Beginner's Luck: Critical Mass

The Librarian sat cross legged on the beach being bathed in the blood red light of the rift world. He worked hard to clear his mind of the emotional turmoil he now felt. The death of his two lieutenants had shook him to his core, for they were the closest thing he had to children, or brothers. They had chosen their paths, and their masks had been earned with him standing by to guide them. He had been filled with pride the day both of them had achieved their second advancements on their masks. Flooded now with memories of them, he fought to keep a level head with a fight now marching towards him. Several times he felt the cold slime of grief well up inside his throat, threatening to break his composure. Silent tears were streaming down his cheeks, but he forced his breathing calm.

He did not understand the persistent persecution that came to him and his people. He did not understand why the Outsiders came and killed them and the non sentients. He understood they became stronger, but beyond that the motives and callousness of it escaped his reasoning. The Outsiders had killed his mentor, and his first brother before he had obtained his second mark, the book and quill. The role of mentor had fallen to him only because the Outsiders that had come at that time sought only to kill the 'final boss'. It was mere dumb luck that had spared him that day. And now here he was years later, watching his brothers, his lieutenants, his children, die before him.

He pushed it all away. He had to keep his mind on the task at hand: protect Fluke. The poor boy was less than a few hours old. Disassociating from his pain he looked to his right down the beach searching for a distraction. To his astonishment he saw a nest of small green creatures burst from under the sand. These small creatures had fins for legs and what looked like a hard waxy shell on their back. In moments, birds and crabs descended to devour the little creatures. He had seen adult versions of these animals in the water, much larger and majestic, and had always called them 'sea dragons', not knowing what to call them otherwise. He never knew that the initiation of these large, beautiful creatures started with such brutality. He saw almost all of the baby sea dragons die to the various predators within moments of them exiting their nest. But one had been missed in the chaos. Just one.

Another clutch of creatures sprang forth, then three more. Compelled by compassion he began casting his gaze across the waters in front of him to see if he had time to help. When he looked back he saw an adult sea dragon emerge on the waters edge, this sea dragon had glowing crystalline rocks along its shell which began launching up at the birds. The presence of this loan dragon caused countless more babies to reach the water.

The Librarian looked back across the water and finally saw what he was looking for: two fast moving Outsiders crossing the waters surface. With one more glance he looked at the flotilla of baby sea dragons accompanied by the adult, now swimming to away. That was when all doubt, worry, and emotion left him, as he moved back into position just up the beach.

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The final arrow that had been launched by the sub boss had buried itself through Myene's left lower arm, and lodged itself in her armor. The human had fallen over dead after his final act of defiance. Both of Myene's lower arms were now wounded to the point of being disabled. With Migoene's help they broke the shaft of the arrow, freeing her arm, and dressed the wound. They looked at each arm in dismay realizing that her lower arms were beyond their skill to heal. Myene had been the one to strike the final blow, her mask now bore the mark of three arrows down the front of her chin. To her credit, no matter how much Migoene had insisted, she refused to retreat back through the gate. She instead, went and retrieved the bow and quiver that the human had wielded, which now magically filled itself with three arrows. The bow was more like a short bow in the hands of a Derboul, but it was useful none the less. The moved to the coast and looked towards the peak of the island that held the final boss and rested for a moment.

"We have to sprint at our fastest speed to cross the water. If we try and take the slow-moving craft, we will give away our approach earlier and potentially be vulnerable to ambush. Can your leg make the journey?... Or should I carry you?" Migoene said the last question in a playful tone. Myene punched him in the shoulder and shook her head.

"You will not be carrying me anywhere." She worked her leg up and down, then quickly kicked out at her companion. He blocked her kick, but she didn't wince, even as the force of the interaction caused some sand to kick up from the beach.

"There. Satisfied?" She said with a challenge in her voice. Migoene nodded once, and then turned his gaze back to their target. Silence overcame them as they came to terms with the battle ahead.

"He's strong. He knows we are coming. I am glad you are still by my side..." Myene placed a hand on his shoulder acknowledging the sentiment without saying a word. They had grown up together, trained together, were unified in the cause together. They had become bonded through hardship, and for the foreseeable future, they would be side by side for many more years to come.

"Come. Let's finish this, and with any luck we will watch your mask advance together. Hell, maybe we will find that secondary rift after this fight." Myene lifted her right upper hand and waited for Migoene to clasp her arm. With a slap of palms and forearms in silence, they both readied themselves and tightened their armor and stowed loose weapons and gear. Without another word they both bounced lightly, shaking their arms and launched themselves as fast as their feet could carry them.