[X] To the Academy
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While some part of her still wanted to go and find the rest of her party, Lirra had to admit that it would be a useless risk. There was no guarantee she would find them and while her presence could help them, the added trek through the woods would, in the end, simply create more opportunities for someone to get hurt than it would remove.
"I'm sure they'll be fine," she said, trying to convince herself. "Let's try to get to the Academy before night falls."
With that, she looked a bit around her to orient herself and started to walk through the underbrush. The other two followed her.
Just like with the other party, it was a silent walk. Unlike the previous party, however, there was no Lucilia to try and break the ice between the different members, and so it didn't change. Chloe was silent as usual, Lirra was nervously scanning the forest around her, and the most recent addition was closing the file and not saying anything, content that they were going where they needed.
The calm didn't last, however, as Lirra suddenly spotted shadows gathering all around them. She protectively moved next to Chloe, remembering what happened last time, and felt her fear growing as she counted more and more Shades forming around them. One… Two… Four… Six. Six Shades were forming around them, and they were only three this time, instead of the four of the first battle.
"Eh… would have been too easy," commented the other changeling, lowering her arms from behind her head and putting them in some sort of battle stance. "Just in case, if glasses gets killed, our deal still counts. Not my fault if you can't protect her."
Lirra grit her teeth at the remark. She knew. But it wouldn't end like that this time. This time, she would protect everyone. She adjusted her grip on her spear and looked around her. Chloe had already started casting the spell she couldn't finish last time, and the Shades were circling them slowly, fading in and out of view as they walked in and out of the shadows of the forest. It would maybe be better to seize the initiative and attack, but that would mean leaving Chloe alone, and the consequences of such an action had already been shown in the previous fight.
As if trying to reenact said consequence, one of the Shades chose this moment to jump on Chloe. Thankfully, Lirra was anticipating such a thing - the exact thing she was scared of - and moved almost before it did, interposing her spear between the monster and its prey. A strangely organic sound came from it as the weapon's blade stuck itself deep in its throat and, after a few useless swipes of its claws in the air, each coming weaker than the last, then it fell down to its knees before dissipating.
As if it was a signal, the rest of the band, the five Shades that were still alive, started advancing on them, fangs bared and claws ready to rend. Sadly for them, the time they spent waiting for an opening meant that Chloe finally had the time to complete her spell, and with an exclamation in a language Lirra didn't know, she pointed at them. The sigils the mage had drawn in the air had coiled around her hand, and from it came a large ray of pale blue light, illuminating the enemies in front of her, as well as the ground and the forest far behind.
All things caught in the light were, for a lack of words, more clearly defined, which Lirra regretted dearly once her eyes passed on one of the Shades. Still, whatever was the usual goal of this spell, it still was a powerful source of light, and the monsters caught in it were stunned for a moment. Lirra didn't waste any time and rushed in as soon as she caught on with what was happening and managed to get rid of a second enemy by the time they started moving again, trying to get away from the light.
Chloe followed the biggest group to keep them suppressed, but that meant that one Shade was free to do whatever it wanted, and it jumped on the closest target: Lirra, who still hadn't managed to unstick her spear from her last kill who in turn still hadn't disappeared. She watched with wide eyes as the creature attacked, paralysed by fear. The world advanced in slow motion as the claws got closer and closer to her face, which meant that she could see with much detail - too much detail - the exact moment where a kick ripped the monster's head off and sent it flying a few meters away from its body, which promptly disappeared after its brutal death.
As Lirra still couldn't move under the shock, the other changeling simply jumped on the last two monsters who had finally managed to escape Chloe's light and tore them apart with a savagery on par with their own. And with that, calm came back to the forest, at least for now.
"At least they don't leave any remains," commented the other girl, unfazed by the brutal battle that just happened. "I couldn't put up with their stink. You alright?" she then asked, turning to Lirra.
"Ah, y-yes! Thank you," she said in a hurry. "And you? Did you get hurt? It's important to check after every battle with these according to Chloe," she added as she came closer to the other girl.
"They couldn't come close to touching me even if they tried for a thousand year. Keep your concern for someone else," she answered as she walked away.
Lirra was somewhat disappointed by the other girl's reaction, but she didn't know how to press the issue and so turned to Chloe.
"And you, Chloe? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," the mage answered in her feeble voice. "Thank you for protecting me," she added with a small smile.
"Ah, uh… you're welcome," Lirra said awkwardly, blushing a bit.
She was unused to people thanking her, and given her emotional state when Chloe thanked her when she was healed, she hadn't really been able to process the thought. Now that she could, however, it felt… nice, she thought, although it also was maybe a bit embarrassing, unused to it as she was.
And with that, she started walking again, knowing that if she tarried anymore, the other girl would complain again. Her feelings about said girl, whose name she still didn't know - and aren't you supposed to give your name when you spend time with people? - were hard to summarize. On one hand, she did save Chloe and protected her during the fight. On the other, she was abrasive and only helped Chloe after she made a deal with her. She didn't know if the girl would have protected her, had she not owed her a debt. She wanted to say yes, but the callousness she had shown talking about, well, about pretty much anyone, still made her think no. But still, going back to the first hand, she called her a friend and, while she complained a lot, did help her in the end.
Lirra wanted to like her. She really did; after all, she came here to make friends. The problem was that the other girl made it really hard for her.
It was much easier to appreciate Chloe. The mage didn't talk much, obviously, but they were in a dangerous situation, so that could be understood. Of course, she didn't look like she would talk much the rest of the time either, but at least when she did she was nice. Or at least polite. Or efficient when the situation asked for it. Well, anyway, she didn't try to provoke anyone or be hurtful. While it was kind of sad to admit, that was already a big step up from what Lirra was used to.
Having thought about her current companions, her thoughts drifted to Lucilia and Melkorka. She really hoped with all her heart that they would be safe. Lucilia was nice and friendly and Melkorka… well, Melkorka also seemed nice despite her rough manners.
Still, she had to concentrate on the present, she reminded herself, shaking her head. She made an effort to scan the forest again as the trio walked. It wasn't because the previous fight had been surprisingly easy - though it might be more accurate to say that things had gone well rather than it having been easy - that she could relax. They still hadn't arrived to their goal, and so they were still in danger.
Or maybe not, as a few hours later, and rather anticlimactically, they arrived to the gates of the academy proper, thankfully having met no further resistance. The sky was starting to burn, a warm reddish orange glow illuminating the walls as they walked through the gates of the academy proper, and were welcomed by a few people, older students Lirra would learn later, who were supposed to make sure no monsters would pursue them inside as well as provide healing if needed.
The still unnamed girl - and Lirra really wanted to ask at this point although she couldn't find the courage to - scrunched her nose as she turned to tents where many beds were laid, bloody bandages seen here and there on their occupants. Lirra turned to see what she was looking at, and regretfully felt her hair embering. Apparently, just getting to the gates was no guarantee of being saved if your wounds were too severe. Her eyes went to Chloe, realising once again just how lucky they had been.
"Well, here we are," the other girl commented, after looking away from the tents. "I believe I promised you a drink once inside, so… do you want to go look with me?"
Lirra turned to her with a frown.
"I'm still waiting for the other members of my party, you know."
The girl made a visible effort not to make a comment then turned away, raising her arms in a big shrug.
"Suit yourself. I'll go look alone, then. Come find me later if you want that drink."
And with that, she left, leaving the other two by themselves. They stood there for a while, until they moved to a bench with a view of the gate.
Hours passed, and a few other parties made it through, but there was still no sign of Lucilia and Melkorka. Lirra started to worry and nervously gripped Chloe's hand as the sky turned to purple and then a dark blue. The gate's guards lit some torches and braziers and an older student in white robes - slightly stained with blood at some parts - came to give the two some hot beverages and a sad smile as they continued waiting.
Lirra was starting to lose hope when clanking sounds came from beyond the gate. She saw the guards light and fire some arrows, before two people passed the gate. Two guards closed the ranks behind them, forming a shield wall before spearing whatever was after them and finally things calmed down. Lirra's cup slipped from her hands as she raised and ran to meet them, tears in her eyes.
"You made it! You made it..." she said as she hugged her two remaining teammates.
"Of course we did, girl. I told you, right?" Melkorka answered gruffly, apparently uncomfortable with the display of affection. "Did Chloe make it too?"
At that, the mage stepped forward from behind Lirra and nodded.
"Well, that's bloody great," the svartalf finally said, falling down. "Would have sucked to go through all that for nothing."
She was not the only one to fall down, as Lucilia jumped on Chloe, hugging her with in flying tackle and making them both fall to the ground. It was unclear what the bard said exactly, but it was clear she was relieved to see her alive.
Eventually, they all calmed down and Lucilia went to the tent to quickly get a few thankfully minor wounds treated.
Melkorka and Lucilia then went to look for something to drink to celebrate, while Chloe just wanted to find someplace quiet to rest. They all made it clear that Lirra was more than welcome to come along. As a matter of fact, Lucilia had dragged her for a few meters before asking if she actually also wanted to go and get wasted.
The journey had been hard, but it felt great to finally make it to the Academy. To finally have a chance to have friends, and be something more than an ill omen.
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[] The other changeling owes you a drink, and maybe you'll finally get her name.
[] Celebrate with Lucilia and Melkorka.
[] Rest with Chloe.
[] Drag Chloe along and have the whole party celebrate.
[] Introduce Lucilia and Melkorka to the other changeling and get that drink
[] Get everyone together to celebrate
[] Take care of the bodies in the tents
[] Write-in
And the prologue is over! Yay!
I'm curious of what you think of the other characters, to see if I got what I aimed for.
Also, given you've finally made it in the academy, if you have ideas for NPCs, don't hesitate. I have four classes to populate, and that's not counting the upperclassmen and the staff, so... yeah. You can go ahead.
