Tread Lightly – Among Monsters And Men

****************

Wyatt Graves

 

The mad dash back to safety is paused as Virgil and I come across a bipedal hunched-back creature that resembles a human with torn-up clothing stumbling through the sands. Quietly and in sync, both of us crouch to the ground behind a small dune, funneling Ether to silence our movements. He is much better at it than I am, but I am improving, doing my best to copy his movements that reduce sound even if my Ether can’t imitate his.

I carefully place the unconscious Earl on the sand beside us as he starts showing signs of awakening. He’s only been out for about an hour, which isn’t very long with Ether saturation involved. Normally when I pass out it’s for several hours, not one or two.

Turning my attention away from the man unlikely to awaken, I look to Virgil for directions. I see him squint his eyes in his goggles terribly which are then suffused with dark rings of Ether before turning back to me. He quietly whispers using cupped hands into my right ear.

“I think that’s a scout for the Demon Of Storms. Looks like a lesser demon of some kind. Not sure which, though.”

I return the whisper, asking what we should do about it.

“Should attack or go around?”

As I ask the question, we both see the hunched-back creature sniff into the air, searching for something. At that moment, a bit of its torn clothes reveals the creature's legs. They appear hairy and dog-like despite the arms looking more human-like only rougher in tone.

Virgil notices this as well and adds to his assumptions.

“Still not sure what it is. Lesser demons are fairly rare compared to just beasts with Sigils, so I can’t really guess what the hell we’re looking at. It does seem to be some type of bloodhound, though, capable of sniffing out threats that may be hiding. I say we attack. Better to get rid of a scout, no? What about you? What’s your gut say?”

I agree with his wanting to kill the scout, but I worry that it can somehow inform whoever controls or commands it. Then we’ll have more to worry about than just a single lesser demon. The stint with the Demon Of Storms talking to Alexos right in front of us is stuck in my mind. He could have easily ordered things to come and finish us off. Hell, this could even be something he sent.

He probably just figured that he’d kill us in the attack on Rustbank, though. The demon did seem quite arrogant.

Can we kill it without it figuring out who we are? Or that we’re even here? Is that even possible? I check it with Chain Eyes, and I see that it is only covered by red chains that serpentine around its torso. A 1st Sigil. I ask Virgil if my idea is reasonable, for I figure it is possible.

“We should only kill it if we can stop it from learning we are here. What if whoever is commanding it can see through its eyes as Hura could with Alexos? Is there any way to do that?”

I see Virgil look around for a few moments, either searching for ideas or for points in the environment to help facilitate my idea, I’m not sure which though. After a few seconds of thought, Virgil begins to fade from my vision despite him being right beside me. He’s using his Mask.

Before he fades entirely and leaves me lost without an idea of what to do, he whispers to me once more. He also slides a small silver mirror to me from his pack.

“Take my mirror, hold it up over the dune to distract it. The light coming from it could just be a shiny rock or stone. Use a match if needed to attract its attention. Shouldn’t alert anything that way. I’ll use an old skill that I put down long ago. Should do the job.”

Virgil then stalks away low to the ground in a circular motion around the dune. He pulls out his lever action as he does so, the glint of the bits of steel meeting wood touching my eyes. I see him grab a single bullet that he places in one hand as he lies down far away.

I lift the mirror over the edge of the dune carefully in order to not move too much sand. I see a bit of moonlight glimmer from the top of the mirror toward the creature a few hundred feet away. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't notice the light at first and just walks past the illuminated spec on the sands below it.

Only a little bit of light is needed, thankfully, so I just strike a match real quick and hold it up in front of the mirror. I stick the bottom of the match to hold it up so my hands aren’t in sight at all. The creature notices the light this, time, looking down at a reddish-white sparkle of light beneath it.

The hairy-legged thing sniffs into the air before turning its nose toward me. Then, it starts shambling in my direction, following where the light originates from.

As it does so, I look over to Virgil. I expect him to already be aiming his rifle, but he’s not. Instead, his lever action is set down on the sand beside him as he holds a bullet in his hands. Darkness twists and turns within his palms around the bullet.

Is he putting Necrosis on it? I’ve never seen him do that before for the skill, normally it’s just a quick swipe. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s no big deal. Just a way to make sure the thing dies quickly.

But an idea does hit me as he finishes wrapping the bullet in whatever he’s doing. The sound of the gun will be heard by the creature, no? I mean sure, I know that bullets move faster than sound, but who’s to say that the creature can’t still hear it somehow? Ether is incredible and can do things that break everything I used to know.

My worry only rises as I see the creature shuffle closer to me, its legs uneven in the way it walks. Virgil carefully and somberly places the bullet in the side of his lever action. I struggle to even keep my eyes focused on him despite my knowledge of where he was before his Mask. I also think the only reason I can even see him is because of Ironheart. Because before I got my will enhanced by Ether, after just a few moments of his Mask, Virgil was fully gone.

The psychological invisibility his Ether grants is incredible, but I think my Ether counteracts it, at least slightly. Good to know in case any other people have Sigils similar to his.

I watch with profound intensity as he chambers the bullet and pulls the lever back, all with supreme silence. Not a single scrape or shuffle comes from him loading his weapon. And the bullet he puts in is different from normal. It is a pitch-black shell of lead instead of the purplish-black of his Necrosis.

The creature begins to near me, the hundred feet or so disappearing gradually as Virgil takes his time to load his weapon. But before it gets close enough to see me, Virgil raises his rifle and points it at the back of the thing's head. From where I lay, I see him close one eye in his goggles, exhale completely, then calmly pull the trigger.

The sound of an exploding bullet does not appear, however, only the muffled sound of a projectile gliding through the air does. That, and the abrupt sound of a body hitting the floor. A whoosh followed by a thump is all that resounds into the night despite the gun that was just fired.

Surprised and wanting to see if the thing is truly dead, I stand and move over to it quickly. Virgil does the same, standing up and putting his rifle on his back before walking over to me.

When I traverse the short distance to the dead creature, I see the wound that ended it. Right in the back of its neck, the part connecting its spine to its skull lies a bloody hole. I look at Virgil, impressed both by his marksmanship and the silent bullet he fired.

I immediately ask him if he can teach me the technique, being able to silently fire a gun is insane. The skill will certainly increase my deadliness.

“What was that, Virgil? You’ve never done that before! Can you teach me it?”

Virgil just laughs awkwardly as he kneels down and inspects the corpse of what he just killed. His answer to my question leaves me with even more.

“I cannot. I gave an oath to both not disclose the skill or teach it. Just forget about it, Wyatt. I normally don’t mind your thousands of questions, but not this time. Let me examine this thing.”

I feel a bit hurt at his answer, so I just watch him flip over the dead creature. What does he mean he gave an oath? He can’t even talk about the skill, what the hell does that mean? He hasn’t ever talked in detail about his time as Hunter; is this about that? It has to be, right?

I want to press the issue, but based on the tone of his voice and his words, I don’t. Instead, I respect his call for privacy as he inspects the dead creature. Like the last time he did so, he explains what he sees to me even if he seems to be annoyed with me.

“Looks like some kind of Qiqirn, a half-humanoid half-dog lesser demon. They are good scouts and can smell things from up to a mile away. Good thing I covered us all with anti-scent powder while you were unconscious. Figured we would get hunted down somehow.”

He gets up from his kneel over the dead lesser demon and pulls something from its hands. I recognize what he’s holding as a human ear. A tight smile is pulled across my lips as we both realize what this means, no words are needed.

It killed someone recently. At least within the past week or so as the ear isn’t yet decomposed. I congratulate Virgil on the kill.

“Good thing you killed it, probably saved someone else from it.”

He only nods solemnly and wraps the year in cloth from his backpack. Then he puts the wrapped-up ear into a pocket of his pack.

“Yeah, I wish all things were as nice as that. C’mon, get Earl, let’s keep going. Should be back by dawn if we rush. Leave this thing here to rot.”

I nod and rush back over to the unconscious Earl, but as I pick him back up, he reawakens. The man blinks tiredly and puts a hand on his head as he pushes me off.

“Damn. Is this what it’s like to be hungover? This sucks. My head is splitting.”

I pat him on the shoulder, showing my sympathy for the pain of Ether saturation.

“Yeah, it hurts buddy. You should be better soon, though. A good night's sleep or another nap should fix you up.”

Earl covers his eyes and groans in pain.

“I hope so. This sucks. Why can’t I just be a higher Sigil already? Reaching my saturation limit of Ether just running is embarrassing.”

I laugh at his worries and remind him of something. The time I almost passed out of Ether saturation bringing him and the others to Rustbank to get Elizabeth to a doctor.

“Yeah, is that so? You do remember when I took you guys to Rustbank, right? Being a 2nd Sigil won’t stop that from happening. Maybe a 3rd or 4th will. What do you think Virgil?

Virgil only grunts out a short answer to my question as he looks around for any other threats.

“Any type of exhaustion can happen at any strength. It is the effort, not the task that determines it. Even I still grow tired of long-distance running despite my speed. Hurry up. Pick up Earl and let's go.”

“Okay, okay, okay. I’m on it.”

“What? No… my head hurts too bad.”

“Sorry, man. We gotta get back. You can rest there.”

“Uhg…”

I pick up Earl and sling him over my shoulder as he groans in pain again. I try not to laugh at his unfortunate condition as the trek through the desert resumes now that no threats are in sight. I funnel Ether into my legs to increase my strength and to try and make the journey back to Rustbank less miserable for Earl.

 

******************************************

 

The rest of the run to Rustbank with Earl on my back was without any fanfare. No more lesser demons, monsters, or even old enemies showed up. I suppose after the lesser demon, we had passed the line where Hura’s scouts were.

When we arrive, though, the sun is just rising, a bit of light peeking out from over the horizon. It gives a homely warmth that is desperately needed as winter grows ever closer. I’m not sure how near it is as the days have blended and I’ve lost track of the date, but I’m sure it’s within the week at the least.

Virgil and I slow down our runs that could outpace a normal horse to jogs as we enter Rustbank. Our first stop is the clinic where Heath works and Primrose stays. We quickly pass by the seemingly larger number of people who walk the street compared to just yesterday and enter the clinic. When we come to the doors, I set Earl down from my shoulder who is still moaning and groaning about his headache. It does seem to be a bit better, though.

In the clinic, there is a receptionist who recognizes us and points us down the hall to Heath’s office.

“Down there and to the left. Dr. Heath is resting but told me to send you in if you got here.”

I nod to Virgil and Earl before following the directions. Just a short walk and through a lightly cracked door, we found Dr. Heath. The red-haired man is asleep on his chair behind a desk. He didn’t have time to take off his medical coat. Even his glasses are still on his face. The man must be exhausted.

He is the only doctor in all of Rustbank, though, so it makes sense. All the people wounded come to him, and after the Hunters' arrival, I’m sure he’s got a handful.

Feeling guilty for waking him but still having to do it, I knock on his desk to wake him up. The man shakes like a wild animal as he sits up and looks at us three.

“Who–! Oh, you’ve returned. Great. Give me one moment. Head to Primrose's room, I’ll bring the rest of the materials.”

He’s going to make the balm in her room? Is that normal?

“Should you be making the balm in her room? Does it not take a while?”

Heath shakes his head as he wipes his eyes of tiredness.

“No, it’s fast. With enough knowledge, anyone can be a doctor, alchemist, or artisan. Ether only makes it faster, safer, and easier. Just give me a few to gather my bearing and wake up from my nap and then I’ll show you.”

I nod and exit the room with Virgil and Earl as we head to Primrose's room. It is the closest patient room to Heath’s office. The privilege of power, I suppose. No way Johnny would let her get anything but the best and most reliable treatment.

I slowly open the door and step in quietly, not trying to disturb or wake up Primrose. I’m not sure how her injuries affect her, so I take the measure to be careful.

The three of us stand in the small patient room for a few minutes before Heath comes in. During which, I take some time to look at Primrose. She’s missing the pink scarf that made me remember her so well. Instead, she is wearing thin robes and is covered in bandages from head to toe. Her face is gaunt and her body looks incredibly pale. The center of her torso is concave and it looks like she struggles for every breath of air.

She’s so quiet, though. Deadly quiet. Her breathing barely makes any noise and I bet her heartbeat is the same. Very different from her usual self, at least the few times I met her. She was always outspoken and strong.

My mind flashes back to how she was injured during the fight with Hunters. The only part that I was able to catch is after she was defeated, presumably by Frederick and his spears. The venomous woman was impaled by the spear onto a wall, unable to even reach the ground. For the rest of the fight, until Johnny took her down, she hung from that spear.

That’s one painful way to go, I hope whatever Heath does will help her.

The opening of the door and tired steps break me out of my gloomy thoughts. Dr. Heath walks in with a tray of many items. Some rocks, some gems, some plants, and some organs of dead creatures.

He notices our silence and comments on it.

“No need to be quiet. I’ve put her into a coma to prolong her life; she won’t wake up unless I make her do so. Here, give me the Mandaamin. How many did you three manage to find, you were quite quick, after all?”

I hand him three of the cores, deep green plant organs that resemble the center of a cob of corn.

“We managed to get three before we had to run away.”

Heath takes the three and inquires about why we had to run. As he does so, he begins mixing things on his tray in a glass bottle.

“Three! Great. I might even have one left over. But why’d you three boys run? Demon find you? Or horde of beasts?”

I shake my head, none of his assumptions are right.

“No, a man. Alexos, the Phantom Pain. We came across him.”

Heath shares a short glance with me, only giving me a small response to my report.

“Phew. Surprised you three are here then.”

The conversation kind of abruptly comes to an end there as he begins to focus intensely. I notice that Earl joins him as well, the man inspecting each of the items he’s mixing with his eyes despite his headache. The alchemist in training, can’t ever seem to push away his roots.

After a few minutes, though, Heath finishes creating the balm, which is more like a viscous syrup with a dark brown color. He picks up the glass and moves over to Primrose's side. He goes to take off her bandages but hesitates before looking at the three of us.

“She ain't a shy lass, but I bet she’d rather not be gawked at right now. You three mind leaving?”

I take a moment to realize what he’s saying, only when Virgil coughs beside me do I understand and reply.

“Yeah yeah yeah. No big deal.”

Heat goes to my cheeks as I turn and walk out of the room. I hadn’t even thought about her being naked under her bandages. It’s never bothered me when I’m torn to shreds, so I figured it wouldn’t matter with Primrose. It’s obviously not though.

Virgil and Earl follow me out of the room. When we are out, Virgil addresses me and Earl on his plans for the day.

“We probably have another day, maybe two before the Demon Of Storms arrives. I’ll go tell Johnny about what happened while we were gone and collect our reward. You two take this time to rest, okay?”

I nod and agree to his demands. I’ll rest if I have to, but there is so much to do. If something pops up, I’ll have to help.

Virgil takes Earl to the side after he addresses the both of us. He says some words to my friend, but I only catch a few bits.

“Make sure he rests… Don’t let him go out…”

Frustration builds at the fact Virgil can’t trust me to recuperate. I'll do it if I have time! I push it down, however, and just wait. I don’t want to go off on Virgil, he’s done too much for me. I can always bring it up later.

After he pulls Earl aside, he walks away with a wave.

“See you two later! I better not see you around town, Wyatt. Take a day to yourself, please.”

“Okay, okay. I will.”

After he leaves I look at Earl. I have no clue where they have been staying, so I have to rely on him.

“Where have you guys been staying?”

Earl rubs his head as he leads me out of the clinic.

“Down the road a bit. Uhg… How do you stand this, man? It hurts so much!”

“You get used to it. C’mon it will feel better once you're in bed. Man, it's been so long since I slept in a bed.”

We walk along the surprisingly busy streets of Rustbank. I hear people trading weapons, ammunition, and medicine. One man with crazy hair is even offering a Concoction to whoever can give him a 2nd Mark Colt.

If only these people were here to help with the fight against Darkstep, but apparently there was a wall from her that blocked them out so they couldn’t. At least they’ll be here to fight the Demon Of Storms and his horde. So will the rest of Johnny's men, the ones that were out preparing for the break's arrival.

Should I tell them that he is likely after me? The memories of that woman did indicate he wanted the son of his enemy, Killian Graves, dead. That could only be me. Why else would the demon come this way? I don’t know, but my thoughts break as we come to the door of the hotel they’re staying.

Earl leads the way through the main room and we make it to the room, well room with two inside of it. It’s meant for large groups of five or more. I take the key from Earl and open the door, calling out to Elizabeth, Esther, and Dakota who should be inside.

But instead of the warmth from the three, only silence greets us.