Chapter 7.

Enora was flabbergasted. After their first break a few hours into exploration, another branching appeared, with even more choices, which led to more and more, and more, until the setting for her surprise and complete fright appeared. Just as they were entering their biggest cave yet since the beginning, a small group of unknown creatures assaulted them out of the darkness around, like some kind of ghosts. Within a few seconds, two fighters were severely wounded, and a carrier saw his throat gushing blood everywhere. It was a terrifying moment that she was not the only one to keep playing over and over in her head even after the facts.

The allied blood spilling on their clothes was the sign for the fighters to get back to reality, and the ensuing battle was as confused and amateurish as a battle can get. But it was over quickly considering the small number of assailants. Quite a bit of time was needed for everyone to calm down, for the adrenaline to run dry and for the pain of injuries to kick in. Even Enora was not spared, as it was a first for her to fight hand to hand against otherworldly demons. After getting themselves together and treating their most pressing injuries with what could be considered basic medicine, Arsenio gathered the people he counted on to examine their foes and brainstorm on their situation.

These monsters were quite small considering how much damage they inflicted upon the humans, the tallest being one meter and fifty centimetres high. With dark grey skin like the caves they lived in, those things had the usual traits of a human : two arms, two legs, a head and something to which those limbs were attached. However, the comparison stopped there. Their arms were a bit longer than they should, with hard and sharp nails, while their legs were disgustingly thin. They had a big head covered with dark marks, large gnarly ears and sunken red and malevolent cat eyes. Of course, their teeth were also quite dangerous as some of the fighters discovered.

- I don't think I have ever seen or heard of something like that …, commented one the fighters, a short but well-built man named Theo.

He behaved himself quite splendidly during the fight, being the first to react and the one receiving the least number of wounds.

- Me neither, supported Arsenio in a low but furious tone. Those god damn fucking monsters cost us too much considering how weak they are. I bet they only win with cheap tricks.

Enora was quite understandably still shaken. She saw herself as a calm and collected person, able to think straight in all situations. Clearly, she had been deluding herself, as the sight of friendly blood gravely shocked her to her core, making her doubt her own abilities. But still, her uncertainties only concerned her, as it was not proper to overshare in such a dreary and serious moment.

- If there are a few, there may be many. We have to take measures now and stick to it for everyone's safety., said she in a flat and firm tone.

Both others nodded in agreement, thinking about the new rules they had to now implement to keep everyone moving. Ultimately, it was the leader's decision and decided he did. After a few minutes of pondering, he turned away from the pile of corpses to the rest of the group and said in a strong voice.

- Everyone, let's be clear on the situation. Those fucking things attacked us by surprise, and it wasn't their fault that we fell for it. It was ours. We were careless and moronic to not consider any danger while still bringing weapons. So, from now on, we're following basic security : while moving, the carriers are in the middle of the group, and we stop before every new cave to send someone checking for danger. As for camp, sentries will be put in place during sleep hours, everyone doing it in turns. Be wary now as we'll try to minimize the losses.

A few of the listeners caught on that last detail, Enora included. Arsenio chose 'minimize' instead of 'avoid'. This showed quite a bit about the man, in good and bad, which worried those that heard. Even the haughty proper woman that Enora did not even bother remembering the name of turned white hearing this. She spent most of her time giving orders to the carriers while not doing much herself, finding great importance in her role while standing near the leader when she could. "Leech.", though the tall woman.

The group could have probably continued on their journey, but this incredible fight left them mentally tired, everyone either sitting on the hard ground or leaning against humid walls. Enora felt lucky, as she quickly got back to a calm and collected state of mind. Also, she had to lead by example since Arsenio unofficially saw her as one of his lieutenants, or so people around thought. She decided to walk among the men and women, crouching from time to time to help with bandages or ask a few questions, minor actions to lessen people's worries if just a bit. It would have been bad if complaints were left to fester in minds, until a breaking point where violence would ensue. It was not in Enora's interest.

At some point, she came to the side of a fragile-looking blonde girl, wearing fear on her face like a mask while staring into nothingness. She did not react to the approaching tall woman, but the contact of a hand made her jump with a light squeal.

- Careful there miss, I'm just here to check up on you., gently whispered Enora. Are you hurt ?

No answer at first, the girl still visibly shaking. She was shocked to no end, either by the appearance of their aggressor or the sudden death of a member of their group, or the sight of so much blood either ally or enemy. It did not mean she had a weak mind though, as anyone with no memory or frame of reference would have their mind grind to a halt in a similar situation. After ten seconds of opening and closing her mouth like a fish, she said in a sweet voice :

- I'm not hurt.

- I don't want to just call you 'miss' constantly, and we will probably spend quite some time in each other's company, so what's your name ?, asked the tall woman to the little blonde.

- Rose., answered she flatly, slowly getting back to reality. Are we safe ?

That was a hard question, as Enora did not know at all. She was almost certain she could take care of herself like she probably always did before, but the idea of having so many people depending on her was a scary feeling. "I can't tell her that, she will start to panic even more !".

- Try staying calm. Yes, you will be fine, as long as the fighters can fight. For that, we will need all the non-fighters to follow the rules and to perform the side jobs : cooking, cleaning clothes, washing dishes and such.

For a second Enora felt annoyed by herself saying that to a female but was quickly appeased seeing the number of men among the non-fighters. Even more than that, she experienced a momentary wave of pride, soon disappearing before the tide of confusion at her lack of understanding. What a confusing mind she possessed. While she was drowning in her own bewilderment, the little Rose nodded in agreement saying :

- Okay, we will be doing our best.

Her eyes were filled with renewed determination, with tightened fists and unwavering clenched jaw. Only a few words of comfort were needed from a powerful looking individual to make her trust in the leader. Seeing as Enora just got up and headed to the next distressed soul, Rose took out from her bag a small yellow booklet and started reading.