Chapter 72 - Old Veteran, Loud Scream

[Wait, shouldn't the old binder be outside of the fog now that his monster is back in his drajule? Actually, shouldn't we be battle focused as well?], Voxea asked me. She may have been ancient and knowledgeable about alot of things, but modern magical issues was my domain.

[If I had to hazard a guess, Monster's Night is messing with the way even how battling works. That would help to explain the physical fog of war], I explained to Voxea as we ran to save the old binder, [You wouldn't happen to have an ice wall technique or something, would you]?

[Even better actually].

Just as the two of us arrived at the old binder's side, Voxea flew straight up into the air. A technique line rang out inside my head, [Permafrost Fortress]. Immediately, a spell circle manifested beneath us as the ground on both the winter side and spring side froze over. The now frozen earth then rose and changed shape to form several circular walls surrounding us and a round roof made of aether to complete the look.

I couldn't exactly see it, but I felt through the bond that Voxea had now landed on the roof of this makeshift fortress. I could feel that Voxea was now gingerly walking along the edges of the roof as she eyed at all of the wild monsters that surrounded us. She was amused at their snarling faces, dripping maws and razor sharp claws.

One of the surrounding monsters tried to intimidate Voxea by letting out a loud roar, causing me to wince at the sheer volume. She responded by throwing a chunk of ice at it, freezing the offending monster's mouth. I felt the battle bond beginning to relax after that, the rest of the monsters must've decided to bail instead of keep fighting. The fog of war around us began to disappear.

[Thank you].

[Don't mention it].

"You have a very strong monster, missy. Well then, I am Agiros Andorvan. Proud Knight and former commander of the Emperor's Glacial Ragers. Who do I have to thank?", a gravelly old voice said as my mind came back into full focus. Before it came back to full however, I sensed a hint of shock coming from Voxea that quickly disappeared. I turned to face the old binder who had finally caught his breath and I finally had a chance to take in his form.

Grizzled, old and veteran, those were the three words that perfectly described him. The old binder stood about the same height as my father, if only a bit shorter than him. The man's face war wrinkled to be sure, looking to be about fifty or sixty years old, but there was this vigor in his eyes that screamed defiance at the ravages of time. He was wearing old and battered armor but I see could that an inordinate amount of care was put into it, implying he wore it out of sentiment and not irresponsibility. His arms were muscular, corded and covered in all manner of scars. The longsword he had used earlier was now in a sheath on his hip, alongside several drajule that were embedded into it. The old binder was the perfect picture of an old war dog who's been through hell and back.

[Okay Silvia, repeat after me], I heard Voxea chime in.

"Moi? For all intents and purposes, just call me Vex. I'm a travelling binder and that's my partner, Izza. She's a Blizabella, very hard to find.", I repeated in that faux high-pitched accent from earlier, while extending my hand in greeting.

"Hmm. I can see that. So why in the name ten lords are you doing here anyways, Vex?", he replied in a gruff manner while tentatively shaking my own.

"Well, I was gonna say I was walking by and thought you would all needed some help, but I can feel that you're a no nonsense type of fellow so I'll be straight with you. I'm here because I'm looking fo-",but before I could respond, a loud and distinctive shriek sounded off in the distance and I turned my head toward the sound.

"You're looking for...", Agiros began before the shriek came again, this time louder and sounding much closer.

[Look alive Silvia, destiny's here]!