The cold sun shines through a small window, glaring over Korlin's open eyes.
The boy's honey irises stare at the ceiling. Prominent dark circles protrude around his eyelids.
The night felt so long.
All he could do was listen to the breathing of Sirius and Pholy.
Korlin draws a heavy breath and rubs his hands over his forehead. His head hurts.
The boy slides off his bed and changes before anyone wakes up. After bundling up, he slides open the suffocating shed's door.
"Good morning..." Sirius mumbles, not yet moving.
Without responding, Korlin steps outside and shuts the door behind him.
Korlin makes his way to the back of the house and finds where he left the wooden sword. It's still there.
The boy grabs the sword's grip.
He raises the blade and swings downward.
He does it again.
And again.
Again.
Again.
...
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
"To recap, we will have two teams depart."
The King makes his declaration to a handful of guards and warriors, along with Aureole's group. The King spared no time gathering everyone early this morning. The only notable absence is Korlin.
The young boy Sirius spoke with yesterday stands in a corner, watching him. Sirius ignores his gaze.
"Our scouting team will go ahead and continue searching for the hoarbanes' den. The other team will include the ember, Pholy, and test the effectiveness of her flames. If her fire proves potent, we may be able to free ourselves from this prison."
"Yes, sir!" The guards and warriors shout in unison. They all possess unwavering respect for their king.
"This mission is strictly for information. Do not take any unnecessary actions, and retreat if things get too dangerous. If the hoarbanes' den is located, retreat immediately to ensure the outpost gathers the intel."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Now, get ready for departure. We leave at blooming time."
Everyone gathers at the outpost's main gate.
The warriors and guards are a mix of worry and determination... And then there is Kynn.
"Finally!! I get to go back out there!"
A real sword is held at his hip. Fingerless gloves clench his energized fist.
"Why am I even here?" Sirius asks.
"Hm? You're coming, that's why."
Sirius stiffens and turns to the enthusiastic boy.
"...Pardon?"
"Don't worry, I spoke with the king and, as of now, you're an honorary warrior! Seeing as you tied me in a duel, you exceed the capabilities of a warrior. So, you're more than qualified to go out there!"
"That was just luck... Really, I'm not suited for fighting those things."
"Neither are we."
"...Maybe, but I don't have experience like you guys."
"Ah, loosen up! You're cooler than you realize! Look-" Kynn wraps his arm around Sirius's shoulders. "You'll be fine. If anything goes wrong, I'll be there to assist you. Trust me, alright?"
-Trust you...
"...Alright..."
"That's the spirit!" Kynn smacks Sirius's chest and then searches for something in his armor. After a bit of digging, he pulls out a sheathed dagger. "Here, have this just in case things go south."
Sirius accepts the small blade and examines it. It has a black leather grip, a curved guard, and a sheening, gray metal sharpened to a perfect point. There is a tiny engraving on the side written in Selene, Lunalir's language.
Release
Kynn pivots over to Pholy. "You're our star player here- You ready, ember?"
"Mhm."
"You're awfully cold for an ember, you know that?"
"Mhm."
"...Okay then! What about you?" Kynn directs his question to Aureole. "You tagging along?"
"Oh, no, the king told me not to... I wouldn't be much use anyway."
"Gotcha. Can't have future royalty be killed, yeah?"
"..." Aureole's air turns sour.
"Hey, Kynn!" A fellow warrior calls out. "You have a minute?"
"Coming!"
Kynn scurries off and joins his comrades. They discuss their armor and possible improvements. Their current defense cannot withstand a hoarbane bite, so they decide on extra plating in exchange for limited movement.
The snowsquallers don't use typical metal armor. Their defense is solely hefty cloths used to deflect fire and blades. It's durable, but against hoarbane claws and fangs is fragile. So, by adding metal under their clothes and against their skin, they hope for improved defense and possible poison prevention.
Meanwhile, Pholy looks around. "Where's Korlin?"
"Oh, I don't know..." Sirius hadn't realized he was missing.
"Hm."
Kynn adds the metal underneath his garbs and scampers back over to Pholy and Sirius. Holding extra plating, he offers it to the two.
"Here you are, just place these under your clothes around your arms. Should hopefully guard against their claws."
"Thank you," Sirius accepts. He attaches the cylindrical pieces to his forearms and clinks them together.
"These are too big..." Pholy sighs. "Do you have any smaller ones?"
"Uhh... No."
"..."
"Do they fit higher up? Maybe on your biceps?"
Pholy shifts them up, and they stick in place.
"Oh, that works, I guess... It's a little uncomfortable though..."
"You'll get used to it." Kynn looks up to the sky and notices the sun directly above their heads. "Come on, let's get in our groups."
Kynn motions them to follow as he regroups with his allies. Pholy groans and begins to follow. She's still not fully awake yet.
"Good luck, both of you," Aureole says, holding her heart. "Please be safe."
"Aure...!" Pholy stumbles over to Aureole and hugs her. "You're so cute..."
"Pholyyy... Now's not the time..." Her ears are wiggling.
"Thank you," Sirius says. "See you..." A layered sense of dread cloaks his words. He waves her goodbye and heads off toward Kynn.
"Take care..." Aureole watches as Sirius gets further away. "Um... Pholy?"
"Yes?"
"Eh... Never mind."
Aureole pats Pholy's head, embracing her friend's hug.
Eventually, Pholy recedes and joins the group. Aureole stands by to send them off.
The scouting team departs, and the gate raises, ready to fall at Kynn's behest.
"Alright," Kynn scans the group. "Is this everyone?"
Apart from himself, Sirius, and Pholy, three other squallers make up the group. They all look ragged but ready for vengeance.
"I believe so," a member says. "Let's hope this goes well... We're counting on you, ember."
Pholy nods. While reluctant at first, she's accepted her role and importance in this scheme.
"Good," Kynn nods. His tone is much more serious and organized than before. "Then let's set off."
Kynn waves to a guard by the gate. The guard nods and runs over to a chain near the wall. The guard yanks it down, and the gate tremors. Other guards gather around to pull chains, felling the gate once again.
A silent snowscape lies beyond the walls, ready to welcome them.
"Here we go..."
Sucking in a breath, Kynn strides forward. As they all begin stepping out into the frost, a tired voice rings out to stop them.
"Wait!"
The team stops in their tracks and turns to the source.
It's Korlin.
The boy rushes over to the group, his breath heavy.
"Wait- Do you- Do you mind if I join you guys?"
"Korlin?" Pholy seems surprised.
"Ah, you," Kynn smiles. "You wish to partake, huh?"
"Yes. Please."
"Hm..." Kynn analyzes the boy's determination. "What do you guys think?" he asks the group sincerely.
"I don't see why not."
"The more hands the better, yeah?"
"As long as he doesn't get himself killed."
The other three warriors agree to let him join. Korlin's face lightens.
"Sirius? Your thoughts?"
"Oh," Sirius looks at Korlin. His eyes beg Sirius to say yes. "Mm, I'm sure he'll be helpful."
"Ember?"
"Uh..." Pholy glances at Korlin, who gives her the same look he gave Sirius. "I guess..."
Korlin gives a thankful smile.
"Alright then!" Kynn declares. "You're in! Here, you'll want these." Kynn throws Korlin a pair of arm protection. He also hands him a small dagger.
"Thank you! You won't regret it!"
Korlin quickly equips the armor around his forearms and runs up beside Sirius.
"Well then... Let's go." Kynn signals for everyone to follow him.
As they step out from the gated outpost, Aureole waves, wishing them luck.
Pholy walks hesitantly, but not fearfully. The responsibility and pressure begin to weigh on her.
Sirius wonders if it's really best for himself to go. He doesn't want to be a hindrance.
Korlin's eyes burn with a furious determination.
"Where are we headed exactly?"
"Northwest," a group member responds. "We ran into a small pack up there once. If they're still there, it should be enough to test out the ember's abilities. And, if her powers don't work out, the small number of them should allow us to escape."
"Ah..."
Low-hanging clouds block the view of the horizon. Snow layers, covering up footprints left behind.
"Kynn," another member says.
"What's up?"
"I don't mean any offense, but is it really alright for us to be teaming up with an ember?"
Pholy is unfazed by the comment.
"...We'll see how things play out."
"Why wouldn't it be alright?!" Korlin blurts. The question irritates him.
"...Well... Embers and squallers don't exactly have the best relationship." The warrior is trying not to anger the boy further. Or upset Pholy. "Besides, we don't know her true intentions."
"Pholy isn't like other embers!" Korlin's brow furrows.
"Korlin," Pholy glares at him with wide eyes. She gestures him to stop and whispers, "Shut up."
Completely ignoring her, Korlin continues his rebuttal.
"Pholy would never do anything to harm you guys! She doesn't have any ulterior motives!"
Pholy jumps in and folds her hands over Korlin's mouth. "Shut up!"
Steam is pluming from her ears.
"I get it, I get it!" The warrior feels bad now. "No need to throw a tantrum. I'm just trying to be cautious."
Sirius remains quiet. He's never seen Korlin like this before.
"If you're cautious about anyone, it should be me. I'm a Witch Spawn!"
"A... Witch Spawn? What's that??"
"Wha- Huh?" Korlin's anger sizzles out and morphs into bewilderment. "You don't know what a Witch Spawn is?! A human?!"
"I can't say that I do...? Kynn, what's this guy's problem?"
Kynn sighs, trying his best to keep up his charismatic expression.
"A lot of us here at the outpost aren't very educated on matters outside of Alsi. Since Witch Spawn don't typically visit, a lot of us have never heard of them."
"Huh..." Korlin remains in disbelief.
"...So, what is a Witch Spawn?"
"Don't worry about it," Kynn shuts down the conversation. "Just keep your eyes out for hoarbanes."
"Whatever you say..."
Kynn is much younger than any of the other warriors and guards. And while he is an established and esteemed fighter, his attitude and age dampen the respect he gets from his peers.
He doesn't really seem to mind.
The other adult members of the team make fun of the guy who asked what Witch Spawn are. Apparently, his name is Gord, and he's known for being a blockhead. They continue to banter as they trudge through the snow.
"Do you have to say such embarrassing things?" Pholy's steam is still flowing out.
"I'm just saying the truth," Korlin responds.
"You barely know anything about me."
"I know some things."
"Like what? Give me an example."
"Hm... You're short."
Pholy's face contorts and her nose wrinkles. Her hands ignite in pink flames.
"You're dead."
"I'm sorry!" Korlin laughs, scrambling away. Pholy chases Korlin around in circles. "Sirius! Help me!" Korlin giggles and hides behind his companion.
"Don't use me as a shield!" Sirius tries to move away, but Korlin stays glued to his back.
"Sirius..." Pholy's voice is terrifying. "Step aside. Let me kill him." Her fuchsia eyes burn into his brain.
"I'm trying!"
Korlin keeps laughing and enjoying himself. Sirius makes for a great human shield.
Amidst the looming threat of death, the three play a game of tag. The other warriors keep their hands on their weapons, preparing for Pholy to lash out.
"You guys are cute," Kynn comments. "But would you mind keeping it down? We need to keep our ears open for any hoarbanes."
"Sorry," Pholy groans. Her flames flicker out, but her hungry eyes remain fixed on Korlin.
Korlin gives her a cheesy grin. Her eye twitches.
After they all settle down, Sirius and Korlin walk side by side.
"Are you going to be alright?" Sirius asks.
"Huh? Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, the hoarbanes look like dogs, don't they? You don't like dogs, right?"
"Aw, you remember that about me? You're so sweet!"
"..."
Korlin chuckles and rubs his tired eyelids.
"I'll be fine. I'm not some scared little kid."
"I know... I was just wondering." Sirius vividly remembers how the boy cowered when attacked on the way to the outpost. "You just always seem to tense up around dog-like things."
"..."
Suddenly, Kynn stops and holds his hand back.
"Stop."
...
A cold wind howls and blows their hair. Everyone stands as still as statues.
Kynn turns his head from side to side.
"What is it?" one of the members whispers.
"There's three. Straight ahead of us."
The member swallows a lump in his throat. It suddenly feels a lot hotter.
Sirius squints his eyes to try and see, but doesn't find any hoarbanes. He doesn't even hear their growls.
"What do we do?" Sirius asks. A noticeable lack of fear weighs on his shoulders.
"Stay calm. Pholy, step up front, will you?"
The girl carefully creeps up toward Kynn. She makes sure her footsteps are light.
Kynn points ahead into the hazy distance. "They're evenly spaced. If you launch a big enough blast toward them, you can hit all three at once."
"Got it," Pholy raises her palm and ignites it. "Tell me when."
Kynn holds out his hand and squints at the invisible beasts. With his superior snow vision, he can track their movements easily. His vision is much better than the other squallers.
He waits... Until... Just for a moment, all three hoarbanes squish slightly together.
"Now."
Flames swirl and accumulate into a large mass of blazing beauty. Spreading her fingertips, the sphere of pink heat explodes from her hand, spiraling into the snow.
It tears through the fog, resulting in a singular cry.
"You got one! The other two are coming from the sides!"
From opposing directions, two wolves emerge and lunge toward the group. Their red bulbouses begin to glow.
The ice-coated monster from the left aims right at Korlin. The boy quickly pulls out his dagger and raises his armored arms. The beast launches toward him, and as it does, Korlin only gets a glimpse of its fangs before shutting down.
His heart sinks, and fear strangles his head. His body tenses, unable to move. But before Korlin can snap out of it and try to defend himself, Kynn leaps in and slams the side of his sword into the ice. The hoarbane flails through the air and tumbles into a mound of snow. The beast quickly recovers and plows toward them again.
"Pholy!" Kynn shouts.
The girl rushes over and sweeps her arms across the air. Fire sprays from her fingers and lights the hoarbane in a pink blaze. The creature writhes and thrashes its body in pain. Slowly but surely, the ice surrounding the monster melts.
"Haha!" Kynn can't believe it. "Nice! Their armor is melting! This'll work!"
"Over here!"
The other members are busy fending off the other hoarbane. Kynn rushes over to assist them.
Kynn's footwork is perfect and calculated. Every movement he makes has a purpose. He twists his body to build up momentum and uses all of it to attack.
The hoarbane leaps toward one of the members. Before it can reach the man, Kynn propels the hilt of his sword into the beast's belly. The hoarbane is swatted away but quickly recovers and changes its target.
Pholy.
She's out of breath. Using multiple sets of large fire magic must tire her out.
The creature runs low to the ground. With its mouth open, it goes for her legs.
Pholy simultaneously screams and sets her leg on fire. She swings her flaming foot into the hoarbane's jaw. Its face engulfs in flame and drives into the snow. It topples into a limp position.
Kynn sprints to the fallen beast and collapses his foot onto it. The hoarbane's limbs flail, threatening to scratch their poison on Kynn's leg.
"Burn it!"
Pholy, drained, sends another flaming sphere Kynn's way. As it approaches, Kynn leaps out of its aim, allowing the ball to collide with the hoarbane's body.
Fuchsia fire wraps around the ice on its body, melting it. The creature cries out and collapses.
All three of the hoarbanes are sprawled out across the snow, burning. With all of the wolves out of commission, Pholy falls to her knees.
Her head drops, and she swallows heavy breaths.
Kynn and the other members let out sighs of relief. Sirius and Korlin stand aside. They didn't do anything.
"Good work, Pholy," Kynn tells her. "It seems your flames did the trick."
"...Don't mention it."
"Haha! Now we just need to go tell the king! We can finally get our lives back!"
Kynn is overjoyed. He joins the other warriors to go and inspect the hoarbanes' bodies. They're still twitching and groaning.
"I didn't do anything..." Korlin mumbles.
"I know," Sirius agrees. "We were pretty useless..."
Korlin's brows furrow. His weakness frustrates him.
"Um..." One of the members expresses their concern. "Kynn, these things aren't dying."
The ice shielding the hoarbane's skin has melted, but its brown flesh remains unharmed. The red bulbous on its head continues to pulsate.
"Here." Kynn walks over and draws his sword, lifting the blade just above the hoarbane.
Just as he's about to drive the tip into its flesh, the beast smacks the sword out of Kynn's hand.
"What-?!"
The hoarbane slings up and jumps back. It growls intensely. The other hoarbanes Pholy melted stand back up as well.
A devious smile forms on Korlin's face.
- Is he... happy?
"Cover me!" Kynn shouts, gunning for his sword.
The naked hoarbane throws its body at Kynn, knowing he's vulnerable. Another warrior of the group jumps in to try and deflect it.
But it doesn't work.
The hoarbane swipes at the member, and its claws dig into their flesh.
...
They're poisoned.
"Shit!" The pain makes the member collapse. Fear freezes the other two.
Kynn ignores the sacrifice and bullets for his sword. He knows their priority now is to kill these beasts.
Out of nowhere, one of the other hoarbanes swoops in and snatches the sword from the snow.
"Bastard..."
With a blade in its mouth, the hoarbane stares down the defenseless Kynn. The other hoarbane turns its attention to Pholy, who is still on the ground.
"Sirius! Don't let Pholy get hit!" Kynn shouts.
Sirius, who has been frozen the entire time, snaps out of his daze and finds Pholy. He sprints toward her, but the hoarbane is approaching her too fast.
-I can't make it in time...
The hoarbane opens its jaw and lunges at the helpless girl. Terror trimming her eyes, she succumbs to her fate. But suddenly...
"-I got this!" At the last second, Korlin leaps in and slams his body into the beast.
The boy tackles the wolf and pins it to the ground. His hands hold down the hoarbane's wrists, and his knees lock the beast's legs. The monster tries desperately to bite the boy's head.
Sirius remains still. Unsure of what to do.
"Shit!" Kynn cries out. The hoarbane with his sword attacks.
The monster is incredibly intelligent. The beast swings the sword much like a person would. Kynn tries to dodge, but the sword cuts his ankle. He staggers to the ground, and the hoarbane takes full advantage. The beast jumps onto Kynn and relentlessly presses down, trying to cut him with the sword.
...
Kynn is pinned down.
The claws of the monsters dig into the boy's wrist, easily tearing into the metal plating. A couple more seconds and he'll be poisoned too.
The other warriors of the group are frozen out of fear. One of them is poisoned.
Korlin is struggling to keep one of the hoarbanes down.
Pholy can't move.
...
-What do I do?
Sirius looks around, unsure of how or who to assist. He's panicking.
"Help Korlin!" Kynn screams.
"No, I got this! Help Kynn!" Korlin rebuttals.
-What do I do...?
Out of all the decisions he's made in his life, none have ever been so dire.
Due to his indecisiveness, Sirius's heart pounds rapidly. His breaths hasten and his muscles tense.
-Who do I help? Can I even help...?
Sirius struggles to have any rational thought. Nothing could have prepared him for this moment.
-What do I-
Suddenly, from within the shrouded horizon, the sound of a dog growling comes from within.
Another red glow emerges from the fog.
...
-That's right... There were three.
Before Sirius can spin another thought, the third hoarbane starts sprinting toward him.
Everything seems to move in slow motion.
The snow. His thoughts. His movements. The world around him...
Everything turns so slowly.
In his panic, Sirius's body does the only thing it can think of. He pulls out the dagger Kynn gave him earlier.
As the melted hoarbane throws itself at the boy, Sirius attempts to dodge. But it's swiftly met with failure.
The wolf's body collides with his, and the two tackle each other. Their bodies tangle, and it results in the hoarbane above him. Sirius finds himself in a similar situation to Kynn. Sirius holds the beast's wrists to prevent it from swiping, but the head repeatedly attempts to gnaw.
Saliva sprays onto Sirius's face. The beast's breath is hot and disgusting.
The hoarbane is heavy. The adrenaline allows Sirius to hold it back, but once it runs out, he'll be dead.
-What do I do... What do I do?!
Sirius bounces his eyes around for anything or anyone to help. But no one and nothing can.
-Kynn, what happened to you assisting me?! I thought you said I could trust you?!
The dagger, still hardly in his grasp, catches his attention. If he lets go of the monster's wrist and uses the dagger to attack it, there's no guarantee it'll work. There isn't even a guarantee he can act that fast. As soon as he lets go, the hoarbane will use its claw to poison him.
His teeth clench together as sweat floods from his forehead.
-Should I try it? What do I- AGHHH! DECIDE, DAMN IT!
Seeing as there are no other options...
-Fuck it!
As fast as humanly possible, Sirius releases the hoarbane's wrist and swiftly thrusts the blade into the creature's neck.
tink
The blade doesn't even puncture the skin. It's too hard.
Harder than even the ice they melted.
Sirius can't help but laugh.
The beast strikes down its claws, but Sirius manages to put his wrist between the attack. The sleeve of his jacket is shredded by the assault, but his armor deflects any damage to his arms.
With the beast overpowering him, Sirius desperately shifts his legs to get them underneath it. He bends his knees back, curling his back, and drives his feet into the hoarbane's belly. Mustering all of his strength into his legs, Sirius launches the hoarbane off his body. But not very far.
Sirius scrambles to his feet and runs toward the toppled beast. It swiftly recovers, but before it can act, Sirius hurls his heel into the bulbous on the creature's head.
The bulbous pops easily, and spews blood over Sirius's shoe.
The hoarbane wails and whips around its head in agony. Its cry is horrific.
Jumping back, Sirius retreats to Pholy and falls to the ground beside her. His ears ring as he shovels deep breaths. His lungs shrivel and expand forcefully as he stares at the squirming savage.
While Sirius takes a rest, one of the petrified warriors regains their senses. Seeing the damage Sirius has inflicted, the member snaps out of his fear and hesitantly rushes to assist Kynn.
The warrior launches his sword at the beast's bulbous. The red blob explodes, and the hoarbane drops the sword onto Kynn's chin.
Instantly, Kynn grabs the blade and throws the hoarbane off his body.
"Thanks!" Kynn hurls himself to his feet and tries to strike the hoarbane's skin. But it has no effect. "What...?" After a brief shock, Kynn roars out his demand. "Their skin is too thick! We need to retreat! Now!"
The other member snaps out of their daze and goes to assist the one who had been struck with poison. Korlin continues to struggle with his hoarbane.
Kynn sprints to support Korlin.
"Korlin! Let go!"
"N-No! I got this!"
"You can't kill it! We need to run!"
Still pinning down the wolf, Korlin's rage rises. But, fortunately, he succumbs.
Korlin drives his foot into the hoarbane's throat and thrusts off of it. The hoarbane tries to recover, but Kynn stabs the bulbous before it can, causing it to shrivel in pain.
With all three hoarbanes crying and crippled, it's time to retreat.
"Go! Back to the outpost!"
Korlin scoffs but does as he is told.
Sirius helps Pholy to her feet, and they follow behind Kynn, who is leading the pack.
The two other warriors help the poisoned one run.
Korlin trails in the back, stalking Kynn from behind. Full of frustration, Korlin looks back at the flailing hoarbanes.
He finds one of them standing back up. The one Sirius's foot had smashed gets back onto its feet.
The hoarbane turns its head to the fleeting group, and, in a grotesque and disturbing act, the destroyed bulbous on its head expands and regrows.
The wolf growls and barks, sending a surge of fear down Korlin's spine.
The beast begins its pursuit.
"One of them is chasing us!" Korlin shouts.
"Shit..." Kynn mutters.
The exhausted party is nowhere near as fast as the wolf. The hoarbane rapidly closes the distance, gunning right for Korlin.
"...I'll smash its eye!" Korlin declares. A wave of weary bravado overtakes him.
"What?! Are you insane?!" Gord, the member Korlin argued with earlier, erupts.
"Don't worry! I can do this!"
"Stop being fucking petty! Just- Hey-!"
Korlin stops running and skids across the snow, turning to face the approaching hoarbane.
"Idiot!" Kynn screams.
"What are you doing?!" Pholy cries.
In a desperate attempt to prove himself, Korlin lunges at the vicious beast. But unfortunately for him...
The monster's rage is greater than the boy's desire.
With its jaw unlatched, the hoarbane's teeth threaten to clasp on the boy's skull.
Time seems to stall as Korlin's heart stops.
He underestimated his own fear.
All of his false confidence fades as the boy cowers in fear. He ducks his head and raises his forearms.
The beast's head collides with the metal plating on his arms. The armor shreds and falls apart, but it stalls the beast's speed just enough so that no limbs break. Still barely on his feet, the hoarbane's head continues flying at Korlin.
Defenseless and without armor, Korlin can do nothing but shield himself with bare arms. The hoarbane's mouth missiles at his face. Trying to dodge, he slips on the snow, falling to his ass. The beast's mouth misses its target, but its chin rams straight into Korlin's right eye.
The squishy organ smashes, and Korlin blasts backward into the snow. Blood spews from the closed eyelid.
"AAAAAAHHH!" Korlin cries in agony. He curls into a crippled ball, holding his bleeding eye.
The hoarbane skids across the frosted ground and gives him no time to adapt. It tries to attack the boy while he's down. But before it can-
"-What is wrong with you?!" Gord places himself between the boy and the predator.
The warrior swipes his sword at the soaring hoarbane. The tip of the blade slashes the pulsing bulbous and blinds the hoarbane.
While his attack is successful, the hoarbane, still airborne, flails its arms around...
And cuts the warrior's skin.
The hoarbane collapses and rolls in the red-stained snow. It's out of commission.
But so is Gord. The warrior, aching in pain, runs up to Korlin and grabs his arm.
"Get up, you idiot!" The man pulls the half-blinded Korlin to his feet and begins sprinting with the boy in tow.
They sprint off toward the outpost.
No one says a word.
Their heavy breaths make up every sound. Everyone is exhausted.
They pray no more hoarbanes show their ugly heads.
Their mission was a failure.
While Pholy's flames worked initially, the hoarbane's skin makes that fact obsolete.
Eventually, through the thinning fog, the outpost's flag fades in from beyond the haze.
"Open the gate!" Kynn calls out desperately. "Open it!"
As they close the gap, the gate descends.
The open gateway gives everyone a glimmer of hope, and a boost of adrenaline grants them the speed to quickly enter the outpost.
As their bodies cross over the threshold, half of them fall to the floor.
The guards swiftly close the gate, and, after briefly catching his breath, Kynn goes to thank them and relay what happened.
Korlin, his knees wet in cold snow, frustratingly catches his breath. He feels his pulse in his eye.
Gord, who got poisoned thanks to Korlin, stomps toward the boy. The man grabs Korlin's collar and lifts him by the shirt.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"
The man slams his fist into Korlin's nose.
"What were you thinking running toward one of them like that?! Do you have a death wish?!" He drives his knuckles into the boy's face again. "Are you a child?! This isn't some fairytale! That was no time to be a hero!"
Korlin is furious.
"I didn't ask for your help!"
Many snowsquallers are watching.
"Well, you sure as shit needed it! And look what happened! I got fucking cut by one of those things! It's your fault! You realize that, right?!"
Korlin, his nose leaking blood, shoves the guy off of him.
"I don't need this! Get the hell away from me!"
Korlin stumbles on his feet and starts storming off.
"Korlin!" Pholy calls out. "Get back here!"
"Get back here and take responsibility!"
Korlin doesn't look back. He leaves the failed expedition, a trail of blood following his path.
Gord scoffs and kicks the ground.
"That bastard... I'm going to the medical hut. Come on." He grabs the other poisoned warrior, and they head off. The other warrior of the group joins them.
...
Sirius and Pholy make eye contact.
"What is he thinking...?"
"I don't know..." Sirius watches as Korlin disappears into the distance.
"Pholy! Sirius!" Aureole comes running over. "Are you two alright?!"
"I'm alright," Pholy responds. Aureole crouches and hugs the small girl. As she does, Aureole turns her head to Sirius.
"I'm fine..."
Aureole sighs in relief.
"Thank goodness you two are alright..."
-...
Kynn jogs up to the three with his limp ankle.
"Sorry to interrupt your reunion," Kynn meekly smiles. "But we should really go report to the king." Kynn extends his hand out to Sirius.
Sirius hesitates to grab it, but he reluctantly does so.
"Mm."
"First," Kynn hoists the boy up. "Go get yourself cleaned up. Your legs are a bloody mess, and you have monster drool in your hair."
"Yeah..."
Kynn unties his ponytail and shakes his white mane. He nods to the guards and motions for Sirius and Pholy to follow him.
"Let's go."
Sirius struggles to stand but weakly follows behind Kynn. Following him, Pholy fills Aureole in on what happened.
Sirius walks in silence. His sense of trust and competence is in shambles.
"..."
"Are you doing alright?" Kynn asks.
"Mm, I'm fine."
"Hm..." Kynn looks back at the girls. "Thank you, Pholy. You really saved us back there."
"Oh... I don't know about that. I was sort of useless at the end there."
"Don't worry about that. You did your job perfectly."
"...Thanks. I guess..."
Aureole hugs Pholy to assure her. And for warmth.
"Hey," Sirius starts. "Do you think... we can beat those things? Your sword couldn't even scrape them."
Kynn sighs, and his smile silences.
"...I hope so. But I'd be lying if I said things don't look hopeless..."