~Cobb POV~

Creating the Animations altogether took all of my Squad Points, Greenhat took about 110 while the Rock Tree Boa took the same amount. Both were strong in their own ways but I've learned much in the time spent contemplating, the results were showing. Beforehand I had imbued them with knowledge of Twoen so that they wouldn't be surprised by the creatures appearing. I don't know how they would hold up against minions that cost the same from another class but I was confident in their abilities.

I purposely chose very versatile warriors. Even know I can see George inspecting his equipment, he was methodically dissasembling his weapons and putting them back together. Next to him the Spartans were sharpening their weapons using rocks they had picked up from the surroundings. I asked them for their names, the sword-wielder was Gaius, the spearmen were Lucius and Marcus, I had no say in it, I believe that I could give them a name but I chose not to. In contrast to their prepping Jack was sitting crosslegged and meditating, his katana across his lap, his helmet resting in front of him. Earlier I had briefed them of our position and surroundings, in short they now know as much as we do about the Uncharted. More accurately, barely anything.

I glanced around debating which direction to take, our lead was the Arena and now we have no idea where the Queen could be. For all we knew she could be on the other side of the Uncharted.

Jones motioned me off to the side, closer to the tree line.

"How are they so real?" His eyes were resting on Lucius and Marcus who were chatting amicably. His gaze turned back to me when I didn't answer immediately.

"You know I have almost perfect memory, right?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He nodded.

"Let's just say there was a time when I was very interested in warriors throughout history. Eventually I ended up reasearching modern military as well."

"So these are the results of just information gleaned from just research?" He seemed surprised, and his face turned to the Animations again. "There's no way. It's too real."

"Not gleaned." I stressed. "Analyzed, recorded, compared, examined and studied. Video analysis, written accounts, descriptions." I crossed my arms and looked to my creations.

Although they aren't really mine are they? For now they'll do but if i keep making conscious Animations something might go wrong.

"Why were you even searching that up?" The kid still didn't believe me.

"Because Jones if you want to use magic then inspiration is everywhere." I was peeved and it was showing in my voice.

"Really now?" He said sarcastically.

I guess I can't blame him this is his first time he's used magic this intricate. He needs an example.

"You see this tree?" I pointed behind me to an ordinary tree.

"Yes?"

"Of course you do." I held up a finger. "But let's say there was a charging bull. Would he see the tree?"

"Yes. But I don't see the point of-" I interrupted him.

"Of course he would but all it takes is a little illusion and then you have the bull charging straight at a fake Jones and into a tree." I enjoyed the mild "huh" expression on his face. "Magic differs depeding on what you use. I could come up with that strategy but if I was using Fire Magic i'd just set the damn cow on fire."

He blinked.

"It isn't just the tree that's the inspiration Jones, it's the environment. Illusion Magic is about your imagination, it has limitless potential. In the same vein, I took to heart what the description of Animate said "various insights into the workings of life" as it was put. Isn't it better to Animate a soldier when you actually know one?"

"I guess I could buy that but isn't that kind of strong for a skill?"

"I think for our level i'm at a decent strength. Twoen does a good job of balancing. If you think about it those ridiculous hunchback creatures that just loped by us would have gave us a run for our money. Even then you and JST would be doing the most damage along with my magic. That isn't to say the Animations are completely useless, they're warriors that fought other people after all. When we fight humanoids, that's when I think they'll shine. For now though, they're gonna have to learn how to fight monsters. That shouldn't be a problem though, they'll get the hang of it." I began to walk back to the group, Jones followed.

"And why's that?" He asked curiously, easily keeping pace.

"They're aren't afraid to put their life on the line." I said.

Our group huddled in as I approached.

The spartans stood to attention, shield and weapon clanging together. George saluted and returned to a resting stance, gun down, finger by the trigger. Jack dipped his head down in acknowledgement and put his helmet on.

JST flipped me off.

I facepalmed.

"Where to, sir?" George was the one to ask. Jack was too quiet and Gaius, Lucius and Marcus were content in following orders.

"We have no leads but I want to find the beast responsible for this wreck." I gestured around us. "If anything we're headed that way." I pointed.

"Hah!" Gaius stomped his feet. "The hunt is upon us, my liege!" Lucius and Marcus cheered as well.

"You want to go toward the thing?" George asked surprised. "Sir." He added after gathering his wits.

"We know little about the enemy, it would be a fools quest. We cannot protect all of you. Though your friend seems capable you and the child cannot be guarded reliably." Jack's voice was strong and soft. It carried through the group, his little words so far had us straining to hear what he had to say.

"Protect us? We're gonna be protecting you Jack." Jones sounded genuinely surprised.

Jack was skeptical but didn't say anything more. Seeing that he was unconvinced Jones shook his head, he'd have to prove it sometime later.

"You ready bro?" I directed towards JST who was moving fluidly through a blade style I hadn't seen in a while.

He stopped moving through his forms and looked around. "What are we waiting for?"

We took it slow throughout the ruins in case something was lurking nearby, bodies littered the sand we had fought on previously, most unrecognizable, though that could've been due to our lack of knowledge. Jack moved to my side still unconvinced about my ability to protect myself. I found the effort he put into his role amusing, his eyes were scanning the collapsed wood around us and his hand was gripping the hilt of his katana. At times I would sense a heat signature nearby, the dog-sized bugs from earlier. As it would come nearer Jack's grip would tighten before relaxing again as it came into view. All the while I would continue walking forward oblivious. My heat sense wasn't perfect enough to guage facial expressions but I would assume that his would be perplexed seeing as how I had apparently not noticed the very noticable chittering.

George walked with Jones. I found it fitting since they were both the most versatile. George didn't argue with us when we told them we were more than capable but apprarently he wasn't taking any chances. He took controlled strides, his weapon partially raised as we advanced forward. To his burden Jones' movements were carefree but I knew him better than most. He was always moving in the open and his position was always vulnerable, at least to a normal person. Taking his agility into account I could always see at least two ways he could retreat. If he even needed to.

"Crazy kid." I heard him mutter which meant Jones definitely heard too. Jones' smile only got wider, a sparkle in his eyes.

JST was leading. He was explaining something about the make of his sword to Gaius while Marcus and Lucius chatted only a few steps behind them. If I strained my hearing I could hear them.

"Curved swords like Riptide here are better for slicing, the curvature allows the blade more contact time when you swing." They'd be seeing a lot of different weapons as we journey, assuming they make it that far.

"And mine my liege?" Gaius face was eager, holding up his gladius. From our short interaction I judged him to be an optimistic person, he was smiling despite my brief earlier.

I guess in Sparta you had to cope with what life threw at you some way.

"Cutting, chopping and thrusting. Your blade is thicker, heavier and straight, all that facilitates those three modes of attack. If we have time after we get through this hell hole i'll teach you a thing or two." He patted Gaius on the shoulder and glanced backwards. "I could teach you guys a few little tricks about the spear too if you're down."

"Down?" They asked puzzled.

Oh god no.

"Man am I gonna have fun teaching you." He grinned.

By now we had passed the tree line. The forest now became more akin to a jungle as we progressed further. The sun was beginning to reach its apex, the heat with it. With the cover of the trees we were shielded from the sunlight but also from the wind which we had become accustomed to. Without the gentle breeze cooling us off we began to sweat, not ridiculously so, the warmth was noticeable though.

I wasn't quite sure how the Animations would react to changes in temperature. Judging from their fidgeting they were affected too, with a glance to Jack's sandy face I confirmed it. They were definitely sweating something, probably something like sandy salt water, right now his face was only slightly damp. The spartans were the only ones who didn't seem affected, they trudged on through the thick underbrush. George had already readjusted his hat a few times to get comfortable. I was curious about how they worked so I asked a question.

"Are you thirsty Jack?" I asked the sandman to my right.

"Yes." No complaints, no pleading, just confirmation.

I took the moment to look for a new magic, water would be helpful, immensely so. I closed my eyes.

I conjured dense orbs of solid green fire around me. I think I startled Jack, he almost fully removed his katana from its sheath. He had taken a step back and then two forward eyeing the orbs.

"It's fine I told you I wasn't helpless." I told him, peeking with my right eye to give him a sideways glance.

I circled the orbs around me until it became second nature. I split my focus and sent rolling waves of dirt around me before pulling them back.

"Also me." Before Jack could say anything.

Slowly I altered the orbits of the orbs until I was akin to an atom. I sunk my feet in the dirt and felt the earth, using this to sense my surroundings and glide forward. Then I sensed for water. Not the liquid, the feeling. Refreshment, thirst, nourishment. There are many ways that magic can be awoken, if that's the path the game wants to take. One that i've already used is raw feeling, looking for an emotion or phantom sense yields results. Other times while one magic might be discovered through one method the rest do not. Attributing the elements to familiar concepts is the easiest however.

When I couldn't immediately find it I focused on my orbs and truly felt what the fire was. It was power, rage, life and warmth, the hotblooded older brother. The dirt was solid, dependable, protective, the father who carries his family on his back. Water had to be the caring mother, nourishing, gentle, calming. That meant wind had to be the little sister, fun, fickle, carefree, and easily distracted. I felt submerged for a second and then the feeling of a light breeze replaced it then they both dissappeared. Looking around George was staring at me but seeing Jones and JST's reaction he calmed down a bit. After watching the previous two demonstrations Jack had accepted it for what it was while the spartans were looking at me in awe. The feeling for magic is different for everyone, sometimes it's temperature or emotion, which is the most common. The strangest account i'd seen was feeling texture. To my knowledge my experience was strange as well, it was always a concept and a feeling combined. With these two I felt the calm depths of the ocean and the freedom of flying.

Water Magic - Beginner 1 (0%)

Perhaps the true wonder of Water Magic is the ability to conjure water, an essential to living. Only the truly calm and serene can harness the power of water. There have been many wizards, mages and magicians who prove that wrong however, somehow staying calm in the face of battle, yet seeming fierce and ferocious. Water is seen as the calm element but it can be just as deadly as Fire and Wind.

Effects:

+3% effectiveness of offensive Water Magic

I wholeheartedly agreed. Each has their own strengths, sure water can be just as deadly as fire but that isn't how you would want to use it to get the best effect. The same is true for the other elements.

Wind Magic - Beginner 1 (0%)

Freedom. That is the understanding most mages have of Wind. The ability to control Wind Magic is rare. Many attain it but settle to releasing the wind in a certain direction working around the nature of the magic. When a talented mage can control the wind itself he as unlocked a weapon immensely powerful. An invisible one.

Effects:

+3% effectiveness of offensive Wind Magic

"Are you okay man?" Somehow JST had gotten very close.

"What?" I asked puzzled.

"It's been three hours bro." He said. "Why do you think we're all sitting down?" Three hours?

How long was I out?

"I was unlocking new magic, it shouldn't have taken more than a few minutes!" I said shocked.

"We haven't moved much but I had Jones and George scout ahead. There's a creepy building about two miles out." He estimated.

"You were asking Jack if he was thirsty, does that mean?" He asked trailing off in the end.

I'll have to consider that for later. It takes longer to unlock, it didn't seem hard but elemental magic has to be the most simple.

"Yep." Concentrating a bit I conjured a ball of water and held it up for Jones as he tooks gulps of it mid air. I put it off my mind.

"Ah finally fresh water!" He said between drinks. "Vine juice sucks. I ran out of berries a long time ago." They were the same ones I picked up.

They have a water source? Oh is that it?

I walked over to George who was sitting with Jack, leaving Jones to his drink. Both had thick vines across their laps, nearby the spartans were cutting down that very same vine. Lucius was walking back to the tree which they were resting on and he held the vine up to his mouth. He squeezed and clear water came out, a look of refreshment across his face. The vine became shriveled when was done with it and he threw it away.

Still holding the ball of water up for Jones I asked them. "How's that taste?"

"Like vine." George said bluntly. I caught Jack nodding his head again.

"Have a slurp." I gestured backwards to Jones.

I formed five decently sized balls of water and hovered it in front of each of them, two of them moved to Gaius and Marcus who were cutting down vines. Marcus was using George's combat knife it seemed. I walked away holding up the six balls of water in the back of my mind and after a while I felt the strain of my magic dwindle. I picked up the pile of discarded vines to find them quite spongey, with a thought I formed another ball of water and plunged the vines inside. Instantly they absorbed the water and when I pulled them out they were wet but not dripping, they held most of the water perfectly. I squeezed and noticed it didn't come out of the membrane instead it came out the end of the vine like a hose.

"Hold on to some of the vines, I can refill them for you." I told them. "In case we get seperated."

George wrapped a long vine twice across his chest, the whole thing was still full of water. He grabbed an end of it, pulled and water squirted out the side that was cut open. Nodding his head he began checking his equipment. The spartans followed suit while Jack deigned to wrap one around his shoulder and neck.

"Can we go now? I'm getting bored." My little brother wiped his arm across his mouth and let out a sigh. "Thanks by the way." His hairs twitched and he frowned.

"Yeah-" JST's head snapped to the side and up. "Shit!" He yelled.

A mass of muscle descended upon us. George tried to hold Jones back but my little brother was already moving. JST had caught the creature on his shield but was brought to his knees.

It was another damn snake except it had arms, muscular arms. It's chest and arms were covered in mottled scales, from the bulging of its muscles I could see it was powerful. It's lower body ended in a tail. It had fins, but they didn't look like they were for swimming, they were fleshy and two were across its upper back, one on each forearm, one running the length of its back to its tail. Those fins were flexing and muscular as well. Rather than hissing it roared and its fins flattened.

It held JST back with a single arm and used its other massive limb to punch his shield sending him backward inch by inch. Its tongue lashed out for a second and Jones dagger was there to cut it off. It roared in pain and with anger fueling it , threw JST backwards into the incoming spartans, they caught him and stood him up, scales fell from his chest. Looking at the arm of the snake JST had left a deep gash down the side of it. On his other arm were jab wounds that JST had inflicted while defending.

George's pistol had no effect. He switched to his higher calibur rifle and made a few dents, its scales weren't getting pierced anytime soon. Jack, who was moving to help, took JST's place. At first I was worried but aside from the initial lunge the snake was at a manageable speed, its real power was its defense and strength. Jack's precise strikes towards the eyes caused the snake to pick his swings.

"What the fuck is that thing?" George hand quickly reloaded his rifle. "My bullets aren't doing anything!"

Inform

Qeztl - Lvl 54

HP: 854/874

The Qetzl are serpentine half-men who traverse the jungle like water. Their fins, lining their body, are surprisingly effective at pushing against some sub-biomes within the jungle. They are slow and powerful but their fangs contain a powerful neurotoxin. Instead of direct combat, though they are completely capable, they opt to use their ease of movement and strong upper body strength to climb the jungle trees and drop down on prey.

"Jesus Christ." I whispered, there was another one behind me.

Hyperfocusing, everything slowed down to a crawl as I turned around. Large fangs took up most of my view. I threw myself to the side aided by Wind Magic. I let the earth eat me and feeling my way around I emerged on the other side of the snake. It slithered towards me and I cut into its eyes with wind sending gouts of blood to the sides. It hesitated, blind, before tasting the air. I cut its tongue off as well. Around me blades of fire formed, I sliced at it but they didn't penetrate the scales, it did however growl at the heat.

I didn't have time to roast the whole snake so I changed tactics. I erupted spikes around the snake, not in an attempt to pierce, but in order to prevent its movement. Spikes came up from the ground at an angle to stop it at its chest. Behind them more came to lock its chest in place. I began to conjure water behind me. From there the tail was restricted until only its arms flailed about smashing at the spikes. In short order I had those locked down as well, its struggled loosened the spikes though and I knew it would be free if left behind. Two spikes across the throat lifted the body up and hopefully made it harder for the thing to breathe. I englufed its head in a ball of water, focused on maintaining the earth spikes and quickly looked around to see who needed help.

Jones was nowhere to be seen, George and Jack had teamed up fighting the original snake. JST fought his own snake as well, this one bigger than both mine and the first. The spartans were fighting their own too, Lucius and Marcus were holding it back by poking at its eyes with their spears.

I could feel the struggles of my Qetzl dying down and looked backwards. Its body was still but I didn't know how intelligent they were so I kept the water there and strengthened the spikes again.

I ran to JST since he was the only one alone, as I passed George and Jack the snake lunged for them but the commando dodged to the side drawing his pistol and shooting the armpit. The snake roared and Jack and George shared a glance before fighting once more. As I was leaving George was shooting the eyes and face with his rifle, taking cover behind Jack. When the half-snake reached up to shield his eyes, Jack plunged his katana deep into the armpit, part of its scaled shoulder bulged upwards but no scales broke.

I yelled to the spartans as I neared. "The armpit is weak!" They nodded grimly.

I got into JST's Arena and knowing that he was aware of my presence I didn't waste any time. This particular Qetzl was almost twice the size of the one I subdued earlier.

"Did you hear?" I said over the roar of pain.

"Yeah, but wheres the fun in that?" JST called back, staring up at the Qetzl.

JST was strangely discolored and i've seen his body in this condition before so I knew he was missing a lot of scales. With an unspoken understanding JST's fighting changed, maybe his Warrior Bond kicked in? Instead of rolling backwards he went on the offensive. A massive arm descended towards his head but it was caught by a pillar of earth. I sent a steady stream of water at things face, it was a stupidly simple strategy and it was almost comical. The snake was blinded by a perfectly aimed hose that followed its face, it tried moving its face, swiveling its head but in the end it just looked stupid. Annoyingly JST ignored its weak spot and sliced at the chest. Already there were deep gashes and the blood of the Qetzl became more pronounced as my water washed it down the body. Most of its fins were snapped which I guessed my brother had broke sometime in the battle.

JST ducked under a haphazard swing and was about to end its life with a stab to the heart.

I swung a pillar of earth with all my might and right hooked the thing in the face. In Hyperfocus I could see its neck dislocate before the rest of its body followed and flew away.

"Man fuck you. Kill stealer." JST walked over. "Oh wait I have to try something!" He ran towards the spartans.

I repeated the process with the first Qetzl, securing the body and drowning it, just in case it lived that.

To my surprise George and Jack were still fighting their opponent but the thing was bleeding out from its armpits. The whole scene was sad and I couldn't help thinking that was animal abuse. They were within my range so I created a huge heavy hammer of very, very dense dirt. Using all the strength I had and Earth Magic I threw it up in a high arc. As it descended I felt its approach and adjusted it accordingly.

~George POV~

I repeated the process, finally we were gonna kill this thing. Would we be running into monsters like this everytime?

Jack was in front of me ready to dart to the side and stab its underarm again. I shot at its eyes holding up my rifle.

I heard a faint whistling sound. I frantically looked around for cover and pulled Jack with me, that's the sound of goddamn artillery.

The next thing I knew it was on the floor, its head exploded, and Jack and I were covered in brain matter.

"Sorry!" Said the green man behind me. Partially embedded into the ground and where the snakes head was supposed to be was a gigantic brown hammer.

I wasn't trained for this.

I resolved to be unfazed and take everything in stride from this world.

~Cobb POV~

"Sorry!" I forgot about the exploding part.

I doused them in a heavy shower and realized alarmingly that they were made of sand. When the water cleared up they were brain free and perfectly in tact. I wonder how that works? Does the material which I work take properties of what the person would be? Would a turtle made of feathers be just as hard?

Did it have to do with the Enliven stat? That would make the material more lifelike and explain all this.

Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts a yell interrupted me.

"Yeeeeehawwwww!"

Oh god. Not again.

Slowly I turned around and sure enough JST was riding the last Qetzl.

"Howdy partner!" The Qetzl was bucking and his giant muscles didn't let him reach over to his back. JST was using his fins as makeshift reins, whipping them like you might with a horse. To the side the spartans were cheering like usual.

"What the fuck is this place." George said to my left.

Jack grunted.

"So I had to take care of a few of those snakes, I led them off to the side using illusions." Jones had come up behind us, I had sensed his heat signature.

All he got back was silence.

"Yeeeeeehawwwww!"

"What is happening here. I left for five freaking minutes!" Jones sighed.