Adonai:
Looks like this is our destination.
"We will go our way, and you'll go your way. If you don't know how to reach the specific location just check the badge and it will guide you out. I wish you all the best, newbies." The man named Cleidsman said before he left.
We waited for Stella to check the badge and deducted that the direction where they have the hunting site is not far away from ours. But at the end of the day the objectives are fairly different.
"Let's start walking and let's think of a plan." I said aloud, gesturing to Stella and Maverick to start moving.
We need to think about how we're gonna coordinate ourselves. The headless mules are not so dangerous but in big numbers they can gain the upperhand. The number advantage is never to be underestimated.
I have to ask to make sure, I already know the answer but it's better to confirm it rather than regret it later. "Stella, how can you fight with us?"
Maverick didn't intrerupt the question or even respond. He acknowledged that if we want to move together as a team everyone must be aware of every other strength.
Stella took a second to think about it and then she responded.
"I know I might not be strong, and mental magic is not the best when it comes to fighting. I haven't really studied and used normal magic either... What I can do right now is manipulation of perception. I can instigate illusions into the mule's heads. Thankfully they aren't smart, otherwise it wouldn't have worked... in order for this to be working on stronger opponents I need more practice."
... Well I didn't expect this, the childish, rather scared Stella has grown into a bit of a dependable woman, at least on the surface. Maverick's influence and his presence helps in keeping her together. He's her cornerstone... one which hopefully no one will take away.
I have this fear that if someone were to take her only anchor into this world away she would crumble and become nothing more than a zombie. I wish for her safety and Maverick's as well, they are the only two ones I have left after all.
"When did you figure you could do that?" I asked, cause I never saw her practice.
"Even if you didn't see me practice, I always tried it on small animals, and sometimes on passerbys... I discovered the limitations... I want to be useful at least in some form to this team..."
I already know Maverick strengths and he should not freeze this time around. The enemies are not that scary.
"I hope we will get some info sooner on this Black Parade group. They are sketchy, but they are strong. Maybe someone could train us once we join them." Maverick said, looking at me in excitement.
Gradually the fear they felt initially toned down. But at the end of the day I shrugged, and the invitation was extended to me. I frankly don't know what will happen to them once we find Ragnarok.
But if I have to choose between dying alongside them and refuse to join, or join and watch them die... I would never betray my closest ones.
"Are you sure you want to fight?" Stella asked me, the question hanging over her head for a while... and for a good reason. "If that weapon in your hands crumbles then you will..."
I know the risk.
"There's no other way... if I die then I can just go see her, but I won't just throw my life away."
Or at least I wish I can see her, since the souls of the deceased are eaten by beasts. I don't know what awaits us in the afterlife.
"Nothing awaits you there... you'll become.... like..."
The voices answered my question. They do that when I expect the least, almost like my own grief cursed me.
*Smack*
"No dying on my grounds, I'll save you and Stella, I'll protect both of you even if I have to throw myself away." Maverick said.
Such a righteous display, almost like he's the main character. A hero who started ordinary and is on his way to become strong. He's too good willed at times for his own good, and also too perverted for his own good...
"No one's gonna die, this job is fairly easy and we've seen scarier things already, we only need the money and go to the hotel, besides..."
I stopped, lifting my arm up and summoning the white scythe in my palm.
"It will feel like a good training session for us... this task is easy but if we want more intel and more money we will have to take harder jobs. We have to get better and fast, there might seem to be a lot of time left until the real war will start but it will be gone in the blink of an eye."
And what I said is true, we have one year before the real deal starts. In this time we have to get accustomed, get a feel of the real world, a world that expands beyond just earth.
Hmm?
"Somethings been bothering me for a while but don't you hear the same thing? Like I'm pretty sure we keep hearing the same songs everywhere we go on this planet. Even now walkling, the broadcast is reaching us. What's with this background music?"
"You noticed it too? Apparently she's the most famous idol in the universe, everyone loves her and she's always trending..."
Maverick said, but stopped once he sensed Stella gaze on his back.
Now that I think about it, I've seen her in news and posters... her name was uh... Nariella I think.
Well I guess this is just something we have to live with.
"We're almost there, you two better get ready as well."
And after my warning Maverick started using earth magic to conjure some sort of armor for him and Stella.
He extended the offer to me as well but something tells me this will bring me more bad than good, so I shook my head.
Nevertheless, that's a good use of magic. Earth for defense would be just as someone would expect, maybe he's the main character with such a bland choice. I instead would've picked something more radical like a quantum barrier or something.
But I doubt I could've done that even if I wanted.
...
With the scythe in my hand and my companions behind me we've reached the hunting site.
... And here's nothing, our surroundings are trees, this is quite literally a forest. A strange looking one.
Due to the light on this planet the leaves appear more turquoise or even silver-blue, the contrast between light and shadow is more accentuated than ever.
The tree's bark has a reflective texture almost like a polished silver or bronze colored shield, and at the bottom of the tree you could see the beginning of the roots that look like crystalline.
The light makes its way through the forest dense and layered canopy making it almost surreal.
This forest doesn't only feel otherworldly... it feels alive, shimmering lights, strange hues, surreal interplay of shadows. It's a place of beauty and mystery, familiar in forms yet so alien in its presentation... This is the forest we're in... the Shimmering Wilds.
*Growl*
How do they growl if their heads are... right they have heads, just not attached to their bodies.
Well here they come I guess.
And as I thought that they started coming towards us from the shadows.
The headless mules look like an ordinary mule only that instead of having a head they have a fire and blood ravaging from their neck... and their head is standing proudly above the end of fire. Making it quite hard to hit, but you don't need to anyway.
As a matter of fact you need to be quite stupid to aim for a headless mule head... if they couldn't survive without it well then they would be dead already.
Their appearance is not that scary but they usually go around in groups of at least 20.
"Unfortunately we don't have time to count them right now, but they don't do much either, just circling us."
I said, hinting at the fact that they might be stupid... but not totally brainless, contrary to popular belief.
Acting on instinct and judging if it's worth it to take on this enemy... but unfortunately the choice is not theirs.
"Maverick NOW!"
I screamed and he knew exactly what to do, an earthquake to destroy their balance so Stella could inflict the illusions. There's no reason to make this harder than it should be.
The earth began trembling and the mules struggled to keep their positions. I could see Stella glowing softly and the screams of our enemies could be heard as they saw god knows what illusion my sweet companion put them through.
... I took out my scythe and took a battle ready position. I might not be trained to wield such a weapon but if it's my soul weapon I better know how to use it.
I took a look behind me at my two companions who nodded in agreement.
"Let the slaughter begin!"