Chapter 278

After searching through the swamps for an hour they finally found something. They found tracks of something large entering the banks. Since their arrival, the swamp has been filled with mysterious noises, but the area went silent as the wind came to a halt. Lexi recognized these signs, and sweat began to gather on the human warriors.

"We need to get in the water now." Lexi pulled Savannah towards the swamp.

"I can't swim like that. What's going on?" Savannah replied.

"Don't wait for us the others need to know," Koda ordered.

The Blackclaw warriors disappeared into the swamp and darted up the river as fast as possible. Lexi was faster than the others and jumped in to get ahead. Savannah didn't have time to question it anymore as the warriors grabbed her to run.

Not long after they started running an unusual sound echoed over the swamp. The sound resembled a fleet of helicopters landing, and the trees began to sway violently in response. Crashing through the canopy was a giant insect impaling a warrior in the back.

When Savannah turned around the warrior was drained of all his blood, and left a shriveled husk on the floor. Hovering before them was a colossal mosquito. The colossal was obstructed by trees but its serrated proboscis was within reach trying to strike them. Savannah clutched her sword rapidly releasing a sword aura from point-blank range.

"Don't bother!" Koda shouted pulling Savannah along.

As the dust cleared from her strike Savannah glanced back to see its body only scuffed. Their bodies may resemble a large mosquito, but the plates covering their body had evolved in these swamps for centuries. Unlike other colossal where they embody the elements, their bodies have focused on survival, and as a result, magic had little effect.

'That's not good.'

More mosquitoes came crashing down, and they were narrowly escaping death. One attack almost struck Savannah and managed to pierce the edge of her armor. If not for the cover of the trees it may have skewered her.

There were three of them on their tails, but with the barrier coming soon there was a glimpse of hope. As they slide into safety their proboscis broke when meeting the mirage. They weren't dumb enough to fall for such a trick twice. The wounded were heading off to find others for assistance, but a spear swiftly shot through them. It danced around in the sky before flying back into the mirage into its owner's hand.

"You weren't lying," Nayla told Zack while examining the barrier.

"I've never seen those before," Zack replied.

"They usually aren't this bad, but recent flooding and increased traffic along the roads caused them to flourish," Koda stated.

"In times like this, we can only hide in the bottom of the swamp and hope they leave by the time we need air," Dasan told Zack.

'Not everyone can do that, and they don't have a barrier.'

Zack's wings unfurled as he floated into the air focusing on the feeling of panic in the swamp. He could feel the travelers along the road fleeing for sanctuary, species along the banks unable to take shelter in the swamp, and the small tribes trying to survive in a harsh environment already.

The buzzing of their wings could be heard near the mirage, and flying out directly could expose them. Before they could talk Zack out of it his body vanished, and when he reappeared it was high in the sky.

With a display of magic, it drew the attention of the idle ones, and they rapidly filled the sky. When it seemed the swarm would overwhelm Zack he lifted the spear as refined beams of holy energy spread out. Above the swamp, a show of golden lights filled the night sky.

A swarm of them made it past the beams, and Zack quickly sent his spear flying forward in response while drawing his gladius. With only simple gestures, his spear rotated violently around the battlefield freeing up the other hand to ward off attackers. The angel blade was going straight through mosquitoes, and their bodies began raining into the swamps

'This is an angel.' Koda watched the display unable to look away.

Once the surrounding area was cleared Zack disappeared again, and a similar light display occurred at a distance. While the others seemed concerned about his long departure Savannah was calm. Savannah knew her man wouldn't go down from some oversized pests. Zack didn't return to they began fleeing, but it was only after taking as many out as possible.

"How many tribes do you trade with?" Zack asked while appearing in the center of the village.

"Only four tribes, but they are all trustworthy," Dasan replied.

"To find their nesting grounds we will need help," Zack stated.

"I can reach out, but it's a risky move, and they may not be willing to risk the warriors," Dasan told Zack.

"We just need the general area, and we can handle the rest," Zack replied.

"I could take a few messengers out." Koda offered.

"We should wait till morning," Nayla told Koda.

"She's right they could be heading for reinforcements, and we need to play it safe." Zack declared while cleaning his blade.

'What is that blade made from? It went through them with no resistance.' Dasan examined it closely.

When Zack sheathed his gladius it disappeared along with his armor, and he walked up to Savannah. With his arm around her waist, Savannah's armor did the same, and the others were speechless watching.

Eden was still trading with Mephisto, but they only did grade five artifacts with basic enchantments. All of the bound armor and special projects in the works with Rolen were exclusive to the defense force. After seeing the colossal boar pelts they were starting to wonder what other treasures they possessed.

"We have an early start so let's call it a night." Zack smiled at Savannah.

"I thought she was shy," Savannah replied.

"She already fell asleep, and I don't wanna wake her by entering," Zack stated.

'Guess she went for it and got tired out.'Savannah smirked.

"Wanna come cuddle?" Savannah offered Lexi.

'What's that mean?'

Lexi had a confused look as she trailed behind them. Behind Nayla stood a few of the other women of the tribe, and Savannah noticed them blushing. They already witnessed Zack retire to the room once with a woman, and now was going back with two. How much stamina did the man have?

"That's an open invitation, and it wouldn't be his first child with another species." Savannah winked.

"Don't treat me like a stud." Zack relayed while squeezing her ass.

"If you think about it you kinda are," Savannah whispered while biting his ear.

'Biting is okay?' Lexi watched closely.