Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 117: Monsters Of The Deep

Theyve penetrated this far? Then Haymi said, her face pale.

Vason grimaced. Then this is going to be a difficult fight indeed.

Balar 400 to 700 was far beyond even what the Narapazu had been. Individually, Vir wouldve had no choice but to tuck his tail and run, but even with a party to support him, it felt like a tall order.

What do you know about these Matrons? How do we fight them? Vir asked.

Tia shook her head. Not now. First, we need to establish a fortified base of operations. Preferably somewhere farther back where its safer. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for more enemies. Were dealing with a mature Matron here, not some neophyte.

Making camp was easier said than done. It took a full hour of bushwhackingand several close callsto find a suitable location. Vir relied on Prana Vision to warn of incoming enemies, forcing them to detour around enemy positions more than once.

And then, once theyd found the spot, they had to secure it. The location they picked was a densely vegetated area marked by four tall trees at each corner. Corners they could build palisades out of, thus fortifying their base.

They each got to work immediately. Haymi swapped out the orbs in their weapons for C Grade Enhance Sharpness. Together with Prana Blade, Vir had little issue dicing through nearby trunks, stripping them of their bark, and sharpening their tips. Against Broodlings, a tall wall wasnt necessary, but Vir cut them tall enough that even an acrobat wouldnt be able to vault over it easily.

Overkill, perhaps, but when wood was so abundant, Vir didnt see any reason to skimp.

Vason dug trenches for the palisadesa much harder jobalong with Tia.

They worked smoothly, and after only another three hours, they had a camp with palisades on all sides. The vegetation had been culled, and a fire ring installed.

The party of four currently huddled around a small fire as the sky darkened and the forest cooled. Unlike at Brij, the temperature never fell enough to cause any real worry, but a fire was a nice comfort, nonetheless. Plus, most animals feared fire. It acted as a safety measure as well.

So, these beasts. What do we know? Vir asked.

Not much, Im afraid. Details of Ash Beasts are exceedingly scarce. From what Ive read, Matrons use their hunter-gatherers to kill and bring back food to the Matron, who produces more offspring. I believe scout Balar Ranks are around ten to twenty each.

Virs eyes narrowed. Scout? Are there different types of beasts?

There are. Scouts bring back information about hostiles and sources of nourishment, which the hunter-gatherers then kill and haul back. It was good that we killed them all today. If even one got back to the brood, wed have been beset by their stronger brethren.

How strong are we talking?

Tia shrugged. The records I read didnt say. Only that they were the warriors of the brood, so we can expect them to pack a punch.

More a question of how many, Vason said, stoking the fire. We can handle a handful. Maybe lay a pit trap and wait, or separate them and pick them off one by one. But against thirty? Sixty? Thats another matter entirely.

Vasons right. We lack critical information about the enemy, and yet venturing deep into their hive is far too dangerous, Haymi added.

Wed be asking to get surrounded, Tia said with a nod. Except, were on a timer now.

You think the Matron will know her minions are missing? Vir asked.

Its only a matter of time, she replied. I dont believe the Matron can communicate with her workers, or thered be no need for the scouts to report back as Id read. But Im sure shed notice ten of her scouts going missing all at once.

Kinda odd for scouts to operate in packs, dont you think? Vason said, ripping off a piece of cooked flatbread and dipping it into the vegetable stew that Haymi had graciously whipped up. Theyd do better by splitting up.

Vir shook his head. If they cant communicate, then at least one of them has to survive whatever they encounter to report back. They lose that ability if they travel individually and are injured or killed.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Right, Tia said. We should expect groups. I suspect the workers and the hunter-gatherers all operate this way as well.

But we ought to confirm it, Vir thought. It made sense logically, but a mistaken assumption here could very well get them all killed.

Which means we need to move fast. If we do end up staying in the forest, well likely have to build several more fortifications and move between them to keep the enemy from discovering our camp, Tia said with an awkward smile. I trust your fortifications, Apramor, just that Id rather avoid an ambush if we can.

Id rather not be attacked in my sleep either, he replied. But that did leave them in a predicament. They needed more information about the enemy, and they needed it fast.

Vir dug into his stew and experienced an unexpected explosion of complex flavor. Hed been expecting mediocrity, but instead found the work of a master chef.

Vason cracked a grin. Best perk of Spears Edge Haymis cooking.

This is seriously good, Vir said, relishing the mashed bean and lentil broth that bled into the perfectly cooked vegetables. He didn't notice the satisfied smile creep across Haymi's face.

Wed be an even more efficient party if she only cooked more, but alas, not even Janak could convince her, Vason said, holding his palm to his forehead.

His words earned him a C Grade Arc spell, fired right between his boots.

Vason yelped and jumped back, but Vir noticed he didnt allow even a drop of his food to spill.

They really do get along well, Vir thought as he ate his stew.

How do you fight so well together? he asked. I know youve known each other awhile, but theres got to be more. When we fight, it almost feels like youre a single entity rather than three people.

Vason chuckled, while Haymi smiled slightly.

A half dozen life-or-death situations will do that to you, Apramor, Tia said softly. Like how we fought that Narapazu? We all just kinda knew what to do. You included. Becomes second nature after a while.

I still feel like Im just fighting independently, rather than gelling with you three, though.

Naw, you did great today! That was your first actual fight in a party. Trust me, Ive seen people do far worse.

Far worse, Vason echoed with a chuckle. As Tia said, itll come in time. Theres no need to rush it. We have the benefit of sharing a martial style, after all. Your arts are quite different, so itll take some time to integrate. Might even give you a reason to stay on with us, eh? he said with a wink.

That said, itd be best if you remained closer to me when we fight, Haymi said. Its harder for me to use my magic the farther away you are.

So that was why they were all bunched up, Vir realized. Neither Vason nor Tia ever stepped more than a few paces away from their mejai. Though they probably did that to protect her as well.

Wouldnt it be best to disguise Haymi? Either as a warrior, or have her hide nearby?

Haymi nodded. Right. Militaries disguise their mejai as soldiers, but mercs usually fight beasts. Theyre not intelligent enough to target me specifically. Not unless I start hurling offensive magic. At that point, a disguise would be useless, anyway. Besides armor gets itchy.

Vir suspected Haymis dislike of armor was the real reason, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

But, yknow, its fine to operate on your own and all, but if you do see one of us struggling, we sure wouldnt mind if you lent us a hand!

Of course, Vir replied immediately. Thats the least I could do.

Vason hadnt expected such an earnest response. W-well, great! he said, smiling awkwardly.

So, uh, do we get any reward for killing off the Broodlings? Vir asked. Theyd collected the scouts pincers, but none of them knew whether they were worth anything.

Unfortunately not. The Brotherhood considers the Lord of the Forest as a singular beast. Either we kill the Matron, or we get nothing.

In that case Vir said, taking a deep breath. Let me handle this.

Uh, what? Tia asked.

I think he said he wants to take on the entire brood alone.

Vir frowned at Vason. Of course not. But its a fact that I have the best scouting skills in this party.

You may be skilled, but youre not invincible. Thats out of the question, Tia said firmly.

Actually I kinda am. Ilook, will you trust me when I say that I can spy on enemies from a position of absolute safety?

Tia glanced at Haymi and Vason. Apramor, there isnt a Talent in the world that makes you invulnerable.

As much as Vir wanted to withhold information on Dance of the Shadow Demon, if it meant lowering their chances of successor worsesomeone's death, he'd never forgive himself.

This is hard to prove, but you know how I sink into the shadows? Well, I can stay there for some time. I cant stay in there forever, but when Im inside, nothing can touch me.

Apramor, I'll be honest. Ive never heard of a Talent like that. Shadow Blend allows you to blend with the shadows, sure, and Shadow Movement can camouflage you amongst the shadows, but you can't sink into shadows as you do. Let alone stay there! Shadow Blend is an Uncommon Tier Talent, and Shadow Movement's Rare. Yours sounds even stronger.

Vir scratched his neck. Now you know why I havent said anything about this before.

Wonder what she'd say if she learned it can manipulate time... He didn't plan on divulging that secret anytime soon.

You're serious?

Vir nodded. Its not just that. I have other skills that help me scout. I can make it to the Brood Matrons lair and back without being detected.

Tia sighed. I suppose youll just sneak out of bed in the middle of the night if we refuse.

Sorry, Vir replied, grinning.

Very un-party-like behavior, Apramor, Vason scolded, also grinning. But I like your guts.

Fine. But you have two hours. If youre not back, were gonna come searching for you. And take a Flare utility orb with you. If youre in distress, fire it and well know where you are.

Vir obediently accepted the orb. Hed already revealed some details of Dance of the Shadow Demon. He didnt really feel like divulging he was prana scorned as well. The utility orb might've been useless to him, but it made Tia feel better, so he pocketed it silently.

Well then, Ill be off.

Do not engage the enemy. Retreat at the first sign of trouble, even if you end up leading them back here. Well deal with it. And Tia said, hugging Vir and smiling wryly, Good hunting.

T-thanks.