I stare up at the sky full of never ending darkness. The stars in the vast ocean are few, and don't provide much light. The wind blows gently from the East, bringing with it a slightly cool air.
I still can't believe nothing was found today, neither the gang of thieves or anyone who has come into interaction with them recently. As the sun set, Lisanna suggested we call it a day, so she set up camp. I simply waited for her to fall asleep before resuming the search. I figure if I can completely search everywhere in a five mile radius, I should be able to find at least a clue, if not the group itself. It may sound like a lofty task, but searching this town and it's surrounding area is proving to be a simple matter. There are not many places to stay hidden, so the searching goes hand in hand with covering distance.
The scenery I'm walking through right now is a dense forest. It features an abundance of trees and miscellaneous plant life. I take caution with each step, not wanting to disturb or destroy anything that may get caught in my foots wake. Slowly, I extend my foot over a large red and blue mushroom, holding a nearby tree for stabilization.
That's when I see it; movement from my left. There shouldn't be any citizens or bystanders out here, especially at this hour. Argo, by process of elimination, there is a good chance I've found one of the bandits I am looking for.
Not wasting a second, I quickly and quietly move forward, remaining low and listening intently as the guy walks around.
"This is the place, right?"
He asks himself as I see him look around. This guy is heavy set, and he has a green bandana with some letters on it. Try as I might, I can't read what it says from here. Other than his size, the only other remarkable thing about him is his hair, it is bright orange, and kept in a messy ponytail.
Briefly, I consider just jumping out and interrogating him, but he seems to be waiting for something, so I maintain my position between a tree and a thick bush. Patiently hiding in the dark of the night.
"Ukel, are you here?"
The orange hair guy calls out, apparently having no patience for this guy he calls Ukel.
"I've been here the whole time, idiot."
From my immediate right, a man dressed in black armor just appears. His voice is slightly muffled by his helmet, which extends to cover the entirety of his head, save for his greyish eyes.
"Well you could've said something…"
The first guy says, sounding slightly offended.
"Nevermind that, Moke. I have received information that a group from Fairy Tail has been sent to apprehend you."
Ukel says complacently, like he is not the least bit intimidated.
So they know we're coming, but that doesn't necessarily insinuate they know we are already here.
"They have already acted, two of their members were seen around Balsam earlier today."
Ok, then they know we're here, but from the way this Ukel is speaking, it sounds like he doesn't know our exact position, or more directly, where Lisanna is.
"So why are you telling me?"
The orange haired man named Moke asks, sounding clueless. Ukel let's out a sound of frustration before answering.
"Fool, do you not understand what's at stake here? Why you were put in charge here is reasoning that eludes me to this day. You need to evacuate the area, retreat at once. You must pack up and go, leave no sign or trace. Exit the premises by sunrise."
As Ukel lectures the larger man, I can't help but wonder what kind of conversation I've stumbled upon. Why is Ukel so dead set on a retreat? Why does he speak to Moke like he is above him, and for that matter, is this gang a smaller portion of something larger? If so, then who or what?
"Hold on Ukel, you said it's only two wizards, right? We can take two, easily."
Moke explains, interrupting my thoughts.
"Even in the event that you and your men defeat the two of them, Fairy Tail as a whole would be after us. It's safer and thereby correct to evade them."
Ukel speaks in an aggravated and rushed tone, sounding fed up with Moke. The wind blows stronger, shaking the tree leaves above, allowing some moonlight to pass through, illuminating the scene in front of me even further. Now, I can fully see Moke, he's facing in my direction, but more directly Ukel, who has his back turned to me. Moke has an expression that matches his voice; clueless.
"You still haven't told me why I gotta run, Ukel."
As the large man speaks, I notice Ukel tense up ever so slightly. It's like he saw or heard a nearby object. Now, he just stands still, not moving an inch. Moke looks confused as Ukel does not say a word, but as he goes to say something, Ukel quickly spins around. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he is staring right at me.
"Your shadow betrays you."
I look around, not convinced Ukel can actually see me. Other than a large wooden tree and some leaves, I see a small shadow on the ground below, mirroring my legs. What does he mean by a betrayal?
"Who are you yelling at?"
Moke asks, still sounding confused. All but ignoring his ally, Ukel begins walking towards my location. No way, does he actually see me?
"Moke, burn down that bush there."
Ukel orders, stopping several feet infront of me, while pointing straight at my current location.
"Why?"
Moke asks, still sounding confused.
Ukel turns his head around, looking in Moke's direction.
"Do not deny my word."
Sounding angry and sinister, Ukel turns back to me.
For a moment, I consider running, but not only would it be a futile effort, if I were to leave now, the job would be jeopardized. Running now would allow an easy escape.
Apparently taking the hint, Moke puts his hands together, making a v-formation.
"Flame magic, incinerate."
Moke yells, causing the bush around me to ignite in a bright orange flame. matching his hair color.
With my cover literally melting around me, I stand, placing my right hand by my left hip. Ukel lowers himself into a stance, looking ready for anything to come at him. Standing behind him is Moke, looking dumbfounded and clueless. No one says a word as we stare one another down.
I grip the handle, as I do the wind becomes violent around me. Combat is unavoidable, and escape is not a legitimate option. Two targets, one weaker than the other. Strike the furthest one from behind, then immediately slice the stronger one. The former shall be a vertical strike, at a 170 degree, in 1.32 seconds, which leads into an opposite strike, using the backswing as momentum, angle is varying, and time frame is 0.68 seconds after the first strike.
I steadily unsheath my blade. As I do so, the wind doubles in intensity, blowing in a vortex around me and the targets. Deeply, I take a breath in and instantly move. Using the wind to increase my speed, I leap around, behind Moke. Now with my blade unsheathed, I swiftly slice across Moke, allowing the blade to cut him down. Still moving, I seamlessly move beside Moke, stepping forward into my swing at Ukel. I bring my blade up, and it's, stopped?
Ukel holds my blade still with his right arm, which he positioned so his forearm absorbed the hit. Must be that armor he's wearing.
"That speed is impressive."
Before I can move, an armored fist meets my face, sending me back and colliding with a tree.
"But speed alone will not win a battle."
As Ukel speaks, I use the rampaging wind to quickly reposition myself behind him again, as he turned to speak to me. This time, I try for a vertical slice, only to find Ukel's boot in my jaw. I blink, and find myself careening to the side. I roughly hit the ground before scattering to a halt.
That one hurt, but I quickly jump back to my feet.
"What you lack in strength you make up for in predictability."
Ukel speaks casually now staring at me while I think of what to do next. Apparently I'm being predictable, so how about I change it up?
I focus my thoughts on changing how my vortex blows. Pointing my sword directly at Ukel, a lethal gale lifts him off the ground. Now, he is vulnerable, because he is airborne.
I waste not a moment, and allow the wind to propel my momentum upwards. I charge to him, bringing my sword up in a diagonal slice. Not missing the chance, I slice right, cutting him vertically. Continuing the momentum, I focus the wind downwards, pushing me and my blade down. As I perform the downward strike, something seems off. Instead of striking a solid mass, it's as if I am slicing thin-air. I hit the ground and see I struck a shadowy figure. Weird, it looks exactly like Ukel, just dark and motionless.
Standing, I look around for the real Ukel, only to have something kick my legs, knocking me violently to the ground.
Shooting my head up, I find my attacker to be the, shadow…
Despite my initial confusion, I focus the wind back to itès vortex, and swing my sword through the shadowy image of Ukel. Ièm not sure what I was hoping for, but my blade passes by the shadow without any resistance. Apparently seeing the opening,the shadow uppercuts me, making solid contact with my jaw. Immediately after, it spins into a kick, landing a painful blow to my mid section. This kick knocks me off my feet, sending me flying backwards. Before I hit the ground though, another fist meets my stomach, changing my direction and launching me to the hard ground. Now in serious pain, I open my eyes to see the real Ukel standing beside shadow Ukel.
"If I were you, I'd stay down."
The real Ukel says, but he's dreaming if he thinks I'm rolling over and giving up.
I launch myself at Ukel, sword first, only to fly right through him. He must have switched places with his shadow, because a hand grabs my airborne leg and swing me to my right. I am tossed, and sent face first downwards by an armored elbow. Due to the force, I bounce off the ground once, as a kick directly to my face lifts me off the ground.
"Get up and face me."
Ukel says angrily, as he grabs the hood of my white cloak and pulls me up. Pushing me back, I stumble into a very sharp kick, which I can only assume is shadow Ukel. This kick sends me back to the real Ukel, who grabs and lifts me by the neck.
"Despair in defeat, for all is lost for you."
Ukel says, sounding calm and sure of himself. Blood begins to drip from my nose and spills onto Ukel's dark armor.I can't breath as Ukle chokes me with one hand, my feet dangling off the ground as he grips tighter. Wait, my feet are off the ground, I'm airborne…
Acting quickly, I double the vortex's strength, and kick Ukel in his crotch, loosening his grip. He does so, and I use him as he recovers, using my other leg to kick off him. I allow the wind to carry me upwards to a tree. Stopping on a branch, I hold my steel blade, which has remained in my hand the entire fight, and focus the wind on it. I allow the vortex to calm as my blade becomes one with the wings, becoming a fierce tornado of force. Now to execute. I kick off the tree diving at Ukel with every ounce of strength I have left. The felling of blood flying from my face as I glide through the air only pushes me further. I yell, putting every ounce of my strength into my swing. As I'm about to hit Ukle, I stop. Using whatever wind is not powering my blade, I change my direction, I swing at the shadow, and just as I hoped, hit the real Ukle.
His armor shatters across, as he screams in pain. With the amount of energy in that blade, it's no wonder he is in two pieces. The legs and hips hit the ground first, followed by his chest and head.
I may have meant overboard, but he did push me.
Returning my sword to it's rightful place, I sheath it in the black, wyvern scale holster on my left hip. I look over at Ukel, who has fallen to pieces.
"Fear not."
I say.
"These wounds are not permanent. You and your friend will return to normal in 88 minutes."
I speak softly, not looking directly at Ukel.
Turning around, I glanceat Moke, who is lying on the ground.
"Where is this hideout?"
I ask no one in particular.
Silence is the response I receive, but I wait patiently.
"In a cave, in the Western hills."
Ukel says from behind me.
"You fought well, you have earned the information."
I nod, before turning to walk away. It's still the middle of the night, so I should make it back to Lisanna before sunrise.
Hopefully, she will not even notice my absence.
After that...