FVN Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 16: The Hunter becomes the Prey
Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 16: The Hunter becomes the Prey
Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 16: The Hunter becomes the Prey
A large pile of twigs and branches was gathered in front of Oscar, Frederick, and Emily. It was easy to find all the materials in this dense forest. It was not noon, so the Night Raptor was likely still sleeping, making it perfect.
"Each of us takes a part of the pile. There are five caves, so Frederick and Emily will take two while I take one." Oscar knew he was not as fast as Frederick when he used his 'Wind Steps' or Emily since she was a Middle Apprentice Exalt.
"Os! Be careful." Frederick took his bundle and made for his two caverns.
"Good Luck." Emily did the same. She wasn't as loud or obnoxious as before.
"Let's hunt this beast." Oscar was serious but also nervous. He had only battled with Frederick in spars. This fight would be his true first battle.
Oscar jumped down to the ravine and ran toward one of the caves. He dropped the branches he carried inside and some flint to heat up and start a fire on the branches. He waved his hand to direct the smoke deeper into the cavern.
Judging that the smoke had traveled far enough, Oscar retreated to the center of the ravine. Emily and Frederick arrived a few moments later.
"The whole place should be filled with smoke. Unless there's a deeper place that it could not reach." Oscar said. He hoped this would work; otherwise, they had to travel into the caverns.
"SCREECH!" A shrill cry of a monster echoed out of the caverns.
The trio was shocked by the loud, ear-piercing noise. It came from the Night Raptor.
Oscar signaled his companions to be ready. Frederick readied himself, gathering Ein on his feet.
The caverns still echoed with the screech of the Night Raptor. Finally, a beast burst out of one of the openings, looking around in furious confusion.
Oscar observed the creature; it was as pictured in the books. The Night Raptor was covered in black feathers with wing-like extensions out of its front arms. It was a slender creature, but the most horrifying features were its sharp claws and teeth that were the size of Oscar's hand.
The Night Raptor noticed the trio staring at it and screeched, releasing a burst of Ein. Beasts did not need to wrap themselves in ein like humans since their bodies were naturally infused with it from birth.
"Here it comes!" The Night Raptor dashed from side to side. Oscar wished he could use his stone gaze, but it was too far and too quick for him to catch it in the eyes.
Frederick utilized the 'Wind Steps' spell and summoned his hawk. The hawk dove toward the Night Raptor. It tried to swipe down on it, but the hawk was fast and spun to its side.
While the Night Raptor was distracted by the hawk, Frederick got closer and put out his fist. As his punch drew closer, Frederick felt an ominous feeling and withdrew by using 'Wind Step'.
The ground had been cut as a curved line appeared where Frederick had been standing. The Night Raptor screeched as its tail flailed around.
"Close." Frederick's spine shivered from the brush with death. This creature was cunning and lashed out its tail at the last moment to catch him off guard. Thankfully, he had some instincts and the speed to retreat.
"Use your hawk to keep distracting it. I'll go in." Emily rushed in. The orange Ein around her transformed into an orange staff with beautiful etchings of beasts; it was her staff anima.
Emily took a stance, planting her feet on the ground, and sinking some dirt. With a fierce look in her eyes, she swung her staff anima toward the Night Raptor, tearing through the air.
The Night Raptor swiped its claws in retaliation. The claw and staff created sparks as they clashed, and Ein burst from their exchange. Emily's staff was unexpectedly tough enough to withstand the sharp claws.
Meanwhile, Frederick and his hawk tried to maneuver for another attack. But, the Night Raptor used its free tail to create distance between it and the two. Although Frederick could not draw close for a good attack, he kept the tail preoccupied; thus, Emily was free to fight without worry.
"Oscar!" Emily shouted, asking if it was time for Oscar to make his move.
"It's still too vigilant. You need to capture its attention." Oscar had tried to move closer but noticed the Night Raptor was keeping a part of its attention on him.
"Hoh?" An orange staff appeared in the air, moving menacingly towards Frederick. He immediately surrendered and said, "Forgive me!"
Emily and Oscar laughed while Frederick felt annoyed at being a joke, but he couldn't help but join in. This was their first mission, and it was successful. How could their moods not soar high?
'I wonder how Isabella is doing?'
Oscar thought about his childhood friend who joined the Blue Ocean Pavilion with him. Her father, Carlson Thorn, asked him to take care of her, but she was far away in the Inner Hall.
'I should try to contact her soon.'
He was so busy training and becoming stronger that he neglected his promise to Carlson. Isabella was often helpless when it came to that. She was impulsive and rash, so Oscar held her back numerous times.
"Hey, Os! What are you thinking of using your contribution points for?" Frederick and Emily were surprisingly getting along better. They were discussing what to spend their points on.
"I would like a weapon." Oscar voiced his desire.
He could not rely on using his body forever. Since his Exolsia core was only Grade Four, he needed another edge against an enemy. A weapon was a great choice to expand his options and strength.
"I need a staff. I can't keep using my anima as a weapon. Too dangerous, and I need to practice to the Meld stage." Weapon anima was far tougher, but the danger of breaking was still prevalent. Emily needed a real staff to cover that weakness.
"Can you still control the weapon anima while using your own weapon?" Oscar asked.
"Of course, it just takes more concentration. The weapon anima can float and attack like my bird without holding it." Frederick responded. "My aunt uses a weapon anima, and I've seen her use it."
"Your aunt?" Emily was curious.
"My aunt works at the Blue Ocean Pavilion as a Judge," Frederick responded proudly.
"A Judge? That's impressive." Emily was in awe of the information.
"Hah, I'll shoot right past her." Frederick smiled confidently at Emily, who just scoffed and said nothing. She did not want to entertain his delusions.
"We've rested enough. Let's head back." Oscar felt better, and it was best to leave the Glenwoods before nightfall.
The three packed away their hard-earned materials and stepped out of the ravine. However, Emily stopped for a moment in vigilance.
"Who's there?" Emily shouted, to the surprise of Oscar and Frederick.
"This woman was able to spot us out?"
"It doesn't matter; we can just crush them." Samuel and two of his underlings crept into view from the trees.
"Samuel?!" Oscar and Frederick shouted. Oscar's fears had been realized, but he hoped that Samuel had some sense not to do it.
"This is the Samuel you mentioned?" Emily was surprised this person was vindictive enough to follow them here. Wasn't it just some simple quarrel?
"You've mentioned me? I don't care either way. I'm here for the two of you."
Samuel's body burst into a bright yellow flux of Ein. His tiger anima manifested and roared menacingly toward the three.