Swamp Wolves

“What are the benefits of someone dragging you to an activity you had no intention of joining? One is that you can tell someone, ‘I didn’t sit at home doing nothing today,’ followed by ranting on about how boring the activity was. Another is that you get to socialize with new people, unless those people are there to torment you.”

Kitezh was being over-dramatic as always. She was sometimes like that, but really it was her defense mechanisms kicking in. She gets friendlier if she gets used to the company.

Right now, Kitezh and the party she joined walk out of their train and into their destination, the small town of Mala Raka.

“Do you know how lucky I was to grab this quest from the board? If I were two seconds late, everyone would be swarming for it! Though if I knew what the quest was, I’d smash those losers away! In other words, you were always destined to join this quest no matter what, Kitezh!”

The gruff, booming voice is from Lev, the tanky member of Marigold’s party. He has features of a lion, but Kitezh never asked to confirm if he really was some lion-human monster race. She trusted he was both beastly and agile like one, especially when going up against a group of actual beasts. With his brute strength, his main weapon of choice was a pair of brass knuckles.

“And I’m glad you did. Kitezh is a hottie! It’s always the miracle girls who look perfect. Maybe try without the helmet when we’re getting a drink. Oh, I’m not implying I only like your lower body.”

The failure attempting to woo Kitezh is Frigyes. He is a blend of things, utilizing magic and weapons to an acceptable level. He is very quick-minded, except when it comes to talking to girls. In any situation, he can turn any item into a weapon. He has been practicing his technique with things in his bag while we were on the train. He prefers using a spear as his weapon of choice. His lanky build and light armor were specifically made for his skill set.

Finally, Marigold is the mage of the group. She says she has useful magic for healing and offense. Kitezh didn’t dive deep into her skills. Kitezh only had to one thing to ask Marigold:

“How do you put up with Frigyes’s dumbass flirting?”

Marigold twirled to have her perky face pointing at Kitezh.

“Oh, you think I have difficulty putting up with him? No, it’s the opposite. These guys are the ones forced to put up with me! They were really desperate for a mage who could heal.”

Marigold twirled to Kitezh’s side again. “But don’t worry! I treat his comments like I’m his little sister!”

“Yeah, as cute a she is, I prefer an older woman with big boobs,” Frigyes added.

“You’re calling me old?” sighed Kitezh.

“Yeah, and your boobs and butt will age just right… Oh! And of course your face too!” fumbled Frigyes.

“Marigold, shut up!” shouted Lev.

“I wasn’t the one ta-“

SMACK!

Kitezh was lucky to have kept her mouth shut on time.

Lev slammed his head on the ground.

Kitezh and the party were at the riverbank of Mala Raka. Kitezh looked around. Her eyes were set on the large white stone bastion up ahead that lay parallel to the river. The main street of the town had several markets. The podiums were bustling with people.

Lev suddenly got up.

“Kitezh and others, huddle. Make us invisible now!” demanded Lev.

Before Kitezh could response, Lev bearhugged, or lionhugged, everyone around him.

“G-Give me a moment. Ahk! Stop squeezing me!” croaked Kitezh.

Lev didn’t let go, but Kitezh managed to turn herself and her party invisible. Earlier, Kitezh made sure to explain to her party how her powers work.

Anything Kitezh is in contact with, whether a person or object, she could spread an invisible veil on them. The veil can cover most things, but only at a surface level. If an invisible layer is lifted or torn, the underlying surface is exposed.

Additionally, Kitezh can spread her invisibility to objects and weapons as well, even when others are holding on to them. Though, she requires more time to spread her invisibility veil that far.

Once everyone could see nothing but the ground, Lev backed off. Everyone else stumbled back a bit.

“The bastion looks like a pretty spot to return if we can’t locate one another! Oh, but I’m going to ride the horse statue, so make sure you touch that if you can’t find me!” cheered Marigold.

“Hold up, we’re going to farm to first to stop the invasion, right? We ain’t just doing some ghost mission. I want people knowing I saved them!” boasted Frigyes.

“Great, you can start saving them right now!” responded Lev.

“Lev, you didn’t just want me to show off my powers for no reason, right? We don’t need to do this unless there actually is trouble,” said Kitezh.

“AAAAAAAAAH!”

Screams suddenly shrilled from the distance. A cloud of dust formed. Deep growls were heard from the distance, as well as the pattering of paws. They were the swamp wolves.

“Did we get here too late? I thought that jerk at the guild told us the wolves were expected to show up at the farms around 7am. I hate waking up earlier, but come on, this is ridiculous,” said Frigyes.

Kitezh realized now. Lev sensed the swamp wolves by pressing his head against the ground.

Kitezh couldn’t see it, but she could tell Frigyes was reaching for his spear from the way he talked.

Three large sickening wolves flew from the crowd of dust. They were the size of the buildings themselves. Their fur was dark green as if covered in algae. In fact, it almost glistened like fish scales.

The part that caught her eyes the most was their teeth. From the name alone, you expect a menacing wolf, but their mouths almost looked like they belonged to a crocodile. It was long and full of jagged teeth, yet still resembled the snout of a canine.

“They must have already destroyed the farms! They’re after the people of town now!” yelled Marigold.

The wolves began charging through. They destroyed every cart and market stand in their path. One could easily demolish a building if one wanted to with its massive size and strength.

People were scattering in their sight. However, instead of chasing individuals one by one, the swamp wolves bolted straight down the street. The most violence that they did to the people were kicking them off to the side.

Not a single one tried to swallow the citizens, despite how easy it was for one to snatch a person with their large jaws. They were like incoming monstrous trains driving through an express lane.

“They’re not attacking the people? Are they just using this town as a fun playground?” questioned Marigold.

Kitezh thought for a moment. The wolves have already destroyed the farms? It was not possible, as her team got to the town as early as possible, before the estimated time of their wolves’ arrival. Even if they were subjects of the demon lord, they couldn’t have destroyed the farms that quickly.

The wolves must’ve avoided the farms and headed for the town first. However, they aren’t attacking the citizens. But why? Where were they going?

Kitezh finally remembered the words.

Bring Kitezh the Invisible Phenomenon.

“They’re headed straight to me!” exclaimed Kitezh.