Chapter 258: Almerak

Chapter 257: Almerak

Very few beams of sunlight were making their way through the thick canopy of the large trees around them, as Lina and Aegis stepped into the ruins. Darkshot, Pyri and Rakkan had all taken off at top speeds, disappearing far off into the forest - so far in fact that not a sound of their activities could be heard from the pair.

Aegis had let go of Linas hand and was walking ahead of her, peering around the thick brown, vine covered trunks of the forest. Most of the paved stone was overtaken by thick mounds of dirt and grass, and the ruined structures had very little structure left to them. There was a pillar or wall standing up here and there, but most of it was rubble. The natural smells of mushrooms and wild flowers filled his nose, alongside the sounds of the animals and the light winds blowing in the canopy above. He found himself once again marveling at how realistic it felt, as if he was actually wandering in a real set of ruins. That thought faded, though, as he heard Linas footsteps following closely behind him.

He felt a sudden urge to take the lead - to take charge of the situation and tell her what to do. But, as he thought on it, his mind drew a blank on what he should say. He himself wasnt exactly sure why, as if some other words were bubbling up in the bottom of his throat. Words that he couldnt quite piece together into a meaningful sentence, as he didnt know what he wanted to say. It wasnt something that sat on the forefront of his mind, but it was there, and it was preventing him from focusing on the task at hand.

When he finally opened his mouth to speak, he stopped himself from even forming a word and instead began scratching the back of his head. He suddenly felt as though he couldnt even turn around to face her, and hed no idea where the feeling was coming from.

Uhm I should scout around for the enemies, right? Since we dont know what they are yet? Lina suggested.

Yeah. Good idea. Aegis nodded without looking back at her.

Okay. Ill try to be quick. She replied enthusiastically, before disappearing from his side. He caught a glimpse of her re-appearing in front of him as she shadowstepped several times from branch to branch in the treetops above. Her movement, like always, was impressively fast, and the environment they were in gave her more than enough shadows to play around with.

Once he was alone, though, he felt a sudden relief of pressure and let out an elongated, frustrated sigh at himself. As if he had an urge he couldnt scratch, he aggressively kicked at a large rock and sent it rolling away across the ruins pointlessly. He wasnt the one who usually struggled to talk, between himself and Lina. She was my girlfriend, why couldnt I talk to her. The more he thought about it, the more hed realized he hadnt really talked to her at all, or spent time with her since the events of his birthday. When hed pieced that together, he slowly started to realize what was wrong - what he wanted to say.

He wasnt able to construct anything meaningful before Lina returned, however. She appeared in a puff of black smoke as she shadowstepped in front of him, using the shadows cast by the canopy. She had a strange expression on her face, a mix of fear and discomfort.

I found some Some of the monsters. Lina said. Aegis was quick to jump at the opportunity to converse about it, despite her awkward expression.

Really? What is it?

I saw a few of them. I think its the only type of monster in these ruins. Theyre called Manticores. Do you know what those are? Lina asked.

Uh, not really. It's a mythical creature, right?

Right Like a mixture of a bunch of animals?

Yeah She sighed, looking around awkwardly. They appear in a lot of games, usually interpreted differently. Sometimes theyre really scary, and sometimes really creepy. These ones are the creepy kind. Lina explained.

How so? Aegis asked.

Probably better if you see one yourself There was one that was asleep over here. Want to see? She asked hesitantly.

Yeah, of course. I mean, weve got to hunt them, right? Theyll give good experience?

Probably. Lina shrugged. Okay, this way. She motioned him to follow her, then led deeper into the forest. The pair moved as quietly as they could, avoiding thick bushes and brambles that were growing all about. After nearly 5 minutes of walking quietly with Lina in the lead, there was a sudden shuffling sound that gave them pause. They both stopped moving and looked in the direction of the sound.

Please, dont run away! The manticore called out after him in the young female voice as Aegis desperately dashed around several trees.

Lina, did you get hit with some sort of crowd control ability? Aegis asked her frantically as he started weighing his options. His Avatar of Eirene skill was still on cooldown for the day, due to the brawl. He looked to his party interface in the corner of his peripheral vision to see Linas status and saw she had no debuffs. Maybe a connection problem with your Simbox? He tried to reason, still seeing her just staring blankly at him. He wanted to try and figure it out, but the manticore was somehow keeping up with him despite him zig-zagging around the trees of the forest. He felt the wooshing air caused by the creatures wings as they flapped behind him, and in an instant the scorpion tail was jabbed out at his back once more. Luckily, he was able to sidestep it, then quickly cast a heal on himself and jump backwards to avoid a swipe of the Manticores claws.

Lets escape this forest together. The manticore spoke, a deadpan stare from its circular eyes as it spoke. Aegis felt the creepiness of this creature in his bones, but he also felt he might be able to take it on - especially if he had Linas help.

Lina, I need you, Aegis mumbled while preparing himself to dodge the next set of attacks. He hadnt realized it, but without saying anything else, this had snapped Lina out of her trance. She blinked, looking at Aegis chin from below as he held her and continued speaking. To get out of this. These Manticores are no joke. If its a connection issue, please fix-

Im sorry. Im really scared of these things. Lina took a deep anxious breath, her eyes still wide but finally blinking.

Why didnt you say so? We didnt have to fight them. We could grind somewhere else.

But this is the best spot! Lina replied as tears started to build up in her eyes. I didnt want to slow us down, and get in the way. I want to be by your side and help you! I wasnt able to help you when Rene was burning, and I

You were worried about something like that? Aegis asked as he jumped back and dodged another swipe from the creature's claws.

You dont need to fear me. The Manticore joined into the conversation, and Aegis could feel Lina shivering in his arms from its voice.

When we started, I knew so much more. I could always help. Now I feel like I cant help anymore. Like you are so far away the brawl, the pirates, I watched it all, it was so incredible, so

Lina, Im the one who should be worried. Aegis finally found the words he was looking for earlier, boiling to the surface. The way I acted after everything happened, it was embarrassing. I apologized, but I guess Im still ashamed of it. A little bit of me was afraid of how you thought of me now, since I yelled at everyone. Aegis explained while jumping away from the Manticore further into the forest. It continued its close pursuit and made several more strikes towards Aegis back and knocked over trees in the process.

No, no of course not. I understand you were angry. It didnt change how I felt. I just want to be with you. She replied with her voice trailing off.

Im glad because I feel the same way. Aegis let out a sigh of relief.

Lets all become one, together. The Manticore added, turning Aegis sigh of relief into that of an annoyed one. Shut the hell up you stupid creepy cat thing. Aegis grumbled back at it. For the first time, Lina felt herself holding back a slight chuckle rather than feeling afraid after the creature spoke. The laughter ended when Aegis abruptly had to switch the direction in which he was fleeing, due to him coming face to face with a second, distinctly different but equally hideous manticore face.

Why hello there partner!? Fine weather were having today, aint it? The second manticore spoke with an accent resembling that of a cowboy from the wild west.

You gotta be kidding me. Aegis shook his head in disbelief as the tail of the second Manticore reared up and prepared to strike. Who the hell designed the voices for these things? Aegis asked Lina in disbelief, causing her to smile anxiously. Do you think you can help me kill these idiotic monsters? Or should we get out of here and look for somewhere else to grind? Aegis asked her, looking down into her eyes for a brief moment. Together, we should be able to take them out easily.

Okay. Lina nodded back. Lets take them out together. she added while wiggling herself out of his arms. Both Manticores charged at them from the front, and Lina and Aegis both drew out their weapons to stare back at them, watching as they knocked over the few trees that stood between them and the creatures.

Giddyup, partners! The second manticore cheered.

Lets escape this place together, as one! The young female-speaking one called out.

Lets shut these idiots up. Aegis drew out his claws of jealousy, dug his heels in and prepared himself for the counterattack, while a coat of black mist began to emanate from Linas body.