Chapter 71 - The Plan is Simple

"Nice speech," Jack said as he stepped out of the room to help Rynold with the upcoming battle.

Oliver then snickered as he left the room after Jack. "Really could've done better, in my opinion. Pretty sure that was a lot more depressive than inspirational."

Chuckling, Rynold looked up ahead before responding.

"I would've made a more inspirational tone when they actually acknowledge me as their leader," he explained, "but the truth is, they barely even see me as one. If I tried to say something out of place they'd just think that I'm a jackass with nothing better to do."

Context is important whenever making big statements like that. Rynold knew this and tried to say things that were meant to rile them up. He made those statements as a warrior that was fighting a battle that wasn't his. Not as a leader who made promises he won't keep.

Rynold stared forward at the swarm of Shado Beasts that were minding their own business.

The creatures didn't seem to be aggressive unless they made themselves known. This meant that they could possibly slip on by without alerting the entire swarm to their presence.

This opened a bunch of avenues for the group.

They could sneak by but that would impose risks especially since Rynold and Jack weren't well-versed in stealth. The other option was to create a diversion but Rynold didn't really have a clear idea of something that would be effective as bait for these creatures.

It's not like he could leave one of the guys behind as bait.

"How do we get out of this mess?" Jack asked a question that Rynold didn't have an answer to.

Rynold sighed. He was frustrated because of the choice that he was sure he'd regret. "Let's sneak past them. We don't really have a choice now."

With that, the group sneakily left where they were standing.

Every step that they took caused tension inside their chests. Apart from Oliver, that is, considering that he was essentially one with darkness just like these beasts. Contrary to what Rynold thought, though, the creatures didn't attack them, at all in fact.

It was odd. Considering the random mistakes that Rynold and Jack have made along the way, the creatures didn't even bother with them. Are these creatures really that aggressive? Or perhaps it was a misconception that was derived from a different cause altogether?

Rynold pondered the underlying cause.

'Is it because we aren't using Mana? No, that doesn't make sense...'

He continuously thought about it as they made their way down to the Rogue Elves Division. It took some time to get there and sneaking around being careful didn't really make them go any faster. Along the way, the group experienced the same thing happening to other elves.

It was then that Rynold pieced it together. Throughout the many times that Rynold and the rest stopped Shado Beasts from attacking, the conclusion that he had achieved was that these Shado Beasts attack the Elven population and them alone.

Despite their natural oneness with nature and Mana itself, the Elves were terrified to fight against the creatures that desecrated their homeland. Turns out, there was more weight in the presence of the Shado Beasts than Rynold had originally realized. The Elves were a peaceful race, after all.

"Heads up, we're here," Oliver said as they approached the Rogue Elves Division building.

The group managed to sneak past the Shado Beasts because of the natural crevises that the corridors made, but that soon ended once they reached the Rogues Elves Division.

Shado Beasts that Rynold and the others have fought against before were still seen across the courtyard of the building. They numbered thousands and there were some that had the same properties as the Beasts but they were shaped differently.

Something then donned on Rynold. If they were stupid enough to not see it before, they certainly see it now.

They were outmatched, outnumbered, and outgunned by the enemy. It was the very true and absolutely accurate definition of being way in over their heads.

Shaking his head to refocus on the mission, Rynold read the situation before them.

"The creatures aren't facing towards the building, they're facing away from the building," Rynold noted as he steadily eyed the beasts that were looking out from inside the courtyard.

"Yeah," Oliver added, "these creatures don't seem to be intelligent and self-aware. It's like they're being controlled by someone."

Jack watched closely and used the scope of his Mana Rifle to peek inside the building.

"It's like a hostage situation," he said while reading the area, "whoever's doing this must be inside the building. The way I see it, the creatures do the dirty work while the guy inside is controlling them."

Rynold nodded in agreement, "that makes sense. We don't know what the guy's true motive is but he's done enough damage to achieve it. Hmm...," he paused to think.

"The advantages we have is the element of surprise along with the monsters that don't seem to be controlled very well. I'm sure that just summoning the beasts already costs a lot. Controlling them all would take a lot more," Rynold explained.

"What the hell are the Rogue Elves doing? Shouldn't they be protecting the Tree?!" Jack suddenly yelled out as he stood up.

Rynold pulled him back down and whispered, angrily, "Keep it down, dumbass! There was a party last night and the guy must've spiked all the alcohol and food. They're as good as dead."

Calming himself, Jack squatted back down, quietly.

"Here's the plan," Rynold started explaining, "Oliver and I are going to find whoever's doing this and stop them. Jack, you'll stay put here and provide support, no shenanigans."

Oliver nodded as he readied his daggers while Jack had other things in mind.

"I'm coming with," Jack said with a stern expression, "I can't always be the one that's on the sidelines not doing anything. You can't keep benching me like that."

Rynold clicked his tongue before saying, "Don't be stupid. You can't just swoop in and be the hero without the risks."

Seeing Jack's expression made Rynold realize that he was more frustrated with being useless than trying to take the glory. As much as Rynold wanted to entertain that, he can't, not with lives on the line.

"Look," Rynold continued, changing his tone to a more sympathetic one. "You're our insurance. In case we fail to deliver the finishing blow in one hit, we'll bait him out long enough for you to take the final shot. We're counting on you to get us out."

Before even waiting for a response, Rynold left and Oliver followed suit. There was no time to lose. Each second that passed could have meant the end for someone and Rynold didn't want to risk that.

Rynold and Oliver sneaked past the Shado monsters using the darkness to their advantage.

Even though his movements weren't as smooth as Oliver's, Rynold had no problem keeping up. Thankfully, the monsters weren't alert at their presence. They had no trouble sneaking past the creatures and made their way towards the building.

As soon as the doors opened, the hall was silent. It was dark and creepily silent. The elves that were partying the night before were all asleep. Their mouths opened and breaths smelling like alcohol.

Rynold and Oliver kept their guard up as they moved past the main hall and moved forward. Oliver was leading the way through the rooms as they soon found themselves inside the training hall.

There was a man inside that was closing his eyes and meditating. He appeared to be a simple elf at first glance but his body was covered in a dark shade. It was as if he had sacrificed a large part of his body to achieve this much power.

The man reeked of very vile Mana, much viler than that of Oliver's demon.

It was obvious that the spell itself costs a lot more than just plain Mana. Maintaining it even required enormous amounts of concentration.

Rynold didn't care for all of that because all he saw was an opportunity. It was an opening for him and Oliver to end this once and for all. Without even a word, Oliver flickered in and out of Rynold's sight and got into position.

First up was Rynold.

He kicked opened the door and shot his grapple at the wall behind the man. Not even a second passing, he reeled himself in and extend the drill at full force. But, before he could reach the target, a large shadow hit him and threw him into the wall.

Coughing up a mouthful of blood, Rynold looked at what struck him.

It appeared to be the same as a Shado Beast but much, much scarier. The creature reminded him of one that appeared in folklore. A creature that was half-man, half-monster but all muscle.

One thing was for sure, though. The creature was in a whole different ballpark.