Chapter 34.

The more they dispatched those abominations, the more 'enjoyable' it became. At least that's how Nick thought. It felt great to exert his body, and even more when the purpose was to get himself and his companions out of this grey nightmare. He even began to adopt certain moves through his use of wild magic. Without magic, creativity, also known as 'recklessness', was a death sentence. Without magic, one would need to look for a group, to use formations and avoid injuries as much as possible. But here, with the possibility to just waltz through enemies and mow them down, a mage could very well try new things.

So he did. And he was not the only one, as Enora tried too, if unconsciously. She would often repel enemy assaults with a firm stomp on the ground, creating a large cone of flames for two meters in front of her and continuing with powerful thrusts of her spear through pretty much everything alive. If one got too close, her shield bashed their face and propelled them some distance away.

Rose appeared not comfortable enough with the whole thing to dare try new ways. She would stab when she could, and project Sunlight Beams in desperate cases. As for Nick, he was quite proud of his precision with his short spear, thrusting into eye sockets and solar plexuses very often, or using the long blade to cut limbs cleanly. He even managed to slit multiple throats in one wide slash once, filling the cave with gurgling noises for a dozen seconds after. And, from time to time, when the enemy was too close, he would just grab the nearest body part and crush it in a surge of basic energy.

An entire day of ambushes and quick rests passed, at the end of which no patrol could be found. The camp probably realised something was wrong considering the number of them that disappeared into the caves around. Nick could only imagine the faces they probably wore while entertaining the idea that maybe they were being attacked. What if it was a competitor trying to take over their mine ? Well, the man did not know if that kind of thing was possible, but seeing as those monsters were quite willing to eat each other, it was not that far-fetched. The trio went back to their previous camp, again gathering near the flames.

- We did good today., said Nick. I don't remember how many died, but that makes us ready to attack, I think.

- Twelve., whispered Rose. Four, three, one, two, two.

She had an absent gaze, probably pondering over the day they had just lived. True enough, there was a difference between defending yourself while travelling a dangerous land and knowingly attacking everything alive within said land. "Is it not a logical change though ? We went from frightened sheep fighting for their lives to brave wolves attacking the enemy. That's how strength works, I guess.". Nick too, was coming to grip with the new him. With time and hardships, his arrogance had diminished a bit, replaced by a cold confidence : he knew that, with his actual abilities, he was not weak anymore. The fact that it made him reckless did not bother him though : he either did not realise it or did not care.

- The assault is coming fast. We need to make a plan., explained Enora. I don't see us just charging in and heroically defeating the evil.

- True enough., agreed the man in a scarlet surcoat. Since the workers are mostly gathered around the coal deposits, maybe we should take care of the camp first.

- Nope., objected the petite blond. We're still less numerous, a conflict in the open is the worst.

That was a fair point that Nick accepted easily. So he began thinking of the best way, guessing that baiting the Grey Devils into a tunnel would be impossible : they were organized in their territory and did not look starved. They would not attack mindlessly, or so Nick believed.

- The coal …, mumbled Rose. We could take over the mine.

- How and why ?, curiously asked the tallest of them.

- Well, they have built this whole business, probably providing coal to other camps., she explained. It means that, at the very least, they care about it enough to protect it with many guards.

- Cutting them off of the resource could incite them to attack us, even if the fight is unfavourable to them., finished Nick.

- That's the plan then., decided Enora. Now, for the specifics, I propose we do that after sleeping. Today was exhausting.

Nodding heads answered that statement. But, as tired as they all were, with sore muscles and heavy eyelids, they still cultivated a bit. Nick felt a kind of euphoria in filling his appendix with energy, getting drunk on strength. "I should be careful with this …", he thought without stopping. "It'll be useful for tomorrow though, so let's just continue. I still have time to slow down later.".

Enora came to him that night, out of anxiousness and apprehension. And she was welcomed of course, as those feelings were definitely shared by Nick. He thought of the next battle with eagerness and a slight fear. So, a bit of physical comfort was the best he could ask for considering the circumstances. Yet it was not convenient right then as Rose was way closer than the previous times, and the duo could not really go somewhere else and leave her alone. Whatever, they made do. Afterwards, Nick talked a bit :

- It's going to be dangerous tomorrow.

- No kidding., tiredly laughed Enora right next to him. We've been drowning in danger the moment we first woke up here, damn near dying in more occasions than I'm comfortable to admit. What's new now that makes you say that ?

- I don't know, feels different now., he confusedly explained. Maybe the number of enemies or the fact that we are forced this time … it's weird.

- You more scared than usual ?, she asked, grabbing his chin and turning it towards her to stare in his eyes. Think you gonna die ?

No words. What could he say ? He probably only dreaded the idea more than the action : dying. The great darkness. Maybe he was not that different from before, and his fright was there to remind him of that fact. So, he did not nod but gave Enora a wry smile.

- Well, there's a very simple solution to that predicament., she said calmly.

To the interrogative look he cast her the tall woman answered :

- Kill them first.