Chương 11: 6B. The Lost Scholar

Not long after, they had to pause for a herd of giant Bone Bison wandering across an intersection. The beasts had rhinoceros-like proportions and a reputation for charging anyone who came close. The boss insisted they give them some room.

"No point in starting an unnecessary fight," the boss said.

"I'd rather we conserve energy and not waste time." One of Sam's former employers, the group prior to the Rangers Legion, had pursued them for their toughness-enhancing essence and bony, leather armor. The party had hired two other porters. One was trampled, and the other broke a leg. It didn't matter anymore. He was glad for the break. Sophie also appeared to appreciate the stop. It helped her overcome whatever was keeping her little project from taking flight.

The magic stored in the eye-shaped stone went off with a deafening bang. Loud bellows followed, and the bison broke into a charge. Their cries shook neighboring buildings, and their hooves threw up thick clouds of dust. Much to Sam's relief, they carried on the way they were traveling instead of pursuing the group. Sophie flashed an apologetic smile once the herd passed, her eyes still wide from the surprise. The boss had them wait until the dust cloud settled.

"We're entering dangerous territory," Fred stated, helping Sam push the handcart through the intersection. The bison had left deep cracks and gouges as they charged.

"It won't just be skittish beasts and scavengers ahead. Predators, inhumans, and gangs haunt Level Three and its outskirts. Keep your eyes open." His eyes focused on Sophie.

"Conversation is fine, but don't broadcast our location unless we tell you it's okay."

"Sorry," Sophie said sheepishly. A tingle ran down Sam's spine, drawing his eyes to the road ahead. The sensation only lasted a moment, and he wasn't sure what it was. It was similar to the usual tug, but it felt closer. He glanced at his employers. If they felt the same, they didn't show it. Sophie's face gave away nothing but embarrassment.

"What was that?" he asked Iris.

"What was what?"

"Didn't you feel that?" Sam didn't know how to explain what he felt without raising concern. He worried they'd think him crazy or a risk and boot him from the party. The sensation had remained distant during his previous visit to Level Three. Something was different, and Sam wasn't sure how to feel about it. Iris frowned.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Did you see something?" Sam shook his head.

"It was like a weird chill. For a second, I thought someone called out my name, but…" His voice trailed off.

"Maybe I'm just imagining things."

"Are you sure?" Iris asked, her eyes scanning the surrounding buildings.

"It could be a stalker or an Inhuman hoping to feed on a mortal."

"Maybe it was all the talk of Cambridge and memories," Sam answered.

"I think they're just messing with my head. Add the Call of the Abyss to the mix and—""Do you need a break?" She decided for him.

"You need a break. It's time to swap, Sophie. Enough playing with the essence. Take over cart duty, please."

"Sure," the younger woman chirped, skipping over. She appeared glad to put distance between herself and Fred's glare.

"That means you're with me, Sam," the boss declared. He complied, swapping positions with his fellow porter. Meanwhile, Iris disappeared into a nearby building, announcing her intention to get a better view from the high ground and scout. She wished to ensure an Inhuman wasn't around, preying on the weakest member of the team.

"What was your specialization?" The boss asked after a long silence. The incline had started to even out, and Sam saw the familiar urban jungle of floor three ahead. It wasn't just recognition from before the cataclysm. The area was visible from the airship. He had specifically searched for it, hoping for a hit of nostalgia.

"Spirits and their connection to folklore and mythology," Sam answered.

"I wanted to include Greater Spirits in my research, but my superiors considered it a waste of resources. Maybe they were right. I'm not even sure they exist." Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"They do," Iris stated, making Sam jump. He hadn't seen or heard her return.

"It's been a large part of my work with the Seekers."

"Did you find tangible evidence?" Sam's eyes widened at the revelation.

"I am evidence." Iris chuckled.

"The Fall of Cambridge attracted more than just Inhumans and beasts."

"What spirit—""You can't ask a lady that!" The boss exclaimed, playfully smacking his arm.

"That's right, Sam!" Iris grinned.

"At least buy me dinner first!"

"Will you settle for me cooking dinner instead?" He asked.

"I'm told that I'm an excellent cook. Assuming it proves necessary." Sam's eyes drifted to the road ahead. Now that he didn't have to focus on avoiding deep cracks and potholes, he paid more attention to his surroundings. Even though the landscape had warped as it wrapped around the tunnel, burrowing deeper into the Abyss, he recognized it.

"I've been here before. Before the cataclysm, I mean. My mother's office was…" He trailed off for a moment, struggling to find the familiar landmarks. The shifting landscape and overgrown flora made most of it unrecognizable.

"... and I often forgot the house keys. It used to take a couple of hours, but wasn't—""I remember you regularly getting locked out of your room, too," Iris said, eyes scanning a crumbling building.

"How many nights did we spend playing board games in the common room?"

"Just the two of you?" Sophie asked, face red from the exertion of pulling the cart through potholes and giant cracks.

"Yes." Iris sighed.

"Just the two of us. I couldn't leave his puppy-dog face waiting all alone until morning."

"And you didn't make a move?" Sophie shook her head.

"Coward or clueless?"

"I asked her out, didn't I?" Sam protested.

"Men." The boss sighed.

"Tell me about it." Sophie snorted.

"A scavenger buddy joined me for shopping last week and was sweet enough to walk me home. I told him I had just cooked some amazing chili and invited him up for a taste. You know what he said?" She deepened her voice for effect.

"No thanks. I wouldn't want to ruin your meal prep."

"Meal prep?" Iris guffawed.

"What a meathead."

"But he was a tasty-looking meathead." Sophie pouted.

"He asked me out for a drink after this—""Shush." Iris raised a finger to her lips, eyes darting between the buildings.

"We're being stalked."

"Incoming!" Fred yelled, sliding along the ground to the boss and Sam. He threw his arms up into the air on arrival, and two earth walls rose before them, joining in the front and forming a wedge. Projectiles exploded on the outer surface a moment later. More flew overhead. Sam caught a glimpse of the pair of rough, fleshy spikes. It was hard to see clearly through the orange flames that surrounded them. The handcart exploded. Sophie screamed. The blast threw the young woman off her feet and onto her front.

Chunks of the vehicle and its luggage landed atop her. A second barrage followed, shaking Fred's improvised barrier. More flew toward the supplies and the porter buried under them, but they abruptly changed course, and a mighty gale buffeted Sam from behind. Iris had taken to the air. She stood several feet above the ground, dark hair and cape dancing wildly around her, and her skin paler than usual. Crimson enveloped her fingers, making them several times longer. Each ended in an ugly claw.

She kicked off an invisible surface, shooting out of view.

"I didn't think they'd come this far out," the boss grumbled, spreading her hands outward. One of her rings flashed, and watery disks as big as her torso manifested, floating around her.

"My familiars—" She shook her head; a look of concentration replaced her surprise.

"I got this, Fred. Do your thing!" The vanguard grunted, stomping his feet. One half of the wedge shot forward, sliding along the ground and leaving ripples in its wake. Fred followed it, using the other half as a shield against another barrage of flaming, fleshy spikes.

"Inhumans." Sam gasped, getting a clear view of the clash ahead. Iris was engaged in a battle with a man three times her size. The mass of bulging back muscles looked like a monstrous hump, and he barely looked like a person. A frog-like woman hopped between walls, avoiding Fred. She ripped fleshy spikes growing out of her back, set them ablaze, and flung them at Fred, keeping him from getting close.

"No," the boss said, grinding her teeth as she spawned a sphere of blinding white light between her hands. Meanwhile, the trio of water disks rotating around her and Sam seemed to solidify like glass. Her eyes followed the wiry pair as they attempted a pincer attack.

"They're humans, just like you and me, but maddened by their thirst for power. Are you ready to risk your life, Sam?"

"More than I'm already?"

"We're going to make a run for Sophie. As soon as we move, these two are going to attack. I'll try my best to cover you, but—""I get it. Now?"

"Hold." The attacking pair moved closer, moving on all fours. Their jerky movements and long skinny limbs made them look far from human.

"Now?"

"Hold." One opened its mouth and spat a glob of green fluid. The boss caught it with one of her glassy shields before launching a stream of light into it. The shield flashed blinding white, but then focused the light into a beam. It ran along the ground, moving as the water lens-shield changed angle. The target leaped to the side, avoiding getting hit in the chest, but wasn't fast enough. The beam sliced through one of its limbs, severing it just below the shoulder. A scream of rage and anguish followed.

"Now!" The boss exclaimed. She and Sam took off together.