I got my horse from the stables and joined the others.

Ellin and Grastel were loading their bags on the horses.

“I’m back,” I said and looked around. “Where’s Allen?” I wondered out loud.

“He went to rent a horse,” Answered Grastel. “He should be back anytime now.” He said and jumped on his horse.

“I’m eager to try out the latest techniques I’ve been taught.” I flexed my hands, eager to prove myself.

“Ha! You’ll see, I’ll take them down before they get the chance to get close.” He said spurring the horse closer to me.

“We’ll see… The one with the most kills wins.” I smiled in challenge.

Grastel grinned in return. “Oh? And what do I win?” He said confidently.

I thought a little about it before replying. “A fourth of the share. Deal?” I proffered a hand.

Grastel shook my hand. “Deal! Hehe, I’m gonna rob you blind!” He told me raising his chin as if he had already won.

I slapped his shoulder and he yelped, massaging it and shooting glares at me. I grinned.

Ellin rolled her eyes. She had climbed her horse and moved closer to us two.

“Please, take the job seriously. I don’t want to bring you back from the verge of death just because you were carelessly trying to outscore each other.” She said, narrowing her eyes.

“That’s not going to happen,” I assured her, brushing the pommel of my sword.

We have gotten stronger since our last blunder. We’re not going to make the same mistakes.

“Guys!” Allen yelled from just a dozen paces ahead.

Oh, there he is. I waved at my favorite cook.

“Allen!” Grastel and Ellin answered back to him.

Allen approached us, barely controlling his horse. It seems he has been neglecting his horse riding practice.

“Are we all ready?” He said smiling with anticipation.

“Yes! Let’s go meet the client!” Ellin said and smiled ahead. Her pure smile was one of the reasons I ended up partying with her. I had yet to meet another healer as selfless as her.

I knew I had made the right choice back then. I smiled and trotted forward

We headed toward the meeting point and found our employer, an elf with long silver hair.

He gave us the casket, intimating us to deliver it personally to the elven high priest in Danaanlar, Taldinann.

We secured the casket with the potions to Ellin’s horse and started marching.

“According to the map, we’re halfway there,” Grastel said, folding the map and putting it back.

I looked at the horizon, the mountains weren’t much further. “We should stop before the mountains, the hellhounds must have scared away the game,” I said. “We could hunt our dinner here before things get dangerous,” I suggested, glancing at Grastel for approval.

“Agreed.” He said, nodding.

We found a good place to set up camp and I went with Grastel to hunt down some food. We caught a kroshar.

We headed back and showed off our prize to Ellin and Allan.

“Ah, you got a boar,” Allen said contemplating the kroshar.

“It’s called a kroshar.” I corrected him.

“Sure, what I said.” He said with a dismissive gesture. I sighed. Sometimes Allen doesn't really listen.

Allen smiled while taking out the cooking tools. “C’mon, let’s skin and cut our dinner. I’ve got some new spices to try.”

New spices? I had to say, was curious to see what new taste he would bring to the table.

We did so, then Allen worked his magic with the cookware. The smell made my mouth water.

“Okay, should be ready now. Here…” He soaked the meat in a sauce he had prepared along the meat and prepared our plates.

I received my portion and tasted the juicy meat. It melted in my mouth.

“This is… too good!” I said with delight. I wish I had met Allen much sooner. I wolfed down another bite.

“Yum!” Ellin said with her mouth half full, licking her fingers.

“More!” Grastel demanded, waving his empty plate in the air.

Allen shook his head. “You guys are too easy to please…” He stood up and added more meat to the fire “Okay, let me cook another serving.” He smiled, giving us the thumbs-up.

After the second serving, we were stuffed full. I patted the hilt of my sword. Tomorrow I’m going to put Fredrick’s latest lessons to test.

Grastel is going to be surprised when he sees me cutting down those hellhounds with a ranged attack.

I smiled to myself.

We prepared for the night.

The next morning we resumed the march and reached the mountains three Reposes later.

“Here we are… hellhounds roam ahead,” Grastel said, turning to look at us.

“Maybe we’re lucky and we won’t encounter any,” Ellin said hopefully looking at me.

As if on cue, ominous barks echoed from far ahead. Ellin stared forward and pressed her lips to a flat line.

Grastel grinned and said. “You jinxed it, Ellin.” She stared at him grumpily.

“So much for that,” I said. “Let’s tie the horses somewhere safe.”

Allen was looking ahead, smiling. I see, he too is eager to try out his new skills. I thought, with a knowing smile.

We secured the horses and ventured ahead on foot into the mountains.

Grastel turned back to look at Allen. “Allen, try to avoid making noise this time.” He said with a mocking grin.

Allen stuck his tongue out at him, which made Grastel chuckle.

“Alright,” Grastel said, addressing us. “Follow me. We’ll try to stay upwind.”

“We have to kill them fast,” I said and I gripped my sword by the hilt as I followed Grastel. “It will be bad if we’re swarmed by the whole pack. And they all start breathing fire.” Allen and Ellin, who were right behind me nodded in reply.

After twenty paces or so Grastel motioned us to stop.

“There…” He said in a whisper, pointing at the ground. “Those paw prints are recent. Half a dozen, probably.” He mused squinting and the traces.

We kept following the trail silently. I took a deep breath and sharpened my senses.

“Use the damn rings, guys.” Suddenly a voice talked right into my head. Allen.

Right, the magic rings.

Uh, hi. I said.

I had nothing original to say.

Grastel pursed his lips and gazed at Allen.

Fine… they’ll be useless soon anyways. Grastel said.

Magic disturbs the signal. Can’t be helped. Allen remarked.

I never heard of rings sending disturbed sounds. Usually, the drawback is that the message can be intercepted by skilled mages.

Mages… always playing dirty tricks. Swords are more honest and reliable.

Be careful everyone… Ellin intimated, staring ahead.

Allen signaled us to stop us and spoke through the ring. I see six dots ahead of us on my radar. He pointed at the direction. I couldn’t see anything.

I see more tracks, I think there’ll be more on our left. Grastel said, staring at the ground for clues.

… I can’t see them on the radar, they must be further on.

Well, here we go. Grastel said and patted Allen’s arm. Allen, come to cover me once they start barking. I’ll try to pick some of them silently, okay? Allen nodded.

As we had discussed, I positioned myself to Ellin’s side. Grastel ventured ahead taking cover behind the trees and drew an arrow.

After an interminable Respite, he shot the arrow. And then another and another in quick succession!

Three hellhounds fell down to the ground with barely a sound.

Unfortunately, the other hounds noticed the attack and began barking loudly as they rushed toward us.

“Allen!” Grastel yelled, asking for support.

Allen moved in and negated the fire breath attack of a hellhound that came right after.

Grastel shot another arrow to one of the hounds but missed.

"Damn it!"

We too were bathed in flames but Ellin’s magic shield dissipated the flames before they could reach us.

I shot forward to intercept the hound that was jumping at us… and sliced it right in half with my blade.

I was about to skewer the other remaining hellhound but an arrow from nowhere pierced its head, sending it immediately sprawling on the ground.

I glanced at Grastel who was smirking.

“Winning.” He yelled with his usual smirk.

I narrowed my eyes in return. Wait and see, Grastel.

“Uh, guys… they’re all converging here,” Allen said with urgency in his voice.

“Let’s keep moving. If we stand still we’ll end up roasted!” I commanded.

We ran away from the barks and howls until we came across another pack coming in front of us.

The thrill of the combat was pushing my senses to the fullest.

“I see movements behind us! I’ll cover our back!” Grastel said, rushing back with Allen right beside him.

“I’ll take the front!” I said, nodding at Ellin.

The fire rained upon us. Nearby trees burning ablaze.

“Leave it to me!” She said, the flames dispersing in the air. Thank you, Ellin.

I jabbed forward, cutting down one of the hounds, but the others, wary of my blade, decided to attack at a distance.

The flames licked my skin but Allen’s rings were doing their job and keeping us cool.

It’s nice having an enchanter as a friend. I smiled at the thought.

Anyway, it was time to put my new skills to use.

I stilled my mind to access the Vod, feeling the familiar tingling as the inner strength come to my aid. I moved with a practiced motion, as I had been taught by my mentor Fredrick, and swung my blade at the air.

At a distance, three hounds were immediately sliced by an unseen force.

Yes! I finally managed to pull this technique in real combat! I thought proudly.

“Woah…” Ellin said behind me. “You can use wind blades!” She said in wonder.

I grinned at Ellin for a moment before turning again to send another wave of wind blades against the hounds who scampered in all directions. We have a clear path!

“Keep moving!” I shouted as I pushed forward. The flames and more hounds were closing fast on us. The acrid smell of burning wood was starting to permeate the air.

I spared a glance behind.

Grastel was jumping back as Allen punched a jumping hellhound in the snout.

“Take that shit eating dog!” Allen said in his foreign language, I couldn’t get any of it.

Grastel quickly retreated to our back and shot a few more arrows.

“Guys, let me take the front,” He said. “If we keep moving forward I’d like to be able to recover some arrows.” He tapped his quiver which was running low on arrows.

“Okay!” I said taking another glance back.

The hounds were amassing behind us, my sword could make short work of them if only they didn't move around so much. It’s making my job harder. I ground my teeth.

“Twenty or more are getting in range!” Allen announced.

“On our right!” Ellin yelled, pointing in the direction.

She did something, causing two of hounds to stumble against each other.

I stepped in and stabbed them, then I swung at another group of the fire-breathing creatures as they showered us with more flames. The wind blades got them good.

“Gahh-GODFUCKIN-” I heard Allen shouting something behind me, but I was too busy dealing with my part of the deal to spare a glance.

Flames danced about everywhere, I was sweating and panting.

Just how many of them are there?! I hadn’t expected this many!

“Allen! What are you doing?!” I heard Grastel curse at Allen.

I sliced another hound who had jumped from the side, aiming at my legs, and kicked back another one who came at me using the flames as a cover.

A few of the injured hellhounds decided to limp away from me.

A breather. But I could see more coming in the distance. I coughed, fire and smoke filling my nostrils. The fire was catching up with us.

“Let’s move a little faster! We have to escape this smoke!” I yelled, the smoke burning my nose.

Ellin and I turned around to make sure Grastel and Allen were ready and saw what was happening.

“Wha-” Ellin exclaimed in confusion.

Allen was brandishing a dead hellhound like a shield, screaming like a madman while swinging his mace arou- no wait! That’s another dead hound!

He was drawing the hellhounds attention to himself while Grastel was picking back his arrows.

“Where’s my fucking mace?!” Allen screamed in frustration.

A moment later he was enveloped in flames. My heart skipped a beat.

But he walked out unscathed and kicked the fire-breathing hound mouth shut.

I shook off my surprise and joined in the effort of driving back the beasts.

“Guys! More are coming from behind!” Ellin shouted, a bead of sweat running down her cheek.

I gulped one of the healing potions. One of those damn hounds had managed to bite my leg.

With my limp gone, we ran further on, finally getting out of the smoke.

But more and more hellhounds closed in from all directions, we had been surrounded! We were forced to make stand, fighting back to back, barely being able to catch a breath.

One Repose later we were all covered in soot and grime. Panting hard while sitting on the ground, looking miserable.

I looked around at the charred surroundings. The magic fires had died down, but the damage remained.

“Was that… the last of them?” I asked Allen.

I was pretty tired.

Allen fiddled with his silver box.

“I don’t see anything on the radar.” He said trying to smear away the soot from his face.

Ellin took a sigh of relief.

“They… just kept coming.” She whimpered, face down and eyes closed.

Her once white clothes were now smeared with grays and blacks.

I tossed the broken obsidian dagger I held in my left hand and sheathed my good sword.

During the last stretch, things had gotten hectic. With the flames coming from all directions and our movements blocked, I ran out of energy for the ring and I had to compensate the burns with potions. Ellin was kept busy shielding us from the flames, while Allen tried to both defend and attack as best as he could.

The hounds turning ablaze in close quarters did not make it better.

Those burning dogs has been smarter than we thought, they had anticipated our movements and grouped ahead to deny our mobility.

Allen shakily stood up and dusted his armor. “Well, that was fun. I guess.” He inclined his head, muttering aloud. “I wonder if hellhounds are edible…” He scratched his chin while staring at a hound corpse.

Ellin shuddered.

“That was… not fun. It was the complete opposite of fun!” She argued back shaking her head.

“Haha, it was just the kind of warm-up Vallachio would put us through. Haha. Warm up… Did you get the pun?” He said with a stupid grin.

Ellin stared fixedly at the ground with no word to say.

“Ha-ha.” Replied Grastel with a flat tone.

“So… huh,” I said, facing Grastel. “How many did you kill?” I just remembered the challenge.

Grastel scrunched up his face in thought. “Eh… I… lost count halfway.” He admitted, shaking his head.

“Namrick: Same here…” I shrugged and gave him a pat on the back. Then we both laughed.

“It’s done… the path is clear, let’s go grab our horses!” I said with cheerfulness. I helped Ellin up, she was still looking at her clothes with dismay.

“Do any of you have any idea where we are?” Allen asked with a tinge of worry.

Grastel spoke. “No, but we don’t need to.” He said with smirk crawling on his face.

“Huh… why?” Allen asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Grastel pointed at the charred trees, then to the dead hellhounds and raised an eyebrow in return.

“Right… we just need to follow the devastation.”

I dusted myself, only succeeding in smearing the soot further. I grimaced. We smelled like burned coal.

It couldn’t be helped. In any case, we did a decent job.

“Did anyone see my mace?” Allen asked aloud.