Chapter Thirty Two - 032"Rokta fo valla, humans," the giant snarled, its voice suddenly dipping into English. Or whatever they call English here. Wait is it English? Or am I speaking another language?
Magda and Harn didn't stop running, though they shared a look.
"You have come too late, prey. We are nearly finished." The giant continued, its arms never lowering it's two handed axe.
"Too late for what?" Magda laughed. "You're already dead, frostborn!"
Felix could just barely sense it, powerful swirls of purple-white Mana and a familiar crimson congealing along the edge of the Risi Commander's axe. A shimmering blade, conjured from Mana, nearly invisible.
He isn't sure what was about to happen, but it wasn't going to be good.
Influence of the Wisp!
Blue-white fire flickered around Felix before it guttered out.
No Effect
Shit!
The giant was already swinging. Magda and Harn were within ten feet of the giant, too close to dodge, going too fast to stop.
Reign of Vellus!
Felix poured the pitiful remains of his Mana into the spell, yanking upward with all of his mental might. He twisted his body too, muscles straining as he fought against the incredible weight and inertia of the icy weapon.
The greataxe and the Mana blade at its end tilted ever so slightly up.
With an explosion of crimson and purple light, a blade made of bloody ice screamed through the air. It tore across the thoroughfare, neither air nor stone ruin any impediment to its furious speed. The edge traveled for nearly 100 yards, shearing straight through several buildings before it dissipated into purple-white vapor.
Still not stopping, Magda and Harn moved through the giant's body as if he weren't there, blunt force and slashing trauma shattering limbs. The giant recoiled, losing grip on its weapon as it pulled back on itself. A solid, powerful kick from Harn sent it tumbling backward. Barely able to stand, the giant looked drained of something vital. Its cheeks were hollow beneath it's stained beard, and it's eyes were dull.
Without another word, the Commander fell to the ground, its body shattering like ice itself.
An Unknown Risi Commander is dead!XP Earned!
You Have Received A Quest!
An Incursion of Risi - The giants are descending from the Hoarfrost, threatening your home. Find out their purpose and eliminate them before they achieve it.
Purpose 0/1
Risi Killed 5/500
Reward: Title, Varies
Accept?
Yes/No
Felix's eyes bulged at the sudden prompt, his eyes zeroing in on the most important number.
There are 495 more of these guys?!
He fell back onto his ass, legs suddenly weak. Felix dismissed the quest notification without choosing an answer, resolving to worry about that later. Lying down and taking a good long rest was all he wanted right now.
And of course, that's when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Punch mage? You alive up there?" The voice was slightly strained, but he couldn't mistake the raspy voice.
"Yeah, still alive," Felix mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Good. Come down. We have questions," Harn added. Part of Felix rankled at the tone. He wasn't being asked, he was being ordered. With an effort of will, he shrugged that off and stood up. His head throbbed, but not as bad as before. After 10 seconds, his Mana was already back up to 5%.
Felix half slid, half walked down the crude stone ramp he'd made, a portion of his mind marveling at that fact. The rest of his thoughts were turned toward meeting all of these people outside of combat. What was he going to say to them?
Hello. I'm from another planet and I have no idea what's going on. Also I'm human. Or I was. Before. On the alien world that I mentioned...?
Felix palmed his face, groaning. This is impossible.
By the time he came down the ramp, most of the adventurers had gathered together. Felix approached them cautiously, noticing how they all grouped themselves. Evie and Vessilia stood together, the former whispering something to the latter that Felix couldn't make out. Atar sat on an overturned column, head in his hands, but looked up as Felix stepped forward. At the fore, the large framed Magda and heavily armored Harn stood like powerful sentinels. Surprisingly, Harn had a giant axe made of ice hanging across his shoulders, though it seemed...reduced somehow.
"Uh, hi," Felix managed a small wave. For the first time in a while, he was acutely aware of the state of his clothing. His tunic was just a collection of rags at this point, and his pants were torn up to the knees. His hair was a shaggy mess that stuck out in all directions, and he had at least two weeks of un-groomed facial hair.
"Who are you and why are you here?" The shield warrior stepped forward, her face only partially visible through her half-helm. She looked like a viking mixed with a brick house, physically huge and topping him easily by half a foot.
"I'm Felix and I, uh live out here." Felix decided to lie, unsure whether he'd be believed or branded as crazy for claiming to come from another world. He could always revise his story once he figured this all out.
Acting is level 6!
Magda raised her eyebrow, visible through her helm's protection. "Live? For how long?"
"How long? Well, it feels like my whole life--"
"We can chat later," Harn interrupted, looking off into the distance. "More are coming. We need shelter."
Felix swiveled in the same direction, suddenly hearing the stomp of large feet and light clatter of metal armor. When he turned back, all five of the adventurers were moving down the shattered lane. He hesitated as they walked away, unsure if he should call out or ask permission to follow them.
Then Vessilia turned and beckoned him. "Are you coming, Ser Nevarre?" Magda snorted but kept moving. Vessilia smiled at Felix's reluctance. "They are good people, I assure you. And we will all be safer together."
Felix rubbed the back of his neck and let himself be led away.
Maybe this will work out.
"I don't trust him," Magda whispered, glancing back at the strange man who followed them. His footsteps were eerily quiet as they navigated the iced over cobbles in the city ruins, and his eyes...
"Seems capable," grunted Harn, stepping over a fallen column.
"Too capable," agreed Magda. "I saw him run at that Risi Warrior faster than Evie, and she's specialized in Agility. And his bare-fist punches were putting dents in iron armor. He might not be as strong as you, but he's up there."