Chapter 23

This is completely unfair, why do Trey and John get a fancy throwing thing and an weapon compared to me Logan complained as he held a somewhat long, sharp rock while practicing swing it around in Treys direction.

It’s called a star knife actually John corrected trying to show all sides.

I don’t know what you’re complaining about, it seems to suit you pretty well Trey said with a grin

First of all Trey stop that, you just acting like an asshole. John yes, that is nice looking but for the last two days you have been showing it off every chance you get. As for you Logan, you know the reason why you only get a rock: you burn things. James corrected each one of them making all three embarrassed

You know I don’t mean to!

That is exactly the point, you don’t mean to do it but your arms just keep catching on fire on their own. Both of our blankets along with a more proper weapon have burned away. So until you get it under control you get a sharp rock and your arms stay buried at night. Enough with the arguing, it’s time to head into the rest for some training. James waved at them to follow and the four of them in their new rat hide armor made their way down.

Ever since James explained to them what had happened, each of them had taken it in their own way. John had his faith so he began his life praying at the pond, Trey had taken to staying inside the now tight home cave. Deciding that whatever gift he possessed had to do with darkness, James avoiding talking to him about his parents and Trey was left alone. Logan was naturally the opposite with spending most of his time around the trees.

Since James had also come to enjoy the trees it began a friendship between them. When he went on about ideas to build things Logan was all for it and Logan was all for it and as he walked alongside James he shared his own ideas. For now the two of them worked together on digging out more space, mostly. James pulled Trey and John to help out taking turns. The progress surprised him and with the current pace in a week’s time each would have their own room.

So, just how dangerous are these rabbits? We should go over what you know again James John commented with worry and star knife already in hand with a shield in the other as they made their way down the ramp.

Like I talked about last night the one I fought was very fast and if you let it nearly kill you there is a chance it can be tricked. That’s all I got so make sure you three stay together James summarized in seconds

So you got your ass kicked and lucked out? Trey noticed from the story then stopped himself for talking anymore once he made eye contact with James

Trey that was rude John said scolding Trey

As for Logan his attention was almost completely focused on admiring the forest down below since for him along with the other two this was their first time. Once they touched flat ground again, James pulled out his weapon causing the other three to do the same. He had his eyes focused on the ground but could not stop himself from noticing the stream of smoke that was only growing as the days went by instead of fading away and the longer it stayed that way the more he worried.

What is it? John asked he had noticed James reaction

Just staying focused on the dangers around us that’s all James tried to reassure but given how good John was at noticing people emotions James guessed his half lie did not trick him.

Something was off to James as they kept walking, by know he should have seen at least one rabbit but there were none. So he had them keep walking deeper to talk he had never been in before. Instead of going straight he led them to the left and the land around the changed slightly. The ground below their feet had more rocks and unknown bugs, there was now mini hills with some sort of purple weed that grew flat

Right there, it’s seen us already Trey pointed between two trees close together.

This one seemed to be slightly different, it had long cuts on its body that had not fully healed and already seemed to be enraged. Given how the last one acted with him and the number of people now in his party it was tough to decide what to do.

Okay just… just stay together and I will go attack it James ordered

Wait don’t go, what do we do? John cried out but James was already rushing, leaving the three of them alone.

Relax John we got this Trey said confidently while thrusting his sword into the air

I can do this, I can do this Logan quickly repeated to himself while trying to ignite his arms with no results.

Seeing James running at him caused the white rabbit to spring into action with some horrid screech. James tried to use [Power attack] but given how it was slower than his usual attack even with the extra points in Dexterity compared to last time, the attack missed. What happened instead was right before contact the white rabbit sidestepped James and ran right for the three of him standing in the same place as before.

Please goddess guide my blade with a hard throw John sent his star blade flying through the air at the white rabbit.

Given how low level he was and having no proficiency with either throwing or the blade itself the white rabbit did not even have to move out of the way.

Good one John, you literally threw your weapon away Trey signed

With a jump when the distance between them was only a foot the White Rabbit did not even try to bite them but instead ran right into all three knocking them over. John had taken the brunt of it and was unconscious with a cut jaw, while the other two started to get back up.

I will destroy its world for what it has just done to me now angry running after the White Rabbit

Why are the flames not coming, it has to be now! Logan was now at the point of shaking his own arms while James ran past him.

This is going as bad as last time, no worse. Now there are others and what I can do is not enough James realized as the White Rabbit shot past him once again.

Trey was the target this time and while he managed to strike it but the damage barely had any effect It bit him badly enough that now he was also out of the fight and began clutching his right arm to try and hold the blood in. James ran up to where the three of them were and this time just stood in front, it was clear running after would still not work.

This is bad James Logan looked around at the sight of the two of them already down.

I know but we are already in it, so those flame arms of yours would be really handy right now James asked

Charging at them again James just held his ground. Logan who didn't want to be hit again backed up. Right when the White Rabbit was about to strike again James threw away his shield and sword and just held his arms wide. The impact was intense but James still held on even as it still was moving forward. Crashing into the tree behind him caused James head to bounce off of it he struggled to continue to hold" fistfuls of its hair refusing to let go.

Now Logan, I don’t care if ugh… the white rabbit was trying to break free of his hold by repeatedly ramming his chest into the tree.

Just keep hitting it, I don’t care with what! James screamed out

Logan acted quickly, snapping out of his haze of uncertainty and began attacking with the sharp rock.

[1 Damage]

[1 Damage]

It was having an effect, he could feel the blade cutting through somewhat through the hide and James was making sure all its attention was on him. Problems was Logan was getting worn out after a few strikes, plus the attacks he made were too shallow to cause any major damage.

Plan B Logan announced throwing away the sharp rock and began hugging the white rabbit as tightly as he could.

Are you kidding me… is this how my short life will end, by some guy I know hugging the thing trying to kill us? Trey moaned from a distance away

Logan began to slowly block out Trey’s voice then everything else around him until all his focus was on his arms. He tried to feel the inside of himself as deeply as he could and tried again to bring out the flames. When he failed, it felt slightly different, like his flames were trying to show him the correct way

I have to reach in then out not just out Logan mumbled to himself

This time he felt the red veins that separated his cracked burnt skin, for the first time since becoming aware of himself his skin felt healthy. They pulsed to life desperate to come out. He pulled at it with his mind, helping it burst out.

Springing to life his arms started burning into the rabbit’s flesh, the white rabbit finally stopped crushing James under it next to the tree and began to spin itself wildly trying to free itself from the burning hug. Flying around like a ragdoll he still held on but it was having a real impact so he focused on keeping it up

[3 Damage]

Now is my chance! With the rabbit thrashing Logan, James was freed and picked up his weapon and held it with both hands.

Trying to find the best spot for his one strike before it remembered he was there. Its movements were so random it was hard to tell where it go next, making the entire area a hazard.

That’s it

Preparing himself James decided not to guess and just run into the fray, both hands gripping his weapon tight.

[Power Attack]

Crushing through good portion of its neck the White Rabbit finally started to stop moving. Logan fell off as soon as it stopped moving leaving only James left standing over all of them.

I leveled noticed Logan

So did I added Trey out of breath

Both Trey and Logan noticed, leaving James to guess John will also level when he wakes up. Walking up to the body of the rabbit, he wanted to get a closer look at the cuts it already had on it, based on a guess he feared.

Damn, I was right, these are marks from rats. This must mean the rats are still around, and might have something to do with the smoke. I don’t want to know what’s going on but if Sloodar lived then I don’t know how far to go to be safe

Helping Logan up then Trey the three of them carried John and the White Rabbit backup to the cave/house. Time was starting to countdown on their current home and James knew things would have to be built, defenses and escape routes for all of them or else they really would not make it back alive.