The Cyborg System-Chapter 74: En Route

The walk down from the fortress made the students aware of the higher ground the facility enjoyed. Such was a boon when facing enemies attacking from below.

Nicholas had, without discussion, assumed the role of leader of their group. In many ways it made sense, him being the strongest ability user.

"I think it’s best if we try to find a way to work together effectively," said Nicholas. "At the end of the day, even if it’s not required on low level beasts, maybe even lowering the total number of kills, at least we’ll have some practice if anything more challenging comes along."

"I’m not sure what I can contribute," said Ollie.

This comment aggravated Lenny a little. Sure, he’d been in a similar position to him once, without an ability and fighting against the Carrier Beetle, but he hadn’t just accepted his fate. He had no ability at the time, or no access to it anyway, and yet he’d fought with everything he had to ensure that he was the one to walk away.

"Maybe you can be our lookout," said Vee. "Be the eyes on the battle, tell us if anything is approaching us from behind."

He nodded, clearly a little nervous at the prospect of being so close to the action.

"I think if we work together, we can share the cores," said Nicholas.

That seemed generous, but in truth, Nicholas already had decent armour and preferred to fight with his elemental powers over weapons.

"The problem is," said Lenny. "We’ve essentially got four attackers. Me and Vee fight with our fists and you and Harry fight with your elemental powers. I don’t see how we get those parts to gel together as one."

Nicholas thought for a moment before speaking up. "I agree we all prefer to be the attacker, but even what you’ve suggested isn’t as one dimensional as you think. Me and Harry have ranged abilities, you and Vee fight up close. That works. We’ll just have to focus on finding ways we can work together to take out as many as we can. If we focus on thinning out those from afar, and you guys fight any that get through."

"I agree," said Harry. "But there’s one thing you’ve not considered. If we stay close together, and get overwhelmed, I can always build an earth platform that’ll raise us up above the battle. They might be able to smash it down eventually, but my father said it was invaluable."

"Do you have enough essence to do that?" asked Nicholas.

"I might," he said. "It depends how drained I am."

Lenny gave him a strange look. This was not something they had practiced in their evening sessions.

It was true it was a skill Harry had heard was effective, but the lie came in its source. He’d only recently read about it in a book he had acquired from the library The History of Terra Firma: Rise and Fall of a Great Clan.

He knew such an ability would use a lot of essence and was counting on Lenny being able to use his Spirit Share to enable him to perform such a skill. He’d hoped to practice it beforehand, but draining himself of that much essence before going into dangerous territories seemed reckless.

*

At the front of the group, a wordless conversation was taking place. Master Ackerman was using his telepathy ability to communicate between himself, Master Wood, Apprentice Karelin and Jamie the scout. It was like a chat where the participant was able to share their thoughts with the group, but only if they chose to do so.

"This seems quiet," thought Master Ackerman.

"Usually, we would have encountered a herd by now, maybe had to adjust our path once or twice," thought Jamie.

"Maybe they are avoiding us?" Master Wood responded.

"Higher levels of beasts can sense essence," thought Jamie. "But that doesn’t usually affect the prey. Normally, they even attack our strike squads. It’s an annoying waste of time and essence."

"Is quiet not good, though?" asked Apprentice Karelin.

"Quiet suggests something else has cleared them out," answered Master Ackerman, the most experience there.

"How far to the hunting grounds?" asked Master Wood.

"Only a couple more miles."

"If the areas cleared, we contact base straightaway and see if we can get a portal out of there, agreed?"

"Agreed," came the chorus of responses.

"This ability of yours," thought Master Wood privately. "I have to admit, it’s useful."

*

The wooded area was just coming into view. Like giant redwoods, the trees towered above with a roughly acorn-shape to their overall branch and leaf structure. However, the bark itself was black with a bluey green leaf pattern and pink, yellow fruits that were just coming into ripeness.

Even from this distance, spirit beasts could be heard and seen. Birdcalls especially echoed through the forest, as the beasts went about their regular lives. It seemed oddly peaceful.

Lenny had always considered the beasts to be cold-blooded killers, invading their planet and taking out lives, so to see them in their natural habitats and be the aggressors seemed strange.

"There are lots of insect-type beasts and small birds that should be easy for you to take on, maybe even some worms," said Jamie, their guide. "However, beware of the creatures that look like large squirrels. They are scattered about the woods and are of the prey tier. Their sharpening ability is useful for weapons if you can take them, so we’ve already cleared out a lot of them, but they make for fierce opponents for low-level spirit users. They move quickly through the trees and can drop down on you from above."

"Anything else we should be aware of?" asked Master Wood.

"There’s a few beasts dotted about that can give you a nasty case of poisoning if your essence is not up to scratch. I carry a couple of general purpose remedies, but without a proper healer nearby, they’re of limited use. Other than that, there’s nothing that common."

"We have a healer somewhere," said Master Ackerman.

"Here," said a girl stepping forward. She was the only other healer in the year other than Rose.

"Oh, and one last thing," said Jamie. "If you hear me blow this whistle, I want you to return to this point just here. And make it quick. It means we’re leaving."

"If there’s nothing else," said Master Wood. "Happy hunting. All being well, we’ll reconvene back here in three hours."