After dinner, the once noisy camp was as quiet as a still river, the sound of gentle breaths the only thing in the space.
The fire had been put out leaving only smothering ambers, a thin white smoke drifting into the air.
But the peace didn't last for long. While they slept, there was a sound of light slithering, as a dark figure strolled into the camp…
It was quiet, the forest leaves rustling as it moved closer and closer to the elves.
With a humanoid body covered in obsidian black scales, a large cobra-like head with fangs dripping venom, and seven inch claws, it was a monster built for destruction.
Yet, it was as quiet as an owl.
It stopped just in front of the elves, it's yellow eyes narrowing as it observed them, searching for any possibility of a trap.
There was none, from their breathing it could tell that they were fast asleep, just like it had expected.
Satisfied, it slithered towards the most scrumptious amongst the people. A woman with long silver hair, and a supple body.
Once it reached her, the monster raised its limb, its sharp claws glinting under the pale moonlight.
And then it brought it down upon her—
Swoosh!
Its claws cut through the air, moments away from sinking into her soft flesh when the world was suddenly bathed intensely bright!
TIIINGGG!
Skreee!
The monster hissed as it staggered back, its hands raised up to block the light that had invaded its vision.
And then all of a sudden—
Bang!
An arrow pounded into its chest, piercing the scales as though they were paper. Blood splattered out of the wound, bits of flesh sticking out as the monster's body jerked.
The whole camp spun into action.
The people that had appeared to be sleeping suddenly stood up, strange weapons in hand.
Before the monster could even make a move.
Bang Bang Bang!
The creature's body shook violently as multiple crossbow bolts were emptied into its frame, blowing off chunks of flesh.
The monster fell back flat on its back, twitching slightly before succumbing to death.
Sitting high up on one of the great tree's branches, Artie lowered her bow as she stared down at the creature, her body still humming from the residual mana of her light spell
'He was right, it really came at night.' She mused.
The monster was a crafty one, waiting until it was sure they were asleep before it struck.
But Eliron had thought ahead of it…
The whole story in front of the fire, the unnecessary noise they were making that night…
It was all part of the plan.
Artie jumped down from the tree, sliding down the trunk to break her fall.
Meanwhile, Eliron shot up to his feet, a broad smile on his face as he stared at the monster.
"Hehe, snakes are always the same in every form… they are always sneaking around the dark like creeps."
Obviously, he was not a hundred percent sure the monster would be serpentine, but it was a good guess considering it used venom, and that bet had paid off.
"Yen, did you see that?" He asked the angel beside him.
"Hmmm? Let… me… sleep a little bit."
Eliron gave her a dead pan look. "You were supposed to be fake sleeping, not actually sleeping!" He breathed out angrily.
By his side, one of the hunters chuckled as he walked closer to the corpse.
"Ahahah, that bastard didn't even stand a chance. It was singing heavenly tunes by the time it realised what was going on!"
The group shared a laugh over their victory as Artie walked up to Eliron, offering him a hand to pull him to his feet.
Then she froze and raised a hand to silence the chatter.
Noticing her change in demeanour, Eliron unsheathed his blade, a metallic shrill filling the air as the sword was revealed.
"Don't celebrate too soon… It looks like we have company."
Out of the forest, several amber eyes shone out of the darkness, each one staring at them like they were the hottest items on a dinner menu.
Artie clicked her tongue. "There are a lot…"
Eliron nodded. "A little above a dozen." And the worst part was that they were completely surrounded. "Formation alpha!"
Eliron suddenly yanked Yennefer to her feet and tossed her into the formation being created.
The angel yelped, her eyes wide as she surveyed the area, then she noticed the monsters, immediately understanding the situation they were in.
When she met Eliron's gaze, she nodded, her expression turning serious as magic began to pour out of her body.
The hunters aligned themselves in two concentric circles with Yennefer in the center of it, their weapons raised at the monsters.
It was a simple but effective formation.
Yennefer would continually heal any injuries they would sustain during the fight, while the fighters switched with each other whenever anyone was tired.
This way, they could fight for hours without stopping.
It was a strategy Eliron had created to make the weak elves capable of putting up a fight against tougher foes.
But still…
'They are nervous…'
Their hands were slowly shaking, their knuckles white due to how tightly they were holding their weapons.
Some swallowed, others visibly shook as they stared at the threat in front of them.
It was only natural, without tricks, most wood elves would never dream of taking a monster alone.
It was a foregone conclusion what would happen if they did—
Death.
Slow and quick, but excruciatingly painful.
But while they trembled in the face of danger, Eliron stepped forward, his sword raised at the disturbance, his gaze sharp and his posture unwavering.
Artie walked up to him, unsheathing a short sword as well, while Ash took his position close to the formation.
Her expression was stoic as the monsters poured out of the forest like a flood.
"I guess I'll get to see that swordsmanship of yours Ash always brags about."
Eliron smiled. "Good luck."
Artie nodded.
And then the monsters came upon them.