Friendly Relations

Authors Note: I am going to be posting twice per day till chapter twenty after which I will revert to one chapter per day with perhaps an occasional extra chapter on the weekends and weekdays.

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POV: 3rd Person

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Astaros strolled through the city no longer bothered by previous events. He still lacked some knowledge but had a certain level of understanding that something was up. However with the way things are going he would likely know it soon enough. He turned down an alley, his cloaked form passing over trash and dirt as he came out on the other side. He had come out right beside the pin and needle.

He turned and decloaked while lowering his mana pressure which he realized had been flaring. Had it not been for his concealment he might have hurt someone. He opened the door to the clothing store, the small bell jingling above him. The same man he met before walked over and greeted him shaking his hand. He was quite happy that someone as well known as him had still come back to his humble shop. Customers who had been coming in now gasped at the sight of the famous Silver Fenrir conversing with a simple shop owner. Astaros, seeing that many had gathered, said he was also glad to have made this his first stop in this region.

Whispers began to surround them as the shopkeeper beamed. He then made a quick decision and decided to get his present/apology to Catherine here. He picked out a nice light brown dress and a maroon long sleeve that sported a couple of bronze buttons. He then picked up his order, paid and left the store uncloaked, leaving the masses to wonder who he was buying the outfit for and why the pin and needle was where he stopped first thing.

Though this may have been a blatant lie the pin and needle sold quality work and thus Astaros held no reservations about promoting the store.

He then headed down an alley and cloaked while storing his items in the damage core before going off to the front gate.

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POV: Astaros

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I stood at the city wall conversing with the guards about recent events and asked about healthcare as I waited for Fillia. If an adventurer ever gets hurt they could head off to the church where they would heal you with divinity, another form of magic I didn't recognize. Also apparently a group of bandit's had appeared within range of the city and since the wolves were no longer assaulting the merchants and attacking people they had now taken over that role. The city guard may also be deployed soon.

If they become a big enough problem the adventurers guild may also put out a request for their heads.

"Hey buckethead I got a request" {Fillia}

I turned around, ending my talk with the guards and noticing Fillia waving a flyer as she and her party walked towards us.

"It's orc extermination. A group of them took over a cave in the mountains." {Fillia}

I nodded and turned towards the guards telling them I might come back another day and talk.

I paid them and turned to walk through the gates while Fillia said bye to her party.

I turned and looked over my shoulder at Fillia.

"Let's roll Fil" {Astaros}

She turned and sighed.

"Not Fil, Fillia" {Fillia}

"Not buckethead, A-s-t-a-r-o-s" {Astaros}

"Tch" {Fillia}

"Don't Tch me" {Astaros}

The banter continued as we walked towards the forest, whisking our words away from the onlookers.

...

"Alright so then what were you talking with the propagation party about?" {Astaros}

Fillia winced as they rushed through the treetops, the leaves and branches flying by as we rushed towards the mountains. I occasionally supported Fillia with my wind element whenever she had trouble reaching a tree.

"I am leaving their party so I can work more effectively for you. Besides, you're far more profitable than them in the long run." {Fillia}

"You sure it isn't because of they're nightly activities?" {Astaros}

She slipped as she landed on the next branch and I grabbed her arm preventing her from hitting the ground.

"Unless you want to make some noise with me." {Astaros}

She looked up at me blushing before turning her head away.

"I think I'll p-pass on that" {Fillia}

I lifted her up onto the large branch and she stabilized. She then pulled her hand away and lept to the next tree without me.

"You stuttered, were you thinking about it?" {Astaros}

Her feet slammed into the next branch as she wobbled, whirling her arms to balance herself as steam seemed to come out of her red ears.

"I WON'T BE DOING ANYTHING WITH YOU" {Fillia}

I stabilized her with wind as she jumped to the next branch and I leaped to the one she just left.

"That's all good anyways, what are orc's like?" {Astaros}

She stopped on one of the branches as I caught up to her. She thought for a second before turning to me no longer red.

"They are large, vulgar, violent and fairly smart. They make weapons and hunt and eat people for fun. They are also known to be led by cave trolls. They remind me of you." {Fillia}

I looked at her happy to see I hadn't pushed her too far with the last couple jokes.

"I assure you I have no relations to cave trolls which by the way aren't these orc's based in a cave?" {Astaros}

"True they may have a cave troll leading them." {Fillia}

I looked ahead to the encroaching mountain. It wasn't so tall that it had snowy peaks but a large hole was present in the side. It was a grey imposing fortress that threatened to challenge the sky in all of its glory.

"So what's a cave troll like?" {Astaros}

Fillia looked at me seemingly exasperated by my teasing and questions.

"It's a large grey and black orc with good eyesight and regeneration. Anything else?" {Fillia}

I tilted my head and looked at her curiously before turning to leap away.

"You were the one who agreed to help me which by the way will you be fighting or will it just be me again." {Astaros}

She sighed and followed my lead jumping from branch to branch as we flew through the air. The battle would be different from that of the Fenrir as they would both be targeted no matter what.

"Sure I'll help, just don't expect me to keep up with your crazy physical abilities."

I laughed loudly, a sound that echoed through the forest.

"It's alright you can stick with Val Systin." {Astaros}

She jumped up beside me in a long fire and wind element assisted leap, slightly scorching the branch.

"Who?" {Fillia}

I stepped off the branch and crashed into the ground, stirring up my surroundings with just my weight and a bit of wind element to cushion my ankles. I had learned from when I fought the black lizard.

"He is my soul brother" {Astaros}

Val slid out of my shadow lazily yawning and baring his teeth before licking his lips and looking up at the surprised Fillia.

"Y'know you have a lot of surprises up your sleeve." {Fillia}

I looked up at her with a grin on my face which she couldn't see.

"Of course I do, it wouldn't be interesting if I didn't" {Astaros}

She then went to jump down as well but the branch cracked and fell, dropping her.

"Eh?" {Fillia}

I took two steps forward and caught her easily before she hit the ground cushioning her fall so she fell into my arms softly.

"You should be more careful." {Astaros}

She looked away from me and muttered something. I smiled and put her down. I wasn't stupid.

"Your welcome, my lady." {Astaros}

"S-shut up stupid" {Fillia}

I laughed and put her down walking away and leaving her with Val. She looked at him and stroked his head.

"I bet you have a lot of problems with him too." {Fillia}

He snorted and shook her hand off trotting to catch up to me.

"Wait, you actually like him over me!?" {Fillia}

"Woof" {Val}

"Now now don't be unreasonable I am leaving her in your care Val" {Astaros}

"He's a wolf not a babysitter Astaros and I can take care of myself." {Fillia}

He looked at me and nodded with pride. I frowned under my helmet and looked at Val.

"Pick a side and stick with it buddy. Also Fillia you finally called me by my name!" {Astaros}

Fillia averted her eyes and her cheeks turned a little red.

"We decided on no pet names right?" {Fillia}

This was a positive advancement so I didn't capitalize on the cute, easily tease-able woman. Instead I simply started walking off.

"Thanks Fillia" {Astaros}

She mumbled out a your welcome and followed him while Val dropped back in my shadow.

…

We walked up to the foot of the mountain and began our ascent occasionally having to climb at the more vertical areas. It was a tough way up but I had my wind element and my earth element so footholds and drafts were no problem for us.

We eventually reached a ledge and I motioned for Fillia to stop moving. I concealed and peered over the side, looking around and spotting some orcs. Two large green men with crude stone clubs stood near the entrance of a large cave. A brown loin cloth covered their groins and they each sported a pig's head instead of a humans. They had large green, fat bellies that jiggle when they turned to look around while snorting as they did so. They're arms however were thinner and muscly showing that they weren't to be underestimated. I motioned Fillia up and concealed her too, pushing concealment to its limits.

Under normal circumstances we would be found out by now but orcs had bad eyesight and a good sense of smell. I however had used my wind element to circumvent this and the minimal concealment was more than enough to trick their weak eyes.

I called upon Val and he poked his head out of my shadow looking at me groggily.

'Do you get put to sleep in there or are you just damn lazy' {Astaros}

I used my soul link and told Val to sneak up behind them. I then whispered:

"Fillia shoot when Val makes it behind them. I will make up for any mistakes, got it?" {Asfaros}

"Mm on it" {Fillia}

I turned and watched as Vals head slid across the shadows and reached behind them.

Fillia then fired into the throat of one of them piercing through it's voicebox. It began to croak and wheeze attracting the attention of the other one but Val opened his jaws and bit into the monster's skull crushing his head and killing it, the blood it leaked seeming to revitalize him as his eyes widened and he pulled off some flesh and skull while trying to swallow some.

"Thats nasty spit it" {Astaros}

He looked at me with puppy dog eyes.

"Spit. It. Out." {Astaros}

He sadly opened his mouth and the orc pieces slipped off his tongue.

"That's just not right" {Fillia}

I turned and looked at the cave peering into the depths, the wind flowing in sounding like the howls of the dead.

"Can you see in the dark?" {Astaros}

"Yeah, so no torch?" {Fillia}

"Nope, too loud and too much smoke. If you don't need it, don't use it." {Astaros}

"Cmon Val lets go" {Astaros}

We walked down into the damp moss covered floor and wet stone walls. Fillia undid her transformation and her chartreuse green eyes seemed to glow in the dark. Val seemed to disappear with only his sky blue eyes appearing in my sight occasionally. I was coming around a corner when I heard the squelching of moss as an orc came around the corner. I charged up my wind element and ran around the corner swinging my hand in an arc which cut off his head.

I then grabbed his body so it didn't fall and make a loud noise, lowering the stinking beast onto the mossy floor, blood leaking out of his clean cut neck.

Then I heard it. Snorting and squealing as feet pounded the floor. How did they know we were here?

"The smell idiot" {Fillia}

"Oh you could have warned me." {Astaros}

I looked forward with mana sense. Five orcs were rushing towards us so stealth was no longer an option. I leaped up and dug my fingers into the ceiling then pulled myself up so I was now hanging above any would-be passersby.

"There are five more coming Val protect Fillia, Fillia switch to your dagger. The hallways are too small so Val or I might get hit."

She nodded and put the bow back around her quiver before drawing a long dagger which she coated in an arctic blue flame.

"Fox fire?" {Astaros}

"Yeah how'd you know?" {Fillia}

"Just a guess" {Astaros}

I recognized it from Japanese media back in the 21'st century.

An Orc came squealing around the corner and ran towards Fillia, waving its stone axe as the others came up behind their foolish flabby comrade.

I dropped down and grabbed his head slamming him into the ground making the other orcs skid to a stop out of fear of my giant armored figure. They grunted and regained their courage before they rushed us again, while Fillia jumped up on the wall and pushed off stabbing her flaming blue blade into the fatty creature as she passed. The light in its eyes died as we were shrouded in darkness again. The cave lit up intermittently as I threw fire enveloped punches and Fillia pierced flesh with her dagger. I crashed my fist into the face of the last beast as it fell on its back. Fillia flicked her blade swinging some blood off of it.

We then looked at each other silently confirming we were both okay and began moving across the blood soaked mud and moss. The battle had alerted the rest of the orcs who were now moving towards a larger cavern. Since they had grouped up around a larger mana signature I assumed that was either an Orc chieftain or a Cave troll.

We walked through the hallway like passages as I occasionally ducked in some areas to avoid some of the lower hanging ceilings. Fillia looked at me before asking:

"Where are the Orcs? It doesn't feel like that was all of them" {Fillia}

"They are grouped up around a larger target farther into the cave, just keep following me." {Astaros}

"You can see them? no you can sense them?" {Fillia}

"Yeah" {Astaros}

She looked at me hoping for further elaboration but it never came so she turned away. I didn't really know whether or not a mana sense like mine was normal so I simply kept it to myself. Even though I was powerful, most of what I could do was within the laws of normal. I don't know all the limits of normal so I simply assumed I was pushing it already.

We came up to a large lit open area, Fillia's irises slitted further as she was exposed to the light. Her five beautiful sleek orange and white tails along with her fluffy ears now coming into view in their full glory, her blonde orange hair shining in the torch light. I looked away from the beautiful view and turned to the ugly sight of light grey mottled skin that was spotted with black as it reached towards its owner's back. Its head reminded me of a goblin shark and it's mouth was full of terrifying sharp hooked teeth. Its eyes were entirely black with white irises. Its thick muscled body contrasted from the smaller plumper trolls. In its hand was a large black mace.

"Where did he get that thing? The rest of them have stone axes and clubs" {Astaros}

The troll roared and the rest of the orcs ran forth as it lumbered towards us.

"Are you going to take the big one alone or should we focus on the orcs first?" {Fillia}

I looked at their numbers as they charged. There were about fifteen orcs in total. The first one reached Astaros and swung down it's club in a deceptively fast swing which he easily caught.

"Yeah I guess I should take the troll." {Astaros}

I crushed the club and shoved the pieces into the oinking creature's mouth, shutting it up. I then jumped up and over the crowd before engaging the two that were lagging behind the pack while Val killed the stunned ball of fat.

Fillia swirled and dodged different attacks as she was slowly getting pushed back, her blade gouging and stabbing into leathery blubbery skin and fat. Val was covering her rear at every turn slashing with his claws and biting into green muscly arms. Fillia jumped up and spun, cutting off the head of her current opponent before getting hit by a swinging club. The cracking bones sounded out around the cave. She then leaped back her arm now limp as Val scampered to her side barely dodging an axe swing to his flank.

She breathed in and out slowly now feeling cornered. As the orcs closed in a roar blasted through the cavern and the clash of metal rang out.

*CLANG*

*CRACK*

Something came flipping through the air before landing in front of the approaching orcs. It was a giant black steel mace which had a fist sized dent in it with the spike that was in that spot broken off and slightly inverted.

"Wree?" {Orc}

A beam of light then burned through the skull of the beast leaving a glowing, smoking hole in it's forehead. The rest turned to see Astaros press the severed head of the troll to his chest as a red light covered it and then it disappeared.

"Oh don't mind me I'm just putting away some guaranteed gold coins." {Astaros}

The orc's faces contorted in fear as they fell silent. They turned to run but they never had the chance.

*FWOOOOSSSHHHHH*

*VSSSHIRFF*

Fillia put out her hand and generated a massive blue flame burning the foolish creatures before gripping her hand into a fist and instantly putting out. Several small wisps of fox fire floated around her, her face sweating as she breathed heavily and stared at the charred corpses.

I rushed over to catch her as she began to fall. I lifted her up in a princess carry as she fell unconscious in my arms. I flicked my wrist and a tendril of wind cleaved the heads of the charred pork men. My damage core then activated and collected the heads with tendrils of red light which I controlled with my light element.

I then turned and began to jog out Val walking at my side. The sound of crunching stone and squelching moss underfoot echoing through the empty caves. We arrived at the second engagement point and I cleaved off the heads there too, repeating the process. I then left the cave removing the one head that was still valid as Val had nearly chewed up the other one. I then simply jumped off the ledge with Val entering my shadow. The stone mountain side flew bye as I dropped while Fillia's hair and tails waved like reeds in the wind. Suddenly my feet hit the slope and I began to skid down sparks and pebbles flying behind me before I slid to a stop. I then kicked off with my wind element re-entering the forest which flew by as I ran at full speed towards the city. It was now dark and the stars and moons now shined onto fillia's pale face and my silvery grey shining armor with my damage core lighting our way.

I leaped through brush and bramble travelling back to the city as quickly as I could.

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POV: Fillia

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My eyes fluttered open as I looked up and my face turned red as a tomato when I realized my predicament. Astaros was diligently carrying through the forest at blazing speed, the cold grip of his shining moon lit armor giving me a sense of safety. The moonlight illuminated his faceplate revealing a pair of worried and determined eyes. He truly cared about me. My consciousness began to swim as I looked up at his face. Many embarrassing thoughts screamed in my head but it wasn't enough to keep me awake.

'I wonder what Astaros would say I he could hear my thoughts right now' {Fillia}

Then my mind left reality behind as I fell back into unconsciousness.

Capítulo 16: Friendly Relations

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Capítulo 16: Friendly Relations

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