Chapter 42: Refusal

Elise: KYAAAAAAAA!”

Beatrice: ELISE, HOLD ON!”

Beatrice, sliced down several of the hornets, before making a dash towards Elise, only to be attack from behind in her mad rush. Several hornets drove their stingers into arm.

Beatrice: “Dammit, move.”

Beatrice cut the hornets down, but everyone she cut down, was replaced with two more, she couldn’t protect herself, let alone her sister.

Tin Man: Don’t worry, I got her.”

Tin Man’s armor was too thick for the Hornets to penetrate, it was simple for him to get to her. However, Elise was currently being swarmed, as hornet after hornet, stabbed at the barrier she erected. She had to protect herself, along with the cargo and it was draining. There was just too many and the one source of light they had was making it difficult to see.”

Beatrice: “THERE’S TOO MANY WE HAVE TO RUN.”

Tin Man: “IT’S TOO DARK, IF WE MOVE AWAY FROM THE FIRE WE WON’T BE ABLE TO FIGHT BACK.”

Shane: “AND WHAT ABOUT NATHAN?”

Beatrice: “WE CAN’T RISK IT, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER.”

Shane: “THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE THIS AND YOU KNOW IT, THIS COULD BE IT FOR US.”

Beatrice: “ENOUGH, I’M NOT RISKING OUR LIVES FOR A PA-”

Tin Man: “BEATRICE!?”

Beatrice found herself unable to move and a numbing pain, running through her body. Looking herself over, the blue liquid had spread through her body. She tried moving, but the pain was too much and she was defenseless as the hornets circled overhead.

Elise: “Beatrice, somebody help her.”

Shane: “HANDS FULL!”

Beatrice: “D-Dammit.”

Nathan: “EVERYONE GET DOWN!”

Recognizing the voice right away, everyone did as they were told.

*Ratatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatat*

Elise: “(What is that?)”

The sound was overpowering the buzzing from the hornets. As they looked up they couldn’t make out anything, but th fading mass of blue streaking lights. Hornets corpses rained down all around, as each one was killed off. As the last few lights faded away, the area became quiet again.

Finesse +8

Shane: “What the hell?”

A moment later Nathan came running up out of the darkness.

Nathan: “Are you all alright?”

Shane: “What the hell was that, what did you just do?”

Nathan: “Worry about that later, she doesn’t look too good.”

Elise: “Beatrice!”

The blue liquid had spread across her skin, she couldn’t even speak.

Nathan: “It looks like that stuffs paralyzing her.

Elise: “Tin Man, check the bag for anything that could treat this.”

Nathan: “No, It’s fine.”

Elise: “Huh?”

Nathan put his hand over Beatrice.

Nathan: “Therapy!”

A green aura circled around Beatrice, and slowly the toxin cleared away, receding back down her body, until no sign of it was left.

Nathan: “That should do it, how do you feel?”

Beatrice sat up and check herself, the numbing feeling was gone. Nathan moved back allowing her to get up.

Beatrice: “I……….I feel fine.”

Elise: “No, chant, no incantation, how on Leseres did you do cast that spell?”

Shane: “And what Weapon skill did you use, to take out all those bugs?”

Nathan: “Ugh, that wasn’t any spell or anything, I just use some of my abilities and what hells a weapon skill?

Elise: “Abilities!?”

Nathan: “You know, the ones that come with your Legacy?”

Everyone: “LEGACY!?”

Nathan: “Whoa!?”

Elise: “Legacy, y-you have a Legacy?”

Nathan: “……………..Doesn’t everyone?”

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The Morning didn’t come soon enough, Nathan didn’t normally sleep, however, this night, no one slept. Nathan had come to learn that, nowadays it is uncommon to have a Legacy. Originally, it was birthright, completely unheard of not to have one. However, sometime after Elphina’s attack, people just stop being born with them.

No one understood, if it was a curse from Elphina, or the natural order of things, mostly due to the fact that some few would be born with a Legacy. Eventually, people just took this as the status quo, but without there Legacy’s, Weapon skills and spell became two of the only ways to use Mana.

Anais: “No wonder their fight looked weird, they weren’t using Legacy’s. I felt they were consuming Mana, but they were channeling it through their weapons.”

Nathan: “Is that effective?”

Anais: “I’m not sure, I never heard of weapons skills.”

Nathan: “I don’t get it doesn’t everyone need their Legacy?”

Anais: “Hmm, I guess not. Basically, a Legacy” gives one a specific direction in which to channel their Mana, depending on what element it was based on or element zero, they could focus their effort on pursuing that element. However, without one, there is no way to accurately tell what you excel at, so you just have to experiment.”

Nathan: “Saying it like that, you make Legacy’s sound like a crutch.”

Anais: “Precisely, it’s not really need it, but at the same time I can’t imagine life without it.”

Nathan: “I could, it still feels strange having these abilities. Back in my world, magic itself, was just pretend, as far as I knew. Even something that seemed like magically, was basically technology. We didn’t have so many lush forests as these and most of the worlds been modernized.”

Anais: “No magic, sounds inconvenient.”

Nathan: “Hahaha, you get used to it, still, without Legacy, it makes everyone seem a little less godlike, putting effort into anything, is without a doubt a mortal trait.”

Anais: “I guess, but what does that make us, all three of us have one.”

Nathan: “Well, it’s too late for me, they already know, but we can still hide the both of yours. Here go grabbed those.”

Anais jumped down from, Nathans shoulder gather the tree branches before bringing them back to Nathan.

Anais: “Why are we doing this again?”

Nathan: “So Iris has enough time to hear their conversation.”

Beatrice asked Nathan to gather some wood for the stock, but and all honesty, Nathan believe she just wanted to get rid of him, so they could talk. After yesterday, he wondered if they would continue to let him travel with them. It didn’t seem like Anais or Iris notice their exchange during the fight, but heard it crystal clear. Whatever it was, it was about him, no doubt. He hoped they want to part ways, this way he wouldn’t have to run away.

*BZZZZ*

Nathan: “(Oh shit!)”

*Grab*

Anais: “What are you-”

Nathan: “Shh”

Nathan jumped behind a bush, holding Anais in his hands. She tried to wiggle free, but when Nathan repositioned so he she could see, she settled down. Two of the Hornets from last night, flew by completely unaware of th two. Soon, the two hornets disappeared leaving the two to reemerged

Anais: “Let’s go before they come back.”

Nathan: “Wait, they looked like they were in a hurry, they might be attacking someone.”

Anais: “So, who cares?”

Nathan: “Come on.”

Nathan ran off after, the insects, Anais reluctantly following behind him. As they got closer the battle became apparent.

Anais: “Well, it not human.”

Nathan: “Some sort of wolf?”

Sinking its teeth into another hornet, before ripping its flesh away. Some wolf creature was taking on five of the Hornets by itself. It body racked with wounds.

*growl*

The wolf spat the carcass out onto the ground, watching the hornets circle above. Then all at once they descended, the wolf ready itself and leapt out of the way. The Hornets didn’t stop and came back around for another attack, it leapt out of the way once again, but as they past, the wolf charged forward, sinking its teeth into one of the stragglers. The jaw strength crushed right through the hide, killing it and tossing the corpse at the incoming group.

One hornet was unlucky enough right into the corpse, crashing to the ground, the others dodge around the corpse. The wolf leapt up and grabbed one midflight and pulled it down, smashing it into the ground. It wings were broken and it took nothing for the wolf to rip a chunk of flesh from it as well.

*stab**Stab*

The wolf yipped in pain as, the hornet that was knocked out of the air, stabbed it twice in its hind leg. The wolf quickly smashed its head, but the damage was done. The venom from the stinger, begun to paralyze the wolf as it spread up its body. The last two must have understood the situation, fore they stayed airborne, waiting for the toxin to do its job.

The wolfed swayed back and forth before falling to the ground. When the wolf stopped moving, the hornets took this opportunity and dove, with their stingers ready they attack the defenseless, creature, or so they thought.

*Bite*

The moment one was in range, the wolf jumped up and crunch down on the hornet’s abdomen, at the same time, getting a mouth full of venom. It didn’t care in the lease, as it bit down even harder, completely shredding the body. Spitting it out, the blue liquid leaked from its mouth, but it had taken its toll. Unable to see, unable to move coherently, only by sheer will was it able to stand. However, it couldn’t tell where the hornet was, it was on its last leg.

The hornet, came in with its stinger ready to end it.”

Nathan: “LOOKOUT!”

Both the hornet and the wolf was shocked by the sudden scream, the hornets stinger missing its target and instead only grazing the wolf, but that was all it needed. The second it felt the pain, its teeth snapped in that direction, snatching off a piece of flesh. The hornet crashed to the ground and thrashed around for a moment, before growing still.

The wolf staggered a few feet and then, it too fell over, exhausted and out of energy, it laid there dying.

Anais: “Why did you do that, what if it came after us?”

Nathan: “I’m pretty damn sure I can take out one of the bugs, I took out a whole group yesterday. Besides, I wanted to help, that was amazing, it too out all those by itself, with all those wounds.”

Anais: “I guess, but it still died in the in, was it really a win?”

*Whimper*

Nathan: “No way, it’s still alive?”

The wolf whimper as it tried to move, but the venom had already spread throughout its body. Nathan walked out from the bushes and up towards the wolf. Its purple fur knotted with blood and the venom, as it laid there in pain. Up close the, Nathan thought the wolf was small, no bigger than a Terrier from his world. He stared down at the doomed creature, as it forced in breath after breath, trying its best to remain alive. Nathan was but he swore they eyes met for the briefest of moments.

Nathan: “…………….Therapy!”

The green aura encircled the wolf and slowly the toxin begun to fade.”

Anais: “What the hell are you doing?”

Nathan: “I’m healing it.”

Anais: “Why?”

Nathan: “No real reason, I just……………….I just like it. “Heal”.”

A white aura encircled the wolf and its wounds begun to heal. Soon all the wounds were gone and what was left was its dirty unkempt fur.”

Anais: “Okay, that’s done, let’s get outta here.”

Nathan: “No wait, look at all of these, yesterday they pulled off all the stingers along with their eyeballs, it could be worth something and we’re going to need money.”

Anais: “Them tell them to give you all the ones from yesterday, they’re technically yours.”

Nathan: “But, I didn’t know they were worth anything, I can’t just take them all back. Let’s just collect these ones then we can leave.”

The wolf to come to and witness the two strangers fighting not far from it.

Anais: “………..Nathan.”

Nathan: “Hmm, uh oh.”

Nathan tried to move back, but the wolf leaped towards Nathan, teeth ready.

*Chomp*

Nathan: “Ouch!”

The wolf sank its teeth into Nathans arm and refused to let go. Nathan just took the attack and let it finish. Fresh blood drip down its arm, as the wolf held tight.

Anais: “What are you doing, get it off!”

Nathan: “What, I’m not going to heal it, just kill it.

The wolf took notice, that despite its attack, it felt no ill will from the stranger. More importantly, the pain from before had vanished. Realizing it mistake the wolf release its hold on his arm, Nathan blood dripping from its mouth. Nathan gave the wound a second to heal, before turning to the wolf.

Nathan: “Hey.”

The wolf took no me heed of the strangers, if they were here to fight, it had no reason to stay and swiftly turned and ran off into the forest.”

Anais: “See, that what you get for being a good Samaritan, bitten and then ignored, if we had just left, that wouldn’t have happened.

*Trip*Crash*Bam*

Anais tripped over a carcass and crashed face first into a tree.

Nathan: “See, I can’t tell if that’s karma or just your inner klutz.”

Anais: “SHUT UP!

Nathan laughed, as he continued to pull apart the Hornets bodies.

Nathan: “Look at this, their eyeballs are like gems. And the stingers, really pointy.”

Anais: “That’s great, but stop waving it around. That blue crap all over your clothes.”

Nathan: “She said whilst here on clothes were stained.”

Anais: “What, crap, it’s all over me, wait it’s not working on me, I immune?”

Nathan: “No you goof, I’m immune, your resistant, remember. You should get those clothes off before it starts to take effect.”

Nathan waved his hands and produced a new set of clothes, which he tossed to her. Taking the clothes, she runs behind a nearby tree to change. Nathan continued gathering, cutting up the carcass, some of the blue venom was dripping from a piece of flesh of the hornets. He wanted to test his earlier theory and with Iris not around, it was now or never. Nathan made sure Anais wasn’t looking before, bring up to his mouth.

Anais: “I’m telling Iris.”

Nathan, quickly tossed the piece of flesh away, cursing under his breath, Anais laughing at him.

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Elise: “Your back.”

Nathan strolled up to the carriage, bundle of wood slung over his shoulder. All eyes fell on him as he put them in the cart.

Nathan: “Sorry it took so long.”

Beatrice: “No worry’s, we just finished too.”

Beatrice pointed out the two jugs of water sitting in the corner of the carriage, he figured they used that as cover to throw him off, about what they were really doing. Nathan glanced over to Iris, she had stayed behind on Nathan’s order. She knew everything they were talking about and the second they got a chance, she would let him know.

Beatrice: “Alright Cerin, let’s get moving. We got enough supply to last us until we reach “Ream”, we won’t be stopping again.”

Nathan: “Is Quincey going to be okay pulling for so long?”

Beatrice: “Quincy can take it, he probably more aggravated we been stopping so much.”

Quincy: “Qweeh!”

Beatrice pulled the harness and off they went. Their speed had increase, not full on running, but still the carriage was moving faster.

Beatrice: “Hey Nathan can we speak?”

Nathan: “Sure (Here we go).”

Nathan moved up to the front of the carriage, Cerin moving to the back to make space. Even though they tried their best to look away, Nathan could tell their eyes were on him. He had a few ideas what she wanted, but he decided to play coy.

Nathan: “What can help with?”

Beatrice: “First of all, quit that.”

Nathan: “What?”

Beatrice: “We all know you aren’t as clueless as you make yourself out to be, I pretty sure you got some idea about who we are.”

Nathan looked back at the cages on the end, from the time he met them, they been making it a goal to never let him see what was under that sheet. Every time they fed it or anything, they would do so, when he wasn’t around.

Nathan: “Sorry I try not to judge, whatever you do, is none of my business.”

Beatrice: “And thanks for being so considerate, but I want to make it your business.”

Nathan: “Huh?”

Beatrice: “In our line of work, we come across a lot of situations, like yesterday, that was amazing. Taking out so many with one shot and that flower I’ve never seen anything like it. More importantly, you saved my life, all of our lives.”

Nathan: “Don’t worry about it(Besides I kinda watch, while you got your asses kicked), no big deal.”

Beatrice: “It was to us.”

Nathan suddenly understood, the conversation was going in the complete opposite direction he thought it would.

Beatrice: “So I’m not going to beat around the bush, I want you to join our party.”

Nathan: “................No thanks.”