Chapter 33.

Sitting in a circle around a fire, the three humans lamented.

- They're everywhere !, began Enora. How are we supposed to leave that damn place if those coal mines form a straight line that we're fucking forced to cross ?

- Maybe we can do it sneakily ?, suggested Rose, knowing full well how impossible it looked.

- I don't see how., Nick said to confirm Rose's doubts. They seem to be alternating workers, so they always have someone watching around. You saw how they almost spotted us earlier ?

It was true. The third mine they found was a bit smaller but more populated, and as they observed the place, one worker glanced in their direction. They immediately fled, and fortunately so as some noise was produced behind them, though nobody came further. They probably thought it was nothing.

- I hate to say it but … we have to force our way through one of those mines., slowly said the man.

- Probably., nodded Enora. We gotta be smart about it though, don't wanna end as a monster snack.

- What about guerrilla tactics ?, softly asked Rose.

She did not know everything about the matter, but its principles were simple enough. The more she thought about this possibility, the more obvious it became.

- We could first take care of the patrols and potential scouts, decreasing their numbers until the actual camp gets easier to attack. Then we …

She interrupted herself when seeing the partly incredulous and partly astonished faces in front of her. Apparently, seeing such a cute thing talking seriously about tactically massacring monsters was a singular sight. The girl did not realise how much she had changed, how she went from a scared, self-deprecating and inactive onlooker, to a useful member of the squad. The evolution was subtle, and the fact she still had goosebumps all over while explaining her idea made it less obvious to her. If she was still fearful, then she had not changed that much, right ?

- What ?, she asked.

- No, nothing …, answered Nick. That's probably the best approach. Whittling then storming sounds good.

- Let's rest and prepare first., warned the tanned warrior.

So they did. They had chosen a small cave as their base, with a high hill in a corner hiding them from the passages below. They, of course, extinguished the fire before rolling themselves in their pelts and blankets, relatively close to each other for body heat. After a few hours of sleep on that hard ground, the group left the place. Their backpacks were way less encumbering than it used to be considering how empty they had become. Even Rose got rid of many books.

Travelling quickly and as silently as they could, the trio began to look for lone monsters or scouts patrolling around the first mine they had found. It was their objective, as it was noticeably less populated and with the river close-by. Only some time was needed for them to actually stumble upon enemies within adjacent tunnels. They seemed quite carefree really, nibbling on some meat while walking at a slow pace in those dark blue lit paths.

Nick, Enora and Rose were plenty anxious, with weights in their stomachs while they waited in ambush in a transversal passage. At least it was Rose's case. At some point their prey passed them by, kicking off the assault. These four monsters would of course not oppose that much of a threat, but they all knew that the moment a fight begins, anything could happen.

Enora rushed with great speed, energizing her muscular legs, as did Nick, and struck violently at the enemy. The tall warrior used her shield first, so as to shove one to the ground, and the skinny man his spear, almost slicing a grey head. Of course Rose did not sit idle, she also sped through the battleground, trying to stab her knife into the Devil on the ground. Although she nearly past it because of her inexperience with basic energy, her weapon still managed to sink in its neck. "Lucky !", thought the girl with a mix of happiness at succeeding and disgust at its consequence : she was killing that being. Thick dark blood covered her delicate fingers, and a crazy dying stare fixed itself on her. Sound faded, and the background struggle disappeared as she observed this creature slowly drowning, coughing, and succumbing, tiny three-fingered hands trying to scratch her.

Only a few seconds passed before she pulled herself together, realising how careless she was acting. Yet she could not help it as this instant had been so surprisingly overwhelming. It was not the first of them that she killed, but it had been only a bit of help to the others before, while right then she had willingly attacked and killed another existence. "How absurd !", she laughed in mind. The absurdity of those thoughts or the one of murder, she did not know which one was funnier. Well, 'murder' … "Fuck ! Bullshit ! Not the time !".

When she stood up, ready for the next assailant, everything was already over. The other three Grey Devils were strewn about, partially dismembered or crushed or burnt, covered in blood and organs. Enora and Nick were also covered in those, hurriedly looting while keeping an eye on the girl. After all, she clearly had been acting weird since the beginning of the ambush. Rose understood that, and a tinge of shame appeared on her face while she too looted the corpse at her feet. Then they threw all body parts in a side tunnel and began to look for another group of enemies while magically resting. In that manner, they could recover most of their stamina within a dozen minutes even while walking. Well, according to the books that process only covered a fatigue that would come back later, but it would have to do as time was of the essence. Rose was still a bit lost in thoughts, wondering about what was going on in her mind.

- You beginning to understand, right ?, Enora asked her while looking around for movement. That's how things are, as disgusting and disturbing as it is to take a life, no choice here. Don't worry though, you gonna get used to it. That's how we humans are : adaptable.

Then she advanced at the front, casting a glorious and unattainable shadow over the girl. "'You gonna get used to it'. Hopefully … or not ?", contemplated Rose.