Chapter 14 [Paranormal Coach]

I stood perfectly still, waiting patiently in the topmost branches of the colossal tree. The sun was midway between its peak and final hour, and long, dark shadows stretched over the small clearing. I took a risk and glanced at my timepiece. Not much longer now...

A glance toward the mouth of one of the fallen logs revealed a fidgety Aurora crouching in the entrance and scanning the treetops nervously. As for Nathaniel, he stood brazenly atop the giant log next to hers. It was far enough out that she wouldn't get in his way, yet close enough that she could cast Spells to aid him as needed.

All in all, this isn't terrible, I mused. Basic, maybe, but then, some of the best plans are.

When the troop arrived, Aurora would place a Barrier around Nathaniel. The light would grab their attention and possibly lure some of them out of the tree. Additionally, the Spell would protect him if the Beasts could use ranged Skills or throw projectiles. I would creep around in the shadows and fell anything I could reach without alerting the others.

One of three things would happen. Either my blade would end them, the fall would, or they'd be heavily injured from the landing, and Aurora would try to take them out from a distance. If she couldn't, Nathaniel or I would handle it once we were clear. Our only real threat was the Corrupted Beast--at least, as far as Aurora was concerned.

We still hadn't shared our builds, and I was adamant about not doing so until we reached the Fifth Floor. Instead, I'd had her conceive this plan with the knowledge she'd gained through our chats and her observations.

Not only was it a lesson that was stressed in the Academy, but it was also the standard method for certain factions to train couriers who were unhindered by Party contracts. They would earn Essence or curry favors for their faction by safely escorting temporary Party members across the Floors.

No one would divulge their build to a stranger who wouldn't lose any skin by sharing their secrets. So, it was the courier's job to be well-learned, observant, and capable of devising plans based on what they'd gleaned from their temporary colleagues. I wanted Aurora to have that skill.

Not only would it help her learn about her enemies, but having something to focus on also had the benefit of keeping one calm in a tense situation. That was the true worth of becoming accustomed to analyzing one's surroundings. She was an unpolished gem with a sturdy foundation, and as long as she was willing, I'd push her until she shined just as bright as any scion from the esteemed Families.

As for Nathaniel... I wasn't sure what I could do for him yet. He'd likely had some of the best tutors the Tower had to offer during his younger years. The young man was focused and diligent, and since we'd begun our ascent, he'd only neglected his morning routine twice. Both instances were due to our staying in towns. I often joined him and felt I gained as much from our sparring sessions as he did. It wasn't often that I'd had the opportunity to duel an opponent whose Foundations were far superior to mine.

Aside from a few pointers and growing together through combat, that's likely one of the only avenues I have to help him. His Foundations are at a much higher Level than they should be for a Wielder his age. And from the few battles I've seen him in... it's likely he doesn't have many other Cards. If he does, their Levels are low. Yes... I think the best way that I can help him is to suggest Cards that will synergize with however he decides to build.

"Boss, those Beasts are closing in," David's voice cut through the forest's silence.

"Thank you, David. If you would, keep an eye on Aurora." I heard a shrill screech in the distance and pressed myself tighter against the trunk. "Should she run into trouble, alert me. Directly."

"You got it, Boss."

Ooohaaaghh! Ooohaaaghh!

As I stood amidst the dense foliage, the rustling of leaves was quickly drowned out by the cacophony of shrieks and growls emanating from the unseen menace. I held my blade lightly and braced myself for the Beasts' arrival.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Ooohaaaghh!

A massive creature leapt from the shadows of the furthest tree, landing in the branches several yards below and causing the trunk to shudder. It instantly noticed Nathaniel and twisted toward him, shrieking in indignation at the thing that dared invade its home. I took the chance to study our foe while it was preoccupied.

Like most Beasts of the Corrupted Rank, it was dark and misshapen. Its fur was almost entirely black, and it was missing chunks that had been replaced with a bubbling, purplish-black liquid. Unlike the Fallen Eel from the cavern, these festering pustules hadn't developed into tentacles or additional appendages like were commonly found on Beasts of the next Rank. Its toes splintered the branch as it stood to its full height and beat its chest, grunting and challenging the tiny human far below.

At that same instant, the leaves surrounding the great tree burst with action as dozens of smaller, similar Beasts leapt onto the lower branches. They shrieked and hollered, waving their fists in anger and support for their leader. I hurriedly read the descriptions furnished by my Appraising Eye.

[Name: Raving Howler]

[Class: Primate]

[Rank: Crazed]

[Level: 3]

[Description: A primate of the atelidae family which has been heavily infected by the Plague. These creatures often fight amongst themselves unless an alpha arises to take command of the troop. They use their powerful grips and sharp claws to snatch their prey into the trees, where the troop tears the quarry apart while it remains suspended and helpless.]

[Skills: Bite, Throw, Clench]

Absolutely barbaric. I cast my gaze on the leader, which stood nearly twice as tall as those around it. As for the larger one...

[Name: Raving Howler, Alpha]

[Class: Primate]

[Rank: Corrupted]

[Level: 3]

[Description: A primate of the atelidae family which has been heavily infected by the Plague. This creature stands apart from its peers. It is bigger, stronger, and far more intelligent. It uses its power and higher intellect to guide the troop, creating an indomitable force that can hold its territory even in the most adverse conditions. Excessively territorial.]

[Skills: Bite, Throw, Clench, Howl, ???, ???]

Hmm... it seems my Foundations are too low to see all of its Skills. No matter. Based on the distance it covered when it arrived, I'd say one of them is Vault. The other is either Pound or Rally. Now, I just need it to... ahh, there it goes.

It stopped pounding its chest and fell from the tree, landing with a loud thump as the entirety of the Beast crashed into the ground. Not quite so brazen, several of its minions leapt from one branch to another, finally dropping to the earth from the lowest branches. Those that stayed behind gathered armfuls of rinds, sticks, and whatever else they found lying about the treetop. Nathaniel calmly summoned his glaive, and the Alpha roared. The Howlers in the tree started hurling their burdens while those on the ground raced forward.

Ahh, Rally it is. I smiled inwardly. And now that they're suitably distracted...

"Overcast," I muttered.

Swarthy haze materialized from nowhere around the middle branches of the trunk, obscuring the vision of the Howlers who'd stayed behind. Their cries of anger were cut off, and grunts of confusion took their place. Through the fog--semi-transparent for me, as the caster--I could see the Alpha look up from the ground, rage painted across its face.

Well... you're really not going to like this, I mused.

I left my cover in the tree's canopy, Dashing down into the growing fog and landing just behind a bewildered Howler. My sword sliced cleanly through the tendons on its ankles, and I sprung to the next branch before the sound of its screams reached my ears. The sounds of claws meeting metal echoed from below, covering my deft movements.

Blood splattered against the trunk as I felled a second Beast, then leapt toward a third that hung by its tail on the same branch. With a swipe of my blade, the tail was severed, and it plummeted toward the earth, its limbs flailing desperately--and unsuccessfully--to grasp onto one of the many branches it passed.

A nearby Howler witnessed the exchange, dropped its armful of makeshift projectiles, screeched, and pointed toward me. The tip of my blade Pierced into its wide open maw, silencing the Beast, but not before several more heads turned in my direction.

It seems the jig is up.

...

Aurora held her Prismatic Prison around the Alpha while Nathaniel and Rowan handled the rest of the troop. Just like they'd discussed, she'd cast the Spell the moment the first of the Howlers fell from the tree. When the fog rolled in, and the first of the Beasts fell, the Alpha had stopped its advance and looked up, giving her the chance to lock it in place.

She was holding the Spell now, scanning the battlefield and doing her best to keep up with the boys' movements. It was nearly impossible. Seeing through the haze in the tree above was out of the question, but she could easily count the corpses as they fell to the ground. The first five had been perfectly spaced out, with one falling every three seconds.

And then... She didn't know what had happened after the first few, but more than a dozen dropped from the canopy simultaneously. Aurora winced and redoubled her efforts to keep the Alpha contained. Seeing so many of its companions fall at once, it became enraged and started beating on the walls of the translucent barrier. Every strike added to the already building weight on her shoulders.

I can't fall. I can't drop the barrier until they've finished off the Howlers. They're counting on me.

She was sure they could have handled the entire horde without her assistance--or any plan at all, for that matter--but the two of them were giving her a chance, and she wanted to prove that she was capable. Something slithered across her shoulder, and she forced a smile at her little Summon--Ivy. It made a strange hissing noise, and she could feel a flicker of worry between their bond.

"It's okay, Ivy. I can hold out a little long--"

Crack.

She snapped her mouth shut, and her body tensed as she risked a glance over her shoulder. No. No, no! At the other end of the log, only a dozen yards from her, a massive Howler crept forward... and it was just as large as the one she had trapped in her prison.

Ivy leapt from her shoulder and coiled up on the ground behind her. Arcs of electricity lit the dark space between her and the incoming threat as the much smaller eel hissed in warning.

"Ivy, don't! We can--Ungh!" An immense pressure bore down on her shoulders, and she turned to see the captured Alpha driving its fist into the side of the prison. I can't hold this and deal with... She shivered. Why is it so cold..?

...

David hovered upside-down above Ivy, chuckling. "Don't worry, little guy. I've got your back."

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Rowan's voice sounded through David's Spectral Connection.

"Nothing to worry about, boss," David replied quickly. "If you've finished up in the tree, I don't think Aurora can hold that Spell for much longer."

"Got it. Be careful."

"Will do." David looked up--well, down--at the little eel and smiled. "I'll teach ya a thing or two. Just get ready to use that second Skill of yours."

Ivy nodded almost imperceptibly. David had already explained to the eel that only it could see him... and he was surprised at how well it understood. His grin broadened as he activated Frost Field, and the enemy Alpha began to slow. A thin layer of frost developed on the Beast's fur, and he could see its confusion as its movement stiffened.

"Alright, Ivy, this is what we call synergy," David explained. "Do you see how fast that frost is melting? And how it's creating water..."

The eel just bobbed up and down, holding back the Skill David had told it to have prepared. He sighed and ran his palm over his face. Geez, it's almost like talking to Larry. Well, maybe he'll get it after this.

"Alright, use Discharge!"

The eel curled up, and a flash of blinding light filled the back of the log. David watched as the Alpha spasmed and fell over. He pumped his hand and patted the little eel on the head.

"Good job! Now, keep casting your other Skill to kill it!" he coached.

David used Minor Fear on the oversized Howler for good measure as he floated lazily above it and watched as bolt after tiny bolt of lightning hit the Beast. He couldn't be sure whether its heart stopped due to the fear or the constant barrage of lighting bursting against its wet fur, but it didn't take long for the creature to die. After a few words of praise to Ivy, he floated through the top of the log and surveyed the battlefield.

Awww, I missed it! David whined and crossed his arms. Nathaniel hadn't moved from the top of his log, and a pile of Howler remains surrounded him on every side.

As for the Alpha, it was already dead, and Rowan was looking dejectedly at a shard of Essence he'd presumably Pulled from its corpse. David giggled. Well, I guess his Taming was unsuccessful... again.

He launched himself up above the trees and watched the afternoon sun. Even if the skies here were darker and more depressing than those of the First Floor, he didn't regret leaving the Academy. It had taken many, many years for someone who met the requirements to speak with him, and he was so grateful. David beamed.

I'm so glad you came along, Rowan.