Chapter 17
"My name is Yara of the Ice-Fang Tribe and I need your help."
"With what?" Katsuki asked, glaring daggers at her. Despite the intensity of his gaze, she remains unfazed. Though the blonde brawler notices a small bead of sweat trickling down her forehead. Taking advantage of it, he begun popping off small explosions. Nothing damaging, simply for show and a matching feral grin to add the charm.
"If you're upset about the attacks my people did, please understand that we only wish to find out the exact measure of your strength." Yara, as she had introduced, added hastily. "One of the Giants had taken command of my tribe and forced us to feed him. We...I mean, I suggested we try something different."
"You mean...you guys cause the Red Gate?" Cole interjected, curiosity peaking. Her words also had the same effect on Katsuki as the blonde recalled Yogumunts' own words. Perhaps she is in her cahoots with that old man.
"Red Gate?" Yara repeated, baffled by the term. Although understanding dawned on her relatively fast.
"Well, I don't know about this Red Gate but you were accidentally summoned here by our shamans who were trying to open up a portal to the Rulers' prison to rescue our tribesmen." Yara said uneasily.
"But we've decided to try and asked for your aid."
'She's definitely hiding something.' Katsuki concluded, noticing the tone of voice. Her words left an impression on the young hothead. Given the mysterious nature of the Gates and Dungeon, the Ice Elf before them could provide them some insight into the Gates.
If he hadn't met Yogumunt, he would have simply end her life like any other self-respecting Heroes would do. However, the past few events have made him decided not to follow through make a particularly hasty decision.
"Let me get this straight; your wizards used a spell to call forth this...prison to get additional meatshields but instead you somehow wound up summoning us? " Katsuki asked, scowling all the while. They essentially got dragged into someone else's problems by simple bad luck.
"Did I mention it wasn't on purpose? Besides you guys handled yourself fairly well. One of you even wear my people as a mask." Yara said, making a jab towards Cole. It took Katsuki a moment to realize she was referring to the bone mask the Western hero was wearing. Slightly disgusted, Katsuki opted to focus on the questioning.
"Why not do it yourself? I've fought some of you before and I think a pack of your folks can handle a Giant." Cole stated, beating the explosion user to the punch.
Much as he dislike the mace-wielder, he silently agreed with the American hero's statement having fought Ice Elves on several ocassions. Giants might have incredible strength and durability but their speed is lacking. Due to this, multiple fast moving hostiles could easily overwhelm their senses.
"True. But...this one is different. He...I don't know what happen but he's different than the other Giants. We don't know what happened to him but something changed him. Powers unbeknownst to us made him impervious to our spells and blades. The Ice Tusk aren't enough and the local Yetis have abandoned us out of cowardice." Yara answered, mentioning the ape-like beasts with bile.
"You'll have to come with us. Give us any weapon you have and come alone or we'll have you and whatever entourage you have killed." Katsuki stated coldly. New knowledge or not, he will not risk the safety of himself and his allies.
"...I brought no one to this meeting but myself." Yara's words earned a snort from Katsuki and Cole's mocking laughter.
"Lady, that's bull and you know it," snarked Cole coldly, gesturing to their surrounding with his mace in a grandiose manner. "I ain't got super senses but I can tell there's gotta be some folks backing you up. Anyone with enough sense would bring a couple of bodyguards with them to a deal. Especially with someone they're not cool with."
Hesitation danced in the young woman's eyes. Katsuki snorted at the sight, surprised by how inexperienced the Ice Elf is. The same thought crossed the the blonde's partner given how he snorted in derision.
"Lady, if you don't do as we say, I'll give you a taste what those big woolies mammoths ate." Katsuki lied. Truth was he has no clue whether she has bodyguards accompany her but his instinct says she does. Either she's a fool or brave for doing so is beyond him.
"If I were you, I listen to him. Guys' a walking talking artillery unit." Cole laughed hysterically, leaning on his mace as he did so.
"He can wipe out everything within a 10 mile radius if he so chooses." Hearing Cole bragging about his skill made him feel a violent urge to strangle him into keeping his mouth shut. Guy just doesn't seem to know when to keep it shut.
"Artillery unit?" Quizzically asked Yara. Cole attempted to explain but decided against it after receiving a discrete but fierce side glare from the other hero. Slightly befuddled, Yara decides it was better to focus on her main objective.
"Regardless, I did not bring anyone with me. What my people need now is aid. And you guys can't survive in the winter out here by yourself. My lord's realm is too harsh, too cruel for your kind." Yara stated, hoping to appeal to their sense of self-preservation.
"If we were to trust you, then we're fools." Katsuki growled, stepping forward in a menacing manner, cracking up explosions as he did so. Taking the hint, Cole quickly stepped out of the way for the hotheaded hero.
"So, I suggest you leave less I change my mind." Said Katsuki coolly, glaring at her as he did so.
"Yeah? What you and your friends gonna do? The winter of my world isn't something your kind can handle."
"Here's my opinion; I do not care." Spat Katsuki with contempt.
Yara swallowed down the growing bile as this wasn't what she had hoped for. The humans are proving to be far more stubborn than she'd expected. Though it might just be the two of them. Then again, there's a chance their other two companions might just be equally stubborn.
Interaction with the blonde human had Yara think of a werewolf; vicious, uncompromising and outright ruthless while his companion reminded her of the sadistic yetis. If it weren't for the explosive powers he wield, she would've mistaken him for one of those feral warriors and the mace-and-shield wielder lack of fur was the only thing that prevents her mistaking him for one of the furry abominations.
"Girl, you're looking at a survivor of your so-called realm and a super strong warrior. With the latter being an expert on Ice Elf." Cole butted in, flexing his muscular arms. Faster than the eyes could detect, Cole's mace sang through the air and landed inches away from the sapient Magic Beast's face. Powerful gust of wind was generated by the sudden motion. For once, there was an uncharacteristic bloodthirst behind those pale blue eyes of his.
"Besides, what's stopping us from killing you anyway? Huh?" Cole snarled.
'What are you doing?!' Katsuki internally screamed as he observed the sudden turn of events. But he kept his mouth shut and decided to observe, believing Cole's action may prove beneficial to his cause.
"Because I can help you people get back to your world. Quik Pro Quo as you humans often say; you guys help us take out a Giant, we help you get back to your world." Yara countered, remaining unfazed by the death threat.
"Well, what do you think? Should we trust her? Worst case scenario is we all die and gets skewered by Ice Elves. Course the same goes for our other teammates." Cole asked.
Katsuki remained quiet, contemplating on the advantages and disadvantages of each option on the table. If he and Cole kill her, they would have to deal with a group of pissed of Ice Elves. Something that is more annoying than helpful considering they would only waste energy and time, leaving him and Cole vulnerable to other threats. Potential threats that they have not yet found. Not to mention how the Ice Elves knew where they were so they could harasses them.
On the other hand, he could learn more about the Magic Beast and possibly far more than what Izuku has gained. In addition, the second option offers him an alliance with a group of super hunters who can act as meatshield against a possible Construct. Her description about the so-called Giant has raised red flags in him. While the strength of three A-ranker and an army raiser combined is formidable, he can't really risked it based on what he'd seen a Construct can do.
Memories of the Perfect Construct named Vidar sends shivers down his spine. Taking a deep breath, Katsuki hoped the decision he's making is the right one.
"Fine, but I have terms of my own." Katsuki answered. She attempted to say something but he cut off.
"First, I want you to come with us. As insurance if your friends try to play any funny games. Secondly, I want you to give me all your weapons and third, which is the most important one of them all; tell me everything you can about everything. If you can't do any of them, forget this little alliance you're planning." Katsuki stated.
"Done."
(Linebreak)
"That is essentially the whole deal."
Katsuki's casual summarization had Denki and Izuku mouth agape in shock, suffering difficulty coming to terms with what they had heard. Only the crackling sound made by the burning wood pierced the silence. The blonde watched them, waiting for them to say anything as he took a bite out of the roasted Koios' meat.
"Yeah, is it a good idea to bring her with us?" Denki asked, nudging a chin towards their recent ally. All four turned their heads, enough to see the female Ice Elf who is currently sitting far, far away from them. Who is currently surrounded by four Ice Elf acting as his summon. Yara for her part seems to be chatting with them, not even fazed at the fact that her allies has turned into somebody else' servants.
Or Yara and the spirits were conversing in the Monster's version of sign language. In her hand was a slab of cooked Koios meat they have to her, feeling obliged as she is their hostage.
"What's to worry about?' Asked Cole, confused by the others. Taking another bite out of the large steak in hand. After chewing his food and swallowing it, Cole continued on as usual.
"I mean, they knew where we are and we've shown we can handle ourselves." Spoke the bruiser, glancing to the others for their opinion. "Besides, it speaks volume considering they're asking for our help."
"There's a possibility it's a trap," countered Denki, taking a bite out of his meal. "Ice Elf aren't known for their kindness."
"So much for the self-proclaimed 'Ice Elf expert'," snorted the ashen-blonde hair hero, derision obviously soaked in the voice.
"Ice Elf don't make deals unless they have to. They're basically hunters for life, they don't work with prey." Cole stated. Jabbing a thumb at himself before doing the same for the others. "You and I are definitely considered prey. The fact they are doing this means something."
"I'm not so sure. It could be a trap. What do you think, Izuku?" Denki's question went unheeded as the greenette was too busy looking at the female Ice Elf. Eyes rolling in mild annoyance, Denki raised a hand close to Izuku's face.
"Hey Deku!" Katsuki barked aloud, grinning at the outcome. Cole watched the unfolding scenario, intrigued at what will come soon enough, having experienced it himself.
Izuku attempted to reply but but felt a small zap in the cheeks. Unprofessional but relatively harmless given Denki's mastery over the electrical current stored within is quite refined. Enough for the ninja-themed hero to do harmless pranks for kicks or get attention. Something akin to an initiation and an inside joke amongst the sidekicks of All Might.
When the first tendrils of electrical energy grazed him, a black blur blasted forth, connecting to the ninja-inspired hero. The man looked positively winded, keeling over as he gasped for air and failing. Cole shot up and went over to check on Izuku and Katsuki would have done the same if it weren't Izuku. He was glaring daggers at Denki, wearing an expression he'd never saw before.
"Don't do that," growled Izuku, his fist literally smoking from the blow he had delivered.
"Whoah. A little harsh ain't it?" Cole snapped, moving over to help Denki stand up. Taking the wounded man to sit on one of the smooth rocks further away from the enraged greenette.
"Deku, that's a joke," Katsuki stated, partially surprised by the sudden volatile outburst. The reaction wasn't something he had expected.
"He shocked me." Izuku countered heatedly.
"Denki had always learned to control the output. It never even hurt an E-ranker." Katsuki countered back. An uncharacteristic growl escaped the angered necromancer, causing the explosion user becoming confused. The necromancer began marching forward with clenched fist.
Sensing the situation may escalate into something unsalvagable, Katsuki dwelled on the next possible course of action. One that he rarely like to take, much less for the one person he dislike, serves as the effective one. Taking a deep breath, Katsuki strengthened his resolve to do so.
"On behalf of my friend, I apologize for his wrong action," spoke Katsuki, forcing the words out. Even now, the blonde could not bear to believe the words are coming out of his mouth. But it must be done, the explosion wielder can see their current situation does not need any other problems.
"...Fine," Izuku relented at last, taking deep breaths to control his temper. Turning to the electric user and approaching him. The young necromancer seems to remember something important but Katsuki didn't pressed further, not wanting to aggravate the green-haired hero in training.
"I'm sorry for what I did. It wasn't appropriate of me to lash out like that," spoke the greenettte. After a few gulp of air, Denki managed to gave a subdued smile and waved it off.
"Nah, it's fine." Denki laughter turn into a series of coughing. Though he quickly regain his bearings, waving off the concerned Cole. "Now's not the time for jokes. My bad man."
Having settled the issue, Izuku's cheeks warmed up considerably as he felt ashamed by his actions. The man quickly went over to one spot, sat down and tried his best to seemingly wither away. Katsuki merely scoffed at the sight.
"...If what she says is true, then we'll need all the help we can get. Maybe she can direct us to the places where other Magic Beast resides." Izuku offered, looking to the others for approval.
"I thought your map could do that? Don't tell me it stopped working?" Katsuki snarked, recalling the magical map Izuku talked about.
"N-no. I mean," Izuku paused as he stick his hand into the empty space in front of him. Denki and Cole watched with interest as the green-haired necromancer pulled out the very map.
"It doesn't show me anything else besides the area and any known places' names. I don't know what caused it to happen. The other two Dungeon I was in showed me where the Constructs are and even their name." Izuku explained, secretly frustrated by the sudden lack of cooperation.
"Who provided the map to you? Heck, how do you know the monsters you killed were Constructs anyway?" Asked the singular western hero.
"One, the Constructs I'd often killed were boss-grade monsters and...that's it really. I guess Yogumunt provided me the map. He mentioned about wanting to discover the secrets of Quirks." Izuku spoke, recalling the elderly monster's words. "As the Constructs were officially labelled as Runaway Constructs by this map, I don't have anything to reinforce this except just my own assumptions, they are possibly Yogumunt's test subjects and I've been unwittingly hunting them down."
A lie mixed with some truth. Some time before Katsuki and Cole ahs returned, Izuku took a quick look of the map and discovered it no longer functions as effectively as it once did. Not to mention he'll need to find some ways to prevent them from finding out his unique powers. He had faith in Katsuki keeping his lid shut around his game-like powers as the man is quite self-serving. There was no reason for him to do so after all.
Or at least he hope.
"So, you're saying we're essentially cleaning up after the guy." Cole snorted. "Lazy bastard. Can't he made the map work for you? I swear, if I get my hands on him, I'll bash shield and mace into him."
Izuku smiled at the thought, relishing doing the same on Keras and Yogumunt. Remembering what the hulking brute's deeds sets his heart ablaze with rage. No one puts his mother in harm ways. The same goes for Yogumunt for attempting to use Saiko for his sick goals.
"Him interfering with your efforts would be stupid, so we'll rule him out." Katsuki threw in his two cents.
"After all, why would he have the map stop working for you since you've been doing a fine job at it."
Izuku only glared balefully at the man's condescending way of saying it. Aside from that, he didn't do anything else.
"Though something doesn't sit right with me," spoke Denki. "Why have you hunt down these Runaways? I mean, you're...getting stronger by taking them as your magical servants. So what's in it for him?"
"Guy's a scientist, his title is literally the Monarch of Magical Knowledge," explained the greenette. "I think he's actually using me to collect them back."
"The fuck?" Voiced Cole and Denki, baffled by Izuku's assumption. He can see where they're coming from but in hindsight it makes sense. Yogumunt would've wanted the Constructs back for further studies. Although the problem lies in what does he want with their corpses. The fact that elderly Monarch is willing to take their deceased bodies raises further questions. He'd never stated studies of Quirk is his only studies. For all he knew, the monster is researching the secrets behind necromancy.
In addition, Yogumunt struck Izuku as the sort to hold grudges. He doubt the sorcerer would let his hardwork escape. The so-called Monarch would definitely do something to get back at them.
"Why would he want them back? Heck, using you I can understand but why not do it himself?" Denki asked.
"The possibilities are endless." Izuku stated plainly. "Research, resurrection or even extraction of Quirks. He could use the corpses for reasons that even we could possibly never imagined. He probably wants to save his strength for something."
"Essentially, he's a mad scientist. What his mind imagined, he'll put it to the test because science is his viagra." Barked Katsuki, drawing the attention of the others.
"I doubt he's a warrior." The blonde
"...What he said," agreed Izuku, slightly put off by the phrasing.
"So, just to stay on the same page, what's to say she's not a Construct?" Denki asked, pointing at the female Ice Elf. She in turn didn't seem to notice the quartet, focusing on the other Ice Elves.
"For all we know, she could be a sleeper agent for Yogurt man. Heck, he could implant Quirks right? Perhaps she got one that can manipulate the minds of others? Like pheromone releaser or something?" Denki's suggestion had varied reaction from the other three. Cole just gave a confused look, Katsuki's an exasperated but accepting look as he knew the man the longest out of the trio and Izuku only chuckled nervously, befuddled but slightly amused by the .
"Well, I doubt that is the case," offered Izuku, finding the notion already plenty ridiculous . "Mostly because if she has mind control abilities, we would not be having this conversation. The pheromone releaser...well, I doubt it would work considering it is based on attraction. Ignoring the difference in biology alone. Neither of you were attracted to her...were you?"
Izuku's question had Katsuki and Cole burst into laughter, howling as they did so. The dual-wielder and the necromancer were baffled by their fellow companions' reaction and even the singular female within their vicinity had her head turned. Although Izuku's confusion morph to mild annoyance given the direness and oddity of their situation, he did his best to reign in the growing fire. It lasted for a couple of second before it ended, the two trying their best not burst into another one. Even Yara, who was occupied in her conversation, was startled by the sudden outburst.
"I like my girls human. Warm-blooded, got the polygons to win gazes and a personality to match." Cole chuckled, wiping a tear out of his mask's eyehole. "I also despise monsters like the Ice Elf so I'll never look at them in that light."
"Romance isn't something I'd focused on. Also, she's a monster so why would I have interest in... that?" Katsuki sarcastically asked, jabbing a thumb at Yara's direction.
"Right." Izuku grounded out. "So all in favour of helping Yara?"
Exchanges of looks were done amongst all four of them, gauging the reaction and minds of the others. Denki's hand went up first and shortly after Katsuki followed suit. Izuku did the same and Cole was left as the one who didn't agreed.
"I hate Ice Elves. It's all I'm saying." Cole spoke plainly, not going further than that. None of them commented on it, as none of them desired to pry. Satisfied with the results, the four of them discussed over the one responsible to inform her of their decision. Ultimately, the decision falls on Izuku as the Katsuki and Cole voted for him. Denki had voluntered but Izuku declined the blonde swordsmans' offer as he has his own goals. As the trio watched the sole magic user of their group heading to speak
Taking the hint, the blonde ninja lent his ears. Cole took note of the exchange but said nothing, already able to guess what they planned.
"If she try something funny, do your thing." Katsuki whispered. Denki only gave a solemn nod. They watched Izuku approached their newest ward.
"Um, Yara was it?" Izuku called, waving to get her attention. The ice elf paused in her conversation with Izuku's summon. The shadowy familiars parted ways and bowed in reverence to their master at the same time. Izuku signaled them to get up, slightly flustered and annoyed by their actions.
"Yes?" Quizzically asked the young Ice Elf.
"We've agreed to help you with your problems." Izuku answered. "But we would like to rest since it's...dark and we're tired from your onslaught."
"If that's the issue, I can take you to my village. My people would accomodate you without any questions." Yara declared.
'A tempting offer', Izuku thought to himself. Having a warm bed and a roof over his head is a more alluring idea than sleeping out in the open with Koios' wool as beddings. Not to mention, free food and the possibility of learning more about the Magic Beast. A part of him wished Saiko could be here as he knew the sheer significance .
However, Izuku doesn't fully trust her and the same can be said for others. The young lady's very tribe had attempted to kill them and frankly, he doesn't feel comfortable enough to sleep in his attempted murderer's house. Even though one of their own is acting as a hostage.
"Yeah but we don't trust you. You know, what with you being a Magic Beast and there's how your tribesmen had attacked us and what with the whole situation. It's just hard for us to willingly follow you."
"A reasonable action." Yara commented, nodding in agreement. "In hindsight, my offer was foolish but it was worth a shot."
"Right, you can stay with us and I hope the food we've made wasn't too bad." Izuku spoke. Only for awkwardness to settle in as the elven woman stared at him intently. Flustered by the attention, Izuku looked towards the summons made from the Ice Elves for guidance and was frustrated to find them smiling good-naturedly.
"Is there something on my face," asked Izuku.
"You reek of death," says Yara at last, finality in her tone. "You remind me of Lord-"
Izuku was surprised to see the woman went still out of the blue, as if something had taken ahold of her. Pale blue orbs opened wide and her breath even went still. Izuku wondered if this is a trait of the Ice Elves but evidently not if his Ice Elves summons' reaction were any indication. All of them looked perplexed by their alive kin's action, shaking her body.
"You reek of death," repeated Yara yet again for the second time, seemingly unaware of what she'd done moments ago.
"You've told me that." Izuku stated, not wishing to prod further as he dwelled on what just transpired. The only seemingly assumption that makes sense would be either Yogumunts' intervention or the System is interfering. Either one possibilities makes no sense; what would they possibly gain from leaving him in the dark. Not to mention how is the so-called Ashborn plays into all of this. There's also the possibility of Ashborn created the System for whatever intent that suits him; making a host to takeover.
There was also what Stain said or the being that possessed him. The one claiming to be God, mocking him to the end, mentioned about his brother being the greatest of them all and a creator. He wondered if Ashborn is a relative of Maestro and what is the connection Maestro has with Yogumunt and Keras.
Are they enemies or allies? Or Yogumunt and Keras are their siblings. Why did Maestro chose to have a human servant. The idea of Chizome Akaguro being a sleeper agent is out of the question considering there was nothing wrong when he used Observe on him.
It struck Izuku that the late hero killer did what he did because of Maestro's words. Sweet promise of a safe world from the monsters is an appealing offer, it would anyone try to make sure it happens. Izuku's heart simmer with rage, realizing the man might have been manipulated. If so, he felt bad for the crazed killer, no doubt Chizome was a selfless man given that he doesn't struck the necromancer as a glory-hound.
'I'll think about this after all of this is done,' Izuku decided, focusing on the current dilemma.
"Hey, what's going on over there?" Katsuki hollered, strutting over with a frown. Following the explosion maker not too far away was Denki and Cole. Their respective weapons strapped close to their person, ensuring their ability to act accordingly if things went south.
"It's nothing," Izuku waved, deciding not to reveal what he'd witnessed. There was no point in doing so. Not to mention, he felt like spiting his childhood friend further.
"It looked like it wasn't nothing," astutely pointed out by Cole. A vague gesture towards the summons were made by the mace wielder. "You were looking to the Ice Elves summon for something. Whatever that was."
"Yeah, I...she offered to take us to her village," deflected Izuku, smiling while doing so.
"Yes, my offer still stands. It is the least I can do.," spoke Yara, taking a bite out of the meal she ws given. After chewing it, she pat out the cooked meat.
"Besides, I doubt you can fight effectively if this poorly cooked meat is your meal." Yara's words struck Denki's heart, causing the a crestfallen look to fell on the lightning-using hero.
"What do you guys think? Should we go?" Izuku asked.
Katsuki glanced at Cole, who's singular response was a casual shrug. Katsuki pondered on the given situations and other variables. For a moment, he looked towards his fellow A-ranker, Denki, for his opinion.
"Sure, if they can make something out of elephant meat. Why not." Bemoaned the ninja.
Votes having been cast and Katsuki gave his. The five of them agreed to move out as soon as possible, extinguishing their bonfire and dumping the raw meat. Only the skinned fur was taken along with some of the chopped tree woods.
To those who are reading this, yes, this is the newest update and I apologize for the irregularities. I have university to deal with and due to my own ineptitude and laziness, I must now redo some subjects. Horay!
On a side note, please check out my because I wish to fund this work. I know it is selfish of me to do so but my real life financial situation isn't the best and if any of you could kindly consider giving some of your money away to help me, that would be great.
The name is called Dragon's Hoard