her children, which means her blood runs in their veins."
"Why didn't I think of that? The mother's blood should do just fine! You might be right, but we won't know until we try," the dragoness regained her spirits, and the others followed suit.
"Listen, everyone!!! Today we will go on a hunt. The hydras will surely attack us if we camp on the road. The main thing is to let one of them escape, so we can track the path to their lair," my guild members exchanged uncertain glances.
"Don't be afraid! They fear fire, and with us, we have two of the strongest fire mages from the academy, so we'll handle the little ones without any problems, and then we'll deal with the bigger creature. Ragni, for completing the antidote, you only need the blood, right?"
"Yes, but we still need to obtain it," the dragoness skeptically grimaced.