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Think of this as a bunch of short stories, since I will be writing this during the commercials of the Ravens Patriots game...
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We stood just outside a Hobgoblin encampment, each picking a stick from the closed fist of the Marquess.
Drawing the sticks, we all looked between one another, before Anput, Jahi and I clicked our tongue in annoyance before turning our gazes to the smiling Leone.
Sighing, we moved back away from the camp, much to the Hobgoblins confusion.
Giving us one last look, Leone walked forwards, tracing a rune in front of her.
Pointing, a thin beam of fire pierced the skull of one of the Hobgoblins, before dissipating in mid air.
Retracing the rune, more and more beams flew through the air, quickly and cleanly dispatching the Hobgoblins.
The spell was so fast that the Hobgoblins couldn't react, staring at awe as their companions dropped one after another.
"Its... efficient."
Hearing Jahi, I nodded, before chuckling when I heard Anput.
"But its soooo boring~"
Finishing off the last Hob, Leone walked back to us with a small smile, her face slightly red as her eyes flickered to Jahi.
Smirking, Jahi stepped towards her and ruffled her ashen hair, saying "Well done Leone!"
I watched in amusement as Leone leaned into Jahi's hand, her face flushing as she smiled.
"Alright! Next one, next one~!"
Laughing, we all followed behind the Marquess, scouring the forest for the next camp.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWe didn't have to wait long, and again the Marquess grabbed four sticks, making us draw lots.
"Haha~ Finally!"
Anput was jumping up and down, and I rose a brow at Jahi who was currently staring intently at the midriff and small breasts of Anput.
Sensing my gaze, Jahi gave me a small smile before standing next to me.
Leone joined us, however her eyes were glued to Anput, who was twirling her sword in her hand, her tail swaying as she bounced towards the camp.
I almost let out a yelp when Jahi planted her hand on me, giving me a firm squeeze before smirking down at me.
Glaring at her, I let out a 'Hmph!' before turning to watch Anput.
Jahi just chuckled, her hands continuing to indulge as she too turned towards the excited Jackalkin.
As she approached, the Hobgoblins drew their weapons, charging towards the happy Jackalkin with a roar.
Letting out a laugh, Anput swayed as she avoided the various stone blades, before swinging her sword.
We watched as a silver crescent light flared in the clearing, before the Hobgoblins let out screams of pain as their arms and legs were cleaved off.
With a wide grin, Anput danced around the clearing, her blade flickering towards each Hobgoblin as she quickly finished them off.
The clearing was covered in blood and limbs, and I felt my breath hitch when I saw Anput standing in the center of the encampment, panting slightly as her olive skin was speckled in deep crimson.
I turned my gaze to Jahi, chuckling slightly when I saw her reacting just like me.
I said it before, but I had a thing for women with muscles, and when paired with the lethality of a proficient killer...
Taking a shuddering breath, I looked at Leone, not knowing if I should be happy or concerned.
She was reacting much like us, her face flushed as she rubbed her thighs together slightly.
Sighing, I watched as Anput walked back to us, a large grin on her face as she flicked the blood off her blade.
As she approached, I stepped forwards to meet her, tracing a rune as I used my water magic to clean her off.
She just grinned at me, before making her way towards the group.
We resumed our journey through the woods, finding a large pack of Kobolds that jumped at us as soon as we came into view.
Without a word Jahi rushed forwards, her unique blade flashing in the light as she raised it, swinging it towards the chest of one of the Kobolds.
Her blade cleaved cleanly through the Kobold's fur covered chest, its guts spewing as the bisected body flew past Jahi.
Twirling her blade, Jahi lanced the tip into the throat of another, the fur shedding from the Kobold as the Stygian Silver poison spread through the body.
Withdrawing the blade, Jahi spun as she slashed the stomach of the Kobold behind her, only to push the body into another Kobold, before her finger quickly traced a rune in the air, glowing brighter and brighter before the clearing was doused in light.
We had to shield our eyes, however we could hear bodies falling and the whimpering of the Kobolds.
As the light faded, I opened my eyes to see the floor littered with limbs and corpses, Jahi making her way back towards us with a satisfied smile.
Slipping behind me, she wrapped her arms around me as I cleaned her off, gulping slightly when I felt her stiffening behind me.
Anput and Leone looked at me, their eyes narrowed.
Anput licked her lips, while Leone quickly folded her hands in front of her.
The Marquess cleared her throat, making us all jump.
Looking towards her, we shivered when we saw her annoyed gaze, before she grinned widely.
"Hehe~ looks like another fun monster is on the way~"
With that she flickered, leaving us alone in the clearing.
Looking at one another, we quickly surveyed our surroundings, waiting for this 'fun' monster to appear.
As we stood back to back, we readied our spells, with Jahi and I draping ourselves in Mana Cloaks, her light and me with wind, while Anput let her metal coat her arms, letting out a growl.
As for Leone, she traced a large ritual circle, which flickered around the clearing before searing itself into the ground.
Moments passed, and we kept our eyes locked on the trees surrounding the clearing.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWaiting with bated breath, we all jumped when we heard the thunderous cry of something above us, before the little sunlight we had was blocked.
Looking up, the large wings of a crimson bird covered the canopy, and we all gasped when we saw its large head swing towards us.
With a flap, a gale swept through the clearing, and with a grunt we all dug our heels into the soft earth.
My hands flickered, and I traced a few runes in front of me, grinning as a flurry of wind blades hurtled towards the bird.
Letting out a shriek, the bird swung its head towards me, its large crimson eyes alight with anger as the blades dug deep into is flesh, sending its orange feathers fluttering to the ground.
Diving towards us, Jahi and Anput swung their blades towards the birds long talons, sparks flying as the two women grunted.
Leone and I traced more runes, sending spell after spell into the birds chest.
However, we both had to dive out of the way as a ball of fire was spat our way.
Getting up, I drew my dagger and ran forwards, slipping under the birds talons and wings, before climbing onto its back.
Shaking itself, I desperately dug my dagger into its back and held on.
Letting out a shriek, the bird turned its attention completely towards me, only to let out another shriek when both Anput and Jahi stabbed their blades deep into the birds chest, while Leone activated the circle, a large gout of flame spearing into the throat of the bird.
Removing the dagger from its back, I slid off the large bird, watching as the orange plumage slowly turned grey.
Appearing near us, the Marquess clapped her hands and said "Good job against a young Vermillion Bird. Now, go rest while I see if I can get something off its corpse..."
We all looked at her with dull eyes, before sighing and leaning against a nearby tree.
[Vermillion Bird (Young) killed (assist)! 2034 Xp]
Sighing, I leaned into Jahi as she pulled me onto her lap, resting her head on my shoulder.
As I enjoyed her warmth, I watched in interest as the Marquess gently plucked a few feathers before carving the flesh of the Vermillion Bird aside, pulling the bones out with wet pops.
Eventually a large pile of feathers, bones, and tendons lay next to the Marquess, and she got up with a smile, her entire arms covered in blood.
Approaching me, she held out her arms, waiting for me to clean them off via my magic.
Giving her a dry look, I slowly traced the rune before canceling it early, some blood still staining her clothes and arms.
She pursed her lips as she looked at me, before sighing and moving away.
We all looked at one another, before laughing, looking at each others disheveled appearances.
After the impromptu boss fight with a Vermillion Bird, we continued through the forest for a few more hours, before making our way back home.