Chapter 111: Big Mission

SKY Ocean Hunter smiles at the Mayor. The mayors’ voice is lathered in platitudes and authority an odd mix for a man so rotund as him. It gives his words an edge of danger, ” My friends I am happy that you have chosen to be useful to the people of a small village. We have lived in these lands since the time of the gods. Our fate is unchanging…” He chokes up a little sitting back down in his chair from the table. Styx examines the scroll that was handed to them. It is tattered but the illustration of the cave on it is not smudged at all. A red cross marks a location of a tree painted in its root is a jewel/ around it trunk is a gold ring and in the leaves are fruits shape like diamonds…”It has been this way because we were betrayed by our gods. The powers that we mighty twisted into a curse. Please help us after us of sacrifice we finally learnt something. A few weeks ago our God gave us a second chance. Go to the point on the map and retrieve a Glitter Fruit.”

Tyr says, “Should we be on the lookout for any resistance. A Glitter fruit is not a cheap material.” The mayor folds his arm like he doesn’t want to answer but knows he has to. SKY Ocean Hunter looks up the specific item Tyr brought up not only is it a rare crafting material. It can only grow under specific conditions it is also highly prized for its ability to hold high-level spells. 

The Mayor says, “Indeed enemies are present. I am too sure who or what they are but they have descended onto us like a plague. Please beware they are a savage bunch show them no mercy.” The mayors’ face show a pained expression rather than anger. 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, “We will are happy to do this for you…” From his analyses, this mission should be linked to the lack of young people around town. SKY Ocean Hunter has noticed that are hardly any people his age which is weird for the village. 

The Mayor says, “Thank you, kind sirs, you don’t know how long we have waited for this chance. We would go ourselves but protection of the village is forbidden for us.” They have heard about this rule there is a magical construct inside the Totem that protects them from the curse of their Gods. It is one of the things the villagers don’t like talking about but is a part of their identity. 

Leaving via the north the gate going back towards where they found the carriage except turning towards the river that bleeds from the mount of the Volcano. After passing a shallow crossing of the river nestled between a clump of trees.  The maw of a dark, cave water flows in a stream leading deeper into the cave. As soon they step inside the cave walls light up a type of luminescent mushroom.

Besides some small insects buzzing around they can’t really hear anything ominous. SKY Ocean Hunter says, “Styx scout ahead just a general idea is enough.” Styx nods and slips away from view. He returns a few minutes later arms bloody and smiling its clear what just happened. 

Styx says, “The cave seems to go deeper for a while. The is an iron door inside probably the enemies the door has been opened recently.” 

Tyr says, “Awesome any trouble along the way.” Tyr can see that Styx had some fun while he was gone.

Styx says, “nothing that’s not fair game.” Styx smiles a broad childish smile, letting his friends go ahead to see his good work. After fifty meters into the cave. The slaughtered appear leading all the way to the door are dead monsters. Lanky hyenas are surrounded by pools of blood. 

Arriving at the door Tyr says, “That’s thirty by my count, and you sneak killed each of them.” 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, “Thirty-two he picked up something from two of them.” Tyr goes around looking to see what he missed. There are two spots of blood with nobodies. 

Styx says, “Mi amigos, look at these.” He hands two keys shaped like the keyholes in the doorway in front of them.

SKY Ocean Hunter rubs the door seeing two keyholes on the opposite sides of the door.  Tyr and SKY Ocean Hunter both use their keys to unlock the iron door. The centre half of the door creeks open. A stale wind flushed out as they peer into the unknown. They move inside the enemies are a lot more active here. They have to sneak around trying to get a lay of the land. The Kisshin and some Imakandi with an Urisini are roaming around the cave. 

SKY Ocean Hunter wants to let them pass first. 

Styx says, “Come Hermano its a just a quick snip and tuck.” 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, ” NO, I want o secure the GLitter Fruit first.” 

Tyr says, ” We can always  kill them on the way out.” 

Styx says, “Fine but that bear is mine.” The Ursine is the most imposing of the enemies. They make their way past the small group heading towards the red cross. The walk down is only met with little resistance. The cavernous area hosting the tree is a sea of life. The river flows down here from three places. Three waterfalls drip down from the ceiling. THe ceiling has a massive hole allowing light to feed the tree. At the root of the tree is a huge pink crystal. The golden circlet around the trunk of the tree spins without touching it. There is only one Glitter Fruit on the tree. The other diamonds shaped fruit is too small and the wrong colour. 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, “Collect we will keep watch.” Styx moves towards the tree his movements are sleek and unheard. Gliding from one side of the room to the other arriving in front of the tree. It is almost three times his height. Styx uses a hidden dagger to cut the Glitter Fruit down from the tree. The Glitter Fruit falls down without so much as a leaf falling down. Into the hands of Styx. 

WOOOOOOOT!

The Boys all look around on the top floor most fall where the water comes from where the tree receives light. Is the body of a young Kisshin he is hanging over the light hole watching Styx steal the holy Lux Libra he does the only thing he can do to not get into trouble. He is not meant to be here. The elders have already told him of the dangers of exposing the Holy Tree.

Tyr, SKY Ocean Hunter and Styx make a run for it. As they already have the Glitter Fruit fighting from a more defensible position is paramount for the boys. If they stayed in the tree room they would certainly die. It has multiple entrances and several overhangs which means they could be targetted form above.

Xjau the Kisshin was at least blooded he would have to hide and could in fact receive some merits. HE is afraid that he will be blamed so he only raises a general alarm. He cried Intruder his own clansmen would be able to tell who howled that warning. Ashamed he rushes towards the barracks in his camp. 

The few who hear the commission Xjau raised make their way to the tree room. SKY Ocean Hunter ducks into a room when a troop of twelve guards comes from their escape route. The cave is only filled with a small contingent however they are more than enough to wipe out the team. Not that the team players planning on playing fair. 

The cave has a lot of instability many of the pillars are a few days away from rotting away because of all the water. Once the troops pass, every second pillar is hit by SKY Ocean Hunter until they make it to a large room. The perfect place to make a suitable defence. 

The boys set up in this room Tyr in front of Styx as a DPS dealer and SKY Ocean Hunter for support. Given the enemies that are approaching they go with their simples formation. The room is filled with four monsters. One a female Ursine, She is heavily scarred and has one eye. The three males with her are an Imakandi with a spear, An Kisshin with daggers and An Avorian sleek and subtle it’s feathers hiding any clear indication of its features. 

They look at the team incredulously. Styx says, “Does it look like they are talking to one another?” Just like them, they appear to be studying their new enemy. Styx just like the Avorian is swallowed into the darkness at the same time. 

The Ursine grumbles something waiting for the boys to act. After a long awkward pause between the two forces. 

The Ursine says… 

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