They broke the campsite after a quick breakfast finishing the remaining of the dinner last night. The sun had already risen across the trees and chased away the coolness of the forest. Proceeding with the similar formation from yesterday, Lucious found the party became relaxed as he heard some chatters coming from his back. Judging from the voice, it seemed like Cassia was chatting with Julian and Emma. Lucious was finally feeling at ease. Not only the intense pressure from Quingon disappeared, but he also began to fit into the party as he remembered last night with some fondness.
When he returned to the campfire with Cassian, Penn and Cassia apologised frantically for their rude and inconsiderate manner at the evening while Emma nodded profusely in approval with her hands crossed at her chest. Cassian introduced him to the rest of the party. Gabriel was the wood ranger from Quingon’s team in his twenties who preferred to be in a serene but dangerous forest. It seemed he was quite helpless with his talkative partner. Despite Penn’s petite and chatty appearance, she was older than Lucious and she took the role of a scout and rogue which specialised in the silent art of scouting and exploring. A profession opposite of the nosy and noisy behaviour of the girl in her late teen. Olwen and Lowen were the twins with large and strong build who took on the job as shield knights similar to Cassian. They were always together and often spent their time with each other. Lucson was a Maeist knight; the only one of his kind. Possessed the ability to harness Natura, the Maeist knight honed his skill in the barrier and holy arts. Lucson also donned in a unique set of armour forged in shining semi-opaque silver metal, similar to Merridian and Quingon. It seemed like those three were special as their skills and achievement gained the recognition of the Principle which customised the equipment for them.
Emma and Julian were the sole Maeist in both squads. While Julian specialised in the barrier and support skills, Emma mastered element summoning with her high affinity for fire and wind elements. With her flaming opal hair and emerald eyes, Emma was flirtatious but caring. On the other hand, Julian was a seemingly pleasant man in his late teen with bleached blond hair and fine complexion. Beneath the look, he was a sharp-tongued but honest man. Lucious asked for a short tutorial on Maeism from Emma but was rejected. “Sorry, boy. Maeists from the Principle were forbidden to teach outside of Jercflosey. Even there is no such rule, I doubt you could understand it yet...” Even in his disappointment mingled with the blow on his pride, Lucious did not approach Julian with the same proposal. For sure, he would be berated by the foul mouth. There was also the case of barrier chanting been strictly prohibited for the young trainee.
Even with his gradual opening to the party, Lucious still wary of some members of the expedition. The first in mind was obviously Quingon as the impatient and unpredictable warrior frightened the young trainee with his ferocious nature. Lucious did wonder why Quingon was the squad’s leader when Merridian practically leading and managing the members. Strangely, no one in his squad really minded the awkwardness in the power structure as they find it comfortable and manageable. “The man did not take orders. We just let the muscle-head take the charge and we followed up the mess...” Lucious could recall Penn’s casual remark of her squad leader. Merridian only smiled faintly when she heard the conversation and he did not dare to ask directly from the scary longsword wielder. Lucious found Pop, the bald man with a painstakingly groomed moustache and beard in his thirties who acted as the rear guard of the party, difficult to talk to. For the start, Pop was very proud of himself, and his name and lineage, although it was out of Lucious’s comprehension. Also, his name was too long. Lucious lost track of the name after Pompadous Uridale Jorace Hompadous... He could recall Pop’s expression reddened in rage and shame when Lucious called him ‘Pop’ as the onlooking Cassia and Penn laughed their heads off.
Lucious could feel something in his heart loosed at ease when surrounded by such interesting characters. He could almost jump and fly in his steps at Floki’s slightly exasperated sigh. “...I see you getting comfortable with the party...Couldn’t blame you...but do exercise caution...” “...Yeah, I know. At least let me enjoy this walk.” Lucious smiled faintly at the mumbling of his mentor. Attempting to brush off Floki’s misgiving, Lucious turned slightly to his older companion. “I have been wondering. How did get yourself enlisted in Jercflosey? You seemed to have a lot of acquaintances from that grand city...” “Oh...so you’re interested in this old man?” Floki raised his eyebrows but Lucious could tell the older man had a hard time to hold his grin. “Nothing much. Travelled to the city and entered a series of tests. Passed and formed a team with Grawyrad and others. Completing training and quests as a Seeder...”
“...What’s a Seeder?” “Oh...right. It’s someone who passed the tests given by the Principle and allowed to stay in Jercflosey to learn and polish their skills. Anyone who wishes to join the rank of the Principle, regardless of their achievement in the past, has to take it.” “Wow...” Lucious exhaled in fascination. “Or that was it during my time...now...” Floki frown and shook his head. “What happened?” “Like every tree which grows too large, it attracts licks and parasites yet unable to detect them due to its sheer size. One day, that tree could fall by a blow of storm...” Lucious became silent as he noticed the faint sadness in Floki’s eyes as the older man’s face tightened in smouldering rage. Something must have happened. Lucious thought of the friend Floki mentioned. “Is that why you left...?” “...You, kid. Throwing such a straight ball without consideration. One day it could get to you...” Floki stared at Lucious in annoyance.
“Anyhow, I don’t think much has changed. Well, not that it concerns you, country bumpkin...” Lucious turned sour at the reminder of his insurmountable task to gain his way to Jercflosey. “...How about you, kid? Ready to scram?” Floki jeered at Lucious but he could tell from the glim on the older man’s eyes to know better. “...I’m not...” Lucious was about to retort when Floki stopped him abruptly with his left arm raised in front of the boy. “Floki, what...” The look on Floki’s face silenced the young trainee. Lucious knew that look when Floki caught something during their previous hunts when everything and everyone was still around. He did not know how his mentor managed to do that as he did not seem to dabble in the art of detection. It seemed the party had caught on the scent that stirred Floki as a weird whistle was sounded faintly from Cassian and the procession came to a stop. Maeists including Floki rallied to Cassian as Lucious joined his mentor in the sudden gathering.
“Do you catch that too, old baldy?” “Watch your mouth, Julian. Of course, who do you think I am?” Lucious shifted his gaze between the two in wonder. “How do they do that?” Regardless, he knew it had something to do with the art of Maeism. “Brief us, Julian.” Julian maintained his smiling expression as Emma and Lucson flanked at his sides when he explained to the mission leader. “...From what we have sensed, there is something big. Perhaps two, are closing in our path. It seems like they have not caught our scent yet, but they will be soon.” Lucious swallowed hard at the knowledge. “...Penn and Gabriel...Go ahead and catch a glimpse.” The specialists in scouting nodded and went on ahead without a twig of a noise. “Everyone, maintain the formation and remain quiet.” A whisper of instruction interrupted Lucious’s thought as the Maeists dispersed from Cassian and returned to their position. Following his mentor, the young trainee treaded uncertainly.
Few minutes had passed. The cool breeze became chilling with uneasiness as the party waited patiently for their scouts to return. Lucious shifted his feet nervously as his heart thumping with increasing pace by minutes. Floki seemed steady but alert. The atmosphere was sharpened in anticipation as the rest of the party shifted their weight and ready for anything that sprung out toward them. The sound of insects and birds seemed to be distanced from the surroundings as heads snapped even at the fall of leaves. Suddenly, heads turned to meet the returning scouts as Lucious was caught in surprise by their hushed arrival.
Observing the serious expression on Penn and Gabriel’s face, Lucious feared their discovery as they outlined their scouting result. “Cassian, there is a pair of Fang Coyotes ahead of us. Not mutated yet. Sniffling around for a hunt, they will find us if a breeze carries our scent ahead.” The party tensed at the knowledge of Fang Coyotes. Lucious looked in wonder at Floki as his Maeism instructor sighed in annoyance. “What about the coyotes that makes you so troubled? From what I know, they are not that much of a threat to this party.” Floki rolled his eyes at the naïve boy and turned to him. “...A Fang Coyote is a joke. A team of a dozen trainees like you should put up a good fight. But you have no idea how a Fang Coyote couple can be a force to be reckoned of.”
“Yes, it is as what Floki said.” Cassian continued Floki’s concern. “After forming a bond, a Fang Coyote couple stayed for life. They are practically inseparable. Due to the effect of the bond, their power, speed, and reaction become sharper...Even their build become larger.” Cassian sighed as his eyes turned firm and serious. “...The focus is on their flawless teamwork, covering each other’s back and following their partner’s to form a ceaseless combination of attacks...” Lucious swallowed at the knowledge. “It is so effective that the Principle actually came out with a formation and a battle tactic based on these beasts...” “Get to the main point, lad.” Floki interrupted impatiently. “Battling these coyotes is a hassle. You have to kill the couple at the same time, otherwise one of them would go berserk.” “Ah, I see. I remember reading a report of a Fang Coyote instantly tearing out the heads of two veterans after witnessing its spouse’s death...” Lucious turned pale at Emma’s remark as he imagined the terrifying situation of a Fang Coyote chewing his head.
“Eh...how big is the Fang Coyotes?” “Definitely smaller than Vorgion, in size and strength. Ah, I think one of them is slightly larger...” Cassian and Floki turned sharply at Penn’s casual comment. “Penn!” “Say that early, you fool!!” Both of them scolded at the girl as Penn grimaced and recoiled from the shock. “...I see...That means we are facing a couple fully prepared for mating. They will be the strongest pair we ever encountered thus far...” The rest of the party nodded heavily at Cassian’s statement. “...Floki, we don’t see a Fang Coyote around for years...why now...?” Floki spared a look at his disciple and smiled a little. “...I see that you have noticed...Probably the attraction of the Abyss...Its influence is getting stronger...” “...and it is too fast for good, Floki...” Cassian and Floki exchanged a look and the older man nodded grimly.
“...Right, guys. My squad will draw the attention of the beasts.” Cassian drew a deep breath and started to address the situation as he turned to each mentioned member. “...Cassia, you exchange with Lucson and join Quingon’s squad. Quingon, bring the team and circle behind the couple after we clash with the creatures.” Quingon smiled wickedly like a beast on the hunt as the members split between two leaders. “...Emma, watch your fire. Gabriel, find higher ground or tree and cover my squad. Quingon, Rush the couple when I give the signal.” Everyone nodded while preparing for the battle. “Merri, watch Quingon.” “Fool, how many times do you think I worked the muscle-brain?” Cassian smiled briefly as they exchanged a silent comment before splitting to each other’s squad.
“Floki. Lucious. Follow my squad.” “No problem, Cassian.” Floki waited for Cassian to take some steps away before following after him. “No barrier, boy. Remember that. At best, channel your Natura to the shield formation. Don’t overexert yourself.” Lucious nodded slightly at Floki’s whispered advice. “Now, our squad will focus on drawing the couple’s attention and wear them down.” Cassian looked at each member of the squad after everyone has joined. “Knights, maintain the crescent formation and the shield barrier at all time. Julian, make a full barrier on my signal. Pompadous, watch for the flank and rear rush and keep them away. Floki, harass them with your forté.” Cassian turned to Lucious after instructed the rest of the squad. “Lucious, give your strength to the knights. They need every ounce of Natura they can get.”
“Yes, Cassian.” Lucious nodded in agreement. Cassian smiled and patted on his shoulder as he walking toward Quingon’s squad for another instruction. “You heard the man. Get yourself acquainted to the lots.” Floki chimed and pushed his young apprentice to the knights. “Hi. Please be patient with me.” Lucious went around and greeted each member of the squad. “Counting on you for the shield barrier.” “...You sure about that thing over there...?” “Hush, Pompadous. At least he offers an alternate source of Natura for the knights.” The shield knights nodded slightly while Pop sounded his concern to Julian. “As expected, but at least...” Tightened his hold on the trainee staff, Lucious stationed himself behind the knights as the rest of the members assumed their formation. The shield knights stood in front while Julian smiling at his side and Floki slightly behind with Pop was covering the rear.
“Alright, guys. Let’s move out.” Cassian returned and picked up his shield. Joining the formation with the knights, he issued the sortie as the squad marched forward to the battle. Lucious stole a glance to the back and saw Penn waving her hand in vigour as the rest of the party looked on silently. He waved back to Penn and looked forward once again. With each step closer to the battle, Lucious looked at his hands and feet anxiously as his body stiffed with tension. A kick tapped him lightly from his back and brought his focus back. “Thanks, Floki. That’s right. I can do it...” Lucious started forward to the wilderness once again and saw a pair of beasts in grey fur on its fours sniffling around a clearing more than two hundreds yard away.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
