Aether Beasts

Misty stayed behind us as we moved closer to the outpost. We had two ways of going about things, one was to head to the cliff and drop down on them, and the other was a simple charge. We went for the charge. There were three of them and they were all low-level first core disciples, and if they were anything like those I'd seen at the tournament then we had no reason to worry.

They didn't even bother keeping guard, simply sitting around their fire, bottles in hand, talking with one another. A stupid choice that was about to cost them their lives.

Sandra and I got into position as close as we could get to the camp without being spotted, and as Sandra gave me a nod, I formed my bark armor along with two lashing vines, one in each hand.

Dozens of darts forged from darkness flew from Sandra's hand as I wrapped my right vine around a tree then swung into the air, and right atop one of the disciples. The last look on his face before my spiked gauntlet tore through his throat was one of shock and confusion. There was a spray of blood and I immediately realized that I'd broken my own commands in that I should have just knocked him out, but that thought became irrelevant as a blur shot by me and latched its mouth around the throat wound.

Misty had joined the fight.

I ignored the sucking sounds and turned away to face the last disciple. The other looked like a god damn pincushion with the number of projectiles sticking out of him.

"What the—"

I rushed forwards, wrapping a vine around his throat, and pulling him towards my right fist which hit his face with a loud crunch. I followed up with a knee to his gut then wrapped my vines around his throat twice more, before tightening it. He gasped for air, but I didn't stop until his face was purple and he had passed out.

I unwrapped the vine and had to stumble back as Misty shot past me and bit into the disciple's neck.

Feeding frenzy indeed.

I glanced at Sandra who had walked over and was looking at Misty warily, her face slightly pale. Not a surprise, the speed the blonde had sowed was impressive and I wasn't stupid enough to think I could match it as I was.

"How long is she going to be?" Sandra asked, averting her gaze from the bloody disciple.

"No clue, but considering how quickly she drained the first one, I don't think it'll be too long."

Sandra nodded, and for the second time, today looked like she wanted to say something, but was holding it back.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

Sandra didn't respond at first, staring into space, but after a few more tries, she blinked out of her stupor and turned to me. "I'm fine, just thinking about a few things."

"Like what?'

"Like none of your damn business," She replied angrily then winced. "Sorry, I'm feeling a bit snappy as of late."

I felt a wave of amusement from Zirani at Sandra's words.

"What?"

"Nothing," Zirani replied innocently.

"Whatever you say."

It took Misty about ten minutes to drain all three, and by the end of it, she was looking a lot better, although her eyes were drooping and she had problems staying upright.

"Is she ok?"

"It's just all the aether, essence, and blood," Zirani said. "Her body is changing as we speak, and it's trying to force her to sleep so the process happens quicker and easier. Just get her back to her tent as soon as you can. I fear that soon I'll have to add to the array on her back."

I ended up having to carry her around halfway back to the camp because she just couldn't keep up and kept swaying from side to side.

"High maintenance, huh?" Sandra asked jokingly.

I rolled my eyes and didn't bother responding. Like Misty, I was tired, though not physical, just mentally. I wanted to take some time to just relax and let everything sink in. So far it had been one thing after another, and I'd barely had any time to rest. I understood that we were in a war, but I also knew that if I got burned out or pushed myself too far when I wasn't ready, it would end badly, not just for me, but also for Zirani and West Vale, both of whom were counting on me, even if West Vale didn't know it.

After we arrived back at camp, I set Misty down in her tent, and after a quick goodbye with Sandra and a promise to speak to her tomorrow, I headed to get a light snack. Just a few pieces of fruit and a drink, non-alcoholic. I'd never been much of a drinker. I liked having a drink every now and then, but only for celebrations. Plus, I wasn't really good at handling my alcohol and tended to get drunk fast. I was still at the first level of infusion so that hadn't changed yet, although my alcohol tolerance was probably a bit higher.

Once I was back in my tent, I laid down and just let myself relax into the bedding. As much as I'd said I wasn't sleepy, I found my eyes drooping shut after just a few minutes and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

My dreams this time were even odder. They didn't feel like my own as a large jungle burnt in blue flames while a giant horned figure loomed in the distance, two piercing blue eyes shining down upon the land where screams and battle cries rang out. Multiple scenes came and went, some confusing, while others left me in awe. A large serpent-like creature rode a storm across the sky, no it was the storm. Smaller creatures flew by its side and far below figures bowed in supplication while others ran or brandished weapons.

A crimson star shone in the night sky painting the land red and orange, a glowing blue blade shone light upon a weeping man who was curled up into a ball, his body shaking. A giant so large its head reached above the clouds raised a foot and brought it down. The ground rumbled and the very land changed on its single step. A throne of ice surrounded by frozen figures, twin rings that warped and changed, and a tree, larger than any other, branches growing off in every direction. Its roots plunged deep into the earth and across all lands.

I saw other things, but by the time my eyes opened to the morning light shining through the tent opening, most had faded into foggy memories.

"Are you ok, Aiden?" Zirani asked, sounding worried. "I was unable to see into your mind while you were sleeping, must have deep indeed."

I frowned and tried to remember what I'd seen, but the images and scenes escaped me.

"I'm fine. I think I had an odd dream, that's all."

As I left the tent and headed to get some breakfast, I tried to think back to the dream, but no matter how hard I tried, what I'd seen once again escaped me.