Realm of Monsters

Chapter 260: The Fae & Flower Part 1

The carriage driver commanded his centaurs to halt at the forests tree line and no closer. He quickly hopped off the drivers seat and pulled the carriage door wide open. Stryg jumped out, Nameless in hand. He glanced at his surroundings searching for any enemies, but the area was empty. In the far-off horizon, he spotted a small white speck, another carriage filled with his competitors no doubt.

Its clear, Stryg called out.

We know that, we havent even entered the forest, Freya complained as she walked out of the carriage.

The 1st Challenge started the moment we left the arena, as far as Im concerned there could be threats all around us, Stryg stared at the tree line with narrowed eyes.

Fair enough, Freya conceded and looked down at the black steel lantern in her hands.

Callum stepped out of the carriage and offered his hand to Sylvie. She ignored him and walked out by herself.

So what now? Sylvie asked the carriage driver.

The old drow bowed his head, My job was only to drive you to the edge of Glimmer Grove, just like the other three drivers and their teams. The rest of the journey is left to the four of you.

Does that include the return to Undergrowth after we retrieve the flower? Callum asked. Like, are you returning to pick us up, or are we walking?

As I said, the rest of the journey is up to you, the driver hopped back on the carriage and snapped his reins.

The centaurs didnt wait for another command, they galloped back to the city, leaving the four young mages behind.

So thatd be walking I guess, Callum sighed.

Look at the bright side, Professor Tauris relentless training regimens are finally gonna pay off, Freya smirked.

Wonderful, Callum muttered.

What are we just standing around for? Stryg frowned. The other teams have probably already set out.

Strygs right, we should move, Sylvie said. The Undergrowth team has an overwhelming advantage in this challenge. They know the terrain far better than any of us.

Well have to tread carefully, we dont know what creatures lurk out there, Stryg said cautiously.

It cant be that bad, we didnt see anything dangerous on our way to Undergrowth, Freya said.

We had hunters guiding us back then, Stryg said. Never take a forest lightly. We have to move as a team, its the safest and most efficient option. A lone goblin gets picked off by the wolf packs, but a group of goblins can slay a dire bear.

I agree with Stryg, we cant be too cautious, Callum nodded.

Were not goblins, but I think I get the idea, Freya said wryly. She gingerly lifted the black lantern and stared at the small pink creature inside. Looks like youre up. Lead us to the Silverbright flowers.

The fairy yelled some inaudible words and turned her back to Freya.

Huh? Thats not how this is supposed to work, Freya frowned. ...Is it?

She seems angry, Callum noted.

The fairy yelled once more, but the lantern blocked off any noise from within. She yelled again and again, her tiny face growing purple with anger.

Anyone have any ideas? Freya asked.

Ive never even seen a fairy before today, Callum said. Theres gotta be some sort of mistake with this one, right? I thought theyd be more cooperative?

Stryg growled at the lantern and bared his teeth, If you dont show us to the damn Silverbright flowers Ill fucking eat you!

The fairy trembled with terror and curled into a fetal position, her face hidden underneath her pale wings.

Great, you scared it, nice job, Freya groaned.

Do you have any better ideas? Stryg hissed.

Maybe not scare our guide to death for starters! Freya yelled.

Guys, quiet, Sylvie whispered. She crouched down next to the lantern, All our little friend needs is a bit of compassion.

The fairy hesitantly pulled her wings back and looked at Sylvie with wide eyes.

Hi, my names Sylvie, she smiled. Nice to meet you. She reached out and gently placed her hand over the lanterns glass.

A large crack stretched across the glass at her touch. The fairy looked up in surprise.

Dammit, dont break it! Stryg snapped.

Sylvie jumped back in surprise, T-that wasnt me, I swear! I barely touched it!

A second crack appeared over the glass, then a third.

Uh, guys, what do I do? Freya said nervously as she held the lantern.

Callum slowly raised his hands, Dont mov-

The glass shattered into a thousand small slivers. The fairy darted out from the lantern and into the forest in the blink of an eye.

We cant let the fairy escape! Callum shouted.

But Stryg had already dashed into the forest before Callum had finished.

Ah, shit! Freya tossed aside the broken lantern and channeled orange mana through her heart. The agility spell took over her body and dyed her veins grey. She slung her hammer on her back and ran after Stryg.

What about sticking together in a forest of potentially dangerous creatures! Sylvie called out.

Try to keep up and stay close! Freya yelled back.

Meh, works for me, Sylvie shrugged and ran into the forest.

W-wait! Wait for me! Callum shouted.

~~~

Callum could hear his heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears as he sprinted through the forests trees. He tried to keep an eye out for the fairy, but he kept tripping over roots concealed in the underbrush. After several bruises and scratches, he kept his eyes focused in front of him.

Sylvie? Freya? Stryg? Anyone? Callum called out with a hesitant voice, afraid of attracting unwanted predators.

The sounds of birds cawing in the distance were his only reply.

Callum shook his head and kept running. He could feel the sweat running down his brow and back, but he couldnt stop. Not in an unknown forest and definitely not when his team was counting on him. He swallowed what little spit was left in his dry mouth and tried his best to keep his tired legs moving.

Im running through the forest, alone. All alone. No big deal, he laughed nervously. My teammates left me behind, but its fine. Its not like we spent months training as a team, trying our hardest to improve our teamwork. But sure, lets throw that all out the window the moment our Challenge begins. No big fucking deal!

A large figure jumped out from behind a tree. Callum screamed and jumped back. He quickly reached for his sword and pulled it out from its sheath.

Stay back, you foul beast! Callum yelled.

Foul beast? Sylvie frowned.

S-Sylvie? I thought you were a-

Just shut up. I came back for your dumbass and this is the thanks I get? Sylvie shook her head.

You came back for me? Callum couldnt help but smile.

Stryg and Freya are using agility magic to track down the fairy. Youre too slow to keep up with us, which means youre only a liability right now.

But youre not an orange mage, you cant cast agility magic either.

Yeah, but Im much faster than you, now come on, Sylvie walked towards him.

H-hey, what are you doing? Callum stuttered. W-wait, u-unhand me!

Sylvie ignored his words and picked him up in her arms. Now lets go, our team needs us.

Cant you carry me on your back at least? he mumbled.

Do you want to get cut by my ax as Im sprinting through rough terrain? As if to prove her point Sylvie leaped a dozen feet across several bushes.

Callum stared warily at the giant ax dangling across her back, ...Fair point.

~~~

After half an hour Sylvie and Callum came across Freya standing between a pair of trees. 

Sylvie slowed to a halt and nodded, Captain. I brought back our teams support.

Thanks for bringing back our princess, Freya smirked.

Shut up, Callum jumped out of Sylvies arms and straightened his clothes. He kept his head low and did his best to hide his embarrassment.

What are we doing here? Sylvie looked around. Did we find the fairy?

Uh-uh, but Stryg says he found some kind of lead, whatever that means, Freya pointed up.

Stryg hung upside down on all fours from the bark of a tall tree. His boots were gone and his claws protruded from his socks.

...What am I looking at? Sylvie asked.

I dont even know, Freya admitted.

I finally caught the scent of the fairy, shes not far, Stryg said with closed eyes.

Wait, thats what youre doing? You caught her scent? Are you a bloodhound? Freya asked incredulously.

In the sense that Ill bite you if you dont shut up and let me focus? Then yes, Stryg said.

Sooo, were just gonna rely on his sense of smell instead of searching for the only chance we have of passing this challenge? Am I getting that right? Sylvie said skeptically.

Stryg has some sort of mutation that enhances his hearing and smell to a disturbing degree, Callum said. Trust him, if he caught the fairys scent hell find her.

...Wait, Strygs ear twitched. His eyes snapped open. Somethings coming, get back!

Callum immediately began writing red sigils in the air around them.

Huh? What are you saying? Freya glanced around. Theres nothing here.

The canopys branches suddenly snapped and broke apart. An enormous green serpentine head darted out from above and snapped down at Freya. A red dome of wards surged up around the dwarf and the dagger-long fangs. 

Freya screamed and fell back in shock.

The giant snakes jaw opened wide and wrapped around the red dome, its fangs stabbing down the magical shield. Callum groaned with strain as the dome began to crack.

Stryg drew Nameless and vaulted off the tree. He landed on the snakes back and stabbed Nameless into its green splotched scales over and over. The snake hissed and pulled its mouth back. It shook its body back and forth with rapid jerky motions.

Stryg yelled in anger as his body was flung away. He grunted in pain as his body smashed into a nearby tree and tumbled to the grass.

The giant snake pulled away and slithered up back to the rest of its body hiding in the thick canopy.

Dont you dare run, bastard! Sylvie screamed. Her hands were dug into the ground, green mana flowing into the roots of the trees all around.

The canopy shook abruptly, dozens of branches wrapped around the giant snake and yanked it back down. Its entire body slammed to the ground with a resounding crash. The snake shook its head and rose to its full height, its body spanned 7ft wide and over 100 ft long. The giant snakes jaws opened wide, blue venom dripping from dozens of long fangs.

...What the fuuuuuck! Sylvie yelled in a deep groan.

A bolt of orange fire splashed into the snakes eye. It jerked back with an angry hiss and turned to its attacker, an angry blonde dwarf.

Freya pulled her hands back and began channeling another flame bolt, but she was too slow. The snake snapped its jaws at her. A roaring torrent of flame slammed into the snakes head. It screeched and tried to retreat but the torrent followed it, the searing flames burning across its face. Stryg channeled orange mana through his palms in a steady flow of powerful flames. The snake jerked from side to side, but Stryg kept his spell directly across its serpentine face, burning its scales.

Freya nodded her thanks to Stryg and flung a flame bolt at the snakes wounded back.

Now, Sylvie! Stryg yelled out with a grim steady voice.

On it! Sylvie rushed the giant snake and channeled brown mana into her body.

A bronze sheen covered her brown skin as the vigor magic strengthened her muscles to a staggering degree. Sylvie pulled out her ax, gripped it tightly with both hands, and chopped down at the snakes wounded back. With one clean swipe, she buried her ax deep into the snakes body, cleaving right through its spine.

The giant snake shuddered to a halt and collapsed, dead.

Stryg quickly rushed the beast and stabbed its head several times with Nameless.

...You can stop now, I think you got it, Callum said dryly.

Dont ever take chances with creatures you dont understand, Stryg said and kept stabbing at the giant snakes head.

What exactly is this thing? Sylvie said, disgust dripping from her voice.

A viperidae, Freya said grimly.