Ravil Lineage (Part 2)
Unbeknownst to everyone, one monster got out from the forest. It was badly injured and perhaps left alone when the others were running fast to Honoa. Smelling the inhabitants' scents, it started to run fast towards them.
Rooooar!
(Growls and snarls)
Two non-magician soldiers and two magic wielders were the nearest to the monster; one of them is Qadir's father, Captain Ravil. The captain blocked the monster by conjuring an earth wall while the non-mage soldiers prepared for an attack.
The wall was hit by a brawny punch of the monster's right foreleg and the soldiers already built their momentum to strike full blows. One soldier managed to strike his sword on the monster's side while the other one was able to pierce the chest.
Rooooar!
The monster wildly swings its body and had its tails lose to target the soldiers. A fire mage who was already rushing in their direction when he felt the presence of the monster, fire his magic at the monster.
"Fuego salvo!"
Rooooar!
A series of balls of fire flashed in the air pushing the monster back. It was then followed by a direct hit of a big boulder from Captain Ravil's earth magic.
"Roca aplastar!"
The monster was lay flat on the ground and created a pool of blood.
"Fuego kortador!"
The fire mage cut the tail root of the monster and have it preserved. Half of the monsters' corpses will be sold to the merchant while half will be materialized into armors and armaments. The mana cores will be sent to Ilo for studies and records. Should they be found able to turn into mana stones or magic stones, they will be purified and sent back to Bethil.
The venoms that can be extracted from the monsters' tails can be used as medicines with proper dosage and usage. The tails have to be preserved below temperature to neutralize the venom's condition which was mixed with the monster's hot blood.
It was one hell of a day for the Honoans. The night watch has been doubled and the young ones couldn't meet the sleep that night; even the rustling fire tried to hush and die down on their own.
***
Ilo is a huge territory of Irca which is inhabited less. Since there are not many inhabitants, monsters don't seem to loiter around but this was a false report. Most of the intellectual and strongest monsters stay in Ilo; feeding on concentrated mana.
"Until when do you think we have to stay here?"
A weather-beaten young man asked his friend while poking the fire into ablaze.
"Gods' knowledge…"
His friend responded with a shrug. He lifted his cup and sip warm water.
"Perhaps until we die."
"Caedman… do you believe a prophecy will still come to us?"
"Are you asking me that because you don't want to believe it or because you knew something?"
Caedman put down his cup and lie on a blanket on the cold ground. He sighed of tiredness and continued.
"A prophecy may or may not come; we still have to fight those monsters no matter what."
"…"
"Ugh! I might not be able to get married and have children."
Caedman cried and joggled lying like he's throwing tantrums.
"Captain Braza called for me this morning. You heard that Honoa was attacked by ferocious monsters four days ago, right?"
"Were you worried?"
The young man crouched and lowered his head. With an almost inaudible sound, he blamed himself for not doing well in the previous battle with the monsters.
"If only I'm stronger and braver. Those monsters won't be able to cross the territory."
"Qadir… being brave doesn't always mean moving forward to a battle; being strong doesn't always mean you cannot be hurt and die."
"…"
"If you continued pursuing those monsters with the other recruits, the captain will have to take responsibility and disregard the formation. It would also break the confidence of the others who were tasked to put them at bay."
"I…"
Caedman frowned at his lame responses.
"We are fighting stronger and smarter monsters here, Qadir. We also lost many during our battle. I am not saying I don't sympathize with our people but we are not just fighting for ourselves."
Still on his back, Caedman stared at the crystalline blue-black night sky. His seriously deep and familiar voice resonated in the quiet night.
"Ask yourself, Qadir. Who or what are you fighting for? Will you just wait for the time of the prophecy or will you live your life freely?"
"I have no words."
"Master's family didn't live life to just pass your line's blessing. It's up to you should you consider it a privilege or a burden."
Straightening his body from crouching, Qadir looked up with a refreshed youthful aura.
"You are right, Caedman. This might be the last task of our family once we get to the time of our liberation or destruction. When the time is ready, I shall heed the call of the Great Shadow and keep the fragment of the White Dragon."
A bright and sincere smile was pulled on Caedman's face.
"Good job, Caedman! That's right… be a better brother-in-law to Qadir."
Caedman mumbled to himself.
"You're saying something, man?"
"Nah! I am just glad that you took our conversation to heart. The responsibility… you don't have to handle it alone. I know I am not a Ravil but you know you can always count on me, brother."
"It won't be easy for you, too, you know. The oracles are not fully convinced that we should be taking the task. Oracle Leove…"
Getting up from his lying, Caedman bent his legs in front of him and place his elbows on his knees. Looking at the fire, he coldly speaks of his feelings. His eyes are deadpan and his voice is almost gruff.
"It doesn't matter. You are more like a family to me and me to you, right?"
Qadir looked at his friend with weary eyes and tried to sweep away the utterly grim atmosphere.
"His party tries to ignore the words of the Great Shadow and he keeps on convincing the highest oracle to let the temple guard the fragment."
"But it was already years of blessing bestowed upon your family. My adopted father wouldn't stand a chance."
"The oracles receive high venerations from everyone and in no time—should Oracle Leove keep on insisting—the highest oracle and general might submit to his request."