CHPT 404: Blade at my Back, Blood in my Hand....(Vol 3 Prologue Continued...)

"...Oh SHIT!... I almost just lost my head-- uh uh. Nope. Let's get the hell out of here... playing Detective and shi.."

Warren's voice echoed through the forest, making Isaac and Maris cringe at the idea of the Enforcers hearing him. In a rush, they jogged over to where Warren was.

Luckily, he wasn't far. Sometimes his lanky legs took him way off track. This time, he simply stood under one of the taller trees in the iced portion of the forest. A massive log rolled soundlessly on the angled forest floor behind him, intertwined with the thin leather string it rolled over endlessly.

Warren looked over at them. But Isaac spoke as he looked down at the tripped wire beside the tree.

"You just set off a trap."

Warren nodded soundlessly.

"The Enforcers have Cannons-- they wouldn't do that."

Warren nodded again before stoppping, "Unless....--"

"No time for wishful thinking." Isaac interrupted.

Maris walked off to study the area as they talked in silence, slowly growing more alert.

After only a few steps, she found her eyes drawn to a hard bumpy sheet of something sticking out of the partially melted snow.

Sure, the Enforcers wouldn't set up traps so fundamental and almost primal, but she knew what would as she pulled out the long stretch of shedded skin.

Fwsh!

Something rushed through the trees. Gaining the attention of all of them as they drew swords and bows.

"Kobolds...." Isaac said to the group before shrouding his sword in flames and encasing his open arm in his Aura.

Maris, who was much closer to the attackers went on the offensive. The others cursed to themselves before following.

Quickly, the Kobolds abandoned intimidation and sticking to the shadows as she bolted for them.

The first to emerge was large, covered in blue and black scales and wooden armor. It held no weapons but swiped at her with a clawed hand.

Maris dodged the attack and swung outward with her shortsword, cleaving off it's hand before stabbing it through the neck from behind.

SHCK!

[+25 EXP]

The next one to come looked the same. They all were the same.

She ripped her sword from the creature's throat. Blood sprayed like confetti before collecting and gaining form at her command. She swung her free hand towards the approaching Kobolds, and the blood followed like a spearheaded serpent.

FWOO!

SPLSH!

The blood spike ripped through the closest Kobolds face, stunning the others momentarily. Maris took the advantage and activated her (Slash) ability, ripping through the group of Monsters in an ocean blue blur.

SSWWSHH!

Two more heads fell.

[+75 EXP]

Three more stood behind her now. Over a dozen more stood in front of her. Reinforcements that she hadn't accounted for.

She reached for her long sword at her back before freezing, realizing it was too long to effectively use in the crowded woodland.

"RAHHHH!!" A Kobold lunged and crashed into Maris.

She rolled with the attack, ending up on top holding the creature in an armbar. It screamed as she snapped it's arm with the rise of her hips and tore it open with her shortsword. As the blood spilled, she weaved it through the throats and heads of the others approaching.

SLSH!

SPLSH!

"AHHCK!!"

[+70 EXP]

There were still many. A fact she realized as she got to her feet, eager to have another weapon. In her urgent state of mind, all that came to her was thoughts of what she'd just been studying. Claws.

The blood of the slain Monsters suddenly rose, encasing her hand in blood claws. It was difficult to maintain the intricate shape.... but worlds easier than when she'd first manipulated blood.

The Kobolds seemed to understand one on one bouts was a poor choice, resulting in all of them attacking at one.

"DUCK!"

Maris didn't even stop to think about who it was as she dropped, and a tidal wave of fire crashed into the creatures. Not hot enough to turn them to ash, but enough to stun a number of them.

TWIP!...TWIP--TWIP!

Arrows whistled through the air and hit the stragglers as Isaac cleaved through the burned remains.

"Why don't you communicate, Maris? GOD DAMN!! Are we not a team???!" Warren complained in between shots.

"Just keep shooting." Maris replied before getting back to her feet to join Isaac in the battle.

***

After a few minutes of battle, Maris and Isaac had sustained minor injuries.... the Kobolds were reduced to four.

Four that chased after Maris as she ran to the portion of forest blanketed in snow. The spikes jutting from the trees and branches unnaturally made the terrain difficult to maneuver through as it ripped at her sleeves and pants.

Isaac ran behind them all.

"Maris? What are you doing?!"

"Melt the ice!" She yelled before dropping to a slide through the snowed over floor and spiked prison of a woodland.

FWWWWSHHHH!

Another wave of fire came, the Kobolds knew better now and copied Maris' movements. As they rose back onto their humanoid feet, Maris faced them with a sword made massive by the watery bladed shape encasing her short sword.

"AHH--"

SWSH!

The water blade ripped through their unguarded throats with ease.

[+75 EXP]

DING

[You have Leveled Up! You are now Level 12!]

[3 Stat Points Available!]

Silence fell as Warren and Isaac caught up to her. She found herself urgently removing the blood gauntlet from her hand, letting it fall like rain to the floor behind her. She didn't know why, but letting them plainly see her use such an ability felt wrong. Very wrong.

Before anybody could say anything, the sound of loading weapons and shifting armors rang out behind them followed by shouted orders and commands.

Enforcers...

They took off in a rush. Once again, left with questions and few answers....