Dog, cat and rat. The determination of the Khortans

The next morning, the weather was far from ideal for field work. The sky was overcast with dark clouds even more than usual. The wind was getting stronger, and storm clouds could be seen in the distance. Thunder rumbles were barely audible from time to time. Therefore, the people of Danasava worked much harder, trying to fulfill at least half the daily allowance before the onset of the approaching downpour.

– He ..! He left!

Segir Yukhlins in a hurry dropped the sickle from his hands in order not to let Annushka, who had just come running to the field, fall to the ground. The girl was shaking convulsively, and anxiety and fear could be seen in her eyes.

– Ramailo? Where did he go? Really in a tavern?

– Yes, – she said barely, gasping for air.

Immediately, everyone present froze, instantly forgetting about work. The locals' blood freezes in their veins, as soon as they hear about the sinister tavern. Whenever there is a conversation about her, someone has to say goodbye to loved ones.

– But where did you get it? Isn't he in the fifth precinct? It seems that the headman sent him there yesterday.

She nodded.

– That's how it was: I'm standing, so I'm cooking. He comes angry as a dog. He scurried past as if I wasn't there at all. I was also surprised why he took the shabla. He stood silently near the cradle and went home. I ask: «where are you?», and he stopped for a second, turns around and says menacingly: «kill monsters.» The knife fell out of my hand. I did not understand anything. And then I look – a red scarf hangs on the gate. It was then that I was overwhelmed. I let's drop everything and run after him, but it started to happen like demonism: as if hands made of dust and wind grabbed him and threw him to the forest, and from there the trees seemed to carry him, that the trace was cold. I don't know what to do now. The demon will destroy him, destroy him! – the girl howled, sat down on her knees and burst into tears.

– Here with–bitch! Futor, bastard, well, come here! – he ordered the headman, stepping towards him with a wide step. – You have exactly five words to convince me that it was not you who ordered Ramail to go there! I advise you to choose them correctly, otherwise you know me, I won't fuss!

– I didn't send him there, – he replied coldly, looking away.

Yukhlins boiled even more.

– Not convincing!

– He himself decided so, – the man fixed his gaze directly into Segir's eyes, convincing him of his words. – Early in the morning I handed over the bodies of the dead to their relatives. Ramailo was just passing by. Well, I told him about the monster. At the same time, Shimko ran to inform about the scarf. And Ramailo seemed to go overboard: he said that the demon would endlessly poison creatures on us and take away human lives. Don't be like this, he says. Ugh, let him be a hero! Jerk! Maybe at least the sacrifice will be counted, but the harvest will be good.

– Oh, you dung beetle! – Mishko roared from the side and hit the headman on the jaw with all his might, although it seemed that it was Segir who would do this, but he was ahead of him. – People! Mishko turned to the others. – Don't you remember how much good you did Ramailo Khmelnis? And he chopped firewood for everyone, and helped to carry everything, and build. Here, Galka, your cow has recently calved. Who took birth?

– Ramailo.

– And you, Mitka, a month ago, the pigs disappeared. Who brought them back?

– Ramailo.

– And you, Andriy, had bloody diarrhea. Who cured it?

– The healer Petro from a neighboring village.

– Right. However, Ramailo brought him. And now he alone went to fight the demon. With the one to whom we have been sacrificing our relatives for many years now. And God alone knows what the hell he's doing to them. No one came back alive ... Enough of this!

– You speak fluently, Mishko, – one grandfather replied. – Just what is it for us all to take a pitchfork and go don't understand where, don't understand against what? So we immediately put these pitchforks in the ass!

– Exactly, exactly, – continued another villager. – Even if we cast out the accursed one, what will we do afterward? There will be no harvest.

– How will it be! – Mishko snapped roughly. – People, have you forgotten how it used to be? In my youth, everyone hoped only for their own work. A year will give birth well, a year – badly. So what? Somehow they lived, even lived well. We were not afraid that some bitch would hang up a red scarf in the middle of the night! But something you, grandpa, rightly said. We can't go there. But we have kaito. They are trained in magic, they know how evil spirits are. I saw with my own eyes how this blond–haired sword killed the midnight woman with his sword! Only they will have to pay, so let's chip in, and let the headman allocate most of the amount. Do you agree?

The crowd doubted for a long time, but there was nowhere to go. It was painful for everyone to be scared for themselves. There were fewer people, and more and more chances to become a victim. That's why they agreed. However, there was still one dissatisfied.

– It hurts a lot of honor! – looking contemptuously at the Sudoshi team, Dik Embirsky stepped out of the crowd. – Where were they when our people were attacked by kriols? Because of this, Ramailo rebelled. It's better to go me with Segir. And the money will be save.

– Come on, – Segir waved him off. – They seem to be pretty good guys, so I think…

The man's speech was interrupted by a sharp thump in the chest, from which he fell to the ground. Embirsky wildly bulged his eyes and hunched over like a goose that is about to peck at the offender.

– Good?! Damn it, buddy, did I hear you or did you say «pretty good»?! Have you forgotten how the white plague swept through Khorta? Forgot how brutally they did to your wife and daughter?! Bitch, are you serious? Yes, these bastards will help out more for our heads with you than for saving Ramailo. Therefore, if you call them good, then you, bro, fucked up, apparently.

– You can't even imagine how clearly I remember everything, – Segir muttered in a low voice, answering Dik with the same push, but he concentrated his strength in his legs in time so as not to continue the marathon of falls.

«Quiet, quiet, pissed off!» the headman barked, briskly stepping between them. – Time does not wait. You two take your kaito with you and go. Don't worry, we'll pay you generously,» he turned to the latter. «Just don't forget to grab your head, you bastard.»

– That's right! I recognize the old Futor! Mishko picked it up.

– To me with these?! – Embirsky was indignant. – It's better...

– Have you forgotten who you owe? Who sheltered you, you bastard?! Quickly sword in hand and pissed off on the road!

Dik hesitated for a couple of seconds, twisted his faces with displeasure, after which he gathered the food in his mouth with gusto, spat and said resolutely:

– Wow bitch, let's go! – He approached Sudoshi and lightly hit him on the shoulder. – Remember, bastard, I don't trust you. And I will not.

***

– Before we enter there, I ask you to understand: we have never gone into this forest. Only victims come here, – Segir explained. – The trees will carry us, throw us off, or something worse, I don't know. Therefore, just be prepared.

«Yeah. The forest is really creepy , – Takigami mused. – There doesn't seem to be a ray of light coming in.» And any bush is about to bite on the leg».

– You can't be prepared for the unknown, – Kantake replied. – But there is nowhere to go. Try to stick together and cover each other.

– Pf, but how about it, – Embirsky chuckled defiantly.

– He is for us, idiot, – Mido again stood up for his mentor, which, perhaps, specifically provoked him into a fight.

– You'll finish the game, – he grinned, straightening his mustache that had risen from sweat and dirt.

«Damn. They are already coming in. I can't say I'm afraid, but my legs just refuse to go. It's like panic is taking over me. Hell, the world of dreams is getting less and less rosy. Just one day of training. Virtually no theory. I learn something new when I face it directly. What can I do against a demon that terrorizes entire settlements?»

– Come on, hold on.

A gentle hand led the guy along, enticing with flowing dark curls. For a moment, he forgot what he was thinking about, and just enjoyed this moment, when, as it seemed to him, she needed him.

– Watch out!

– What the fuck is going on, I–I–I–I–I…

As soon as everyone entered, huge hands literally sprouted from the trees, which grabbed them and threw them high into the air. The heroes tried to hold on to something, but suddenly they fell into a strong howling tornado, they were dragged over the whole forest like paper dolls. The branches whipped over the body like a whip, cutting through the flesh to the blood. At one point, the elements instantly calmed down, and the kaito and the rest fell to the ground in all directions.

– Well, damn it, – Dik brushed off the dust , as always, bulging his eyes, after which he spread his arms in surprise. – Where is everyone? – The man stared at Sudoshi, looking around for the others.

– Given that we were unharmed after falling from such a height, it seems that they decided to separate us. – He took out a yellow ball and threw it up to inform the others of his location, but for some reason it did not work and just fell back.

– Yes, and something of all the options left me with you, – he made a most displeased smile, looking contemptuously at Sudoshi.

– I'm not too happy with this situation either, but there's nowhere to go, – he looked at his feet, after which he pointed with a glance at the thread of the path stretching through the forest. – Someone knows we're here. And waiting for us at the end of the road. Perhaps this is some kind of test, something like a rite of passage. Or they just play with us like dolls.

– Didn't think I'd say this, but you're damn right, mate. What do we do?

– Do we have a choice?

This answer aroused embarrassment in Embirsky.

– Well… well, I don't mind rushing into the very depths of the black ass. And on the side, that at any moment some kind of cattle could jump out and rip open my guts. Indeed, one brute also accompanies me. Why worry.

For some time, the emotion of indignation was clearly read on Sudoshi's face.

– Hmm, Dik, well, you are ... ahem ...

– Who?

Kantake silently picked up his gear and walked forward.

– Dik.

Embirsky hesitated a little, but nevertheless followed him, twisting his unpleasant muzzle.

– Are you always so pompous, kaito? Walk with a serious face, you can't squeeze words out of you. Although no, I have met talkative ones, but before that they are disgusting, they will be worse than you, – he held a short pause. – Well, here it is again! I'm almost directly insulting you, and you didn't even piss me off! Ah, yes, exactly. You are on a mission. You work for Danasava. If it wasn't for him, he'd blow my head off, m? Well, to be honest, would you take it down?

–No, – he said coldly.

– Well, wait a minute, – Dik jerked Sudoshi sharply by the shoulder, turning him around, and put his forehead to him like a ram. – I remember to the smallest detail how subtly you cut everyone to pieces, how eagerly you fucked our women, how you caught up with children roaring with fear, leaving them no hope of salvation. And it was all just a mission?! Don't bullshit me, motherfucker! You are worse than wild beasts. And much worse than those with whom you are at war. Bitch, there's more human in this tree than in all of Ehrenrise's kaito combined! You really enjoy killing. Not even just kill, no, no, no! To mock, cruelly mock, laugh and enjoy other people's suffering! We Hortoviks worked hard for you. They killed for your money, but there was never such passion in our eyes. We like to fight, but not to take someone else's life. And even more so, we will never touch the weak. And one more thing that really infuriates me ... We only once refused you! Once and for obvious reasons! So you wanted to shit on our neutrality and ...

– Dik!

– I didn't end!

– Dik, bitch, turn around!

Jerk. The chopping blow of the sword failed to cut through the thick branch wrapped around Embirsky's neck. Sudoshi instantly concentrated the dreams in the blade, adding the element of lightning to it, which made it much sharper, and still managed to finish the job, but it was of little use. Branches no less than two human legs thick, with square corners, climbed endlessly out of nowhere and entwined Dik, after which they slowly dragged him to the top of the trees. They tried to do the same with Kantake, but he managed to maneuver and teleport away from them. Sometimes he even tried to free his unwitting partner, but nothing worked, because the branches became more and more, and he could not cut them all.

«What to do then? – Embirsky thought. – I can't even reach the shable.» The whole body is squeezing, damn it, the ridge is about to break, you bastard. Free your hands».

When Dik was securely fastened in the raking hands of the monster, it instantly showed its true face. A gray–haired overgrown grandfather's head crawled out among the branches that represented his body. There were so many wrinkles on his face that a day would not be enough to count. Eyeballs almost fell out of their sockets, and the grin stretched into all four long, sharp teeth, greedily biting into the victim's neck.

«Bitch sucks blood! And he sucks hard! Is this kaito going to help or not?!»

Kantake kept jumping through the branches, periodically trying to free Embyra, but the more the monster drank blood, the stronger its skin became. Realizing this, Sudoshi stopped and completely relaxed his body, giving it to the fetters. As soon as they began to lift him, he tried to get enough air into his lungs and shouted at the top of his voice:

– Braid–Polovaynik, first of all, be merciful and patient with me in a good hour, kind and not angry. Whip–lash, but not for me, twist–twist the ropes, but not about my honor. Go around even under the sun, even under the moon. As there are no flowers from the dead, as there is no fruit from a stone, so from me, and from my companion there is no use or benefit for you. Pass by invisibly, irrevocably. And the wind at your back!

«What is this crazy man talking about? So, the hands are already moving much more freely. A little more and ... Done!»

With a deft movement of his hands, Dik briskly twisted the neck of the offender, after which, with all his foolishness, he hit his forehead against his head. At that very moment, the grandfather split into two parts and flew to the ground. As he fell, Sudoshi touched his partner and teleported down, avoiding the fall. He took a small vial of an unknown dark liquid from his backpack and spilled it on Dik's neck, cauterizing the wound.

– What it is? Embirsky asked, pointing at the monster.

– Braid. It feeds on the blood of lost or cowardly travelers. Each has half of the body, which alone are very slow and weak, but as soon as the two halves meet, how is it that you saw. I didn't think I'd ever have to face someone like that.

– What the hell were you talking about there?

– Prayer against braiding. I didn't remember everything, but still I was able to weaken him, thanks to which you freed your hands.

– Wow. So can I say «thank you» to you?

– Your welcome.

So I haven't said yet.

– So I'm saying your welcome.

– Well if you say so. Um, what the hell? Are you saying they're weak on their own?

The halves of the braiding were animatedly covered with new layers of wood and each one rose on its own leg so that one stood opposite the Embirsky, and the second – near the Sudoshi. They have increased in everything, losing all possible proportions. They were about two and a half meters tall, their beards reached to their very toes, and their noses turned into a bunch of wooden hands. The eyeballs protruded even more from the sockets, but at the same time they completely lost the pupils.

– This shouldn't have happened! Looks like a demon is controlling them! Does everyone take theirs?

– How else?

Sudoshi understood that in such a narrow area, he and Embirsky could harm each other, so he teleported onto the back of one of the monsters and moved with him along the road forward as far as possible.

The Weavers let out a terrible cry and simultaneously rushed at the enemy face forward. The nose spiral of woody hands advanced briskly, trying to crush the offender's head. Sudoshi hurriedly bounced back and to the side, dodging chaotic blows. At one point, he teleported behind the enemy's back and plunged the sword directly into the area, if it were an ordinary person, below the coccyx. But he couldn't pull it back. For a long time, he just bounced off to the side, devising a new strategy:

«It just pissed him off. For most creatures, the back is one of the most vulnerable places, but this is not the case. I didn't think I'd be so confused. I could try … But then how do I fight the demon? No, I can't be so extravagant. We need to find another way. Where?»

– U–i–i–i! – yelled braid like a slaughtered pig. At one point, he fell on all fours, or in his case, twos, and threw his nose up, opening his huge and dark mouth like a well. Thus, he wanted to instantly bite off a piece from the kaito, but he managed to bounce back in time and move to a branch above the monster.

«Closed immediately. That's what I was looking for».

Meanwhile, Embirsky did not even think about thinking. He gripped the shabla tightly in his hands and whirled it around in front of the monster, deftly cutting off his hands one by one. It is not clear whether the braid could think, but such actions of the opponent seemed to put him in confusion. There was not a drop of fear in the eyes of the Hortovik, and he accompanied all his attacking movements, which were more like an energetic dance, with a not small portion of abuse:

– On, bitch, get it, you bastard! Look, where did this one come from?!

Embirski's weapon in this case was slightly more effective than Sudoshi's, since its elongated shape and the sharpness of the blade allowed it to keep a good distance while cutting woody hands, which was a clear difference from the kaito, whose blade length was not so impressive. In addition, it was also light enough to be freely controlled with just one hand.

«At that moment, I slowed down a little, « Kantake mused, « thus letting him know that he would have time to grab me. Will it work again?»

Kaito jumped down behind the monster and didn't move. Whiplash, hearing the sound of a landing, turned around sharply, preventing the enemy from drawing his sword.

«But he has some sense».

Sudoshi continued to stand motionless, forcing the braiding to open its mouth. He, noticing such an opportunity, jumped up to the victim with a jerk.

– Ihi–hee, – suddenly sounded from the lips of the monster. He took a step back and laughed horribly.

«Asshole!»

– Well, come on! – Dik shouted to his braid. – Come on, fart, are you really scared?! «Well, it wasn't».

After this phrase, Embirsky threateningly swung, jumped towards the monster and threw the sword high, high, which caused joyful surprise in the enemy.

– Ihi–hee, – he howled, grabbing the Hortovik with his woody hands, but Embirsky was not so simple. He did a somersault under the monster, climbing behind his back, after which he tightly squeezed it around the waist and threw it over himself, after which he twisted himself to the starting position and grabbed it around the neck, breaking it to his side, and he himself slightly bent down. The braid groaned in pain and opened its mouth. In the same second, the chablya landed where it needed to.

Rising to his feet and brushing off the dust, Dik kicked the writhing branches of the tree with his foot:

– Dead? Ha, looks like it worked. I didn't think it would turn out so well either. And how is this? – he looked into the distance and was surprised to see a still alive and very active braiding. – From a bitch, how is it?

Sudoshi tried several times to get his sword back, but to no avail. He had no choice but to sit at the top and dodge the logs flying at him.

– Wow. Which one of us is kaito, you or me?

Noticing Embyrsky, the scythe moved away and stopped in such a way that he could see both enemies.

– What? Sticking your tongue up your ass? Ha! Okay, I'm thinking, should I help you or not? I can go further and tell the others that I never saw you at all.

– What do you want?

– Just answer me two questions: who ordered the attack on the Horta and did you personally participate in it?

– The order was given by the late King Himitsu Okada. And no, I did not participate in it.

Dik grimaced angrily.

– Oh, I don't know if you're lying or not… okay. So, you bastard, – he turned to the weaver. – Protect yourself!

Embirsky again threw his sword high, made a somersault and went behind the monster, but did not have time to react and stumbled with his stomach on the hilt of Sudoshi's sword when he tried to throw it over him. Pressed down well, because he put a lot of strength into this technique. From pain Hortovik fell to one knee.

«He was counting on throwing at a different distance. Shablja will fly to the wrong place!»

The lasher turned briskly and fell on his stomach to the ground, his mouth wide open to swallow the weakened prey whole.

One second – the head of the monster was pierced by a shablya, which Sudoshi managed to intercept in the air, and teleported straight to the head, braiding. To make up for the lack of flight, he put some lightning energy into her. Far from as powerful as he cranks with his blade, but still enough to pierce the creature's skull.

– Wow, you did a good job, – Dik rose, holding his stomach with his hand. I don't even know who helped whom.

– Uh–huh, – Kantake handed over the shablo, then pulled out his sword. – Continue.

– What?

You didn't finish then. You've been interrupted.

– Ha, – Embirsky cleared his throat and spat bloody saliva. – My anger went to these stumps.

They set off into the distance along the path in the same dark forest. The distance was not felt at all, because it was not known how much more they would have to go.

– Then let me ask myself. Ramailo... he was the ataman, wasn't he?

– Right. I understand what you're getting at, but no, there was not a single soul who wanted to join your army. You know, not a single one! The decision was made collectively. Hortovik would rather put his head on the chopping block, and cut it off himself, but he would not exchange the sweet smell of freedom for gilded shackles. Speaking of fetters... they'll come back for us, right? Kill the survivors.

– We'll see, – Kantake replied coldly. – Honestly, I don't know yet.

– Hah, obviously. Who knows, maybe today I will meet my brother? I didn't see him die. But, they say, Olvit got a damn clever and experienced opponent. And he fell at his hands in a fair fight.

– Exacly, – Sudoshi cleared his throat. – It seems that the forest ends behind that big oak tree. Let's hurry up.

– Yeah.

***

The tornado swirled wildly and cruelly. Everyone was carried away I don't know where, but Hikaro and Emily's hands held on tighter than any force capable of separating them.

«Why is this happening to me? Takigami thought in panic, closing his eyelids tightly. – Why are we hanging by a thread from death, and not on a completely safe swing? Mm, damn it. When will this end?!»

– How long will you keep me?

– Ha?

We are already on the ground. Let go.

The fingers uncurled reluctantly. The two landed on a similar path in another part of the forest, only slightly wider. The wind calmed down, but the staggering branches of the trees were terribly alarming.

– Master Sudoshi! Mido! There is no one, – Emily summed up. – Well, why did you loosen up?

– Sorry, – the guy brushed off the dust and followed his partner.

– Watch your back. Maybe here, – the girl wanted to name specific types of monsters, but after a little thought, she changed her views. – Anything.

– I already understood, – the guy smiled. – You know, because of everything that has happened to me in this world lately, nothing can surprise me anymore. «How else can».

Emily rolled her eyes.

«Show off. Fall on me. I tried to be friendly enough, after all, he is new not only in our team, but in general. He probably took it as a sign of affection. Everything would be fine, but he's stupid! Dumb as a stump. He also pretends to be cool, although he is ready to put it in his pants at the first opportunity».

– Emily, are you… «Do I have to admit that I like her? But how will she react? Crap! At least here, I have to do it. Was not» – You oh–oh–ah–ah–ah–ah!

A strong thunder struck, and lightning illuminated the secret parts of the forest. The boy collapsed to the ground in horror. The girl hastily grasped the hilt of the dagger. Behind the nearest bush was a shadow with huge spikes on its head. And out of these thickets, the red–haired nature of Mido Betsai abruptly jumped out.

– Boo! Aha ha ha! – he laughed out loud.

Emily raised her eyebrows in displeasure, looked at the frightened blonde and angrily expressed:

– Are you scared the hell?! Get up, rag!

– Why so angry? Betsy was surprised. Everyone falls down at times like this. Only you are the only one with a stone heart, nothing takes you.

«It's true. My Emily is much cuter».

The harsh words visibly offended the boy.

– But not with an empty head, – the girl deftly cut off, which caused another displeased look from Hikaro.

– It's about me! Mido laughed, patting him on the shoulder. – She always allows herself more rudeness when the mentor is not around. Get used to it.

– Okay…

– What did you want to tell me?

– Well, – the current situation, as expected, crippled the guy's decisive mood, and he quickly succumbed to mental panic. – On the ground…

– What on earth? interrupted Mido, not respecting the bounds of decency. – Have you lost something?

– Not. That is the name of my world. That is, the planet. Planet Earth.

What is a «planet»?

Hikaro paused for a moment.

– Well, a huge cosmic ball, on which all living things are located. I do not know how to explain.

Is your world round? Mido wondered. – That's it. How did you all not fall into the bottomless void? We have everything straight and flat. One devil only knows what lives below.

«It's clear. There is no point in explaining more».

– Well, what is on your Earth then?

– Yes, exactly, m–m. Anyway, Emily was there too.

– Come on? – Betsai bulged his eyes in surprise, and this time he was supported by Emily, who was not previously interested in the conversation. «That's what I thought». – And she was just like this one here?»

– Outwardly, yes, but a little softer in character. And yet… she was my girlfriend. «I hope this lie bears fruit».

«That's it, Emily thought. «He doesn't think that I'll just replace myself from his world for him like that?»

– It's a shame how. Probably now he is sitting waiting for you, but you still do not come ...

– She died…

«Damn it».

Sorry, I didn't know...

– It was after that that I seemed to lose my head, did all sorts of things ... and now ... my dreams swallowed reality. Yes, I didn't tell you, but I dreamed about this world for a long time, and since the day you found me in the forest near Ehrenrise, I can't wake up anymore ...

– Wow, – the girl said casually.

«That's it, Mido mused. – It is unlikely that he understands exactly what he is talking about, but still, it seems that it was so». – Indeed, you got it. I'm sorry, but I have one question...

– Which?

– Have I been in your world?

– I do not know. At least I didn't know you.

– Understood.

– By the way, Tsukisuke and Himitsu Okada were friends of mine and Emily. I know what happened to the last one, but what about Tsukisuke?

– OU. An unexpected turn, – answered Betsai. – Well, Okada and I didn't know each other personally, but we all knew them. After all, Himitsu was a second–generation king.

«Wow. Somehow I didn't even notice Okad near his statue anymore. So it turns out that in this world they had relatives?»

– Tsukisuke might have taken his brother's place if he hadn't been the first suspect in his murder.

«What?»

– That night, the guards saw him run from the chambers covered in blood. At the exit from the city, they tried to detain him, but he instantly killed four Seins, after which he disappeared. So, I'm sorry, but this Tsukisuke is unlikely to be your friend. You are our hope, and he is the Kingslayer.

«But he couldn't… When I… he died here too. It's not clear how, but I'm sure that's the way it is! Tsukisuke is not guilty of anything, but now he is forced to hide, risking being killed too ... Nasty!»

– Don't you two feel like everything around you doesn't change? Maybe we're stuck in an illusion?

– I'll check it now.

– Wait, Mido, that's not what I meant. Still need to conserve strength.

– Don't worry, I'll only activate it for a second. Moreover, for too long it was not visible to the solar ball. He probably doesn't work here, – Betsai sat down on his knees and closed his eyes , concentrating on breathing. For ten seconds, his every breath was clearly audible, after which he abruptly stood up. – This forest is real. The mentor, along with Dik, are fighting some wooden monsters. Their path is on the other side, but it leads to the same place as ours.

– Segir with them?

– No, I didn't have time to find him, – he pulled out his two long and needle–sharp blades. Get ready, we have guests.

Emily quickly drew her dagger from its sheath. She didn't have a sword because her fighting style was different from the others. She made an incision along the back of her left forearm, and it seemed to form a small water magic shield.

«And what will it be? Nothing will scare me this time. I just don't have the right to screw it up in front of Emily again!»

– Just defend yourself, – Mido ordered, noticing how he grabbed the hilt of the cursed blade. «We will do everything ourselves. Don't even think about being a hero.

Takigami nodded positively.

«Usually he makes a clown out of himself, but here it's just like a mentor. And why did he suddenly take on the role of commander?»

– Uuuuuh, – a nasty howl with variable grunting was heard from both sides.

Hikaro finally took out the God of Light, thus illuminating the surroundings quite well. The monsters reacted to the light and rushed at their victims. There were two of them. They resembled the image of a woman with waist–length dark hair and huge sagging breasts. Their bellies are swollen, as if pregnant. The skin is withered, the eyes are without pupils. The nose is hooked, the teeth are pig's, and the paws are dog's. One of them immediately rushed at Mido, while the second jumped over Emily and jumped at Takigami.

«Damn!» – he mechanically put the blade in front of him, trying not to squint.

The woman briskly jumped up almost right up to the edge of the blade and froze for a second. After that, she howled in fright and ran back, hugging Emily, and rushed at Mido, who deftly managed to fight off the monsters' paws. The girl ran up and pulled her by the hair, after which she cut her throat, but there was no blood. The monster twitched and rushed at Emily with a scream to bite her, but got a shield on the head with a shield and took a step back. Emily swung her leg around and kicked her swollen stomach with all her might.

– Well, you're ugly!

– Yeah, I liked the sirens better! – agreed Betsay, chopping off the creature's right paw. – Get it! He turned the hilt in his palm so that the blade was directed to the elbow, and with a sweeping movement, he blew off the head of the creature.

The second woman looked frightened at her stomach and, sticking out her claws, jumped about two meters in height and kicked the girl on the head, but she managed to put up a shield, after which she grabbed her hairy foot and threw her to the ground. She immediately tried to get up, but Emily kicked her foot in the nose area and with a sharp movement from left to right cut the monster's stomach.

– Ah–ah–ah! – a terrible squeal was issued, almost breaking through the eardrums, which smoothly turned into a deaf last gasp.

– So that's it, – Mido cut open the stomach of his monster, noticing that it periodically tried to attack even without a head, after which he quickly plugged his ears.

– Done, – said Emily. – It's time to move on. Let's hurry.

– Watch out! – Mido jumped behind her friend and put out the blades to defend themselves from the terrible fangs that grew right out of the womb of the fallen creature. It was the stomach that now looked like a head, and the arms curved back, resembling a «bridge» pose, which made the sight even more creepy. – Strong bullshit! Ay! – the guy fell on his back and rolled over, and blood was flowing violently from the forearm of his right hand.

The second monster also came to life and rushed at the girl. She deftly jumped back behind her and plunged the dagger into her back so that it came out through her mouth, and pulled it out sharply, cutting the flesh of the creature, but the monster instantly arched and grabbed her by the legs. Dropping to the ground, it grabbed onto Emily's limbs with its remaining paws, preventing her from getting up. Only the left hand was free, but even that was holding the dangling monstrous chest, striving to fall right on the face. In an instant, the creature's mouth opened wide, fangs sticking out.

«Now bite! Damn, I can't get out!»

Swamp slippery liquid poured over the girl's body in a waterfall, starting the process of splitting food.

«Bitch, what is it doing?!»

A huge rough tongue escaped from its mouth and fell right on Emily's chest, greedily sucking on her, after which it slowly descended.

«Well, no, I can no longer stand like a pillar!» – Hold on! Hikaro tightly gripped the hilt of the sword with both hands and raised it above him, tilting it slightly over his right shoulder. As he ran, he confidently focused his eyes on the monster and set himself a single goal: «I must protect Emily».

– A–a–ar! Filled with rage, Mido Betsay abruptly jumped up and spun around in one place like a whirlwind, tearing the blades one by one part of the body of the creature. Fangs, fur and rotten meat flew in all directions. There is nothing left alive. After finishing, the guy immediately turned his attention to his girlfriend and was already directing his attack, when suddenly, at the last second, he noticed the approaching formidable Hikaro.

«Not! If the cursed blade hits Emily, she's dead! He has no control over his powers! I wanted to cut through the upper part in a jump, and then pierce from below, but he is already doing a side swing, which can hit me. If I try to push him away first, then the monster can instantly finish Emily, and if I push her away with my body, then we can both get under all possible attacks. What to do? Hoping Hikaro doesn't hurt her? But I have already lifted my feet off the ground, I need to make a decisive move. But what? Now!»

The monster felt the approach of the cursed blade and at the same moment jumped up, jumping over Hikaro. Mido made up his mind and fell face to face with Emily, protecting her from the attack.

«Crap! Everything is so fast! I can't stop him».

– Ah–ah–ah! Hikaro redirected his weight with difficulty, causing the blade to continue spinning and he was able to turn back, but he could no longer maintain his balance and made a few more turns, after which he absurdly fell to the ground and accidentally pierced the monster that had just landed. It did not make a single sound and, filling with a bright yellow light, turned into dust.

– Lucky, – he grinned, before he fully realized what he had done, and tried to breathe in the cool air, which for some reason he lacked so much at that moment.

Mido turned his head apprehensively.

«Not bad».

– Are you okay? He turned to the girl, helping her up.

The girl was almost in a coma. For some time she still could not come to her senses and held her head, closing her eyes.

Emily, what's wrong with you? Hikaro ran up.

– Hold her, – Mido opened the girl's purse and took out two red and one blue pills. I ate one red myself, put the remaining two in my friend's mouth.

– Is it medicine?

– Blue restores dreams in the blood, red accelerates tissue regeneration and the creation of new blood.

– It's okay, – Emily breathed a sigh of relief. – It was only my pride that suffered.

Hikaro looked away in frustration, trying not to show his wet eyes.

«She is exhausted, beaten, tired. Her delicate skin was reddened from saliva. This creature horseradish understand what he was doing with his tongue! Why is she in such pain? And why can't I get rid of them? Why was I given this chance? To see my friends suffer again? No… I don't believe… This is some kind of nonsense… A stupid dream…»

– Damn, it still burns, – the girl slightly cut her left palm, and a clot of water formed in it, with the help of which she completely washed away the saliva from herself. Mido got a little bit too, so she helped him too . In the process, she noticed how much his forearm was bleeding. – Yes, you are all pale! – she put the dagger to her wrist.

– No need! Mido replied sternly. – It's enough just to bandage.

– Don't you dare order me! – the girl made a rather deep cut on her hand and put the dagger to the wound of Betsay. It was like a blood transfusion that formed a bridge in the air.

– What are you doing? Hikaro asked as he saw Emily weaken even more.

– Restoring, – she said in a barely audible voice, after which she hurriedly threw another blue pill. A minute later, she stopped, making sure that Betsay's wound had healed and he felt better.

– Thanks.

– It's time to go, – the girl abruptly jumped to her feet, but then her knees buckled and she sat back down.

– I don't think anything will happen if we rest for an hour, right?

Kaito crouched near the protruding tree roots. Mido gathered some dry branches and used a fire starter to make a small fire to dry out and slightly illuminate the area, which was simply immersed in obscuring darkness. Emily sat in the middle, closer to the tree, the guys on the sides.

– Are you better?

– Of course, – Mido laughed kindly. – I should be asking you. Others you treat excellently, but the regeneration itself is lousy.

– Not enough dreams, either, – Emily said self–deprecatingly.

– But you can use them well...

Hikaro furrowed his eyebrows in puzzlement.

– Are dreams really that important?

– Of course, – Betsai replied. – Using kaito skills always consumes dreams. The stronger the skill, the more dangerous and costly it is. With an inept cut, you can die from blood loss. With the wasteful use of dreams – from their end. Some people are born with more, some less.

– Is it possible to somehow increase their number?

– Mm, I have no idea, – Betsai turned his head away. – Unless becoming less human…

– So… what were those monsters?

– Goddesses. After death, they become sluts who repeatedly got rid of newborn children during their lifetime. They hate men terribly, and young girls are tempted to sin so that they also become goddesses. But they should not have toothy bellies. They confused us. Surely the tricks of this so–called demon.

After a short pause, Hikaro finally remembered what he wanted to ask. Something that for a long time caused him some misunderstanding of what was happening.

– Listen, that Dik said something like «the white plague passed through the Horta», what is he talking about? And why does he dislike kaito so, to put it mildly?

Mido and Emily exchanged an excited look, which clearly indicated that they did not want to discuss this topic.

– All right, – the girl sighed. – Tell him.

– That's what the common people call us. The white plague is the soldiers of the sunlight. Both kaito and seins. You yourself will understand the reason for such a nickname with time ... As for Dik, he, Ramailo and Segir belonged to a nation of Khortoviks who founded their residence on the island of Khorta several centuries ago. The military units were made up entirely of men, and the women, well, played the role of women. Until recently, the number of Khortovik exceeded fifty thousand, among which more than ten thousand were trained warriors. The catch is that the island was located on the then still neutral territory, and they themselves lived due to the fact that in peacetime they robbed the villages of different kingdoms, and in wartime they supplemented someone else's army. At the same time, they managed to change their side several times in the same war. Whoever pays the most is right. But the war for only miserable patches of land has long ceased... And the war for the right to exist has begun... Over the past twenty years, the number of beasts in the world has exceeded all possible limits. Those who know how to move their brains also imagined that they could live among people on equal terms. Idiots. The creatures of the devil do not deserve life. They cannot control their desire to kill. Stupid people just destroy everything they see. Clever ones will also mischief. All these goddesses, werewolves, witches and other creatures ... they do not benefit society. They just spoil him. This is how we were taught in Ehrenrise...

– More on topic, – Emily urged.

– Basically, the Khortoviks have been asked to join the Sunlight Forces, placing the island under our control. But they decided to remain neutral. Thinking they are independent. Well, we could not allow such a force to fall into the hands of the enemy in the future. Therefore, a year ago, all of them were cut clean and cut out. I never thought that anyone would survive.

– Fuck yourself, – Hikaro said in horror.

– You understand: we couldn't take risks, and a gang of robbers that doesn't pay respect to any king is just an extra hassle at such an important time for us. While everyone is on assignment, at the front, they could stupidly rob our territories, leaving us without food.

– I understand, – Takigami replied seriously. – And I have nothing against it. But why were they so dangerous? Are they also able to use dreams like kaito?

– Not. The only thing I respect their people for is the way they fight. They have well–trained accuracy, strength and dexterity, thanks to which they are able to fight against armed warriors, attention, with their bare hands. Of course, they use the so–called chabla for greater practicality, but absolutely every opponent will be stunned when they abruptly rush to choke him with just their palms. This is the true art of combat...

– By the way, isn't that the style you've been studying lately? – Emily interrupted. Why don't you use it in combat?

The guy twisted a disgruntled smile, looking into the eyes of the girl.

– I already had enough demotions ... Okay, it's time to go. The mentor has probably already dealt with his monsters and is waiting for us at the end of the trail. There is some light there. Already close.