Can She Kill a Monster?

The morning air breeze brushes past the trees. A faint glow is reflected upon the dew fades away. The light from her hands dimmed and sweat rolled down her cheek. Himari takes a deep breath. Another early training session was completed.

“You must learn how to attack.” Poppy frowns.

“I know…!”

She is afraid of her powers. Through Poppy’s words, she can kill any demon with just her hands alone. After seeing Alice’s dangerous magic, she became more cautious of attacking.
What if I hurt them?

Upon looking at her hands they look softer compared to the others. No experience yet she must fight.

Poppy disappears and Himari returns to their tent. Ruby doesn’t seem to be in the tent so she sits next to Estelle. Her sleeping face is pure compared to the messy sleeper next to them.

Poppy was never against the idea of her getting allies. So there must be something about her friends that can help with her powers. They can teach her but there must be something else that Poppy isn’t saying.

“Mmff…” Estelle rubs her eyes.

“Oh sorry did I wake you?”

“Beautful…”

“Huh? W-Wha-!” Estelle pushes her down.

“Himari… You’re so beautiful…”
She hovered above her with her hands on each side of Himari’s head. The warmth of her breath tickles her lips.

“Y-You’re too close…!”

“Hmmm…?”

Himari’s arm stretched out to Alice but she was just far enough out of reach. Her face burns red while Estelle admires her.

“New friends! I have slain another beast that was hunting us- Oh? Are you in the middle of a mating ritual?”

“W-We are not!”

Estelle apologizes as she thought she was dreaming yet Himari is having a hard time looking her in the eye.

“Hmmm? What’s up with you two?” Alice slowly gets out of the tent.

“I interrupted their mating ritual…” Ruby’s ears drooped.

“EHHHH!?”

“We were not doing that!!”

***

Currently the road has merged with the field becoming an endless sea of grass. Due to crossing the forest, the main paths are no longer visible. Ruby walks behind the group while Alice marches forward. Estelle walks close to Himari regardless of what just has happened.

Every so often they pause to admire the scenery. Even meeting a traveling merchant brings a chance to trade the horn of the boar for some gold. Ruby scoffs at the fact they traded the horn instead of keeping it for a weapon. The magic horns are great materials but not useful to any of them.

“Hey Ruby? Can I touch your ears?”

“Why?” Ruby tilts her head.

“I once knew a cat in our neighborhood that loved ear scratches.” Ruby’s eyes met Himari’s passionate gaze.

“Uhh… Go ahead.” She blushes slightly while lowering her head.

Her hand slowly scratches through her head and ears. Ruby’s shoulders dropped and her tail began to slowly wave. Her face slowly melts to a calm and satisfied expression. Himari giggles as she continues.

“…Alright that is enough.” Pushing her hand away she moves ahead quickly.

“You’re just as fluffy as I imagined~.” With a relaxed smile lingering on her face, Himari’s heart feels lighter.

Alice started to tease Ruby causing the two to argue. Estelle steps in front of Himari. Her pouty face catches her off guard.

“No fair… Pet me too…”

“Ehhh? Well… Alright.”

She hesitated, her hand hovering over Estelle’s head. This is different compared to Ruby since Himari was curious. Her fingers patted her head. Unsure what to do next she gently tucked her hand under Estelle’s cleric veil letting her fingers glide through her soft hair. Estelle let out a quiet sigh.

Himari’s hand stopped halfway before lowering her hand. After a brief hesitation, she brushes her hair on the side. Without warning, Estelle presses her cheek against her hand like an affectionate cat. Her eyes slowly open, staring back at Himari softly.

Himari’s pulse quickened. The realization hit her all at once.

“W-Whoa! Um! That’s…enough.” Pulling her hand back, her face burned as she quickly turned away.

“Thank you Himari…” Estelle whispered.

Himari’s heartbeat becomes impossible to ignore. This was just like this morning but more intense.

***

The terrain started to look tougher and a more stoney path was being walked on. The clouds start to hide the sun. Checking the map, they are near a beastfolk village, specifically of the wolven tribe. Ruby encourages them to avoid their territory as they are in a serious hunting season. 3 humans and a rival beast tribe going in would cause serious conflicts. Alice really wants to check it out, forcing Ruby to drag her away.

Curious about beastfolk, Himari asks Ruby about the different tribes. There are 5 beastfolk tribes in Lapsipire. The Feline, the Wolven, the Kitsune, the Avian, and the Ophidian. The feline tribe are mostly hunters who prefer dense forests rather than open fields. The wolven tribe are ruthless warriors that fight in packs. Unity is what makes them dangerous. The Kitsune are the only ones who can use human magic along with their beast powers. Most keep their distance from other species. The avian tribe are the most friendly and open towards humans to the point that a few of the royal guards are of the avian tribe. The ophidian are the best at healing magic and medicines where most valuable products bought are made by them.

When it comes to who are the most dangerous, the wolven and avian tribes are the strongest. Both are strong in numbers however avians have the ability to fly which gives them the advantage. Some theorize that Kitsune are the strongest tribes but they are pacifists.

“So wolven tribes are the strongest when they are together? Does that mean you are strong by yourself?”

“I am the strongest when I fight one on one. It makes it easier to kill as soon as I see an opening. I will be fighting with you to find that Demon Lord but I think we will be fine. I fight up close while all of you keep your distance.”

“Ahh I see.”

“You have strong magic.” Ruby points at Alice. “You can heal.” She points at Estelle. “And you… You’re the hero yet I don’t know your fighting style.”

“Um… I don’t have any fighting experience. I did defeat one Demon Lord when I awakened my powers though…”

“Is that so? Ok let’s get you to kill a monster.”

“Eh?”

***

Continuing on their path, Ruby guides them to another location. The wind blows past them the longer they move. A monster sound echoes in the distance but the area is too far open. Looking towards the sky the clouds are thickening with no signs of aerial monsters. The cool air made Estelle shudder.

“We’re here.”

The path ends abruptly as the ground ahead falls into an immense abyss. Jagged stones poked through the walls for what seemed like an endless cavern. Looking further they can see a dragon with torn wings at the very bottom. It roars weakly, causing Ruby to scoff at it.

“It’s…r-really deep huh?” Himari stammered.

“I saw this dragon here hours before I met you. It can’t escape at all. A perfect target for you to kill it.”

“Ehhh?”

“Oi!” Alice pulls on Ruby’s shoulder. “What’s the point of killing it if she ain’t going to fight it? Where is the honor? The epic battle? The experience?”

“I want to see if she can go for the kill.” Her eyes are cold.

“Tch… Fair point…”

“Poor creature of the land and skies… Putting it out of its misery is best for it…” Estelle tugs on Himari’s sleeve.

“So? Will you kill it? Or let it die a long painful death?”

She gulps and pulls out her wand. She has only used it for training in the mornings yet now she must kill the dragon. It should be easy. She would just need to aim her wand and fire off a strong magical attack.

She adjusts her grip on her wand which suddenly felt heavier. Her heartbeat starts rising. She can easily guide Alice and now Ruby to go for the kill, however in a serious situation, she shouldn’t hesitate to go for the finishing blow. Yet she is hesitating. 

The dragon turns its head to Himari. Its eyes met hers and stares deep into her soul causing her to sweat. She assumed that it was about to attack but nothing happened. Looking deeper into its eyes, she notices that it's not fury she’s seeing. 

“W-Why are you looking at me like that…?” It was like its pleading to her.

“Go on. Kill it.”

“Just give me a moment…”

It didn’t roar back. It kept staring at her. Dragons can still use any breath attack when faced with danger but this was different.

She closes her eyes. Magic flows through her body and forms at the tip of her wand. She takes a deep breath. Her mind cleared itself to focus on one goal. The others watch carefully to see what her attack spells can be.

A flow of light gently goes down the abyss. Its movement flows like water gliding through the air. Slowly it wraps around the dragon, almost cradling it back up. Ruby pulls Estelle back, her claws ready for combat. She gently sets the dragon down but she still keeps hold of it.

“Estelle…? Can you heal its wings?”

“Are you stupid!?”

“Okay…!”

Estelle rushes over to cast a healing spell. Ruby refuses to drop her guard as the wings of the dragon heals up. She releases it and it jumps away. Its golden eyes looked at each of them before turning to Himari to examine her. Dragons are one of the most intelligent monsters and even the 3rd Hero rode a dragon during the last Demon Lord hunt.

It lowers its head. Her skin grew pale.

“Y-You can go home now.”

The dragon spread its wings. The wind blows through them as the dragon takes flight in the opposite direction. As it flies faster the clouds lighten a bit.

“You were supposed to kill it!”

“Um... Where’s the honor in trying to kill something that wants to live?”

“Huuuuh!?” Ruby glares at her. Himari’s legs start to shake but she stands her ground.

“If the dragon tried to attack me I would defend myself. But I think doing this is more beneficial to us.”

“Hmph…”

“Don’t worry. I will do my best to make sure I can kill a Demon Lord when we face one.”

“Arghh… Very well. However if I see the Demon Lord that attacked my people, that is my kill.”

“Understood.”

***

The smell of the campfire is comforting to Himari. The clouds are finally gone and the beautiful stars spread across the skies. The group finishes their meals preparing to hit the hay. Alice used to be able to stay on watch for a bit until Ruby joined them. However tonight, Ruby wants to sleep outside tonight so they have room in the tent.

Himari reads a book they brought with them for the third time. If they reached a new town, they could get a new book and a proper bath.

“Himari? I need to ask you something.” Alice kneels next to her.

“What is it?”

“Ruby is quite ruthless huh? No hesitation to kill even when the target is helpless.”

“Mm…”

“Should we keep her with us?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t even think about it!”

“We need someone like her. Honestly we are a little soft on surviving.” Himari looks at her self in a small mirror sticking out the bag. She believes that Ruby can help push her to do better on this journey. 

Alice pouted but agreed with her. Estelle enters the tent petting Alice before laying next to Himari. She takes the book away and snuggles close.

“W-Whoa. What are you doing?”

“You're so gentle Himari…”

Himari is too soft for this kind of travel but she made the choice to save the dragon. There is a possibility that the dragon could have killed her after being healed. Ruby only wanted to test her but she put them in danger on a gut feeling she had.

Estelle praises me but Ruby is concerned.

Himari feels conflicted on the choice she made but now is not the time to worry as Ruby opened the tent violently.

“Himari. I’m still mad. But I am curious. Why did you do that?”
“Ehhh I don’t know. I just had a feeling.”

“Even though that feeling could get us killed? Did you think of the possibility that it might fight back?”

“I did…after Estelle healed it…”

“Ugh… You really have no experience out here in the wild.”

“Sorry…”

Ruby sighed. “There is a large lake in our path. We will hunt monsters there.” She leaves them to rest in the tent.

Another day on this path to the sealed grounds. No signs of the Demon King’s seal breaking however they must keep going in order to have Himari use her powers to fix the seal. Now they have a task of getting Himari to hunt monsters in the morning.