Hyro and Enris left after a few hours of sleep. They were still a little tired but knew that time was not on their side. They still decided to follow the main road to the north to have a mostly safe trip for the first leg of their travels. Once they started to see the forest begin to thin out on their maps they crossed over east, this should lead them to where Enris’s dad was, they were hoping that since a hogtork was involved with his death that their lair would not be far. As they walked this time Hyro was focused, not having Hurly around as a guide made everything seem more real, more dangerous. At one point Cynthia messaged Hyro and he just minimized the screen to best focus on his surroundings. It was not long until Hyro heard the all too familiar cry in the distance, “IRA!”

  “Invisiblis.” Hyro heard Enris whisper as Enris then disappeared, this time, however, Hyro was able to see a faint outline of where Enris was. Enris pointed to a tree and motioned for Hyro to crouch. Hyro did as instructed and started crouching as they still slowly walked through the edge of the forest. They both knew that they would have to turn into the deeper forest soon, but after hearing that cry Hyro was honestly scared, he heard that before both in the tournament and when passing through the forest for ingredients growing up. As a child, in this forest, he would always run away, out of the forest. Now is the time to go in! Hyro thought as he motioned to Enris to follow as he turned towards the deeper forest.

  Hyro’s newfound determination gave Hyro an idea, but he would need to maintain stealth to make it all work. The pair continued walking as stealthily as possible, Enris invisible, recasting about a minute after it wears off, it seems to last about five minutes. Hyro, just walking as quietly as possible. We need to find both where the hogtork lair is first. Honestly, I would be fine ignoring the Barbarians all together, but something tells me that is not going to be possible. Suddenly Hyro saw movement in the distance that broke his train of thought. The creature was hard to see as it was running and hopping towards them, clearly running from another creature that slowly came into sight. The first smaller creature looked like a weasel, but it was climbing and looked a little different than what he knew of weasels, though he has never seen one in real life. The second creature was unmistakable from their books in class and the book Hyro read growing up. Two protruding, curved tusks from the bottom of the mouth, hog like appearance but the size of a lion. Barbed tail and everything, this was a hogtork.

  Hyro felt his pulse race, He had his longsword, which the academy helped restore and it was no longer rusty. Until the System deemed him to be in Crisis however, he would have no spells. Hyro was not the worst fighter but he was nowhere near the best. As the weasel-like creature still ran towards them, it appeared to try to climb a tree now and then but looked injured, so it continued running and hopping. Hyro was not sure if either creature knew they were there, or it was just an unlucky coincidence. Hyro drew his sword slowly, still trying to remain hidden. He saw Enris who was invisible for about two minutes at this point, pull out what looked like a small bow. It too only looked like an outline to Hyro, when we spared Enris was completely invisible, now I see an outline, it must be because we are considered allied, or part of his spell. Hyro passively thought as it became more clear that the weasel creature was going to collide with him if he did not move. Hyro quickly decided to try to analyze the creature as he slowly moved more behind a nearby tree.

  So it is a pine marten called Nail huh, It looks like the figurine in Enris’s room. Hyro thought for sure that Nail was going to run on by him, but at the last minute he changed course and ran right up Hyro’s leg, up to his shoulder. No going back now I guess. With that Thought Hyro took a defensive stance to fend off the Hogtork. As it charged Hyro sidestepped the initial charge, analyzing the hogtork.

  Analyze is not very helpful, Hyro thought as he slashed at the Hogtork before dodging again. This time Hyro was not quick enough and the Hogtork made contact with Hyro’s right side. It hurt, but was not unbearable. Just as Hyro was wondering where in Orabis Enris was, He saw the outline behind the Hogtork, hearing the words, “Repentinus aggressus!” As Hyro saw Enris fully form and let two rapid shot arrows loose right into the Hogtork, he lunged forward with his long sword as well. Hyro pulled back after the lunge, bringing the longsword with him. The Hogtork who was flailing uncontrollably at this point, spraying blood from the wounds. “Enris, get back, take Nail with you!” Hyro shouted, leaning his shoulder that the pine marten was on towards Enris, but as he reached for the creature it snapped and ran to his other shoulder. “Okay, do not take Nail, but get back.” Hyro said again as he sheathed the sword. I told Enris everything now, so there was no need for theatrics, Hyro thought as he pulled out his last match, ignited it and lit the reaction on his wraps that he wore just in case. Hyro took the fire ball and threw it directly at the Hogtork.

  The hogtork took the full blast and looked like it could fall over at any moment. Hyro lunged forward trying to strike at it but he missed, Nail, however took this opportunity to bite at his attacker, grabbing on with the bite and scratching the hogtork. Nail was attacking and holding on for dear life as the hogtork still somehow wailed with life. Hyro struck down low, at the feet of the hogtork. This time he made contact and the beast fell to its side. Hyro went up and jabbed his sword down into the beast for good measure. Once he was sure it was done moving Hyro turned to Enris, “We might need a better plan, I am out of fire power.” Hyro then noticed Nail moving in the corner of his eye, “Hey buddy, I know you’re hurt, I do not have anything to help with that but do you want some food?” Hyro reached to his side pocket and pulled out some dried fruit and nuts and extended his hand. The pine marten wasted no time crawling forward and enjoying the snack. Hyro examined it again.

  Hmm Nail trusts me now? It also appears to have a broken bone. “I know you are in no shape for adventure out, and we are going to fight more Hogtorks, so please, stay safe.” Hyro dropped the rest of the food and started to get up. To his shock, Nail ran back up his arm and took his spot back on Hyro’s shoulder, head held high. “Are you sure you want to come, it will be dangerous.” Hyro swears he saw Nail nod his head, but just brushed it off and turned back to Enris. “Looks like we got a new party member but we need to move before the lair starts to respawn this one.” Enris said as he started walking the direction that Nail and the hogtork came from. They walked stealthily again, after a short while Hyro turned to Nail on his shoulder, “Have you seen a vortex?” All Nail did was cock his head to the side, so Hyro just kept going on. It was not long until, once again they heard the cry, “IRA!” This time, it sounded like it was coming from right behind them, because it was.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Hyro froze. He turned around at hearing the shout and saw an orcish looking figure staring right at him, eyes red from rage. Think, Think. Let’s see they think irrationally when enraged, how can I use that. Hyro decided not to pull out his longsword, instead he opted to run. Hyro was no fool, without knowing exactly what Enris would do he could not risk getting struck by this guy until they knew how strong he was. Hyro ran behind some trees and looked for Enris’s outline as he snuck around. Nail was frightened and started digging his claws into Hyro, it hurt but was more of a nuisance. Hyro could feel the barbarian coming close as he sprinted off with all he had, but it was not good enough. Within a short moment he felt a pair of arms grab around him, pulling him to the ground. Nail took the opportunity to bite at the Barbarian, but not latching on like he did with the hogtork. Hyro was able to kick his way out of the barbarians grip thanks to Nail’s distraction. As he broke free Hyro rolled away and got to his feet. This time he drew his longsword and got into his defensive stance. Hyro still tried to keep an eye out for Enris but could not see anything. This time when the Barbarian charged Hyro rolled to the side slashing out but missing with his sword. Hyro knew he had to change things up to have any chance, so this time he charged first.

  Hyro slashed forward with his sword and made contact with the barbarian this time. He only managed to leave a shallow wound however, before the barbarian punched into Hyro in response. Hyro got the wind knocked out of him as he got knocked back. As Hyro started getting to his feet he saw the outline of Enris who whispered over, “Run south, make sure he follows.” Hyro did not have much choice so he did as Enris said and ran south. Hyro ran as fast as he could, but could once again feel the Barbarian about to catch up and attack, this time, however, he heard Enris shout out “Turbatio Oppugnationis!” As he shouted he shot out an arrow that made direct contact with the side of the Barbarian who paused for a second before getting an even more crazed look. Enris shouted again, “He will attack anything now, go right past those trees!” He pointed with his shout and Hyro veered right to follow the direction. As Hyro saw where Enris was leading him he was shocked. There were three Hogtorks standing in front of a brown and grey vortex on the side of a giant rock. The vortex was not swirling currently, meaning that it was not spawning any new creatures so either the one they killed already spawned somehow, or they still had time to wipe out the rest. Hyro ran towards the hogtorks and as he approached, jumped into some bushes to the side. Hyro got a few scrapes but nothing major, the Barbarian now had the hogtorks in his direct line of sight and his range mixed with the spell Enris cast, he charged at all three with full force.

  Hyro did not see much of the barbarian and hogtork fight, as he focused on getting up and catching his breath. He did see the hogtorks had the barbarian surrounded. The barbarian kept fighting and managed to take down one of the hogtorks, but the other two both jabbed their tusks into the side of the Barbarian, stopping his movement completely. They are still weak, now is our chance. Hyro thought as he emerged from the bushes, Longsword in hand. He rushed forward, jabbing at the beast to his left, as he made contact with that beast, the other beast rammed into Hyro’s side. Luckily the tusks missed Hyro and it only felt like he broke a rib. Enris sprung into action now rapid firing shots into both beats, one after the other. They did not seem to do as much damage as the shots he infused with magic but they were still doing damage and caused a much needed distraction. Hyro rolled away and readied his sword again, rushing forward at the one to his left once again. This time Hyro must have hit a vital spot as blood gushed from the wound and the hogtork staggered and then fell over. This enraged the final hogtork who took a step back and then charged right at Hyro. Enris came to Hyro’s aid once again shouting out, “Ictus Gravis!” Enris pulled back on his string and the arrow glowed a green color, the glow intensified as Enris held it back. Enris waited until the last minute, just as the hogtork was about to ram into Hyro, then he unleashed the arrow, which went right into the hogtorks neck as he fell instantly.

  Both Hyro and Enris looked over to the Lair but there was no change, no notifications, something was wrong. Hyro went around and made sure the hogtorks were really deceased, Enris went to the Lair and placed a hand on it. Enris mumbled something Hyro could hear and then shouted, “There is still one more! I am spent, I can only support you with regular arrows!” Hyro gave a pained smile, “Well, let’s hope that I can do something.” As if on queue the last hogtork came out, this one was bigger than the rest. Hyro used analyze again.

  Hyro was glad to see he got a little more information on this one but still nothing all that helpful. Hyro looked to his shoulder, “Nail, think you could run down my arm, bite him then run back?” Hyro was not sure what he was expecting, but again it looked like the pine marten nodded his head yes. Hyro was out of ideas and knew his sword would be useless against the hide of this larger beast. Enris immediately started to unleash arrow after arrow at the beast, as Hyro rushed forward towards it. Hyro pulled back to strike with a punch and Nail got into position, already starting to run down Hyro’s arm. As Hyro came close to landing his punch he pulled back and let Nail strike out and land a bite. It did not do much but it did break the skin and cause some damage. Some arrows were getting through too. It may take a while but if we can keep this up we can take him down! Hyro hopefully thought as the hogtork elite gored Hyro right in his side. Hyro was shocked that, while it hurt, it was not as painful as he thought. That was when he looked down and saw why, Nail ran down and took the blow in Hyros place. Nail started to fall to the ground, Hyro caught him and made sure he laid gently. Hyro was enraged now, Nail saved his life and it looked like he paid the ultimate price for that. As anger filled Hyro’s veins he felt the familiar burn of a spell forming on his palm.

  Hyro looked down and smiled. Two lines, connected in a shape that almost looked like a wishbone. This was a spell he knew well, a spell he studied inside and out, a spell he had impersonated enough that he better knew how it works. “Ignis Imperium!” Hyro felt the power flow through down to his hand and in the next moment he had a ball of fire in his palm that kept growing the longer he held it. Enris looked over and shouted, “Hold it for a moment!” He was rummaging through his pack as he shouted. Hyro backed up as the hogtork started to approach, getting dangerously close. Hyro’s eyes were locked with the beast and then Hyro saw a medium sized vial hit the hogtork in the head as he was covered in a slimy liquid. Hyro heard Enris shout, “NOW!” As soon as he did Hyro threw the now volleyball sized fireball at the hogtork. When the fireball made contact with the liquid on the beast it erupted into a huge blast that knocked Hyro back and even Enris who was further away fell back. Hyro’s vision started flashing as he was struggling to stay conscious but they were not safe yet, they were still in the Ira forest. Hyro looked over to the hogtork elite that was on fire, knocked over and completely still. The Lair vortex started to swirl and swirled into itself as it disappeared.

  Hyro rushed over to Nail, picking him up. “Nail! Nail! Are you okay?!” Hyro knew it was a dumb question, this small creature was already injured and took one of the elite's tusks right through its body, there was no way Nail was okay, but Hyro still felt for the creature. They did not travel together long but Nail saved his life and Hyro owed him for that. A tear rolled down Hyro’s face, he did not notice Enris who was standing over the barbarians body. Hyro pulled the pine marten close and gave it a hug before placing it under a tree to dig it a small grave. As Hyro placed him down however he felt the tingle of a spell yet again. This time the line was an ‘X” towards the bottom of the hand. Hyro had an Idea of what this could be, but not being rushed he wanted to check for sure. Not wanting to get bogged down with all of the notifications yet, Hyro just thought to pull up the information for the new spell.

  Character Sheet (Select View)

  What good is this now! Nail is already dead! Wait… is he? Hyro thought as he quickly analyzed the pine marten yet again.

  He isn’t dead… how? Without thinking too much Hyro quickly tried to get Nail to wake up enough to cast the spell. Hyro splashed a little water on him and rubbed his head to try and rouse him. Hyro saw his eyes open and their eyes locked. Hyro had to hope this was enough as he traced the line and quietly said, “Animal Socium.” Both Hyro and Nail were engulfed in a crimson light and all Hyro could see was Nail.