Episode 32: Malevolent tactics

The light of day was over the caravan once again. Thanks to the multiple alerts the night before, those who were supposed to be well rested were not, it was going to be a rough day. Now Taro was on the front with Ari, and Shizuka, Sidra, and Nagye guarded the rear.

Ari: I barely got any sleep after the orsos attacked, I feel like when we slept the first night in the forest

Taro: yez, very, tired, but, we tough

in the back, Sidra held both Nagye’s and Shizuka’s hand, both were trying not to fall asleep to the hypnotic rhythm of their steps and the noises of the carts

Sidra: Are you sure you wanna keep going? you can take a break if you want, I remember how hard was it for you last time

Nagye: d-don’t worry, I can d-do this, I’m stronger than befo—-w-what is t-this?!

Sidra: goddess gracious, you look terrified, what is it?

Nagye: m-monsters, dark monsters, running alongside us from within the forest!, m-monsters!, monsters!!

the one responsible for ringing the bell hesitated, seeing no monsters around, so Shizuka rang them herself

guild secretary: we got monsters?!, where are they?, the trees!!, everyone, on your guard!!

Dark creatures with insect and humanoid features jumped from among the trees, they were each at least as tall as an orso, with long limbs, sharp claws, and powerful jaws. They could not catch the caravan by surprise, but engaged in combat nonetheless. The guards and adventurers who were resting jumped into action, but they were confused and scared at the sight of such brooding figures.

short guy: what are these? I don’t know how to fight them!

shield guy: are this the Horde?!

guild secretary: Horde or not, don't let them grab you! They are armored, but they have gaps, find and target!!, all the children, hide under the carts!!

While the adventurers were busy, a creature slipped past, grabbed the tall priest, and immediately chomped on him, trying to rip him in half, a fruitless endeavor because the priest enhanced himself, but painful nonetheless, he could be heard screaming for help from inside the mandibles. Shizuka landed mana shards near the gaps of the armor of the thing, and detonated them, releasing the injured priest from the fatal grip

Shizuka: it worked!

Ari: hit the sides! That's the weak part of their armor!

The weak point discovery changed the tide of the battle, the adventurers went on the offensive, but the monsters were smart, threatening to take the upper hand again by adopting a new formation. they protected 2 of their own who started shooting beams of energy from the crystals on their helmets, one hit Ari, opening her guard for one of the vanguard to rush her, but a powerful rock throw impacted it square in the face, shattering the crystal protecting its eyes, and giving Ari time to regroup

Ari: Taro thanks!!

Taro: I protect, no worry! (I thought they were just insect monsters, but now I see they actually have armor and gear, and they’re also intelligent, these are no random wild monsters!)

the adventurers saw the opening and broke through the monster’s formation, killing some, the others managed to flee

guild master: dammit! they’re gonna report to their commander!. black armor, coordinated attacks, its them, it’s the Horde. someone go report to the guild master quickly!. damage report?!

Ari: 2 injured, fortunately just that

Sidra: You're also injured Ari, let me treat that. goddess gracious, such a nasty burn, I’m afraid it’ll leave a mark

Shizuka: I thought we were the furthest away from the Horde, what's going on?

guild secretary: they’re on to us, they must also be attacking the rear, weakening us and dividing our forces, how did they even get here so fast?... flying creatures! I knew it

Nagye: th-they also run v-very fast, and from what I saw, they also do it pretty quietly

guild secretary: we must concentrate our forces, otherwise they’re gonna pick us out one by one, everyone! we’re turning back, we're regrouping with the second caravan!!

The people, now scared on top of tired marched back to meet the second caravan. By night, they reunited and camped to wait for the other caravans. According to the reports of the message carriers running back and forth, various groups were attacked by the Horde, suffering injuries and even deaths

guild secretary: who must sleep may sleep, we will wait here for the other caravans!. you guys over there! don't start drinking!, it’ll make you sleepy and sluggish!. Mage girl, I'm sorry to ask you this, but I need you awake for tonight. Thanks to you, they couldn’t ambush us.

Nagye: (Despite everything, I'm the court mages’ daughter, I will fight!) I-I’ll do my best!

Nagye could not help herself from shaking, Sidra held her hand, also shaking.

Sidra: I will not let harm come to you, I swear by the goddess I will not let them

Shizuka: I wish I could joke around, but it’s just too much, sorry, I’m–

Ari hugged Shizuka tightly

Ari: It's ok, not even the secretary is joking around, who wouldn’t be scared in this situation?, we’re… we’re really at war

Taro, Sidra and Nagye joined the group hug, holding each other together. They all stayed awake during the night, covering each other’s back and keeping each other awake. Everyone expected another Horde incursion, but there was nothing but gentle rain, which comforted the disturbed and disturbed who knew that it could mask enemy movement.

this time, what made the bells rang was a silent shadow flying in the night, as soon as Nagye saw it with her bird’s eye, she knew what it was

Nagye: br-bruo!! bruo!!

guild secretary, lie down now!!

an imposing figure descended immediately, barely missing its attempt to grab an adventurer that dropped just in time. It was as tall as a house, dark feathers that had no shine, huge round indifferent eyes, huge claws on its wings and feet, and a sharp beak that resembled a malevolent smile. For a moment, it looked like the people were on the ground bowing for the sovereign of the night

guild secretary: target the eyes!!, some distract him to create an opening!!

spears, rocks, and arrows flew to the bruo’s face, but it protected itself with its thick wings. Its feathers were like armor that muffled the impacts, it stood unfazed by the attacks trying to distracting it from a side, and retaliated with powerful swipes, sending adventurers flying. Shizuka jumped high and targeted its face with her most powerful explosive mana shots.

Even covered, the beast felt the impact, letting out a loud screech, and swiping Shizuka down with great force, even though she reacted quickly by deploying shields and enhancing herself, it was not enough, all her defenses were broken and she impacted the ground unconscious. All her friends called for her in horror, Sidra and Ari rushed to her side, Taro and Nagye, filled with vengeful intent, capitalized on the bruo’s confusion after the explosions to attack its eyes with Taro’s most compressed and powerful rock throw and Nagye’s twin bird slashes

guild secretary: its eyes are gone, attack the back of its head!!

spear guy: let the professionals handle it!

Ari: oh no, this looks very very bad, Shizuka…

Sidra: The Healing Grace is a mighty spell!, I will not let you die, you won’t die, you won’t die!!

Sidra casted her healing on Shizuka, closing her wounds and mending her bruises. She was alive, but unresponsive. the mighty bruo was slain with one last echoing screech. Even in death, its presence was a monument of terror. People cheered relieved and crying, except for Taro and the girls, who tried to wake Shizuka up

guild secretary: damage report?!, dammit!, a bruo at this time?! this can't be a coincidence, the Horde is chasing and directing the monsters to attack us, the orsos from yesterday must have been part of this!

Shizuka was taken to the area of the injured while the other priests took care of those who were in worse condition. Taro and the girls felt numb to the fear and cold, in a state of adrenaline filled concentration

Taro: (is this how it's gonna be? they’re gonna pick us out one by one?, why… Why am I so weak?!, is there nothing I can do?!)