Chapter Sixty-Seven – Back to Back
Nassandra rested her elbows on the parapet and gazed at the passing trees, reflecting on her journey since leaving the only place she'd ever called home.
With the Silverbacks, few land creatures dared to come close. Birds of prey that stalked the sky were another issue. Giant ravenous crows would swop down and try to pluck the eyeballs out of the Silverback's sockets. They were quick, but the fighters of the camp were quicker, stopping the crows from feasting on their animal companions. However, even things that didn't seem alive could carry the threat of death. The stream they followed forked towards a hot spring, were man-sized bubbles gently floated around them. If someone got too close, they were trapped inside as it enveloped them and carried them high into the trees, where they would have never been found if not for Nassandra's quick thinking and sharp-shooting with her bow.
A routine search for clean water and food across a marsh-swamp turned into a mad scramble to survive when the swamp split open and almost swallowed them. Geysers blasted out of the ground, making the rescue more challenging. Thanks to a combination of great leadership from Emlyn, a keen eye from Nassandra, Ailith's sheer determination, and an awful lot of luck, they were able to pull everyone to safety. Returning to the Silverback herd, they watched the swamp ripple and move before a whale rose out of the depths to greet them with a booming call and an explosion of water from its blowhole. They were almost crushed by Swamp Whales, and yet, they were still in awe as they watched them swim off into the distance.
Trees with acidic sap. Falling acorns that turned any living thing they touched into stone. The camp quickly learnt not to underestimate anything Mameth Forest presented to them. Anything that could stop them, tried to stop them.
Nassandra glanced down at her palms. They stung with blisters. The muscles in her arms and legs groaned almost as loudly as her stomach. This aching was so unfamiliar and alien to yet. Despite this, she smiled to herself. She was proud of how far she'd come. And she was thankful to those on this journey with her.
''You're doing it again.'' She heard Emlyn's irritated voice over her shoulder.
''I'm not doing anything!'' Ailith retorted.
Nassandra turned to watch the two women bicker. Emlyn sat cross-legged with her hands resting on her lap and her eyes closed. She could have been mistaken for a statue if not for the breeze blowing against her white hair. Beside her, was Ailith doing her best to mimic the swordswoman's calm posture.
''You're breathing too loudly.'' Emlyn accused.
Ailith opened one eye to glare at her. ''I'm meditating exactly as you are.''
''I can tell you're not,'' Emlyn said. ''You're unfocused. Don't let your concentration be swayed by your other senses.''
''How do I do that without becoming blind, deaf and numb?''
Emlyn released an exasperated huff through her nose. ''Aura is everywhere. Meditation helps you better understand your own. The sooner you understand it, the easier it'll be to channel it through your magic. You can't let distractions happening around you slow down your progress.''
''But, I think connecting with the aura around me might help...''
''Not if you don't master your aura first.''
Standing quietly for a moment, Nassandra twisted her body. ''If I'm being a nuisance, I-,''
''You're not a nuisance, Your Highness,'' Emlyn said. ''Unlike others.''
''Hey!''
''I wasn't referring to you.''
Ailith furrowed her brows at the swordswoman before a noise to the side caught her notice. They were not only on the walkway. Two campers were arguing amongst themselves as they dangled over the edge to get their fishing rods as far as possible. The Silverback's trek had led them to a large, murky lake. As they walked across, a few eager campers hoped to catch their next supper. But, those hopes were dashed when their fishing hooks crashed against the bottom of the lake, indicating that the water was too shallow for anything of decent size to dwell within.
Ailith drummed her hands against her boots and glanced at Emlyn. ''Maybe you're wrong?''
''Excuse me?'' Emlyn's brow arched, but her eyes remained closed.
Nassandra gulped. ''Ailith...''
''I can't train my aura like you can,'' Ailith said. ''Most people conjure swords or weapons with whatever magic they've learned. But, you fight with a sword made by blacksmiths. It's already an extension of you so you don't need to focus on the aura of other things as much as I have to. Meditation like this itself isn't wrong, but it's wrong for me.''
Emlyn relaxed her body. ''Then do what you think is best.''
Ailith pursed her lips. Her tongue was itching to say more, but she thought against it so not to disturb Emlyn anymore than she already had. She fidgeted around, trying to find a comfortable position to continue the meditation her way.
''Um...'' Nassandra's quiet voice grabbed Ailith's attention. ''I've found focusing on specific things around me helps the mind. Instead of trying to block your senses, maybe you should embrace them?''
''I can try,'' Ailith smiled and closed her eyes. Her ears perked up at brustling leaves and the water splashing beneath the Silverback's lumbering steps across the lake. The cold wind biting her skin set off a wave of goosebumps over her skin. Sounds, sensations, smells, even the taste of dirt on her lips, guided her. Using them, she could create the scene in the black canvas of her mind, with the aura around her as her brush to paint with. However, something was missing. ''I can't hear the animals.''
''What?'' Nassandra questioned.
Emlyn's eyes bolted open as she casually rose to her feet along with Ailith. The three of them scanned their surroundings. There was nothing in the trees. The birds and insects had stopped singing. The only disturbance that could be seen were the ripples in the lake caused by the Silverbacks. It suddenly dawned on them how empty this place felt.
''Something's not right,'' Ailith commented. ''We need to warn the others.''
They hurried across the walkway, gathering as many people as they could on their way. Some campers were apprehensive, while others were groggy being woken from much-needed sleep. But, they followed Ailith's lead without question as she rushed to the front of the pack and spotted Thwack surveying the route ahead.
Hearing the group approach, Thwack turned to face the warrior with narrow eyes. ''What's got your sword in a knot?''
''Thwack, I don't think it's safe for everyone to be outside of their tents right now,'' Ailith said.
''Why not? I don't hear anything.''
''That's the point!'' Ailith snapped. ''It's never been this quiet. All the animals are gone. There might be a predator stalking the trees that we don't know about.''
Thwack scoffed. ''We're in the middle of a wide-open lake. We can't hear animals cause they're too far. And even if something is out there, the water's too shallow for it to ambush us.''
Before Ailith could argue further, Nassandra stepped forward to confront Thwack. ''Please, you have to listen to us. This silence isn't normal. I fear that-,''
''You fear everything!'' Thwack mocked, jabbing a limb into Nassandra's chest. ''You're a bag of nerves that sputters if her own shadow is out of place.''
Ailith and Emlyn started to move, ready to protect Nassandra. But, the Princess held up her hands to stop them, giving each an assured nod before she locked eyes with the Krilleg once again. ''I understand why you think that way. My mind could be playing tricks on me and I could be wrong. But, I'd rather be wrong and ensure everyone's safety rather than be right and do nothing as something dreadful happens.''
Thwack clicked their tongue. Their eyes flickered up at the trees. The forest was eerily quiet when no one was talking. The wind picked up, casting a chill that swept over the whole camp.
Out of the crowd, Kuval emerged. ''I suggest we listen to Nassandra. It is still your camp, Thwack. We shall follow your decision, whatever it may be.''
Thwack grit their teeth and groaned. ''Alright, but this is my decision. I haven't been swayed by anyone.''
Letting out a relieved sigh, Nassandra bowed to Thwack. ''Thank you.''
''Alright,'' Thwack addressed everyone. ''Those of you quaking in your boots, get inside a tent and stay there until you get the clear.''
It was pretty or well-organised, but eventually, almost all of the camp had taken refuge inside the tents. Those who decided to stay and face the possible threat were met with the unusual sight of empty walkways and ladders. Despite what they felt was a looming danger, the Silverbacks continued walking without a care in the world. In less than a minute, all who remained to guard the camp were the Arsalan group and a few campers who knew how to defend themselves.
It didn't take long for Nassandra to find Fethawi and guide him towards the nearest tent. ''Stay inside and don't come out unless I give the order.''
''You should find safety as well, Your Highness.''
''He's right,'' Kuval said, approaching Nassandra. ''We can handle whatever-,''
''No,'' Nassandra stopped him. ''It wouldn't be fair if I did nothing while my friends put their lives on the line.''
Kuval pursed his lips. ''I have a feeling I can't convince you otherwise. So, all I ask is that you stay close to someone at all times.''
Nassandra nodded and then turned back to Fethawi, giving him a firm stare. He finally acknowledged her order by slipping inside of the tent.
Everyone's hearts were racing, pounding against their chests in unison. Ailith coated her arms in diamond as she stood next to Nassandra. The Princess never kept her eyes on one spot for more than a second, always vigilant and aware. She gripped her bow and nocked an arrow against the string in preparation.
Levana unsheathed her sword and her shield spiralled outward for protection. She sucked in a gulp of air. ''What exactly are we looking for?''
''I'm afraid we won't know until it makes its move,'' Kuval said grimly, gripping his sword tightly.
Turrock snickered. ''I would have expected that level of encouragement from Emlyn.'' He drew his dagger as oil trickled down the fingers of his free hand until there a small puddle in his palm.
Emlyn didn't say anything as she peered over the parapet. Her eyes glazed over the water, watching the waves push outwards from where the Silverbacks stomped. Muddy brown clouded the lake.
A camper with an axe watched her. ''No predator large enough to be a threat could hide in waters that shallow.''
The camper turned his eyes elsewhere, and that's when something large erupted out of the lake. By the time he looked back, all he could see was a gaping mouth filled with thousands of jagged teeth. He would have been torn to shreds if not for Ailith leaping into action, tackling the creature from the side and knocking them both off the walkway and into the water below.
The warrior was quick to roll and get back on her feet. She clenched her fists and turned, only to be met with nothing. She stood alone in the lake. Glancing down at her feet, she saw the water only came up to her ankles.
She didn't have time to stand bewildered as she heard another loud splash coming from behind. Turning around, she was met with more rows of pointed teeth hoping to carve into her flesh. A pained cry came out of the creature's mouth as it diverted course and thrashed its body around, trying to dislodge the arrow that Nassandra had shot into its side. Ailith watched on with intrigue. The creature's shark-like body was long and brown with a greyish tint, blending into the water. Its head stretched outwards horizontally like the blade of an axe. But, what truly made Ailith's body freeze was its flat figure from the head to its tail, allowing it to easily slip beneath the water's surface and out of her sight.
''Razorhead,'' Ailith shuddered. She looked back up at the others. ''Be careful, they hunt in packs!''
Before the echo in her voice faded, half a dozen more Razorheads leapt out of the water and towards the walkways. Ailith could only look on. The group did their best to bat away the sharks to the best of their abilities, swatting them away with their weapons. Oil spilt into the lake as Turrock swiped his hand across the face of one that got too close before kicking it over the edge. Nassandra dived as far back as she could as she let loose another arrow. It skidded over the body of one, but it was enough to scare it away for now.
Kuval carved his arms into the air, summoning a tower of purple diamond from out of the ground to block another Razorhead's path. His body moved like a storm, swift and powerful, creating more diamonds pillars to knock the predators back and keep them from reaching the camp. ''I'll hold them off, someone get Ailith out of the water.'' He called out.
Emlyn twirled her sword and jumped off the parapet. Below her, a Razorhead lay in waiting. Its tail emerged from the water before slamming back down, using the momentum to propel itself into the air. Emlyn spun her body in mid-air and carved her way past the Razorhead before landing in the water with a spiral of blood flowing from the tip of her sword. Without breaking a sweat, she sprinted towards Ailith, moving past her and kicking the belly of another shark that tried to ambush the warrior.
Another one burst out of the water behind Emlyn's standing leg. Before it could crush her bones in its jaw, Ailith punch the shark between the eyes, sending it flying. She saw more fins slice through the water's surface and circle them, blocking any escape path they hoped to use. They stood side-by-side as the sharks remained submerged.
The surface of the lake was suddenly coated with oil. The sticky substance soaked the shark's exposed fins. Reacting quickly, Ailith and Emlyn retreated as sparks rained down onto the water and set it alight.
Between the two women, Turrock walked forward with a grin. ''Once again, I have to come to your rescue.''
There was no time for Ailith or Emlyn to retort with the gangster, as five of the Razorheads lifted their tails out of the water and slapped them down, creating a wave big enough to overwhelm the flames that danced on the lake's surface. In no time, more of the sharks descended on the three of them. They just barely managed to roll out of the way.
Turrock mopped his drenched face with the back of his hand and stared down the throat of a looming Razorhead. Caught in two minds on whether he should duck out of the way or give the shark a bad case of heartburn, he was surprised when a shield clattered the creature's head, knocking it back into the water.
The shield skidded along the water before returning to Levana's wrist. She rushed over to the others tentatively. ''I didn't know if we were all supposed to jump in and save Ailith, so I waited for more than one person to do so.''
More Razorheads emerging from the water meant their conversation would be short-lived. Ailith and Emlyn rushed in to offer their assistance. Working in unison, Levana and Emlyn slashed their swords, while Ailith's fist and Turrock's leg struck a powerful blow. However, a third Razorhead had been left unchecked and closed the distance on them in an instant. An arrow struck the top of its head, causing it to reel back.
Following the direction the arrow had come from, the group were shocked to see Nassandra running towards them. ''What are you doing down here?'' Ailith gasped.
''Kuval said for someone to save you.''
Emlyn groaned. ''Someone other than you!''
A loud splash caused their heads to whip around. Racing behind them was a large group of Razorheads. As they got closer, they spotted another group hunting them from another angle. The group soon found themselves surrounded by a family of sharks, gaining momentum and leaving them rooted and forced to huddle together.
''Stand back-to-back,'' Emlyn commanded. The group followed her word, leaving no blind spots as they waited morbidly for the next wave of attacks.
Multiple sharks leapt out of the water from all sides. Ailith swung her fist at struck at a creature's side, leaving her wide open for another to have its turn. Nassandra's arrow flew over Ailith's shoulder, brushing the ends of her blonde hair, and struck the shark inside of the lower jaw. There was no time for gratitude with more agape jaws ready to consume them. Emlyn's sword pierced through the tough exterior of another. She didn't bother with the one coming at her from behind, as Levana covered her by uppercutting the predator with her shield. A strong swipe of Turrock's leg was enough to kick it away, sending it crashing into another that was about to dive at them.
It was a knock-on effect with the group protecting each other. There was no time to give orders or warnings. They were defending each other instinctively. Energy buzzed inside of each one of them, making them battle harder and faster.
Ailith pummeled her fist into a Razorhead's mouth. Its teeth scraped against her diamond skin, but couldn't penetrate. She panted heavily, willing herself to keep fighting and stay protected with her magic for as long as possible. She braced for the next attack. Nothing happened. Pushing through the adrenaline, Ailith saw the Razorheads swimming in the other direction.
''Everyone!''
They finally had the time to tear their eyes away from the hunters in the lake and look to where Kuval was calling from. The Silverbacks had all safely reached the other side of the leg, stepping onto wet and muddy land. At the rear of the heard, Kuval and the other campers who fought bravely waved to the group, beckoning them to follow. Without a word, they hurried back to camp.
Kuval jumped down to them. ''Is everyone alright?''
Ailith's feet leaden as she gripped her knees, trying to catch her breath. Her muscles throbbed, leaving her whole body shaking, and she could see it was the same for everyone else. The five of them stared at each other in silence. Then, Ailith started to laugh. The infectious sound lifted Nassandra's spirits, causing to giggle alongside her friend. Through rushed gasped, Levana couldn't stop smiling. Turrock kept his cool, smirking confidently and patting Levana on the shoulder.
Walking over to Kuval, Emlyn rolled her eyes. ''Everyone is fine.'' She looked elsewhere, hoping he wouldn't see her lip twitch.
Kuval grinned at the swordswoman. ''There's no shame in sharing joy. I saw you all fight together. Your auras were entwined.''
Emlyn's eyes widened. ''You don't mean fusion?''
''No, it's not quite the same, and it's not forbidden,'' he assured her. ''Your aura was still your own, and you're not taking the strength from another, but you are becoming linked with other auras. Nothing about you changes, you only get a glimpse of other's thoughts and feelings. Your desire to protect each other spurred you all into fighting as one.''
Emlyn stared at the ground, deep in thought. ''Can it happen again?''
''That depends on each of you.''
She swallowed a lump in her throat as her eyes found the cheery group. Watching them laugh away the perils they had just withstood together, Emlyn felt a warmth crawl up her stomach and into her chest. Her heart raced faster despite the lack of any imminent threat.
The Razorheads were swimming in the distance, close to the shore on the other side of the lake. Suddenly, the trees split open as the Terragwangi's long neck came into view and it caught a Razorhead jumping out of the water in its mouth.
''Get down!'' Emlyn warned, rushing to the group and pushing them to the ground.
The Terragwangi clamped its jaw down, ceasing any further movement from the shark trapped between its teeth. As it made short work of its prey, the group watched on slack-jawed.
''Is it following us?'' Nassandra questioned.
Ailith glanced over her shoulder towards the moving camp. The Silverbacks weren't inconspicuous with their tracks, meaning anything large enough to attack would follow, hoping for a belly-filling meal. She glanced at Kuval, shocked but not surprised to see the fear in his eyes as he gazed at the beast she warned him about.
''Come on, let's move.'' He instructed.
They didn't need to be told twice as they hurried to the camp, leaving the behemoth to feast. Before they departed, Ailith took one last look at the giant long-neck. This was one fight Ailith hoped she could avoid.
A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Did you enjoy the group's fight together? Do you think they can make it out of the forest before the Terragwangi catches them? Fun fact, that narrated montage at the beginning were other chapters that I had planned to write, but I decided to leave out for pacing. I didn't want to ignore them, so I thought I'd have them referenced. Thank you all for your support. Take care.