Allies

Kazi laughed and put a hand on Jackson's shoulder. "Alright, alright, simmer down. We've got bigger fish to fry than each other." He went up to Sylvia, waiting for her to finish spilling her lunch. He had napkins ready. Without looking, she swiped them and cleaned her face. She wore a classic beige belted trench coat going down to her ankles and black palazzo pants. Her eyeliner was smudged and half of her red painted nails were jagged. 

[ Name: Sylvia Fitzgerald

Level: 25

Class: Mage ]

"Thank you—woah, woah, am I high or those bloody elves?"

Kazi turned and directed a hand at them. With Sylvia's appearance, they appeared a bit more trepid. He couldn't blame them, the smell of vomit was still on her. "They're called the Yumboes," he introduced. "They are the people we are supposed to protect."

"Aliens?"

"No, African elves."

"Huh." Sylvia stepped forward and went down to their level, hugging her legs. She studied a younger boy who was a little less than two feet. "White hair. Twinsies."

"Looks like Sylv ain't the only one coming," said Jackson. "Hear that?"

"Yep."

Jackson's hearing was on the spot and in a couple seconds two more players came by. They were young, probably fifteen or sixteen years old, carrying swords and shields. It seemed the massive waterfall he summoned was a hundred times more noticeable than the locals' bonfires. Players were trickling in one-by-one, duo-by-duo. A total of ten players arrived at the village, including Kazi, the main objective appearing the same: to protect the Yumboes. 

"Ten of us total," Kazi noted. "I don't sense anyone else."

"Sense? What, like a six sense? Super hearing?" Jackson asked, curious.

"Precisely."

One of the two boys with the swords spoke up. "Sensing magic, right? Are you in the Accelerated Program for uni?" It was Ahihiko, narrow-faced. 

"Nothing like that. I assume you are?"

"Ah, yeah. Me and Kenzo both. We were told about it but, uh…yeah." Akihiko put a hand on the back of his neck. He turned quiet after that. Kenzo was tall and skinny and was naturally quiet. 

The moon was beginning to go down. Kazi summoned fire on his fingertip, thick enough to illuminate everyone's faces. A dozen Yumboes and ten players. "This is supposed to be a team effort," Kazi said. He glanced at the two teens, Akihiko and Kenzo, and added, "Like PvP games. We have to protect the payload; in this case, it's these people."

"So…they're elves?" asked Jackson. "Just wanna confirm."

"You know, they're right here," Kazi pointed out. "Just ask them."

"Oh, er…" Jackson tilted his head and consequently his hat down at him. "So…lil fella, whatcha do?"

"We were having a festival," Couma said. "Until the Guiafairo appeared. Luckily, Kazi saved us!"

"I only did what anyone else would do," the hero replied with a humble smile. 

"So that big ass waterfall was you?" Jackson asked, impressed. "Lord, what kind of magic was that?"

"I had a bit of help from these small folk." Kazi winked at Couma. Don't tell them the truth, he was saying. "I did want to ask though; what can you Elves do? What weapons do you have on you?"

"Weapons?" Couma shook her head. "No, no, we use wind magic."

'Wind magic? Is that how they turn invisible?' 

Sylvia whiffed the air and bared a hungry smile. "I smell a shit ton of booz. Let's protect 'em!"

"We haven't even checked the village out," Jackson muttered.

"I would be your tour guide," Kazi said, eyes focused on the forest, "but I think it's better if I keep an eye out for enemies."

"Come, come, foreigners!" Couma waved them over, running on her tiny legs. "Follow me!" 

Tentatively, everyone followed her. Kazi remained in the company of the thirty Yumboes willing to fight with him. 'Thirty Yumboes willing to fight and ten players. If I hadn't come here early and slain the Guifairo, we would have had to protect a destroyed village. In all likelihood, the hardest part is behind us.'