Chapter 96 - EVO

Chapter 96 - EVO

***Tirnanog, Old Camp***

***Thalia***

I watched on in silence as Magnus rode his opponent all the way down into the lake. His method of accomplishing his task had been unorthodox, to say the least. I expected a spectacular fight in mid-air, but all we got was a rather brutal collision and two men fighting each other with a quick exchange while they fell.

To teleport directly into the path of a fast-moving object was insane.

When they impacted the water and disappeared, Astra gasped and fearfully covered her mouth.

Despite my friends obvious distress, I couldnt stay mum any longer. I was impressed by Magnuss recklessness. Nonetheless, there was no way to argue with the result.

You know, you somehow managed to hook up with the most insane guy in existence. I have no clue what made him think this was a good idea. Worse, you managed to get yourself knocked up by him. Isaac is cute. Cute, but I worry what will become of him given his fathers and your idiosyncrasies.

Astra hit my shoulder. Not as hard as she could have, but hard enough to make her displeasure known.

Dont say that! Havent you seen him fall? What if he is hurt!?

I rubbed my shoulder and shot her a dirty look. Why dont you ask him?

Astra blinked in confusion before she remembered the chat function and her eyes unfocused.

Seriously!? I asked. How could you forget the chat!? Its like the single, most discussed topic since your guy unlocked the UI!

Magnus and I aren't using it that much. Astra let out a sigh of relief. Oh, my gosh! Thank Gaia, he answered. But he is kind of busy with waterboarding the human torch? And what does he mean by 'shush woman'? I will give him shush once he is back!

She looked to me for answers. What does waterboarding mean?

Dont worry about it. I think he misused that one. You know

I stopped myself and crossed my arms in front of my chest before I glared at her. Why am I always the one who has to explain his verbal quips to you? You should start reading up on old pop culture if your partner likes it that much. You are the one who is sharing a bed with him. Most of the things he is referring to come from a period of less than a hundred years. It isnt that hard to get an overview of the references he is using. I am beginning to think I should have taken him for myself. At least we share that particular interest.

That earned me another slap on the shoulder slightly harder this time.

I am still worried. She gestured at the lake. It was no small fall. Something could have easily gone wrong.

I rolled my eyes. The fire guy slowed their fall by a lot and I personally took your metrics. Yes, doing a header from this height might be dangerous for you two, but Magnus landed feet first. On top of his opponent. I think Magnus has him exactly where he wants him to be. All he has to do now is to hold onto an ankle till the enemy stops twitching. I doubt someone with such a prominent fire mutation can hold his breath for long. Now, why aren't you two using the chat function?

Uh... mh... Astra fidgeted with her fingers. That's a secret.

For a moment I was stumped. Astra was having a secret from me!?

That was... new.

Conla interrupted our conversation, If you two gals have time for drama and chit-chat during combat, then how about going down to the Old Camp to clean out the riff-raff? I dont believe the Thich have more juggernauts. At least none who could attack an airship easily, or they would have already used them.

I gasped in outrage. I am a healer! You cant make me hurt people!

Then how about me telling your mother you disobeyed orders during combat? Conla shot back without turning her eyes away from the battle. I want the Old Camp clean so we have a fallback position in case the Thich pull another trick like the rockets and we are forced to retreat. This battle is far from won.

I pursed my lips as I considered what the actual repercussions of disobeying would be. Sienna wouldnt do anything too drastic, but she would do something. What exactly? That I didnt know.

No doubt there would be consequences, given I was indeed filling the spot of a juggernaut on this mission and in this function, I was undoubtedly a part of the military command structure. Which meant the stupid sensor was my boss right now.

There was no other option. I sighed and walked to the exit. Stupid idiots classifying me as a juggernaut. I am not even partnered.

Astra followed me, but I waved her off. Dont worry. I will let loose for once, so dont stay too close to me.

She shook her head. I will keep my distance then, but I will nonetheless trail you in case you need help.

When I stepped outside, I saw another airship of ours turn away from the battle. It was burning thanks to some unknown reason, meaning the Thich had already taken two of our ships out of commission while we had managed a single incendiary run on one of theirs with doubtful results.

'Fly?'

I thanked Cadence when she offered to carry me, but told her to stay behind. Its okay, girl. I will be on my own on this one. But it would be nice of you to come and pick me up once the fighting is over.

Cadence will come with Elegance! Then we go and find Loopsfast!

It would be much less inconspicuous when I flew on my own instead of riding a huge drake into battle. It could also be my imagination, but the two bomber-sized females had gotten a little rounder lately. Maybe I should tell Astra not to take out my drake too often, since all they did on those tours was eat.

I knew it was a deal Astra had struck with the drakes, but a rider had to prove some common sense. The drakes were specially adapted to eating the floating plant life of Mount Aerie. Most of the other stuff they wolfed down on their trips into the wilderness had far too many calories.

After jumping off the observation platform, I allowed myself to fall for a few seconds to gain some distance from the airship. Once I was far enough away, I spread my wings and angled towards the Old Camp. As long as the wind wasnt too strong, I could sail decently enough without much effort.

Are you okay? she asked.

Yes, I replied shortly. It has been some time since the incident. One might think I should be over it.

My friend sighed. You can never be over something like that. Not if you are a softy.

I chuckled and gestured at the battlefield. Not even the scarce survivors were in any state to oppose us. A woman lay in a fetal position, rocking back and forth. A man was trying to dig himself a hole to hide within. It would take them some time to regain their rationality if ever.

Would a softy do this?

Astra rolled her eyes. You know what I mean.

I know. I looked around the area but felt nothing alive except for the few warriors who survived the psychic attack. I think those few who remain are no longer a threat. Can you sense anything worth investigating?

I quickly used the chat to inform Conla of the camps liberation. As far as I could tell, there were none of the original inhabitants left. Either the Thich had killed them all or deported the survivors as slaves.

I can sense some people hiding out inside the bunker. Astra pointed at the only intact remnant of the settlement. But I would rather find Magnus before we check the place out.

It shouldnt take too long to get your beloved. I smirked because Cadence and Elegance landed next to us at that moment.

We mounted the drakes and flew over to the lake which took only a few minutes. We found Loops pacing back and forth a respectful distance away from the water with Magnuss spetum in his maw. Even if the male was smaller than the female drakes, he was still too large to be overlooked.

When we landed at the shore, I knew right away that something was wrong. Back off!

I ordered the females away from the water. Dont get close!

What happened here? Astra asked, staring perplexed at the dozens and dozens of starfish corpses floating in the lake. Other aquatic animals of all kinds were mixed among them, but the starfish dominated the local ecosystem.

It was an ecological disaster of epic proportions.

We must have gaped at the scene in silence for over a minute before a familiar helmet appeared from beneath the waves.

Magnus slowly made his way over to us, pulling the floating corpse of his opponent after him while he walked over the lake bed.

Hrlurp! he bubbled happily and waved a hand at us.

What? I asked, my gaze torn between him and the ecological crisis.

Magnus dropped the body once he reached the shore. Then he took off his helmet and bent over retching as he threw up all the water in his lungs. Man, this ability sucks balls, Astra. What rode you to get this mutation?

Astra snorted down from atop Elegances back. You are the one who keeps using it at every opportunity you get!

Touch. Magnus shook himself like a wet dog and used his filaments to dry himself. For a moment, he looked like a human-shaped fluffball which shook various armour pieces to fling off the water.

Forget your mutations! I gestured at the dead animals. What happened to the lake?

Magnus turned around and looked appreciatively at his work. I came through on a promise I made when I came to this world. Damned starfish. He kicked the corpse of the dead Thich. Just so happened that there was a secondary benefit. Bastard refused to suffocate!

I slowly got irritated with this conversation. Then why is he dead? I dont see any external injuries.

Magnus pulled forth a small metal vial. It was empty.

A few droplets of deathnut oil works wonders!

I pulled on Cadences back spikes to have her take another step away from the health hazard. Deathnut oil! Are you nuts!?

It was just a drop or two! Magnus defended himself. Ive read up on the stuff after it was used on me. Such a small amount shouldnt be doing anything to me while killing anyone who doesnt have some form of poison resistance. I didnt even ingest all of it, so I should be more than fine. And given the lakes size, the poison should deteriorate within a day or two.

You idiot! I cursed. Swimming in deathnut oil, even diluted as it is, should do an extraordinary job of absorbing it through any soft tissue!

Now that you mentioned it, I am indeed feeling a little bit dizzy. He raised a finger, turned away from us and puked white foam onto the shore.

If that doesnt remind me of something! I rolled my eyes. Thats why you leave playing with dangerous substances to professionals! Go wash upstream while you still can! Bath in the river feeding the lake! And then you are going to tell me how you got your fingers on deathnut oil! The clan is regulating its acquisition and distribution for a reason!

Blood, Astra commented while we followed Magnus who walked more or less in a straight line towards the river mouth which was feeding the lake. He heaved all the way and stopped every few steps to spit out white foam.

Blood? I asked.

His whole body was saturated with the stuff for days, Astra explained. Knowing him, he drew some poisoned blood from himself and stored it for later use.

I closed my eyes and facepalmed. Nobody ever thought to monitor someone who was poisoned with deathnut oil. Well, because they were usually dead and the corpse would be quickly burned. Does that mean he has more of those accursed vials on him?

Astra smirked. More likely than not.