Chapter Text
Another Ghoul fell to his spear, which continued its arcing path to slash one larger. Deftly side-stepping its retaliative clawing, Illuga brought his weapon up to block, a fleeting chance to check on his team successfully created.
Anleifr had been on the other side of the moonwagon when the horde had formed, but his spirited cursing could easily be heard over gurgled taunts. Bjorn’s opponent was on its last legs. As for Rollon-
Rollon fired a concentrated kuuvahki bullet, felling Bjorn’s opponent with a perfectly aimed strike as another of the damned threw itself behind him. With no room to hesitate, Illuga broke from the stalemate he had created and spun to swipe at his own abomination whilst aiming his lantern. Aedon burst forth, piercing through the darkness and the blonde’s attacker’s chest.
“Captain!”
However, the bulky Wilderness Hunter was barely pushed back by his hasty swing. It roared – a distorted cry for blood – and a fist the size of his head reeled back for a punch.
Already unbalanced, as Illuga twisted to defend, he teetered on the edge of toppling as that fist came down.
A frosted lance whizzed past his ear, piercing through the monster to embed itself deep in the wagon wall as Illuga fell. The fog began to dissipate, that final enemy dispersing along with it, yet only when Anleifr – broadsword in hand, panic evanescing from his face – rounded the transport could the squad leader exhale in relief.
Footsteps crunched over grass as his teammates gathered around him. He pushed himself up while Rollon checked on the supplies, only after asserting he had collected nary a scape. Their big and strong former treasure hunter had, though, and so he was subjected to ‘the young master’s unyielding care’.
The Nightmare Orioles may not see the man very often, but they had whole-heartedly taken to Flins’ way of teasing. A Ratnik’s sense of humour was what was truly unbending.
While the squad leader tended to his friend, his most sensible companion investigated the weapon sticking out of their cargo. It looked like those of the Knights. It also looked battered.
Something dropped out of the sky.
Anleifr swore. Rollon banged his head. Weapons were drawn before they fully processed what was in front of them. Caked in mud, blood and dirt, clothes torn so badly they were shredded in areas, eyes dull yet brimming with mirth – amid the person’s haggard condition hid a face Illuga had not seen in months.
“He might give you a scare.”
Varka’s warning had been spot on. Before anyone could move, the squad leader ordered them to stand down. The newcomer seemed to sway a little as he marched between them and yanked his polearm from its prison. “That was sloppy.”
Illuga, who had been running on stolen naps and snacks for the past few days, felt his eye twitch. “Yes, well. Thank you for your assistance.”
Upon turning to his team, he was unsurprised at the blend of reactions the dishevelled Knight had garnered. Offense and horror melted into bewilderment as they were introduced. “This is Vice Captain Lohen of the Knights of Favonius’ Ranged Company. Please, don’t take anything he says too seriously.”
Lohen alone cheered at that. “Aw, you do remember me! I’m honoured.” His weapon was twirled away in a motion surer than his footing, and the state of him finally registered. “You’re hurt!”
The Lightkeeper assumed so, at least. Now that he was paying attention, it was hard to tell through all the muck and no patch stood out colourful enough to pass for fresh blood, but that was no confirmation that it was not the Knight’s own. Whatever altercation or mishap had led to that awful appearance, he must have been exhausted too.
Not according to Lohen himself, though. If he was really just ‘a little bit hungry’, why was he walking like a drunk? As much as the newly local Mondstadters prized their wine, there had been enough back and forth between that first official meeting and now to be certain the comparison was false.
In all fairness, it was likely not that bad. Years of visiting Ivar during the doctor’s recovery and subsequent studies, as well as his own selfish desire to protect everyone around him, had left Illuga in a prime position to notice these things. They stood out all the more for it. Still, his whole team’s doubtful looks spoke to the contrary. Illuga was determined to get some food in him either way.
To the squad leader’s immense relief, Lohen invited himself to join them. It was tempered when he immediately set about coaxing Rollon atop the moonwagon’s roof – more so when Anleifr jokingly joined in – but Illuga refrained from stopping them for now, sharing an amused and exasperated glance with Bjorn. Truly, a Ratnik’s sense of humour was formidable.
He would appreciate not having to explain how his old squadmate’s brother had fallen off the transport, however. When the terrain became less forgiving, he would make sure his fellow Ratnik’s feet safely rejoined the ground.
The original group had set off from Piramida at dawn toting two carts, one of which had been sent ahead with another pair of Ratniki whilst scheduled supplies were unloaded in Dreadshade Mire. That wagon was bound for Kipumaki Cliff, where the current watch party was being rotated out. Once the four led their own wagon between the various outposts along the way, they would also be taking point for a few weeks. Illuga had been planning to make a brief pit stop at the officially coined Favonius Keep, but he might as well spend his rest hours there, now.
Surprisingly, Lohen had opted to stroll at his side, little effort required to keep up with their lazy load. Whether that was because they had met previously or for a reason unknown was up in the air. If it meant Illuga could keep an eye on him, the reason did not matter.
He did not seem to mind the clinging of his clothes, nor did the tangles of his hair – far beyond windswept – find acknowledgement. The crossbow set on his sleeve was half-shattered. Even those perplexingly long boots were littered with stains and blemishes, and still, when asked what he had been up to, the Knight regaled them gladly with tales of solo-fought battles against Wild Hunt phenomena. By no means were they detailed, but it sounded like he had had fun.
Sleep-deprivation. Maybe a concussion? Those explanations should be more likely. There was nothing fun about facing the Wild Hunt.
As nice as it was to half-listen to his allies’ chatter, Illuga could not shake the unsettled feeling that had followed him from the battlefield. All in the vicinity were either weak varieties of hilichurls, the typical kuuvahki-infused plants or other Lightkeepers training before bed - not one condemning whisper on the breeze. There was no danger at present (Rollon’s location aside). His body disagreed.
Lohen tightened the black, knotted sleeves of the coat he wore like a cape – one borrowed from their supplies. Despite Nod-krai’s November bite and the morning frost having softened the soil, he claimed not to have noticed the creeping cold, long used to the chill of his Vision. In all likelihood, he had accepted it mostly to pacify present company.
Whenever they stopped at a Lightkeeper outpost for deliveries and quick catch-ups, he- Well, at first, he had stood back, looking quietly pleased as the Ratniki guffawed at their ‘rooftop sniper’. From as soon as the Oriole was told to come down, however, Illuga would cast a glance to find him frowning, eyes scanning the surroundings as if in search. Then, they would be on the road again, and he would be all passive or ribbing, the latter scenario earning a laughable array of reactions. If each visit was made shorter than the last, the group let it go. These stops were short to begin with.
In all honesty, Illuga was unsure where the two stood. Varka might have been right; Lohen seemed not to loathe him at least. Perhaps, calling the squad leader ‘Squad Liar’ should have been indicative of a grudge, but it felt in no way malicious. On the contrary, he was more inclined to believe the Knight had simply forgotten his name.
Travelling by daylight as they were, the group arrived at the final outpost without incident. The moonwagon was parked, greetings were had, and the group split up as their destinations drew nearer. That was what was supposed to happen, anyway.
A sudden gasp snatched the four Lightkeepers’ attention, as well as a few from the base. Eyes glued to a humongous, geo-oriented Frostnight Scion, Lohen almost hungrily exclaimed,
“Where have you been!?”
Illuga yanked him back the second he made to sprint. “Don’t just run up to it! That’s not a friendly creature!”
Lohen tried to tear his arm away. Overcome with dread, the Ratnik held fast. There was no way from here to Snezhnaya that he would allow something so stupid to occur. “Please, tell me you understand that creature is not a friend.”
Giving up on getting free, the vice captain settled for glaring. “Yes, yes, I know. We don’t slaughter our friends, right, Captain Illuga? Now – let go.” When he was not immediately released, he plied clamped fingers off himself, scratching his skin in the process. Momentarily dumbfounded, all Illuga could do was watch the other back away a step, just out of reach. “You…” he faltered in disbelief. “You want to kill it? It’s going to kill you!”
“And Dragonspine will erupt in twelve hours. I-“ Lohen paused for a breath, gaze darting between each Oriole, ire melting into wicked confidence and, oh, did Illuga not like that look. “… have a plan.”
Focus directed at the other Ratniki, the Knight elaborated unprompted. “I’ve been away for a while, and that creature looks so thick and meaty. I’m sure my colleagues would appreciate a gift for the trouble I am undoubtedly about to put them through. I can beat it alone, I’m sure, but if you Lightkeepers could distract it for about three minutes, that could be helpful.”
Rollon scratched his head, unsure. “Uh, that’s a pretty big order for one person, and we have been walking a lot…” He was just the wrong person to speak.
“Then the Lightkeepers must be less diligent than I thought.” Lohen clicked his tongue, crossed his arms, raised his chin and rebuked, “If a creature that powerful has settled by the main road, why aren’t you doing anything about it? We had to get this close to even see it. Would you knowingly endanger civilians? Adventurers? Your allies in the Knights? Your brothers and sisters? By not carving up the threat right in front of you, what are you achieving?” The target of his verbal assault was sweating, at a loss for words. After a moment, he huffed and muttered, “Your Squad Liar’s so fussy, I’m sure he’d come back to skewer it anyway.”
Illuga choked, the awkward looks tossed his way not helping. As much as he wanted to deny it… “I wouldn’t go out of my way…”
“Yes. You would. They know you would. If you weren’t so busy staring at that glowing plant-thing, you would not have bothered lying just now.” Three tests and he somehow failed them all. If Lohen had started with this instead of running towards danger, he could have believed it reasonable.
Bjorn patted his back in consolation. “It’s alright, Captain. You can’t help being a counterexample to common sense.”
Him? The real counterexample was right in front of them!
Apparently, Anleifr saw differently. “Well, why not?” he shrugged, heedless of his leader’s frustration. “We’ll have a few hours’ rest afterwards. It shouldn’t be too difficult with the five of us.”
“Yeah,” Rollon tentatively agreed. Had they actually forgotten that this was a bad idea? “And Sir Lohen saved Captain earlier, so we probably don’t have to worry about him, right?” They had. They really had.
Lohen was not done berating. “Of course not,” he snapped derisively. “A disgrace to ranged weaponry like you will only be a hinderance. Worry about protecting yourself if-“
“Now you’re just-“
“A-pa-pa, still talking here! Worry about protecting yourself if you’re not willing to make the most of your weapon’s capabilities. You have a gun. With a blade. Why are you using it like heavy artillery? And don’t you have a second weapon? H-how long have you been a Ratnik? Because, from where I’m standing, you can’t have been in the field against these foes for more than two years at a stretch; a big stretch. So, how long? Come on, out with it.”
Against the barrage of insults, Rollon looked close to tears. His voice wavered as he squeaked out, “It’s been almost five years!”
“Hmph. Five years wasted.” A feral grin climbed over the Knight’s face. “That kuuvahki shooter looks powerful but lighter than a decent claymore for its size. If the recoil bowls you over, roll with it. An enemy comes close, whack it or slash it – blade’s there for a reason. Blast needs time to charge? Hack away! Your captain can cover distance in the meantime. If your weapon isn’t stuck to the ground, you should be moving across the battlefield.
Very well! You are getting a crash course in ranged tactics. You’ll wish that overgrown horse stomped you to death before we’re through. It’ll be great!”
Somehow, despite his already pale skin tone, Rollon paled further. Imploring eyes sought out his saviour, and Illuga could blame the latent exhaustion for his flat response. “Dig yourself out.”
The blonde sighed and hung his head. “Sorry, Captain,” he apologised, his voice wobbling with rueful amusement through the defeat.
Two of three Ratniki won over, Illuga was grateful for Bjorn’s presence. Bjorn was sensible, often a voice of reason when their squadmates got overly excited. Bjorn would take his side. Bjorn would help remind the others why they should not be doing this.
“Do your best, Rollon.” Bjorn was a traitor. A filthy, filthy traitor. “It’s not everyday a Knight captain offers pointers. What’s the plan?”
“There is no plan,” Illuga grumbled. “Lohen needs rest. We’re not fighting that beast.”
The Knight in question was affronted. “Do I look tired to you?” With only a raised eyebrow for an answer, he shrugged it off and started stretching. “Oh, whatever. You already agreed to let me train your gunner and, since the party splits here, the rest of you are free to join in if you like. You’ve forfeited your authority, Il-lug-a.”
Illuga bristled. “You can train another time. Favonius Keep is right there. At least eat something first.”
This whole time since yapping at Rollon, Lohen’s teeth had not disappeared. Now, though, that energetic smile became a tad more playful. “Then, fight me.”
“I- What?” Had he been listening at all?
Lohen smiled wider. “There is no reason for me to listen to you. I'm going to tear apart that puffed-up slime no matter what you have to say about it. If you really want to stop me, beat me so badly you have to carry me home. It’s that simple. Oh, and Laurent has been watching us this whole time – will still, I’m sure.”
Whatever Illuga chose, the Knight won. It really was that simple.
“Ivar was right,” Bjorn mused, unhelpful. The Ratniki were already readying their arms. “You really do attract these types.”
Very unhelpful.
The squad leader sighed. Those comments could be ignored for now. “Okay, then. Rollon – if you want to try something, go ahead. I’ll cover you, but don’t forsake your safety unless it’s completely unavoidable. If things go south, return to your regular strategies.”
“No wonder he’s so conservative. You’re too reliable.”
“Leaders are supposed to be reliable.”
“Well, that’s your opinion. Distract the enemy for three minutes. I shall be bringing a kuuvahki-powered friend to play.” And just like the wind, the Mondstadter swept away, Favonius Lance not even in hand. The Nightmare Orioles watched his muddied colours go in silence.
“So…” Anleifr began slowly. That spelled trouble. “New friend, Captain?”
Bjorn chuckled. “He’s quite a character.”
“I’m so sorry, Captain!” Rollon wailed, fake tears welling in his eyes. “You’re actually mad, aren’t you? Even if I survive, Ivar’s gonna kill us both!”
“I’m not angry,” Illuga grouched, wishing he could laugh at the absurd joke. It sure sounded like he was. Rubbing at his temples, their leader took a moment to understand what just happened. “He’s no push-over. If you don’t want to take his advice, I’ll deal with it, but Bjorn had a point earlier.” Getting stronger often meant stepping out of one’s comfort zone. He knew that – lived by that principle. As much as Illuga wanted all of his people safe, it was for that very reason that he could not stifle them. “I don’t think he meant most of that to be insulting.”
Hand over heart, the gunman hesitated to answer, although it did not take him long to make up his mind. “I… Maybe it’s your responsibility to look out for us, Captain, but we’re here to watch your back, too. The truth is, we can’t afford to be complacent. I don’t want you – or anyone – to have to take hits for me.”
The squad leader had to smile at that. If his people wished to better protect themselves, that could only be a good thing. He would help them, all the same. Summoning Aedon to his side, he finalised the plan.
“Alright. Let’s deal as much damage as we can before Lohen gets back.”
The group may have squandered a minute, but the next would be milked for all their worth. Bjorn and Anleifr charged the Frostnight Scion, the former’s sword cutting in swift, precise strikes while the latter’s heavy claymore swooped in wide, powerful arcs. Distraction was an afterthought. They intended to kill.
As agreed, the polearm-user kept his distance, Aedon supporting their offense while he focused on shielding them with kuuvahki. Those barriers tended to be weak against anything but the Abyss. They would do, nonetheless, until the cryo-wielder returned.
In actuality, three minutes could feel like no time at all when on the battlefield. It was only when you were waiting for something that time seemed to drag. Illuga was doing the opposite, so it was inevitable that that event felt so immediate.
The moment Rollon fired his second blast, a seed core pelted the stunned Scion’s side, almost innocuous if not for its speed and the golden trail streaming behind it.
On the other end was a charging slothsheep. On the slothsheep’s back was Lohen.
It was on pure instinct that Illuga raised a shield around him as the other Ratniki scattered. A split-second before the racing plant collided, the Knight wedged his spear into the base of the enemy’s neck, launching his weight into the air in the same movement. Momentum carried him around the shaft to kick the beast in the face, and their combined forces toppled it in an instant.
Heart pounding, Illuga rushed in, commanding his men to do the same. Wary of the still stomping slothsheep trampling them, they rejoined the assault, determinedly ignoring Lohen’s taunts toward the downed beast, whose armoured hooves continued to bat at them.
Trapped between six tough assailants, the Scion was unable to pick itself up. With no vital organs with which to grant it a swift death, it was through the myriad wounds inflicted that the creature bled out its golden blood until, at last, it could move no more.
“That’s it?” Lohen was entirely too disappointed for all the elation displayed seconds prior, not to mention how smoothly the skirmish had gone. The slothsheep, similarly disinterested, turned to wander off. “You barely put up a fight.”
Oh, did Illuga have words for this man! “That was the ‘friend’ you went to fetch? What were you thinking?”
Just like that, he perked back up. “Nod-krai’s wildlife is incredible compared to Mondstadt’s! I saw one destroying a hilichurl last night – didn’t seem to mind me joining in, either.”
The rattled Ratnik had also thrown the fake animals around in the past, but Lohen did not need to know that. “That was ridiculously reckless,” he scolded. “We’ve accomplished our aim here. Now, let’s leave.”
“Hey, um,” interjected Rollon. He was eyeing the Scion’s corpse dubiously. “Frostnight Scions are elemental beings, right?” At the former treasure hunter’s confirmation, he asked, “So… can we? Eat it?”
With as much fanfare as one would use to describe a typical day’s weather, the Mondstadter announced, “People cook slimes. What’s the difference?”
There was a moment of horrified silence, the Orioles’ faces painted in disgust. Their captain, on the other hand, stood contemplative. “Slimes… are edible?” he mumbled after a beat. “I guess if they’re sticky, maybe I could-“
“Captain, no!” Rollon cried, more frantic than before the fight. The others as well. “We love your cooking, but I beg you, don’t make us eat monsters!”
Lohen was surprised. He almost looked worried. “Even I thought that was weird the first time I heard it. Are you insane?” The question sounded disturbingly genuine.
Oh well. Illuga had yet to find a dish that suited Flins’ palette. It only made sense for him to see if slime condensate was the key. If it turned out to be a healthy, tasty ingredient, accepting more options to survive by was sensible.
Without further ado, the vice captain plopped down to the displaced soil and ripped off one of his uniform’s remaining buttons. The air around him cooled, and soon, ice began to build around it. When he had something vaguely cylindrical twice the size of his palm, it was placed on the surviving grass before another button was torn from its place. “The wheels need to connect, and the axel needs to be longer than my shaft but not actually attached to the base or the whole thing will tip,” he muttered to himself. “Hmm… It’s going to be heavy. Then, everything needs to be thicker? Might need six wheels… Oh. Only five left. Never mind, then. Unless, I put one in the middle… No, not worth it.”
At this point, the Lightkeepers were content to let him be. They could have just used the moonwagon to transport the Scion, but since the Knight sort of seemed to be resting…
Illuga shooed his squadmates to their destination, proceeding to sit down himself. He could not quite relax yet. Still, this had to count as rest for him too.
For a while, he simply watched Lohen work, one ear pricked for telltale signs of danger. Clouds from Ashveil Peak were beginning to encroach on the surrounding skies, dark precursors to storms steadily swallowing sunlight. At their lazy crawl, it would be hours before they burst, but the air over this area would have cooled significantly by then.
This early in the season, most of the wildlife was already hibernating or burrowed out of the paths of unpredictable gusts. It was calm. His companion’s string of thought aside, it was quiet. It would have been a good time to bring up that crazy plan if there was any hope of being heard. ‘You must be starving by now. It can wait.’
As more ornaments were pulled – from the fabric of his over-the-shoulder cape this time – the Ratnik was forced to consider the other’s overall condition again. Was he doing that because he was tired, or struggling to channel elemental energy? He was concentrating quite intently. Could it be… “Um, Sir Lohen?”
“Just Lohen is fine, thank you.” The Knight spared not a glance.
Illuga prodded on regardless. “Lohen, then. You’ve been using those pieces for the corners of every sizeable part of the wagon. By any chance, are we both unaccustomed to creating constructs?” Perhaps because of his affinity for kuuvahki and long-held experience with it, he had found moving geo energy much easier than forming tangible structures.
Pausing where he was reinforcing its second side, Lohen looked up for a moment before returning to his self-assigned task. “This is a trick some friends back home taught me, to expend less effort. Elemental manipulation is unusually difficult for me, although it has been easier since we set foot in Nod-krai – feels even easier now, too. Huh.”
‘Huh, indeed.’ From the brutal dressing-down (suggestion session?) Rollon had received, Illuga had assumed the vice captain would not be satisfied with supplemental tricks. How long had the expedition been in progress, again? If he had received his Vision over four years ago, ‘unusual difficulty’ was likely no exaggeration.
When the third side of the cart freezing cart was ready, the pair hauled the carcass inside together, causing it to slide backwards towards the ravine. Both rounded the handleless vehicle to catch it, Illuga panicking at the thought of it falling after all of that, only for the chill to shock him through his gloves! Of course. It was made of ice! He could not believe what he was about to do in winter of all seasons.
Lohen struggled to hold the massive Scion and ice sculpture’s combined weight in the damp-softened mud while the native balled his coat to protect his hands, but he held out, and between them, they managed to push their prize onto the main road. Alright. Now all they had to do was…
The moment Illuga’s gaze landed on the slope to Favonius Keep, a part of his spirit withered. Had it always been that steep?
Perhaps cognisant of the dread in his heart, Laurent took pity on them, descending to meet them with the two Knights on guard duty. “Vice Captain Lohen, Squad Leader Illuga. Welcome back. We’ll handle it from here.”
“Really? Thank you so much!” The words were spoken in a rush, as if to ensure the offer would not be rescinded. ‘So, you didn’t want to do it either? Then, why put in all that effort?’
Without so much as pausing for breath, Lohen dragged him away by the sleeve of his jumper, demanding, “Come on, let’s go,” in one go.
It was only once they were passing the pine amber stalks, trees hiding them from view, Illuga pulling his frosted coat tightly around himself, that Lohen burst into giggles and the Ratnik remembered most Mondstadters were crazy enough to walk around gloveless.
“Unbelievable. You come back after two entire months AWOL, and the first thing you do is try to kill your co-workers?”
The Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius dropped beside them, having watched their near-fumbled escapade from atop the natural stone walls. Lohen smirked, completely unbothered. “Death herself would find them wanting.”
“You too, apparently. Hey there, Illuga. Back already?”
There was something about this man that made warmth a mandatory feeling in his space. “I have a letter from the Starshyna and an overdue delivery for you. Two months overdue, if I'm not mistaken. Must’ve gotten lost in the mail.”
Varka burst into laughter. “In the melee, more like!” Honestly, even after the expedition’s main force had joined the Knights in Nod-krai, his laugh was probably Illuga’s favourite thing about this encampment. It echoed, loud and carefree – a comforting assurance that all problems in this world could be overcome. That was how the Ratnik felt, anyway.
The Grand Master brightened even more whilst reading Nikita’s letter. He folded it back into its envelope, which quickly vanished into his majestic coat’s pocket, and insisted, “Don’t just stand there – come in! Come in! You’ve got some time, right? Might as well spend it with us! Don’t think I can’t see those tense shoulders.”
If something else had to be said about Varka, it would be his blunt perceptiveness. During Illuga’s last visit to Paha Isle, he and Flins had spoken at length of the foreign military unit, and the latter had recognised the ‘jolly tourist’s’ description. It still surprised the younger Lightkeeper that the two got along. Although, given the Knight’s overall personality, maybe it was not so strange.
Scratching his neck lightly, he responded, “If it’s not any trouble.” He really did appreciate their hospitality. It would make his next task go much more smoothly. “Lohen, shall we grab some food?”
Lohen was staring at him. For the duration of the conversation, Lohen had been staring at him. Why was Lohen staring at him? And why did it feel like his plan was about to crumble?
“Not so fast,” drawled the smaller Knight. He moved as if to drape an arm around his companion, only to pull back at the last second. “I believe there is something I am owed. Isn’t that right, Grand Master?”
“You’re cashing that in now? You both look like a weak gust could blow you over.”
“Who knows when we’ll see each other again? It has to be now.”
“You’re that upset about the Frostnight Scion?” The Knight of the North Wind shook his head, hand coming up to cradle his forehead. “Illuga sto- Actually, never mind! Illuga, sorry to ask, but will you do us all a favour and tire him out? Don’t worry about knocking him flat – Lohen’s as tough as they come; he’ll love it. Might not leave you alone otherwise.” To this, the Knight in question nodded emphatically.
Illuga was, admittedly, a little lost. ‘Knock him flat’? Were they asking him fight? Why?
Vaguely, he recalled trying to convince the other to wear his cape properly instead of as a blindfold last time they met. Had he made an agreement to do it? Unless, it was Varka who owed a favour? …Could that happen?
“You want to spar?”
The young Knight rolled his eyes. “You did promise. Oh, but my cape is a bit too torn to serve as a blindfold. I’ll have to find something else.”
Somehow, Illuga felt cheated. Lohen had created a lose-lose situation for both of them and still taken every win for himself. “Forget the blindfold. Do you not want to eat first?”
“Nope.”
Varka perked up at that, thrown off. “’Nope’? Who did you pick that up from?”
“Him,” Lohen chirped. The Grand Master nodded like that made perfect sense. Surely not even Flins could remember every word he said in a day, but Illuga doubted he had said ‘nope’ more than once today, and there was nothing noteworthy about the word, so why were they fixating on it? Besides, the wild Knight must have met with others in the past few months.
Clapping his hands, Varka ordered them to the ‘bonfire clearing’, near the smallest medical tent, which happened to be empty at the time – an odd choice if one were to ask Illuga. The boisterous Knight of Boreas might have meant for them to beat the coming rain, but they still could have gone outside. Camp was already busy.
As for rules, they were kept simple: no energy manipulation, no permanent damage, no property damage and once the fight was declared over, no continues – that would be that. Shockingly, Lohen had accepted the first without fuss, tossing his winged gemstone to his commander without a second thought. Allegedly, it was so his opponent would not be rendered a ‘useless, scabbing shiver’ mid-battle, and Illuga could agree that did not sound fun. Even so, he had half expected his own handicaps to be contested. It seemed Aedon would be sitting out once today.
He had been right to be suspicious.
Upon witnessing the Fifth’s vice captain almost skip to a stop in the clearing, several of the order scattered or skuttled a few steps away. For some reason, pitying looks were spread among the terror.
Once the other young man caught up, he whispered, “New rules: anything goes except murder and post-match stabbing.”
Bar confrontations with the Fatui, Illuga doubted he had ever argued with a single person so much in one day. He levelled Lohen with an unenthused stare. “We can have fun with the old rules. Is this why you gave up so quickly?”
“Gave up?” The Knight barked an incredulous laugh. “Ask anyone here – that phrase is imaginary.” Shaking his head at the ridiculous sentiment, he lowered his voice once more. “Hide your lamp and let your meat-pecker fly around us – doesn’t have to attack. It’s not as if either of us relies on elemental power, but you feel it too. Our Visions aren’t so far as to completely cut us off. If we’re sparing enough, the Grand Master won’t notice a thing – and if he does, he won’t mind, because we also can’t burn the camp down.”
“Has… someone else done that before?”
Fondness tinted his smile as he stated simply, “You would like her.”
As much as Illuga did not want to be convinced by this man, there was no harm in accepting that one. Unfortunately, the suggestions did not feel wholly dismissible either. Was it just the confidence he spoke with that made it so easy to fall in line? He twisted logic like Flins non-answers. “You want me to use kuuvahki, don’t you?”
Lohen scoffed at that, releasing the borrowed coat from his shoulders. “What’s this? The squad leader finally found his ears? This weird energy is everywhere in Nod-krai; I do need to know how it works.”
A fair point. Acquiescing at last, the Ratnik set his old signal lamp to the side, near the clean, navy towels someone had left out for them, bidding the messenger bird within without, and brandishing his Prospector’s Shovel in the other’s direction. “No property damage.”
The battle-maniac wasted not a second more. Grin shark-like, he leapt at his opponent, forcing Illuga to block lest he fly into the tent beyond. Already tense, Illuga had caught blade with shaft, deflecting the sharp edge and pushing back with substantial force. Lohen matched him equally.
Wary of the supplies behind them, the Ratnik gave an inch of ground to step around the other without dislodging his weight and gave a mighty shove for his trouble.
Pivoting aside just in time, the Knight retaliated, a swift arc chasing Illuga toward the clearing proper. “Try harder!” he commanded and rushed in again. Illuga seldom used geo in combat, but with the tenuous control he had at the moment, it was all he could do to layer particles like a second skin – a barrier to brace against bone-rattling strikes.
The flurry of blows was met strike-for-strike as his opponent attempted to breach his guard. Each varied in strength, meant to force a mistake – immense focus required to avoid over-balancing in any one block. With a start, Illuga realised they had left lasting damage out of their rules. Lohen was aiming to hurt!
“Planning on holding back forever?” he yelled. A kick was barely parried as the Knight slipped around him, the Ratnik’s own weapon his leverage to ride the ice forming at his toes. Frost glazed the Shovel where his boots had connected. Cold seeped through gloves and skin. This tactic was not going to work.
Illuga held his ground, firm as a boulder as the assault continued. Armed with fierce speed and reckless agility, every counter was met with decisive, second-long retreat, too brief to offer reprieve. What could he do? The moment he uprooted himself, he would be pressed out of the centre.
Hopping back a few paces from an opportune swing, Lohen glared. “Don’t you dare be worrying about protecting camp -“ he growled. “- when you should be worried about me!”
Sprinting to recover the distance, Lohen vaulted into the air, letting his blade and self pinwheel over Illuga’s head and leaving no choice but to dodge. Still, the moment the Ratnik regained his balance, he launched toward his target’s vulnerable form.
Keeping low in a crouch upon landing, Lohen aimed to sweep his feet out from under him. The Knight was forced to spring away, however, as Illuga jumped and slammed his polearm in the space he had just been. Laughter tore out of Lohen’s throat while both found their footing, exhilaration clear. “Now, that’s more like it!” The words were barely out when he dove in again.
He attacked with renewed ferocity, but Illuga had to control their movement. Long used to fighting through fatigue, the Lightkeeper forewent defence this time, leaning his body this way and that to find an opening to exploit, swinging wide in rapid succession to keep Lohen at bay.
Heart pounding, he reminded himself that the real goal was to tire each other out. It was getting dark. This match would not last long.
Out of the corner of his eye, Illuga noticed Aedon was no longer circling. Had he found one? Sure enough, as polearms glanced each other again, the shimmering corner of a hidden platform was just about visible to those who knew to look.
Lohen did not appreciate his distraction. Almost before he could react, sharp iron swept close to his jugular, redirected to cut across his front at the last second, and Illuga was only barely able to kick his assailant away in time to keep it from connecting. “Too slow,” came the sing-song taunt. Where was all that energy coming from?
Taking advantage of their temporary separation, the Ratnik crossed further in-field. Lohen smirked. He followed.
His lance was shot to his opponent’s side, sticking out of the dirt, angled away from Illuga. A second later, he was twisting around it for a dropkick, much like he had against the Scion. Illuga had no intention of being flattened, though. Before scuffed boots could make contact, like a catapult, the Prospector’s Shovel came between them and thrust Lohen into the air.
Instead of crashing into the kuuvahki-concealed rock to fall as expected, Lohen, hands free of his grounded weapon, pushed off the Ratnik’s unbalanced shoulders to then propel himself off that barely glittering edge, sending his opponent stumbling from the successive collisions.
Given no chance to recover, Illuga choked as ice-cold fingers snaked around his neck, nails digging in as he was stared down with vicious glee.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
Suddenly overcome with sickening dread, the Lightkeeper let instinct drive his next move. Spear clutched in a death grip, it was twisted up to slash at his attacker’s wrists. He was dropped to save their arteries and wasted no time in thrusting his blade, panting hard to make up for lost air while their attention shifted. ‘There were people around. They might still be nearby.’
No sooner did that thought cross his mind than his opponent sprinted away, eyes flaring. His stomach dropped, even as he raced to catch up. No matter what, he could not allow this fiend to escape!
This time, his spear came down upon the flat of a sword, both weapons trembling with the effort of overpowering the other. A shrill shing sounded; the enemy slipped free of the stalemate, only to hurl its blade point-blank, bolting off immediately. Someone screamed.
“Not good enough!”
“Never enough.”
Illuga gave chase, avoiding patches of ice that had accumulated during the battle. They hindered him just enough to lose sight of it in the fog, but it rose three pounding steps later, armed.
“You’re too late.”
Faint cackling crackled around them as a Favonius Lance came to slice his side, Illuga slashing the wielder’s thigh in retaliation. Nikita had been strict about taking hits just to dole them out, but without his lantern, his usual patterns were not cutting it, literally.
Up in the sky, Aedon squawked, wings flapping madly, and refused to heed his call.
‘He left everything… to you?’
The monster swayed wildly as it attacked again on fleet feet. It caught Illuga’s arm, shredding through thick sleeves to draw blood – more blood as more gashes were made. Shrouds of geo and kuuvahki could soften the stings, but nothing could fend off the chill.
‘Why… you?’
It got as good as it gave. The Lightkeeper jabbed and stabbed and swiped back until Aedon swooped between them, startling them apart. The monster did not falter.
‘Do you truly believe…’
Its lance drove straight for his heart just as he was yanked back, scrambling to remain upright. In spite of the miss, it let the weapon streak into the ground below, curling around the shaft upside down as it kicked through the distance once more.
‘… like this, you…’
Reinforced soles shaved injuries already acquired. Illuga hissed and thrust his spear before it could fully right itself. The move was evaded, and they were back to trading blows.
‘… someone as pathetic as you…’
Their polearms crashed against each other with increasing urgency, no longer engaging in stalemates. Both sides were wearing out, yet both refused to see the other triumph.
‘… could ever hope to protect…’
With every clash – every slit – every bash – the frenetic enemy’s limbs already trembled, exertion plain in every pant.
‘… anyone..?’
In a long-awaited moment, Illuga saw his opportunity.
The monster was mid-step. His polearm lashed in the furthest arc he could reach, aimed in a lethal strike. The blade sliced through unguarded flesh – a clean cut and fount of crimson blood bursting forth as the enemy fell.