Chapter 55 – Brother

Leone and Ludak stopped dancing. Leone smiled wearily at Ludak’s ever smiling face. He let’s go of his hand and Leone took note of rotten tree-like finger Ludak has.

Leone kind of wants to ask about his finger but retracted speaking mainly because of the idea of getting any answer from Ludak is impossible.

“You dance good bro!”

“Bro?”

Leone didn’t understand the latter. He wanted to ask an explanation but Ludak answered his questions nonetheless.

“It’s short for brother! I don’t know your name so I am just going to call you bro!”

“But I introduce you my name.”

Leone said meekly, seemingly pouting.

“What did bro say?”

“My name...”

“Is Bro?”

Leone made a pained expression. He then made a deep sigh as he replied:

“I am indeed Bro.”

“Good, good bro!”

Ludak put his arm around Leone. He started patting Leone’s chest which made Leone fidgety.

Ludak didn’t even mind Leone’s rather embarrassed figure. Leone is an elven so skin to skin contact is rather ‘weird’ for her. Especially when the one’s touching him is a non-human.

Leone didn’t try to get away though. He just waited for Ludak to be bored off what he is doing.

Ludak got tired and immediately found a corner to seclude himself from the world. Leone smiled wearily at the sight of Ludak daydreaming. As he's idling around with Ludak, Awk appeared in the corner. His boots scratching the ground, Awk came to Leone and told him that he has a new job.

Leone listed to Awk.

“This time we are targeting a huge root. Taking this down will allow the resistance to take control half of the city’s resources. We might also find something that can lead us to allow some of the magus to cast a spell.”

“Take half of the city huh.” Leone pondered.

“Yes, that is why we are going to need every able hand to accomplish. You prove to be a good asset to the cause and your skills will be used to win this fight.”

“That does mean that he would be with us too?” Leone pointed at the daydreaming Ludak.

“Of course, he is the only one who can heal us if we get injured. Obviously, we would be taking him.”

“I see. When will the operation start?” Leone asked.

“The attack will start just about the midnight bell. Arrive early so you can position yourself along with the men. Bring Healer with you so we can have him ready when the fight starts.”

“I will.”

“Good. See you later Leone and you too Healer!”

“Who?” Ludak replied while tilting his head.

Awk just shrugged his shoulders and walked away from the two. Leone stared at Awk, before taking his eyes back to Ludak. Scratching his head, Leone started convincing to Ludak to follow him. Clueless and dazed as he is, Ludak nodded his furiously as he followed Leone back to his house.

Since there is going to be a big happening that will take place. Leone readied himself.

...

It was night. Stars are present in the sky. The clouds are doodled up high as if they were mountains.

On a certain place located just near the center of the city, a large building that has about three floors stands. A fort that has guards roaming around, the torches and the watchtower were enough to make it looked like it is a heavily restricted place.

Around the dark corners of the fort, various eyes are pointed. Heavily armed with weapons, the people scouting the fort are the resistance. In one of the buildings, three figures took cover on a wall low stone rail above a building.

Leone was wearing his usual tight clothing and coat. In his face was a mask covering his mouth. He is holding an ebony dagger on his right hand. Besides him were Awk and Ludak.

Ludak was making a stern maddened smile. Awk had a wolf-like face as he stares at the port. The three has been waiting for the signal to start. So until the watchtower is still present with archers. The operation will not start. Leone sweated as he waits eagerly for the signal. Awk was making serious face as he readies his saber.

Ludak was making a suppressed cackle. Leone was beside him and he was looking worried at him. Leone thought that Ludak should have stayed, but with how this raid is important, doing so is impossible.

The wind blew hard upon the fort. Dust followed everywhere and everyone was temporarily blinded. Leone was able to avoid, and Awk was also able to defend from the sudden gust of wind.

Awk stared at the watchtower and saw a Halfling crawling up the watchtower. He readied his hand as he then sees the Halfling crushed the throat of the guard in the watchtower.

“Now Healer!”

“Who?”

“I mean you, idiot!”

“Oh!”

Ludak madly smiled as he leaps up the stone railing and casts a glowing spell. The glow spell beaconed and shined, making every resistance member who saw it quickly rush towards the fort. Awk threw a rope down below and descended down immediately. Ludak who was keeping up the spell laughed madly as he enjoyed casting the spell. Leone watched him for a while before leaping down to the floor and crushing a guard’s head.

An Elven’s limb contains an explosive power despite their slim appearance. So Leone smashing the guard’s head and landing safely without any harm was natural. He jumped higher vantage points back in the forest so this jump was nothing to him.

He then immediately joins the fray and started a killing spree along with the resistance. Awk and Leone then raided the top floor where the target is and neutralize the target.

Awk grabbed hold of the target. Worried about Ludak, Leone went out of the fort only to see Ludak holding down a soldier. He rushes towards Ludak and heard him say.

“Come on smile!”

“No, Ludak No!”

“But he looks grumpy!”

“Ludak!”

Ludak was talking to himself. But nonetheless, he grabbed the soldier’s dagger and carves a smile on the soldier’s face. The Guard screamed in pain. Ludak just hysterically laughed and produce a sphere of light as he heals the soldier’s wounds while carving him with the dagger!