Myth Protector 3 - Chapter 3

 (UNEDITED)

Arthur and Nivian took off not too long after the lake exercise, saying they were going to scout out the mists, look for a good spot for someone at my level—thirteen, and with my current skills. I really wanted to ask him more questions, to spend more time getting to know this amazing figure from history and myths, but knew I’d get my time. He was a spirit now, after all, and didn’t exactly have anywhere to go aside from being with us, helping me. While they were gone, I’d gotten actual practice with knives and swords with Red, then spent some time with Elisa discussing her woven shirts and other defenses known. 

We even had a moment to take a break for a snack, during which Pucky leaned against me and kissed my cheek. 

“What was that for?” I asked. 

“Because I’m about to kick your ass, and wanted you to know I lo—er, adore you, first.” 

I arched an eyebrow. Then kissed her back, but this time on the lips, letting it linger, feeling her warmth. When I pulled back, I held her gaze and said, “The feeling’s mutual. Remember that, when I kick your ass.”

She laughed, standing now. “Come, break’s over.”

“Where’re we going, exactly?” I asked. 

Her playful grin and lack of an answer made me very curious, but as we walked she started going on about how we had to take this seriously, how with Ra and the others out there, we were in for some crazy shit. No playing around.

After a few times of her repeating this sentiment, I took her hand and spun her around. “Pucky, I am taking this seriously.” 

“It’s just, I don’t know… how…” She bit her lip to stop it from trembling. “Too many were lost last time.” After a moment of silence, she said, “You’ve heard of Vasilisa? I watched her die in my arms, felt her ichor leave her, watched the enemy absorb her ichor!” Her chest rose and fell, fast. “You have to be stronger.” 

“We won’t let that happen again.” I actually hadn’t heard of that name, but this wasn’t the time to tell her so.

She nodded, eyed me timidly, and then said, “We’re here. So… sorry for this.” 

“What’re you gonna do?” I glanced around at the trees, the peaceful nature of this place, sunlight flittering through the leaves and birds chirping. It was like being back home, only… better. “Mind control me again? Then what, I have to try and resist?”

Her lip curled and her eyes went green. I’d never seen that happen, and I was about to stumble back, when I caught myself, remembering Arthur’s teaching. Cocked her head and tree roots shot out of the ground, whipping me while some wrapped around my legs and arms. The trees were moving like in a thunderstorm, and the whipping kept coming, now rocks hurtling at me. 

If not for my shield upgrades and increased defense and health, I’d be not only pissed, but quite possibly dead! 

“What the fuck?!” I shouted over the roaring of all the commotion, and tried to pull free. I was getting stronger with my stat upgrades from the prana earned to date, but not enough for this. Pucky was damn powerful, and I wasn’t sure what my options were here. I’d left Excalibur back at the cottage, so cutting my way out wasn’t an option. 

Pucky was a Druid class and could do this, so I figured that my being a Tempest could prove useful here, as it had at the lake. Water was everywhere, and that was apparently my specialty, according the tattoos that had formed. Pulling on the water in the sky and clouds, I brought it down on us in torrential downpours. I tried directing it at Pucky, hoping to get her with a massive tidal wave or something like that, but she stood her ground as more rain hit her, but nothing like I’d had in mind. Apparently, the powers were limited by realistic forms of the elements. The rain was coming harder than I’d hoped for, actually, but it accomplished something I hadn’t thought of—it made the roots slippery, so that I could pull free. 

A flurry of leaves came at me, but only as a distraction while a tree actually swayed down my way! Here I was all action, running and leaping up onto it, then to the other side and rolling. Another was there, waiting, and slammed me back, knocking the wind out of me. 

Another muttered apology came from Pucky, and another tree loomed over me, ready to strike. Fuck, this wasn’t going well. I tried for the water again, even tried pulling Excalibur, but it must’ve been too far away or maybe needed the water connection to work like that. Instead, though, as I dodged and strained myself to pull, I felt another force. A burning formed on my lower right lat, a sensation I’d experienced before when a new tattoo was forming, showing signs of new powers. 

Wind. It came strong and hard, like me in our little cottage sexcapades. The blast of wind hit Pucky and knocked her off of her feet, even blowing against the trees to push them away, diverting them enough to give me room to stand and run to a clearing. I stood, bracing myself, ready for whatever came next. 

Pucky pushed herself up, hands out, and said, “Enough.” With an impressed nod, she added, “Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.” 

I grinned, but was exhausted. Two steps toward Pucky, and I started to collapse. She rushed forward, catching me, caressing my cheek as she said, “I’m so sorry.” 

“It’s necessary.” I tried to be strong, pushing myself up. “Let’s do it again.” 

“No need,” Arthur said, and we turned to see him and Nivian at the top of a hill, the sunlight shining strong behind them. “We’re ready for the mists.”

“We should say, the mists are ready for him,” Nivian said, and chuckled.

I was starting to wonder if she liked watching me suffer, so stood a little taller, not showing weakness. “Bring it on.” 

Sure enough, she looked let down by my reaction. Funny. If she could have seen how exhausted and beaten-up I really felt, she’d have been smiling from ear to ear. 

   c