บท 651: Visible scars
During most of their walk, neither Hera nor Reynara spoke, at least not with each other. The court was in a frenzy. Being able to use that much power out of the blue made them really excited, and they couldn't stop gushing over how strong they became, even if just for a small moment.
'You were an actual volcano!' Ooze said to Core.
'What about Dao? That lightning was ridiculous; I didn't even know something like that could be that big,' Core turned to the sword.
'I think you are missing Scythe's skill. Sure, the chain effect is supposed to have a low trigger rate, but I felt like it was going off with each attack.'
'I think that has to do with the luck stat. I mean, it would make a lot of sense for it to affect things that have a chance of happening,' Daskka added.
'Right, I didn't even think of that. And how far did your mist go? I couldn't even tell,' Armory perched on top of Hera's head, peering down at the herald.
'Honestly. Even I don't know. And I wasn't even trying to make mist, you know. That was just what was coming out of my body. It's a good thing that I didn't try to change sizes. I think I would become a literal kaiju,' Daskka joked, 'Then again, how would you like that, mum?... Mum?'
'Sorry, what? I wasn't listening,' Hera asked.
'I asked if you wanted to see me as a giant monster. Are you ok, mum?' Daskka poked her head up to look Hera in the eyes.
'Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks. I was just thinking about the fight back there. I mean, some of those spells were so strong. Maybe I can make something close to them. I just wish I had more time with that power to see how they actually worked. I feel like I'm missing something, the way the mana felt was… different,' Hera replied.
'Really? Was it? I don't know if I agree. I mean, everything felt different, but I couldn't tell if the mana was different in itself. Not more than the difference between before and after you got the title,' Core replied.
'We can try to do something when we have a moment to rest. Maybe in the evening before bed. I don't know if we can help since we couldn't tell that difference, but still,' Armory added.
'Oh, maybe Sammy can help! He messes with memories, right?' Scythe added.
'That's a good idea. But maybe it wouldn't work now since he is still tethering us to the future. That might be making him use everything he got,' Armory said.
'Yeah, we can figure something out later,' Hera nodded.
They continued walking for some time, traveling across the jungle. Only now the Empress realized how far away from the village they actually were. Since they were following Reynara as they walked, Hera didn't pay much attention to the path. It was impressive how deep into the jungle they got while the huntress was leading them. While distracted by those thoughts and the feeling of mana, she felt during that power trip. She didn't notice when Reynara spoke with her for the first time, only during her second phrase, that the Empress heard her voice.
"I understand you are upset, but I don't think it's fair for you to just ignore me like that."
"Sorry, what?" Hera turned to the side.
"Oh? Now you are talking? I don't want to know anymore," Reynara huffed.
Hera let out a long sigh; interacting with this woman was exhausting, "Look, I didn't hear what you just said, but if you want to be pissed for no good reason, be my guest. I'm not going to stop you."
Reynara continued walking for a couple of minutes without speaking, leading Hera to believe she would have some peace until they reached the village, but her hopes were crushed, "I asked how the skill works. Does it make illusions more realistic? Or just makes them bigger?"
Hera stopped for a moment, thinking about what she could say. The whole idea of the spells being illusions was all a lie, and she couldn't exactly come clean about it, "A bit of both. I'm not that good with illusions, but the skill makes it so that I can share an imaginary world with my surroundings. The closer to reality something is, the better the illusion will be. That's why I used our skills as a base, even if I went overboard. But again, you don't have to worry. That kind of thing only works with creatures that are not that intelligent. Bugs and other animals that are easily tricked get the short end of the stick. For anyone else, it would be hard to make them believe they were actually being injured. I think the sound and the feeling of the illusions are what makes it hard to affect people, for instance. Usually, it would be the feeling of mana, but since I'm pretty good with that part, I don't have to focus too much on it," Hera continued talking, mentioning a bunch of random variables that could affect the illusions. She went for the strategy of 'fake it until you make it,' hoping that if she threw enough information at Reynara, she would either get bored and give up or her brain would fry.
As soon as they got close to the village entrance, the two of them saw a group of guards by the gate. All of them were at the ready, waiting for an attack. Grilat was also there, holding a bone spear and waving at them when they got closer, "Are you two ok? Did you see what did that?"
"What did what?" Hera asked.
"The explosions, the mist, the thunder. We never saw anything like that. No creature in this room can make the jungle shake like that. I… I just hope that beast never notices us," Grilat replied.
Reynara chuckled, "That's a bit late for that."
"Even this is a joke to you?! Just get inside and be ready for battle," Grilat huffed.
"Of course, I'll be ready to attack the big scary monster who can destroy the entire room," Reynara chuckled again, "But I wonder what will happen with the village. After all, you are the one inviting the beast inside."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Grilat turned to Reynara, clearly annoyed by her.
The huntress just pointed at Hera, "There is your beast of legend. The creature who can make the jungle shake like no other."
Grilat slowly turned to the Empress and removed his mask, "Is she telling the truth? Did… did you do that?"
Hera sighed, "Yes, but no. That wasn't real. It was just an illusion. Look, I'm glad to explain it to everyone, but can I check on Adriel first? He was really injured when I sent him back."
"Yes, he was. Why was he like that? And how did he recover so fast?" Grilat asked.
"He recovered? Really?" Hera pretended to be surprised, "Maybe he had an item that could save him or something. Where is he?"
"Tell me first, where did he get hurt?" Grilat pressed.
"Kadhan asked me to get some materials for a new field. I had to go outside of the city to talk with Berylla, then when I was coming back with Adriel, Reynara appeared and forced us to go on a hunt. She didn't give us any information on the monsters, and we ended up using fire against a group of Cherry Mantis who were resistant to it. Because of that, they made a flame wave, and Adriel got hurt. I managed to dodge it since I also have some fire defenses. Also, Reynara tried to stop me from getting him out of there. That's not why he was hurt, but I feel like it's important to say," Hera explained quickly, "Now, where is he?"
Grilat just pointed to the central tree before turning to Reynara, "Who told you to take them?! They were not ready!"
"Oh please, they managed to fight just fine, especially her. What's the problem with a trial by fire? It's not like it's any different from what we do when they get here."
"The difference is that they shouldn't go alone, and we need to give them the information we have. Why do you think everyone wants to die like you do?! And why did you stop her from helping him? We look out for each other here! What is the matter with you, woman?"
"I DO THIS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DIE, YOU OVERSIZED CHIMP!" Reynara yelled back, and the two continued their shouting match as Hera rushed to the tree house. Whatever was going on between them, she wanted no part of it.
It didn't take long for Hera to enter the main building of the village and see Adriel sitting on one of the stumps, with Nimbus, Kadhan, and Multrak at his side.
"Hey, thanks for the save," Adriel waved at Hera and smiled.
She rushed over to hug him, "I'm glad you are ok," she pulled back only to notice the large burn scars around his neck. Those scars covered most of his body, including his arms and back. Most of the skin was stretched and red and gathering in vein-like patterns of white. The only place that seemed to be mostly unscathed was his face.
"Is it that bad?" Adriel gave her a sad smile.
"No... It's…" Hera stopped herself, unable to finish her sentence. She didn't want to lie to him, "I'm sorry."
"That's ok. We can figure out something later. Maybe there is a place that can change how I look," Adriel was thinking about plastic surgeries and how there were healers capable of fixing even the worst scars, but he wasn't going to say it out loud, "Also, you don't have to say sorry. I mean, you saved me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be here."
"But…" before she could continue speaking, Alex appeared at the entrance.
"Addy!" the assassin rushed over and hugged the elf. Hera was quick enough to step away and not be caught in the middle, "What happened? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I made a mistake and paid the price. Besides, if it weren't for Hera and Nimbus here, I would have been a goner," Adriel chuckled, but the effort made him flinch. He was still sensitive even with the healing.
"What happened? Who did this to you?" Alex still sounded worried, and Hera decided that it was best for the elf to explain what was going on.
Walking over to Kadhan, she asked if any potions could help, but everything the witch doctor could do would only lead to the same result. He had a couple of salves to help with the tenderness, but those also made people sleepy, so it was better to use them only during the night. She asked Kadhan to explain to Adriel how to use it, and after making sure the elf didn't need anything else, she started walking out, looking for the materials for the new field that the witch doctor wanted to make.
Just as she left the tree house, Alex came rushing over, "Hera!"
"Hey, are you ok?"
"I'm fine. How about you? Adriel told me what had happened. That Reynara sounds like a bitch," Alex said.
"You are not entirely wrong," Hera chuckled, "But don't worry. I'm fine. But I have something to tell you all tonight."
"Ok, and can I just ask you one thing? Why were you and Adriel together?"
"Are you jealous," Hera smirked.
Alex smiled and shook her head, "No, it's just an odd matchup. I don't know what happened for the two of you to be together to be caught by Reynara."
"I was getting some materials for Kadhan. Honestly, I hoped to get Blue to help me, but she was busy fixing the outer wall. Adriel was free and was going to show me where the things were. It was just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," Hera explained.
"Yeah, that's what I figured," Alex looked down, deep in thought for a moment, "Hey… Would it be ok if I did something stupid?"
"What are you thinking about asking that thing?" Hera already knew she was talking about doing something with the curse and just took a shot in the dark about what it was.
"Seeing if there is anything that could help Adriel. I know he is saying that it's just a scar, but I can tell that is bothering him."
"You can't blame the guy. It just happened, and it's ugly. Let me be the one to ask that, I was there, and my… thingy is not as advanced as yours. But let's do it later. We can't be doing those kinds of things on our own," Hera added, "Don't worry, we will fix Addy," she teased.
"I was hoping that one sneaked by you. Don't tell the others. I'm not that much fond of pet names in public, please," Alex had a pleading expression, and Hera just nodded. She never saw the assassin get that close to someone, and she wasn't the one who would get in the way. However, the Empress could only hope that when the revelation of his real job came along, Alex wouldn't be hurt.
Alex nodded, and the two of them went back to what they were doing. Hera frowned while looking at the meal area. She ended up missing lunch, and dinner was still some while away. With a sigh, she headed to the shed that housed the building materials with Nimbus and Lurize by her side. She could only hope to find the right things; if not, she would have to chase after the repair team one more time. The only good part of all that was that she shouldn't end up being dragged to hunt something again. Or at least, that's what she hoped.
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