Before you go keep this numbers on you, Heka called handing them badges, Dan being four, Areia being Five, while Zoe, Vea And Nox numbering one to three respectively, remember don't lose them, it'll be the only way we can find you I case you're trapped in there, we're lacking manpower as you can you have already noticed, more and more people keep requesting for my guild members to the point where the guild master is practically left alone with bums in the guild. So if anything goes wrong in there I'll be the only one able to get you out so be cautious alright, I'll be waiting at the other side ,take case she said, she stepped back and disappeared.
Dan, Areia said coming up to him, here take this, she handed him something that looked like a little hallow stick.
Dan looked at it curiously, is this some sort of whistle? He asked.
It's a high frequency whistle, it may not be loud but I'll be able to pick up the frequency it emits when blown, if you're in danger pls blow it, Areia said with a pleading tone.
Don't worry, he reassured her, I don't plan on being in danger, besides I'll blow anything up that seems remotely scary.
Nox started walking into the tunnel, Dan dashed after her waiving Areia a good bye.
Let's meet at the other side he called as he disappeared into the darkness.
Where's my whistle, Zoe asked. Areia gave him a death stare.
Sorry Vea interrupted dragging him despite his rebellion into the tunnel. Areia turned and walked into hers.
The tunnel was not what Dan or Nox had expected, they were trees and a dense fog seemed to cover every corner of the place, he turned back but the door was no longer there, well there goes my plan three Incase things went wrong, Dan said with a sigh.
So are you and the white hair dating, Nox asked. Her voice was pleasant unlike Dan expected, he expected something more sharp or coax.
No, Dan said, she's too hard to read for that, besides I doubt she's into stuff like that.
I think that's our mission, Dan said pointing to a large wooden board with a dummy underneath.
So we're supposed to carry this thing through the forest and that's it? Nox asked. Seems simple enough.
Yh it's simple, I doubt we're here alone though, I think that's the catch, we're on a mercenary mission, and I think protecting the doll is the goal, Dan analyzed.
Now who gets to carry the doll, Dan said staring intently at Nox.
I'm definitely not doing it, she scoffed. You do it.
Oh come on, you look stronger, I bet it wouldn't even be a hassle if you do it, Dan challanged.
How shameful aren't you supposed to be a man? Nox scoffed.
That doesn't mean anything now does it? Dan replied.
Just carry it, boy, we haven't got all day, she scoffed.
Dan sighed, hoisting the dummy on his shoulder, the straw poking him on the back, it smell of earth filled his nose. So how do we find our way, cat, Dan asked.
For someone so timid your mouth seems to be sharper than your brain, Nox snapped. We'll follow my nose, I'm sure you already know but we have a sharp sense of smell and hearing so it shouldn't be too hard, assuming nothing attacks us.
Well get a move on then, Dan grunted, this thing is not exactly light you know.
Hold up rattle mouth, I'm coming She replied. We should head left she said suddenly and started striding forward.
After what seemed like a eternity for Dan but realistically it had only been three minutes, they were suddenly covered with a bad stench.
Smells like corpses, Nox said covering her nose.
What do you mean corpses, Dan said looking around, you mean to tell me people actually die here? He asked.
Yeah, it's rare, but people do die, it's not that big a deal, I can't see any bodies tho, Nox said in thought.
Dan dashed forward pulling Nox by the tail, she hissed and made to hit Dan when she saw it.
Nox's One sided battle axe, dropped in her hand in an instant. From what Dan could tell from the dense fog the creature seems to have more than one leg, it had horns all over his head and no face as far as Dan could tell, it had a massive tail that seemed to trash around as if it had life, it circled them for a while then disappeared into the fog.
What was that, Dan asked wiping the sweat on his face, he looked at Nox's terrifying expression and guessed she doesn't know either.
What the hell, she said slowly. That thing was almost six times our size, how are we to take on something like that while carry a dummy no less, She said still in shock.
Dan snapped his finger and a little ball of fire floated near him, illuminating the place a little, well staying here won't help things he said heaving the doll and walking past, Nox.
Are you coming or not, he called after giving her a little distance.
Wait for me before you get lost, she said dashing after him.
After a while Dan asked, you don't seemed thrilled to fight that thing, how about holding the doll? Dan asked.
And if I hold the doll whose gonna fight? You? She scoffed.
Says the girl who froze up, Dan said. I mean seriously, who freezes up like that, it's like begging to be ripped apart.
Shut up, Nox said flushing violently, I couldn't help it, I mean I'm even shocked as to how you're so calm.
I'm not calm, but I'm definitely not freaking out either, Dan said. Oww my back is killing me, pls carry the doll Nox, pretty pls with lots of meat on top.
Fine, but you better do your job as a protector just fine, Nox scoffed.
Don't worry I have a plan, Dan said with a smirk.
Will your friend be alright? Nox asked. I mean if we all have the same challenge wouldn't it mean she'll have to carry the doll and fight that thing herself.
Well if I have to say I'm more worried about the monster, Dan said nervously. I managed to hurt her but making us take the test apart I'm sure she's gonna take her frustrating on that thing, she never does so with me tho, for some reason.
Well enough of that, Dan suddenly said, Nox? Are you fast? Dan asked seriously.
Yeah, I could say that, she said somewhat confused at his question.
And can you run while carry that? Dan asked pointing at the doll on her shoulder.
Yeah I guess, she said forrowing her brows in thought. Wait are you hoping that I'll run with the doll and leave you here, she yelled. That's definitely not happening.
Pls trust me, Dan pleaded and keep your voice down.
Trust you? Isn't that too much to ask seeing as this is our first Interaction, she said angrily. I have principles and I wouldn't abandon a comrade even if It's for just this test.
Oh will you shut up about this righteousness and stuff, Dan said suddenly growing serious. You definitely can't fight that thing and from your freezing earlier you're definitely not strong enough to. So what should we do wait for it to come crunch on our bones or at least try my plan. And if you have one I'd like to hear it, Dan boomed.
Nox looked at her feet, but it's wrong, she said softly.
You can follow the scent to the exit right? Dan asked.
Definitely, she replied.
Now no stalling no goodbyes and don't get lost cause I'll be hot on your trail, run like the devil is chasing you , I mean it's literally chasing us, also break twigs and stuff as you go, I might get left behind after all, Dan joked. Now on the count of three. One....two...three..
Nox sprinted with a burst of speed, Dan trailing behind, the repacaution was instant, Dan could hear the thrump and snapping of trees behind them. He fire ball floating near him multiplied around him and grew bigger the size of a large grape, he stopped and turned facing the monster, he saw Nox disappear into the fug still sprinting, she's a good Ally, Dan thought. The monster lunged at Dan it's head splitting open revealing a funnel like mouth filled and riddled with teeth.
Dan gulped that hit him with one of the fire balls, it knocked it back sending it crashing into a tree, another fire ball replaced the used one instantly. It was a series of attack, Dan didn't let up the fire balls he kept firing till the air was covered with the smell of burnt wood and Ash.
Dan instantly started running out the smoke following Nox's trail of broken twigs, he didn't get far before he was caught by the creature's tail, it bit into his shoulder and flung him back slamming him into a tree.
Dan screamed in pain, that hurts like hell, he yelled, I thought I'd be able to tank any pain this monster gives but this is beyond my imagination. He stood up with difficulty as the monster started circling the tree Dan was slammed into.
My healing spell is not working, damn it, Dan said through gritted teeth,it seems I need a teacher after all, being self taught just won't do the blood from his shoulder wouldn't stop.
The tail lunged again, Dan lept out the way just in time, the tail hit the tree snapping it in two. Dan thought, had that thing attacked me head on rather than pull me, I don't think I would be alive right now. The tail lunged at him again, he stepped aside and hit it with a huge fire ball, it trashed around in pain, Dan fired another at the main body, but Dan underestimated the animals speed, it dodged and made some distance from Dan in an instant. Dan tore his shirt and wrapped it around the wound.
Come at me freak, he cough. Come eat fire ball. The creature lunged with one explosive leap, Dan gathered flame on one hand and with the other removed nitrogen around the flame enriching it with oxygen. He released it onto the monsters open mouth. The explosive power was what Dan expected,The monster went mad for the first few seconds of the impact, Dan took the initiative to. Start following, Nox's trail again .
The monster barred his path again ready to strike, You're a stubborn one aren't you...well come at me I'll burn you and this stupid forest to the ground, Dan laughed
Nox came out of the tunnel in tears, the others were there, it seems they were the last one. What happened? Heka asked where's Dan?
I don't know he holding it off, she sobbed, he held the thing off, it was this gigantic horny, and terrifying monster, isn't something like that too hard, guild master.
I don't recognize anything like that, she said in confusion. To everyones surprise Zoe was the first to run in followed by Areia with a terrifying look on her face. Heka followed suit leaving Vea to console Nox
The forest was burning, Zoe halted at the sight of the flames, even without going near it, his belt was melting. Without thinking Areia charged headfirst into the flame disappearing in it. Heka came behind Zoe, damn that's hot, she exclaimed, she took charged into the flame. Zoe looked around am I the only one who is sane he thought, before charging into it too.
The forest could hardly be called a forest anymore, the land was charred, trees were falling and becoming scanty, as Areia went deeper she could hardly see any standing tree that wasn't in half or burnt to a crisp. She spotted Dan slumped against an Ash stump.
Dan, she yelled as she picked him up, he's unconscious, she thought, alive but unconscious. The smoke must have passed him out. She turned and saw the massive heap of charred carcass. It wasn't like anything Areia had seen, I thought we were supposed to be fighting wolves, she said. She carried Dan on her shoulder. Let's get out of here before the air poisons you further
Areia sprinted past Heka as she was rushing in, I'll leave the fire to you, Areia said as she sprinted past her. She got to the exit in no time, dropped Dan on the floor.
I can perform simple healing spells, Vea said timidly not sure how Areia would react.
Pls do, in these situations I'm useless, Areia said in defeat, also I might need a heal too, she said as she collapsed.
She's got no resistance to poisonous substances, Heka said carrying Zoe on her shoulder. This idiot couldn't even find his way out,she said tossing Zoe on the floor.
Dan told me about her, apperantly she's quite vulnerable to toxins, yet she walked into that toxin filled place just to get this shrimp out, her loyalty seriously needs to be studied, Heka said jokingly.
I can get Areia healed a little bit, but Dan I'm not so sure, Vea said worriedly while trying in vain to heal Dan.
He was bitten by whatever he fought in there and the wound doesn't seem to be wanting to heal, Vea said. I'm not skilled enough for this yet.
Let me, Nox said getting up, it's the least I can do.
But....
No buts, she interrupted, focus on The white hair I'll fix Dan. She knelt down close to him, patting his head. Vea can I have your knife? She asked.
But....
Knife now, Nox interrupted and Vea folded instantly. She gave Nox the knife and without hesitation she slit her palm and let the blood dropped on Dan's wound. The result was Instant, the wound healed like it had never happened, she rested Dan's head on her lap staring into his face.
Dan slowly opened his eyes,as Nox's face came into view. Can I touch your ears, he asked sleepily.
Yes, she responded.
He didn't get to do it tho, he soon fell into another sleep.
Zoe woke up screaming, hot it's too hot, he was duly hushed by Heka, Vea and Nox.
They're sleeping? And I was hoping to speak to Areia.
I bet she'll knock your teeth out if you do, Vea said getting up from Areia. She's stable but she'll need all the sleep she can get, I mean she just kinda walked into her allegedly after all.
So does that mean we pass, guild master? Zoe asked.
Well your Doll is in one piece isn't it? She asked.
Well aside from one arm that is, Zoe replied.
How did that happen? Heka asked amused.
Vea here wouldn't hold it properly and a wild cat bit into it, he said.
That's cause you kept trying to befriend the wolves rather than keeping them away from me, Vea responded annoyed.
Well a pass is a pass and Areia's doll is looking clean same with that of Dan's. I guess I'll get on with your cards then, but I'll only hand it over when those two are in full health, Heka said.
How long are you gonna keep doing that? Zoe asked looking at Nox, stop patting him like he's some pet or don't tell me you've taken a liking to him too.
That's none of your business biscuit brain, Nox snapped.
Dan woke up the next day in full health, but it took Areia another two days fir her to fully heal, during which Dan spent almost the entire time on her bed side.
The distribution of their guild cards was unceremonious and dry. Heka handed over their cards welcoming them to the guild, she explained had the other guild members been present a celebration would have been in order but it not as it seems.
The card was, solid silver with the edge coated In gold. It shows a cat holding a coin, and Dan could see his face looking back at him from the card. He wondered when the picture was taken as he flipped the card in his Palm.