Chapter 18:

Be careful what you wish for...

Twilight Star: First Goal


Londra jogged into the Adventurer’s Guild House just after eleven, the only one with her was Beta. Since most were getting used to seeing the four just after eight days, he was in his large form looking like a large, light grey panther with bold blue eyes. Elaine just smiled at the two, “meeting room one,” she said, her long, dark beige face no longer showing any fear. “Master Oscar will be down in a moment.”

“Great,” Londra smiled, pushing back a stray strand of her short, layered, sable brown hair. “I am not late. Any luck getting a Butcher back within the Guild?”

Elaine sighed, coming out from behind the desk to stroke Beta, whose tail was circling with enjoyment. “Not yet. I can say that it is wonderful to have meat back in my diet and I am glad our three parties have people who learned butcher skills. At least we have a clean warehouse since there is at least one that can teleport the preserved kills there until they make it back to cut them up...”

“That is true,” Londra sighed, “but having someone else on full time would be good. What about hiring one to work out of the warehouse?”

“I think it is something that Master Oscar and Archduke Dristen are working on,” Elaine explained. One more stroke of Beta’s smooth body she returned to her desk.

“Thanks, heading in now,” Londra said holding her hands to catch Beta in his cat form. She opened the door directly across from the receptionist’s desk to see the other two captains. They looked so different but then again, so did she.

Captain Joan of Orchid Blossom sat tall, no longer afraid of everything. Her long, wavy, deep red hair was down framing her ivory, heart-shaped face and accenting her blue eyes. There were hints of freckles across her cheeks. She was just a curvy as Londra and able to use every element. She too had learned the Victim’s Revenge spell and could teleport her whole party, but they kept that under wraps like Londra’s team did. “How was the escort job?” she asked smoothly as Londra sat down in between the two, since the seat was open.

Londra relaxed a bit, after Beta got comfortable on her lap. She brushed her, short, layered, sable brown hair from her light beige brow thinking it was easier to manage before it was shaped. “It was a workout. Our team went south and had two battles down and three back. I am sorry we miss our group warm up this morning.”

Joan chuckled, “your group was missed but thanks for the warning. I really like our shared workouts, especially the dancing. Who knew it was so good for endurance training.”

Ralph, the Captain of Rolling Flames, laughed. “It is fun!” After his healing was complete, he stood just over six feet tall with an equal amount of muscle and extra padding. He didn’t have a lot of magic but could keep up with all of the hard-core warriors in his team. His square, cinnamon colored face smiled at both women with a twinkle in his silver-violet eyes. He had decided to have his dark mahogany hair grown back, now it was braided down his back and whipped around when he fought, like an extension of might. “So, is it easy for you guys? We are splitting in half but...”

“Agreed,” Joan sighed. “Any thoughts?”

“Actually, it isn’t,” Londra answered. “Each battle is different and nothing like those that remember are ready for. Even scan spells are not too helpful. We struggled for the first five to ten minutes before figuring out how best to fight. Then it may look easy to others, but it is our teamwork.”

“I hear that,” Ralph sighed. “We just would like a bit more team to work with...”

“Any ideas how to break through stubborn heads?” Joan asked quickly, causing Ralph to nod. “Robbie convinced us that sixteen was a grand number. When we went out with our supporters… we now agree. We are up to twelve and have our eyes on the last four that would fit with us the best but… they are all survivors that don’t want to adventure again.”

“Having the same problem,” Ralph sighed with his whole body. “We know who we want with us but getting them to agree… two are missing appendages. I hear that the Archduke has skilled artisans that can create limbs but they are just missing one thing, Three Horn leather. I have hinted that if they were in a party they would get it first but…”

“Yes,” Joan added quickly. “I have done the same. It just doesn’t seem to be enough of a push. We went through this… horror with them and…”

“I get it,” Londra nodded, closing her hazel eyes for a moment. “Bribery?” she started opening her eyes to see Master Oscar coming in. He motioned for her to continue as he sat across from the three captains. “The poison messed up our minds. The only way to right it is with the Victim’s Revenge spell and a trip in to talk with Spella who fixes just by talking to you. Then after two days your mind is righted, and one can reach out to family members. We have Master Yevhen looking for a few that are here but luckily most families are still…home?”

“Oh, my…” Joan shrieked, opening her screen, quickly navigating to her family listing. “They are all safe… oh, my mother is going to be pissed that I haven’t contacted her… oh look, messages… so many messages... I will listen to them later. Maybe just reach out to her...”

Ralph did the same thing while shaking his head, “was so focused with getting better and not letting what they did define me that I completely forgot. Well, that is something to think about. Another, that just occurred to me, they must be healthy and active to have measurements for the new limbs… yes, all of that might work.”

Now the three of them looked over at Master Oscar, who was deep in thought while nodding. His square, copper face was a bit wrinkled while his vivid green eyes were closed for a moment. With a sigh that moved his large, muscular form he opened his eyes and ran a strong, hand through his thick, short, silver hair. “It goes with some of the things we wanted to speak about… we is myself, Archduke Dristen, and Continental Master Lenardo. Well, Archduke Dristen is keeping the lid on the Learning Room findings. He doesn’t want those that would exploit it to have knowledge. Then again, after speaking to Cas and Spella, which was more than interesting, I think they… or the sentient spell would figure it out. All of your supporters have been sworn to secrecy… as much as we can. Many family members are considering switching out but right now we have a good group.”

Ralph rubbed his chin, “you are saying that nobody else but us know that kindness is the way to learn without the pain.” Master Oscar nodded. “You want us to keep it that way. A way to see if they really are ready. We handled the pain, look where we are… adventure with us again.”

“I can see that working,” Joan nodded. “Okay, what is next?”

“Let’s stay with the party theme,” Master Oscar decided. “Next Tuesday, Continental Guild Master Lenardo will be here to evaluate and up your levels. I need you to be here by ten to take the tests for individual ranking. After, two from each team will go against two from our strongest parties. If you can keep up with them for five minutes then your party will go from Rank F to Rank D. Longer will get you Rank C.”

“If we beat them?” Londra asked sweetly causing the other two to chuckle.

“Not sure yet but at least Rank C,” Master Oscar smiled. “Hey, I believe it could happen. I have seen the way your parties train together… I don’t think I could stand up to any of you. Oh, supposedly, any that join your party after today can take the individual test but they shouldn’t be considered to be your two contestants.”

“That makes sense,” Joan smiled, lightening her freckles a bit. “We will beat them. I know which teams are top. They are arrogant male parties that look down on females. They will choose females to fight to show us weak. Ha! If I can keep up with Londra and Anna even I should be able to beat them.”

Master Oscar nodded, “you touched on the other things I wanted to talk about. Joan, I know your brother is thinking about starting a group. I believe a male Elf named Ginger is also looking to do the same. I would like the three of you to keep your ears open. If they are good groups let me know and we will… train them on how to use the Learning Room.”

“I would like to say the Jame’s team is good but right now there are a few he is considering that are… shady. They turn us in because we worked together just to see our punishment. Londra, you should talk to him,” Joan paused. “He might listen to you. After all, we know that you kept us alive and owe you at least that much… so much more seriously.”

“I will visit there tomorrow,” Londra decided. “With the rest of my party. We are such an interesting group. We turn heads.” This caused them all to chuckle.

“Last thing,” Master Oscar started, “herb beds. Whatever you did the clouds are still working no matter who goes by to add mana and the ground is still pure. They are growing like crazy, thanks to you all for keeping them picked. Archduke Dristen wants to try whatever you did on two farms and two ranches to get people working again. He has field generators for the ranches but not the farms. He wants to escort people out and bring them back. The thing is… the Green Goblins don’t enter the area. He has had Demons watching to see and they are pushed back and don’t care to try again.”

“That is all you, Londra,” Ralph said loudly, a glisten in his silver-violet eyes.

“No, that is a job for Robbie,” Beta purred.

“He is right,” Londra smiled. “I don’t see a problem with it. Have the Archduke pick out the two ranches and two farms he wants to start with, and we can talk about it tomorrow morning after our workout. Everyone will be there tomorrow, right?”

“As far as I know,” Joan smiled. “I do agree that Robbie will be best. He will have to figure out who can mesh the best because it will have to be big. Might want to limit it to one a day. I know we are all a bit on the overachiever side but for health reasons.”

Londra nodded, “Agree…” she trailed off. Her smile vanished as Beta stood up, his grey tail growing in size as he softly growled. “That is all, right, Master Oscar?” she asked a bit franticly. Now she was stroking Beta, trying to calm him down.

“Yes, what is wrong?” Master Oscar asked with concern.

“I just lost contact with our team in the North,” Londra said, standing quickly, moving towards the door. “I will be in touch if I need something. Very few things can interrupt my contact with Alden or Delta.” With that she was jogging out the door. The others left the room looking out the window to see that her team was gathering quickly. Mara’s large, black, Demon wings opened before they vanished in an instant.

Londra focused ahead to see Alden, Julius, Rus, and Zeke in battle with three massive creatures. Well, one was half the size… appearing to be about fifteen feet tall. Delta was flying above, using gravity to move his friends out of the way of the massive paws. The creature had the body of a panther with a spear for a tail and the head of a bull, a strange oddity. There was a golden ring through the bull’s nose while there was a shorter, third horn in the center of its head. The small one had brown horns with the center being yellow. The bigger one looked at least twenty feet from the massive black paws to the top of the muscular shoulders with bright red horns, a shiny golden bull ring, and the center horn was pure white. The largest, at least thirty feet tall had indigo horns with the third being violet.

“Well, damn,” Trenton mumbled looking at the battle with worry showing in his long, golden pecan face. His deep green Demon eyes tried to see an opening, but the battle was all over. “We wanted Three Horns… they are all tainted recently. They can be purified…”

“Robbie?” Anna started moving closer to him. Her nervous light tan hands were busily combing her long, deep red hair to tie it back. Her deep green eyes looked at him then back to the battle before smoothing her light violet shirt over her curvy body. “I can’t scan them, can you?”

Robbie sighed, his large frame showing his annoyance as his green eyes focused on the creatures. “Just basics… They are indeed Three Horns, and the color horn shows…” he paused as the small one used magic earth spears.

“See that,” Fenten sighed, closing his light blue eyes for a moment. Hoping the fear didn’t show on his caramel, accented, oval face. “What else,” he asked shrinking to his five inch Fairy form for better control of his magic. Now a haze of green, white, indigo, and blue surrounded him as his short, indigo hair fluttered around his pointed ears.

“Females enrage them,” Robbie continued, letting his large, white, wings out of his body. They were perfectly white creating an upside-down u shape two feet above his shoulders and ending a foot from the ground.

“Robbie, did you plan this?” Londra wondered softly. She could see Anna was wondering the same thing but didn’t want to ask. Actually, everyone was looking towards him.

Robbie looked away from Anna and Londra. “Ladies, we don’t have a lot to go on. I think we should join them with our Feline Drakes to see if we can figure something out.”

“If that is what you think,” Londra mumbled. Peter and Trenton nodded in agreement. They all took off to join the battle. Now there were eight against three with four supporters. Alpha was busy healing already. “Am I crazy…” she started holding a hand above her hazel eyes to help with the sun.

“Yes,” Anna chuckled. Her light tan, heart-shaped face and deep green eyes tried not to show her nerves, yet her hands were nervously rubbing her brown pants.

“Can you see a line around the neck?” Londra continued as the eight formed a line to watch. Fern decided to take her small Fairy form creating a haze of pink behind her with a bit of white, blue, orange and yellow at times. Now they couldn’t see her oval, soft fawn colored face showing just how worried she was. She rapidly blinked back the moisture forming in her vivid blue eyes while her violet braid danced around.

Sasha was still debating about her snake form or not. Her contradicting ideas could be seen on her long, buttercream face and evergreen eyes. “Ouch,” she mumbled watching Julius get smacked away like an ant. "Thank goodness for Delta's gravity magic..."

“I see it,” Belle agreed moving slightly, her deep blue eyes focused on the battle. Her long, light beige, Elven ears at full attention. “None of the magic they are using is working…”

“Fenten just put up protection barriers,” Calla murmured, her light violet eyes and light green, diamond face showing her concentration. Holding up her thin fingers with white pointed fingernails. “Three, two, one…” a loud roar destroyed the barriers on cue. “Well at least we know that.”

“Alden is trying to move the ground, but it isn’t responding,” Sasha noticed. With a frown she bent down to feel the ground causing her long, braided, yellow, green, and red hair to flop over her shoulder landing in between her curvy breasts. “That is strange… there is no interference.”

“Come on… Zeke, grow your sword and try,” Zerina mumbled moving around, trying to get a better view. Her deep blue eyes outlined with white, red, and silver never blinked as she watched, while her toned body wanted to join the battle. “Why are none of them going for the mark on the neck. It is like they are looking for the heart. With beasts like this it could be in the back… that line has to mean something.”

“I don’t like staying back,” Mara stated, watching Londra who wasn’t still but bending and twisting while watching the males try to make some headway. “Besides, they aren’t cutting anything. Robbie has tried six different frequencies to enhance their weapons but still…” her large, black wings opening then returning to the normal upside-down v shape. Her blue-navy Demon eyes trying to find a reason nothing would work. Her oval, ivory face with undertones of violet showed her frustration. Her thin, violet-navy horns began to glow, while her short, blue-black hair waved when she tried to heighten her eyes with magic. 

“That would be why it is a difficult ingredient to get,” Fern mumbled fluttering around.

“New plan,” Londra started looking at the others itching to jump into battle as well. “We are going to pull the smaller one away. Mara and Fern appear before it then led it to the east, you are the main distraction. Sasha and Calla, your only job is to intercept the different earth spells it will be using. Frequencies might be why Alden failed or the whole thing could be gender based. Anna and I will be the other distraction, using magic to keep it in place. Belle and Zerina… you two work together. Belle help lift her up to the right angle so she can grow her sword and come down through… the same angle of the line.”

“Shall we Fern?” Mara asked, holding out her hand so they could teleport before it together. Fern returned to her human size, her vibrant pink butterfly shaped wings with white lines and blue, orange, and yellow spots stopping. A moment later they were flapping before the smaller of the Three Horns. It didn’t take long for it to charge after them.

“Faster than I thought,” Calla laughed nervously, her light green hand in Sasha’s. A moment later they were before the creature, softening the ground. It fired a few earth spears which they broke apart. For more control Sasha decided to change to her snake form. The other four followed. Before it could attack again Anna and Londra bombarded it with level five magic. It didn’t hurt it, but it was enough for it to stop attacking to protect its eyes with its ears. While it was doing that the ring in its nose began to glow with the two brown horns. They did not stop casting, knowing that Sasha and Calla had them covered. They all watched as Belle and Zerina used air steps to bounce around the distracted Three Horn. They knew that time was running out… both Anna and Londra could use magic all day, but their bodies were another thing. They used hand gestures since the creature seemed to interfere with their telepathy. Mara and Fern were watching the tail, which was a bigger threat than any of them thought. It was taking both of them to keep it from connecting with anybody.

Anna and Londra had a thought, “Cover your eyes!” they yelled together. “Be ready!” They held each other’s hands, closing their eyes, casting a blinding holy spell that would do so much damage to a normal creature but all it did to this one was blind it. But it was enough. Belle and Zerina jumped towards the neck, their swords connecting and they fell, using a bit of magic to control their fall, slicing through the neck at just the right spot. The swords met no resistance and soon the massive bull head was separated from the panther body.

Mara and Fern used magic to capture the tainted blood, purifying it before storing it. They had learned that any item might be needed. Belle and Zerina retreated behind Londra and Anna gasping for air. Londra and Anna began to purify the massive creature while preserving it for later while Calla and Sasha purified the land.

“We have to do that two more times?” Zerina mumbled, as her breathing returned to normal. “Sort of makes sense why they are so hard to defeat. They only appear before all male teams and that one was as male as any could get.”

“Yep, all those muscles,” Mara mumbled rolling her head and shoulders. “Then the only way to defeat it is with the eyes of a female. They probably can’t kill it, but they could be the distraction…”

“Zerina and Belle,” Londra started, “can you do it again?” They both smiled while nodding. “I think our fliers need to deal with the tails… Mara work with Fenton while Fern works with Robbie. Anna and I will be the other set that goes for the neck… do you two want big or medium?” she asked with a smile, already knowing the answer.

“I love it when we know what we are doing,” Belle stated crisply while smoothing down her short platinum hair. “We might get a little hurt, but it is so better than trying everything. But I think we will take medium. You and Anna have a connection that should be able to stretch that big.”

“They watched,” Calla observed after using a spell to clean the group. “I can almost hear Zeke laughing.” This caused a few chuckles. “So, we just distract it until the four of you give us a signal then blind it?”

“Sounds good,” Anna smiled as the Three Horn was stored in her vault. “Peter, Robbie, Julius, Trenton, and Alden can all use the blinding holy spell. It might have to be a bit stronger… ours was level five. It is funny that Trenton can us a wide array of holy magic… must be from his mother. She is so lovely…” Londra reached out to calm Anna’s rambling.

“Well, I will go fetch the medium one with Robbie,” Fern decided with a smile. “Mara, you get the big tail since you are so much bigger than me.”

Mara grinned, “I don’t hate that idea. Alden, Peter, Fenton, and Zeke will be coming with us. I will go work on moving the large one a bit away.” With that they both disappeared, only to reappear before the Three Horns. The sight of females before them had them roaring and snorting. It took only seconds for them to follow the two who flew in opposite directions.

“No rest for us or them,” Anna stated then felt Londra’s magic cover her. Londra had separated the team with magic, easier than giving out instructions while the massive creature was throwing ice and lightning bolts at them. Peter and Alden just looked at them while Delta and Theda flew around getting their loving pets from the ladies. Calla relayed instructions while beginning to take her spot in between Alden and Peter.

“You are all show offs,” Alden grumbled through their link. He knew it wasn’t clear but could tell that only Londra heard. “Plus, you have turned my sister into one.”

“Your welcome,” Londra smiled, motioning to Anna. “When we give the signal, blind it. Until then just keep it focused forward… you know, like you have been doing.”

“That is not funny,” Peter grumbled, his white rabbit ears flopping around showing how tired he was, while is dark pink eyes looked around. “Why would the scan say that females weren’t needed?” He jumped out of the way of the lightning, retaliating with a few balls of light.

“I think the middle horn disrupts everything,” Calla stated, side stepping an ice spear, using earth magic to push it within the ground fluidly.

“Done that a few times?” Peter smiled at Calla who wiggled her palm sized, light green, Goblin ears slightly with a grin. “Can’t hear Alden, it isn’t right.”

“I think Londra can hear and respond by his ear gestures,” Calla stated looking that way. “Oh, I think he is mad now. I wonder what she said.”

“Well, if he does that, we don’t have to do much but wait,” Peter stated, his long white ears messing up his short, white, hair while his dark pink eyes watching the barrage that Alden was tossing at the large beast. He finished with a protection spell. It quickly roared and snorted, tossing its bull shaped head as the golden nose ring swirled. It began pawing the ground with its massive, panther shaped paws. The three before it was more than a bit worried, until Delta flew over. “One massive blinding spell coming up.”

“Three, two, one…” Calla counted down, loudly. Most forgot that she could project her voice that much, but it helped. They all closed their eyes, counting to five before Anna and Londra created a massive sword, using gravity to slice the head off the Three Horn.

Theda landed behind the three, creating a land umbrella for the blood raining down while the others teleported under it, Londra and Anna leaning against each other panting. “Not collecting that blood?” Alden asked through their link. His blue-green marbled eyes showing his sarcasm while his long, beige face and long, Elven ears showed his exhaustion with his brown hair that had escaped its braid.

“I can hear you again,” Fenton chuckled while sitting on Mara’s shoulder. “Next time you get the tail. That was more than a little work out. Thank goodness I had Mara’s help.”

“You looked like a gnat and a moth battling a giant snake like spear. It was interesting,” Alden smiled while the others did their best not to laugh.

“Never mind, I didn’t miss your damn projected voice,” Fenten mumbled, crossing his small arms while his long, transparent blue, cicada shaped wings fluttered then stopped showing the outside edges were bold green while the inside veins were indigo, white, and blue. They also contained white and blue outlining ovals within the veins in an exact, symmetrical pattern. He fluttered them slightly since everyone was staring.

“You are such a pretty little bug,” Alden added with an ear wiggle.

“I know I am,” he stated loudly with a smile on his caramel, oval face.

“There will be enough blood in the creature,” Mara stated returning the conversation to the question. “Besides, we collected a lot. We need to purify it soon though.”

“That is correct,” Calla sighed, tossing her long, golden hair behind her shoulder. Her light violet eyes looked at what was before them. “Who is doing what?”

“Fenten will join us in purifying the Three Horn. Leaving the ground for you three,” Londra started as her breathing evened out. “Then Mara will take us back.”

“We are putting it in your vault, right?” Calla wondered.

“Yea, the medium on is going in Robbie’s. I have the small one,” Anna stated. “I think we should get our butchers going so we might have a few limbs by the end of the week. Wouldn’t that be nice…” Londra chuckled, taking her hand while motioning for Fenton to sit on her shoulder.

“I want to work with Fern next quest,” Fenton sighed. “When I am with her this kind of thing doesn’t happen.” This caused them all to laugh since they were all sharing through their party link.

Author: