"I should've trusted my gut!" Bronya exclaimed whilst huffing. She and Roth sprinted as fast as they could- Bronya kept her speed exactly like her companion. 'Have you tried contacting him again?!'
…
'Fei? Fei, can you hear me?!'
…
"Damn it! Rothie, we have to hurry up!"
"Go ahead. I'll catch up."
With his confirmation, she increased her speed.
Not long after, Fei's voice popped inside of her head. Her legs immediately stopped moving and a warm sense of relief washed over her. Having her hand on her chest, she focused her mind on listening to Fei.
I found him- He's hurt- He- He's bleeding-Why… Why did you send him- Why didn't you go with him?
'...' Bronya's sense of relief quickly was enveloped by chill running down her body. Fei's internal voice was filled with rage. 'I didn't think it would be that serious… I'm sorry, I seriously didn't think it would be that serious.'
You still should've went with him! What if he can't recover?!
'Calm down! I'm almost there, we have healers outside if he's hurt that badly!' She shook her head in annoyance, and muttered under her breath. "She needs to calm that anger… Damn it!" Before long, a sight befell her.
"W-Woah!" Bronya let out as the sight of a gigantic white fox monster stood near a demi-human and an unconscious Lucian on the ground. When she tried to draw her weapon, the fox's eyes glared at her. Slit pupils, blue eyes with a tinge of purple in them. "F-Fei? Is that you?" She asked, still not giving it any room, she held her axe out and readied herself for a fight.
Put him on my back.
"You really should warn me, before I come over here…" Bronya sighed then chuckled. "But~ Before I do that…" Her eyes rolled to the golden haired demi-human girl who was holding a shard of glass in a defensive manner. "Who's this?"
I don't know. Put him on my back.
"Allright, allright, don't worry. Don't worry."
In an attempt to lift him up, Bronya quickly set him back down. 'He's heavier than he looks!' Despite his lanky, and skinny appearance, he weighed nearly double what he looked like. After chuckling a bit from Fei's disbelieving look, she lifted Lucian onto Fei's back.
"Wait, wait! He's going to fall off if you move!"
Then keep him up there!
"We need to wait for Rothie! Lucian isn't going to die from these wounds! It's just a minor cut on his forehead, and a weird bruising on his mouth; do you think he's going to die from these injuries?"
…
"Ex-actly, and it looks like that nasty head wound is already almost healed."
Few minutes passed by instantly, during the wait Bronya took the time to look at Fei's fox form. Just like her regular body, it looked rather thin and weak. In addition, her left ear was cut. Her observations were derailed. "Almost forgot about ya. You can set that little makeshift weapon down."
"Who are you?" The girl behind her asked. She kept her glass weapon aimed at Bronya and Fei. "Who are you both, and how are you talking to this…?"
"We're adventurers, I assume this little thing saved ya, didn't he? In short, we are here to clear these enslavement areas."
The girl's eyes widened for a moment, hesitation was drawn all over her body. Her eyes darted to Lucian's body then back at Bronya. Was she truthful? This question popped around her mind, but it was useless.
Only her words could be trusted, even if she tried to run away, she wouldn't get far. Her realization allowed her arms to fall. 'We can't allow her to trick us.' She thought, her grip around the glasses tightened a small bit at the sight of Bronya's smile softening.
'She isn't like the others.' Bronya noticed whilst looking at her. Simple designed collar that looked tight around the girl's neck. She wore clothes that carbon dated older than the others. Even her green eyes gave an air of deeper hopelessness. "Looks like ya don't trust me. I don't blame you; but we'll bring you somewhere safer. Just follow us okay?"
"..."
"Fine, fine, if it may make you feel better, I'll introduce ourselves. My name is Bronya, a wood elf if you have never seen one before. This giant fluff being is Little Fei, the one that's sleep-ridin-"
Don't you dare finish what you want to say.
"Ahem! I mean, the one that's currently knocked out is Lucian…" She leaned in closer, warranting the girl to bring up her weapon. With her hand brought to her mouth, she continued in a hush tone. "Despite his and her current appearance, those two are loveb-"
…
"Anyways, you already heard our other companion's name. Rothie, don't be scared by his massive figure, he loves sweets. That's about it~ Outside, we have a whole crew of everyone doing their job. Almost all of them are friendly, and are here to help."
"Okay."
"You really don't believe me… Oh well, can you give us your name?"
After a moment's hesitation, the girl stared at the ground and introduced herself. "Haru."
Bronya, upon hearing her name, sighed and straightened her back. "Nice to meet you Haru, just follow us, okay?"
A bit later, footsteps were heard; Roth's voice followed them. "Long Ear is here. Huh, thought she was smaller." Despite his monotonous tone, a hint of confusion was evident.
"Mhmmm~ Oh, looks like she is about to turn ravenous…"
Fei glared at both of them, shook her head violently and turned towards the entrance of the cave. No words were needed, Bronya and Roth walked on each side to keep Lucian hooked onto her back.
Slowly, they marched to the entrance. Just outside, many individuals who were meant to be outside, stared at the entrance. A man stood near, his arm outstretched with a grip on an invisible arm. At the entire sight, Bronya let out a loud whistle.
The demi-human girl they found walked a distance behind them. With light shining in from the entrance, she closed her eyes whilst her hand covered them. Quickly, her eyes became adjusted to the sun's rays. 'It looks much prettier than the times in our memories.' She thought.
"Wow, looks like your whole transformation caused a stir, gigantic Fei." Bronya commented, looking around she took a few steps forward to be in Fei's vision. She earned a deadpan expression from Fei after a thumbs up.
"U-Uhm, is that f-fox part of your tea- H-Hold on, aren't you supposed to be in there?!" The man asked once his daze was shattered.
Bronya raised a finger. "Yes, this ball of fur is our teammate. But, she's a demi-human. Fei, oh hold on." She supported Lucian, resting his arm around her neck, and her other hand holding his waist. "Why don't you transform back, you're scaring everyone else."
Suddenly, a mist enveloped Fei's body. All those around her took a few steps back from the frigid temperature. Underneath that coverage, Fei's human form's figure was visible. A quick breeze flew through, sending the mist away.
"..."
"Uh."
"Little Fei, I did not know you were into that."
Fei glanced at Bronya for a moment. What do you mean…? She questioned, her answer was soon given. She watched as Bronya covered her mouth, and pointed towards her body.
"Hey Rothie, do you have something to cover her up?"
"I don't."
"Well, then do ya mind standing in front of her? Your gigantic body would cover her 'embarrassment'"
With no complaints, Roth stood in front of the now horrendously embarrassed Fei who attempted to cover her body at all costs. Her entire face turned a deep shade of red. With his coverage, she kneeled to the ground. Her ears flopped down, and she tried to ignore the new whispers going around.
"Nothing to look at here everyone! Go do your own things!"
"What the heck was that?! Don't ignore what happened! How the hell did that girl turn into that giant thing!"
P-Please stop staring! Fei cried internally, she curled her body tighter. The more that was said, she closed her eyes and tried to ignore it. Please, please just stop talking, stop staring! She constantly repeated in her mind.
"Also, do you mind explaining why you're back so soon? I swear you were just in there for an hour!"
"Well, duh, we're already finished. We got this girl as proof, unless you're blind and can't use ya mind." Bronya retorted and casually moved so their proof was revealed.
Everyone that surrounded them murmured, but one voice and appearance shut them up. Their eyes eventually fell upon Noelle, who slowly strolled in. She was slowly taking off her jacket whilst a smirk plastered itself on her face.
"G-Guild Master, what are you doing here- Here?" The initiator inquired nervously. He stepped out of her way. "U-Um, Guild Master?"
Noelle, after ignoring him for a moment, turned her head to give him a glance and merely commented, "giving Miss Lirong this." She raised her now folded jacket. "Nice job you four- Give him a good job once he stirs."
"Thank you, Guild Master!"
"Thanks."
"Mmm, Miss Lirong, please lift your head."
"Miss Lirong, can you hear me?"
P-Ple- Suddenly, a weight fell onto Fei's back. This sudden sensation caused her eyes to fly open and head to snap up.
"Please wear that, it'll save you most of the embarrassment."
W-What is- Fei's thoughts derailed while watching Noelle turn around. She shakily reached around her back, and felt a soft fabric. Without hesitation, she pushed her arms through the sleeves. Then she wrapped the front window closed, with one arm just under chest; the other closed it around her stomach. Although with all her might, she tried to cover everything, a window open, showing a bit of cleavage.
"T-T-Tha-" During Fei's rush to cover herself up, Noelle already went to her next target; Haru, who seemed to be staring into the void in front of her.
"Why hello there." Noelle bent down slightly, resting her hands on her legs to meet Haru at eye level.
As if she was electrocuted, Haru jumped out of her skin.
"Don't be afraid, you're safe now. "
"Wa-"
"Miss Bronya, take your party, get some rest and take Mister Lucian to the healers." Noelle ordered. Her eyes focused on Haru, beneath her friendly look laid curiosity. "I know it will be hard, but trust me Little One. You're safe now."
Blood dripped off the glass shard, Haru lowered her head as a grimace took over her lips. She couldn't feel any trust behind the stanger's words; but she nodded slowly.
"Hey Rothie, can ya help me with this luggage? He's starting to get a bit heavy."
"Okay."
"Thanks. And now that we're done with our part here…" Bronya tapped her chin once both her arms were free. "Right, Rothie the healers are over there." She pointed towards a small group of individuals in guild uniforms under white cloaks. "Me and Little Fei will find a spot to rest up at."
Their search didn't take long; a shady spot, just under the canopy of trees. Fei felt an immense wave of nervousness if she sat down, so instead she stayed on her two feet. Without knowing, her fingers constantly rubbed against each other.
Meanwhile, Bronya leaned against a tree. She kept her eyes closed, tapping her arm in silence. Every mutilated corpse, and every terrified demi-human flashed inside. 'We did all that we could do. As much as it hurts to think that.' What if they were there sooner? Could they have stopped the absolute massacre? It's a possibility.
"Ah, welcome back Rothie." Bronya welcomed Roth back after hearing his heavy footsteps on the soft ground. "So, what did they say?"
"Nothing yet."
"Expected that… Phew, so whaddya think about his injuries?"
"D-D-Do you think, think h-he'll be okay?"
"He'll recover."
Roth retrieved both his sword and shield before sitting down. Bronya followed his lead, tossing her Axe to the side.
"Little Fei, your anxiety is so loud, you know that?"
"H-Huh?"
"Little Lucian will recover."
"...I-I know…"
"Hehe, then calm down. He'll pop back up here soon." Bronya said whilst leaning back. "And who knows, maybe this will be a good thing for him."
Fei looked at bronya, both her non-cut ear and corresponding eye twitched. "A good thing? What do you mean by that?"
"Well y'know, he fought people going for his life! Even Old Man Rothie here complimented his adaptability!" Bronya proclaimed. "For goodness sake, you need to calm that temper of that ya know?! I meant nothing bad."
"You were supposed to stick together! That, that is what was supposed to happen! L-Lucian would not have gotten hurt if you did!"
Bronya sighed, shook her head. "It ended better this way. Don't take your anger out on Rothie and I." She responded whilst waving a finger around. "I won't tell ya what we saw- after this is all done, there will be a report obviously. But right now, focus on calming those nerves down. Sit down, calm yourself."
"...Why can't you tell me now…?"
"I'm trying to calm myself." Bronya explained, taking a deep breath in, and a shaky one out. She followed up, "you and Little Lucian wouldn't have taken everything in there too good."
"..."
"Now, c'moon sit down. If you're scared about everything showing, it won't. The Guild Master's jacket is gigantic on your small frame. I mean." She raised her fingers, pointing at Fei's hands that could not poke out of the sleeves. "You look like a little kid tryna wear an adult jacket."
"..."
Fei raised her arms, keeping her elbows pressed against her body. Her eyes turned deadpan, a frown completely carved deep into her lips. Nanoseconds later, a vein poked out of her forehead. Unfortunately, for Bronya. Her observations were true, Noelle's jacket completely covered her body, down to Fei's legs.
"Hm? Rothie, do you feel that?"
"Nope."
"Huh? F-Fei-? W-"
"What is with you?! Do you purposely jab at people?! You can't even keep your comments, jokes and everything to yourself!"
"I-"
"Why can't you tell us ANYTHING?! We're supposed to be a party, aren't we?! I don't even have the experience or anything to know what it means! But it's obvious we're supposed to communicate and talk to each other!"
"Rothie- Please-"
Roth scooted away without even a glance.
Bronya looked back down at Fei. 'W-Who knew- This Little fox is-' Her eyes darted around as the Little Fox continued to ramble on. "O-Oh LUCIAN! LOOK OVER HERE! WE'RE OVER HERE!" She screamed.
An immediate seize took control of Fei's body. Her blush increased, and ears twitched uncontrollably. She sluggishly turned her body. 'I-Is he able to-' Her thoughts became chaotic, and that soon evaporated. Lucian, from their distance, looked to be unconscious still.
"That… Somehow calmed her down." Bronya mumbled in disbelief. 'Now I know what to do next time!' "Ahem, anyways, now that you cooled off-" She cut herself off, due to a side eye. "Please, Little Fei, take a seat."
"..."
"Can I ask you something?"
"W-What…?"
"I couldn't help but notice," Bronya leaned forward and pointed at Fei's chest. "You have a gnarly looking scar, what happened?"
"..."
"Long Ears."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't of asked."
"I don't know."