Sekai Break

Chapter 28:

" … We've got company . " Dym shouted as he shot out through the branches.

From the gnarled canopy, a blur lunged downward—fangs bared, fur drenched in matted blood. Liora barely screamed before Sen yanked her back, the beast's claws slicing the air where her throat had been.

" Both of you , back to back . Cover the others blind spots. " Dym commanded as he dodged the maw of another beast.

Sen stumbled to his feet, body slightly aching from earlier, but his instincts surged awake. Suddenly he sensed something.

" Liora , behind you . " he shouted as he darted forward .

Crash!!

The sound of a wolf like beast crash into a tree squalling from the impact.

" Are you o… " Sen barely finished his sentence when another beast pounced from behind.

"Duck!" Dym's voice thundered.

Sen hit the ground. A blur of white passed over him—Dym's hand , as it struck through the hide of the beast. With a single punch, he crumpled the creature's skull like paper, sending blood and bone flying across the forest floor.

Then suddenly the atmosphere dropped . A chilling feel ran through Sen's spine scared of the malice that aired the forest. He could feel it . The cold stare pointed at them as the predator stalked them in silence.

Majestic , a wolfish beast, with eyes glazed by murderous rage—landed with a growl that rattled the leaves. Behind it, shrieking weasel emerged: hunched, drooling, and fast.

" Liora can you stand ? " Dym asked as he reached for his bag.

Liora was shaken . After the first beast launched at her, her knees grew weak .Her pulse raced .The air felt too bitter , filled with malice too fast for her liking. If Sen wasn't there she would have… .

She couldn't bare the thought.

Dym's voice echoed as she drifted back to the now. In front of the were shrieking weasels and in the middle a wolfish weasel hybrid like creatur crawled forward, its padded steps deceptively quiet for something so massive. From the corners of its mouth, foaming saliva spilled in rivers, soaking its snarled fur and falling in clumps onto the moss.

With a shriek they lunched.

Dym stood still, his eyes darting around the shrieking assailants.

" Five . " he said .

" I'll take three you two handle the others. "

Sen's stance steadied , his hands raised as he prepared for the Shrieking weasel's attack. Liora got up from the damp undergrowth, brandishing her blades, ready — this time.

The first claw came, Sen dodged it effortlessly with a fist already heading for the beasts rib area.

A shriek.

The shrieking weasels shrieked the sound wave projecting it back escaping Sen's attack.

Sen covered his ears. The shriek sliced through the air , cutting deep enough to make ones ears bleed.

Liora was the same as the constant shrieking, rendered her unable to muster her blades.

Punch . Slice . Shriek.

The play was the same as the weasels dodged every attack sent to them.

" Aaah. " Sen's battle scream as he launched himself towards the shrieking weasel. With a shriek it launched itself into the air but this time it collided with something mid air.

Smirks were vibrant on Sen's and Liora's faces as the two weasel met midair.

" Looks like there is no where to shriek to. " Sen said .

A sharp wet noise filled the air.

Liora's blades dripped of blood as the two weasel fell lifeless to the ground.

With a swift sway the blood spluttered to the ground as she unsheathed her blades.

" Looks like we make a pretty good team. " Sen said watching Liora slowly unsheathe.

From the shadows of the undergrowth, a beast's drooling jaws lunged for Liora's head.

Sen could only but watch as the beast's maw gradually bridge the gap between it and its prey. His movements were slow and time was null to try to use his arcane.

" No stop!! " he shouted as he extended his arm towards the beast .

Suddenly a shriek echoed through the trees. Not fierce but wounded, like a cowering dog tail between its legs.

Ahead lay a jaw pinned to the ground by a spiraling arrow. To the side was the beast weasel. Its lower jaw line erased with a blood draping the ground beneath. It squealed as it rose ran deep into the forest.

Liora had barely moved an inch from the start she was . Her eyes didn't see ,lost in her reality. In less than a day her life had been in the hands of another three times and she could barely do anything about it.

She could feel it . The warm gaze from Sen as he placed his hand on her shoulder asking if she was okay. Well that's what she assumed he was saying. Sound to her was muffled with a sharp ringing in her ear acting as a filter.

" Why did you let me come here ? … Nexa . " she thought questioning her very presence in the mission.

" Snap out of it. " she heard Sen say as he shook her vigorously.

" You okay ? " he asked looking directly into her eyes.

" Yeah I'm fine… I'm fine. " she said gently as her tone gradually grew back to her former aggressive self.

Glad to see you two are okay. " a voice said from the branches as it approached them.

It was Dym.

He glanced at the two large weasels with slit throat and a jaw steaked to the ground by an arrow.

" Did you do that sir. " Sen asked staring at the arrow.

" No . That would be them. " he said as he ushered to some rustling in the bushes.

Their clothing bore the sun's story—faded, coarse, and patched at the elbows and knees. Tunics of linen and hemp hung loosely over lean frames, dyed in earthy tones that blended into the forest shadows. Leather straps bound their sleeves, and many wore woolen scarves not for fashion, but warmth and labor. Their outfits blended with the soil—garments dyed in clay reds, peat browns, and muted greens.

Only three emerged from the bushes. Two at the side wore leather bags strapped to their body with what smelled like herbs .

" They must be healers . " Sen deduced .

At the center stood a dark haired man with a few gray hair popping out . His gaze shifted amongst the trio as though gauging their trustworthiness . Then it rested onto the crest on Dym's tunic. His eyes grew wide , his face softening as he moved closer.

" That crest , you must be from the guild. " he said in a light tone.

" Come follow me our village elder awaits. "

Dym's eyes narrowed. He searched the man's face , cautious of any of his friendly demeanor.

" Sorry but we are currently investigating something… "

" I know . It's about the creatures , right ? " the man interrupted .

" Don't worry we mean no harm, just wish for the assistance of the guild. "

" Also mere villagers are no match for the Imperial Gentries refinement techniques. " he said with a easing smile on his face.

Dym's expression remained as looked at the parched archers on the trees.

" We can also offer accommodation. " the old man said eyeing Sen and Liora.

Dym turned to them.

" Sen seems to be holding up alright but Liora isn't hold up that good. "

" Fine , a roof over our heads is better than staying in these hungry woods. " he said turning to the man.

" Great ,please follow me . The elder will be happy to see you. "the man said as he turned to the deep forest.

" Be cautious you two. They might look harmless but there is something odd about these people. " Dym whispered to Sen and Liora.

The canopy tree obscured the sun with only few rays escaping the grasps of their leaves. Sen and the other had treaded the forest following the man and were now at the gates of a hidden village.

The village was encircled by a thick wooden wall with pointy steaks protruding outward . Watch towers were visible even from outside the village with minor movements now and then from the guard posted there.

As drifted closer to the man leading them. A nostalgic feel coursed into his heart with a warm soothing relieving his tense muscles. With every step it sparked a memory of his time with Neil and Mira as they returned to Salur .

" So what's the name of the village ? " Sen asked hardly noticing the icy glare Liora was giving him.

" We are supposed to be cautious. You dummy. " she thought watching Sen as he drifted into wonder.

" I welcome you to our humble village. " he said enthusiastically.

" Welcome to New Salur. "