A tremendous choking noise was coming from the forest. The normally bustling and hard-working village now crouched quietly in the barn. The minotaurs were approaching. Every minute brings more and more nervousness and adrenaline. And the same question is on everyone's mind. Will Kenji's plan work?

  "It's coming." Haru whispered to himself.

  He waved his hand in a sign to Kenji and Natsuo.

  "Kenji get ready. Haru gave the signal." He waved at him from the watchtower where his station was.

  The dozen Minotaurs were getting closer and closer. They were fast and scary, just as we know them from Earth myths. Bull-headed with great horns and nostrils that let out giant puffs of hot air. Their human chests were sculpted to the smallest millimetre. Bodies were robust, about three times the size of all of us here. Their giant hooves clinked against the ground like chains. Kenji was waiting at the gate. It's all on him. If he can't outwit everyone with his illusion, all will be lost. He has to be close to make it work. One slip up means a loss. This isn't a test that could be fixed the next day. This is pure ruthless reality. Kenji crouched a little so he wouldn't be seen in his hiding place. Last five hundred meters to go.

  "Okay, Kenji you're going to make it. This is a piece of cake for you." He chuckled.

  He rested his index finger on the tip of his nose. One last heavy exhale. Now it takes concentration of the highest caliber... 400 meters... 300 meters... 200 meters... 100 meters... 50 meters...

  Shiko, your turn.

  That thought in the redhead's head gave the signal to move on to the second phase of the plan. Shika emerged from her hiding place directly onto the main path that led away from the gate.

  "Hey guys!" She hooted at them. All eyes were on her.

  "I need to be milked." Shika stammered softly and leaned forward properly. Her costume and innocent little voice worked just as it should. They all stuck out their tongues and ran after her into the maze.

  Meanwhile

  Fuy and I sat inside the barn with the settlers. I was playing with a piece of hay and killing time. Suddenly, we heard a choking noise from afar. The villagers started to huddle together and the children started whining nervously. I significantly put my finger up to my mouth and try to remind them that they must be completely silent.

  "They're coming." Fuyu says quietly.

  "I hope Kenji makes it." I reply in a shaky voice. Yes, Kenji is indeed good at mind spells, but judging by his choking, he's a lot of them. I hope he can do it...

  The choking has stopped.

  "He did it." I sigh.

  Even Fuyu stops being so tense. We turn to the villagers with a smile on our lips.

  "It's okay now." I reassure them.

  They all smile and cheer when a little girl in the front row starts screaming and points her finger behind the two of us. We quickly turn to the door. I can already tell who it is by the silhouette. Two Minotaurs. We're both gonna get into attack position. The entire village is crowded into one corner to give us space. The Minotaurs will come out of the shadows and approach us. They both hold giant axes made of dark steel that glistens in the sunlight.

  The room is filled with the sounds of humming and snorting. God, you stink. I say to myself, wrinkling my face. I notice the swarm of flies circling silently around them.

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  "Sure. I got it. The others were to distract the villagers. Meanwhile, you'd be scrounging around looking for the books. What do you need them for?"

  "The Lord needs them moo... Give them to us." One of them boomed.

  "Who is your master?" I asked.

  The minotaurs didn't answer. Instead, they drew their axes.

  "Fine. We'll find out." I said.

  Fuyu pulled out his sword that was on his back.

  "You better not even draw that saber." Fuyu chuckled.

  "Don't worry, I don't plan on it." I smiled. I need to practice my swordsmanship. I barely pulled the sword out of its sheath. I chuckle inwardly at the memory. There's so much I have to learn.

  The minotaurs have come running towards us. Fuyu, like a bolt of lightning, ran out too. In a second he was upon them, but one of the minotaurs crossed his path with his axe. Fortunately, Fuyu is a skilled swordsman and blocked the attack with his sword. The other continued.

  "So you're mine." I whispered to myself.

  "North wind."

  The freezing wind came out of my hands. This spell is supposed to immobilize the opponent, and it seems to have worked. The bull froze in mid-motion. But my rejoicing was premature. I had forgotten that they also had magical powers. The bull's eyes turned orange and suddenly he was engulfed in fire. He didn't make a sound. Even though his body was on fire, the fire didn't hurt him.

  "So you can conjure the phoenix's flattening. How are you going to deal with this? Stix River Springs."

  The dark blue strands caught him and began to snake down his body until they began to strangle him. But he broke the watery bonds and ran towards me, and I narrowly managed to dodge to the side.

  "A gust of wind."

  I threw him to the side. He stopped burning for a moment, too, and I took advantage of it.

  "Leaf storm!"

  Unfortunately, the leaves burned in his fire shield.

  "Okay. Then fight fire with fire." I got to my feet.

  "Flames of the fire dragon!" I roared belligerently, and an incredible amount of dragon-shaped fire came out of my hands, accurately hitting the Minotaur.

  The Minotaur was burned to ashes. I learned this spell from the dragon book, but this is the first time I've used it. I can feel my fingertips vibrating. It was a very powerful spell. No spell has ever been like this before. So... omnipotent. Suddenly my legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground. Someone tapped me on the shoulder a few times.

  "I didn't know you could breathe fire."

  "Yeah, me neither." I reply to Fuyu.

  I look up and see his opponent lying with his sword in his chest. Fuyu gracefully and silently whispers as he washes away the hay on the right side of the barn, which thanks to my magic has begun to smolder to the point of burning.

  "Did you defeat him with just your sword?"

  "Of course. Unlike some, I know more than how to use magic."

  "Yeah? Like sinking my fangs into people."

  "Yeah, that too. So watch your neck..." And he ran his finger over my jugular.

  "Ts. I need a drink." I spoke up, looking for something to drink.

  Fuyu smiled mischievously and reached for his sword. He wiped it with a piece of hay and put it back in its sheath. Then he threw a flask of water at me so I could wet my throat. The villagers suddenly began to cheer. In the heat of battle, I had forgotten they were here.

  ????????????????????????

  The finish was close, but Shika was catching up more and more.

  "Pocem pocem. We're gonna milk you, cow boo!"

  "Yes, we will. Come on, come here moo.."

  Shika looked back. A herd of horny, drooling bulls was catching up with her.

  Shika, hurry up. I can't hold out much longer.

  I'm not there yet, hold on.

  She looked behind her again to assess the situation.

  "Phew. They're disgusting. What have I done again!" She squealed and added when she felt a fleeting touch on her buttocks.

  "Aaaa! I'm going to kill you guys!!" She screamed.

  Finally the cage was in front of her. She smiled mischievously and stepped up with the last of her strength. I'm almost there. The bars were already just ahead of her. She climbed into the cage. She held out her arms and started jumping. The minotaurs paused for a moment, all spellbound, watching her chest move up and down. Their tongues were perhaps now dragging on the ground. They all started pushing and shoving at each other and scrambling into the cage. They were almost holding Shika when someone grabbed her arms and pulled her out. The bars closed that morning.

  "We got them!" Natsu yelled from the doorway.

  Haru held Shika tightly around the waist.

  "Good." He complimented and pulled her more tightly against him.

  "Thanks..." Shika said, who was blushing from Haru's gesture.

  The bulls began to pound on the bars.

  "Let us out!" They yelled over each other.

  "Well done Shika!" Swung Aki.

  He was just coming up with Kenji, whom he was supporting. Kenji could barely walk. He was exhausted. His breathing was irregular and he looked pretty tired, but he was smiling despite that. Iruka and Fuyu had also caught up.

  "Great job, guys." Fuyu complimented them.

  The plan had worked out perfectly, despite the minor complications. The villagers left the barn, and when they saw our work, they broke into a raucous cheer. We saved them, but our mission is not over yet.