Crossover Escape: Gotta be more than Lucky to survive

2.9 Lives in the River

The raft went together fairly well. Probably because an unhappy Ent sacrificed itself to the cause. Since Help could just process and adhere the wood together like a pro it was a simple matter. Luca had actually expected making the raft to take most of the day as it was, they were finished before lunch. While the raft had been put together by the rest and the fairy, Tails had made another vine rope. Luca stripped off his outer layer of clothing and handed it and his bets off to Ghost. Ghost tied them up or slung them around his waist while he attached step knives to the end of long poles making pseudo spears. His Fae swords he took off while he stripped before putting them back on, he’d take them off again just before he had to hop into the water.

[Ghost: I know you’re our best swimmer but what are you going to do with the necklace while you swim. Not sure it will enjoy it.] Ghost sent the message while he worked. Luca blinked for a moment as his brain caught up with the reference. When it did Luca wanted to roll his eyes. Very funny. Though he did have a good point.

Luca assumed he’d messaged and not asked aloud because so far as Luca had been able to tell neither Declan’s team or the other trio had realised that it was a living thing and not some aesthetic choice. In their defence a dark purple dragon scarf really matched the style of clothes that Luca tended to wear. Though Luca wasn’t sure what mental justifications they had made for him wearing something as superfluous as a scarf for this contest.

Since dragon had remained draped over Luca’s shoulders like a scaly stole the entire morning he’d been up so Luca had almost forgotten its presence. Luca eyed the dragon’s closed eyes before he approached Help. Help was carefully using their magic to tie the raft together securely. When Help noticed Luca’s approach, they paused what they were doing to fly over to him.

“Hey Help, quick question does the Lil’ Miss have a name?” Luca waved vaguely to the reptile around his neck as he spoke.

Help tilted their head as they looked at the dragon for a moment before they shook their head. “She doesn’t have a name. They don’t bother with such things. She does like what you just called her though.”

“Lil’ Miss?” as Help nodded Luca shook his head. Better than just the dragon I suppose. “Alright, thanks.” With a wave Helped turned back to the raft and Luca moved away.

As Luca turned away from the build finalisation to look over the river. His intent had been to scope out a good place to take the raft into the water. Said intent went out the window though when Luca looked at the mermaids or more likely sirens lounging on the shores edge. Okay now what to do about this? Luca rested a hand on a sword and stared back at the sirens. They hadn’t done anything aggressive, but Luca was doubtful that they would be just friendly. Though he hadn’t seen any at the temple. More than likely owing to the difficulty for the sirens to travel across land.

“Oh look tasty snack delivery.” What Luca heard from the sirens was a series of clicks and chirps that reminded him of dolphin calls. However it was overlaid by a strange surety as to what was actually said. Luca had a momentary freeze were his brain just suddenly questioned. Why is the dolphin speak understandable but not Lil’ Miss? He could only assume that it had something to do with the lack of vocalisation when Help spoke to Lil’ Miss.

Now Luca just had two questions whether the sirens could be reasoned with. Since his group needed to cross the water whether the sirens could come on land was rather mute. That was the thought until the men in the group walked onto sure brandishing tridents. Reach, god damnit. Luca drew his Fae swords and shouted, “Company.” His team spun and drew weapons instantly. While Declan’s group turned and raised their empty hands while chanting.

Shade moved to stand beside Luca inhumanly fast. It was an interesting choice given that Luca didn’t see any weapons on the man. Unfortunately, the other three had been closer to the water as they had been carving oars. They’d shouted that the weren’t going to rely on some stuck-up mercenary to get them across the river. Luca hadn’t cared. Oars would be a fine addition he just hadn’t wanted to try carving them or trying to make steering pole for a river with unknown depth.

Their desire now proved a downside though because the three had no time to react properly before the sirens struck. Luca charged forward in attempt to save the last of the three who had managed to stumble back. He was rather against seeing any more people being impaled. Luca pushed off hard from the ground into a forward flip over the head of the last guy and came down onto of the extended trident. The siren not expecting the sudden weight let the weapon tilt towards the ground. Luca shifted his balance and struck out with his right sword. Luca felt a little bad now that he hadn’t tried to talk more to the other three, but they’d been hostile to him and Declan for whatever reason. It probably didn’t help that while the face was familiar Luca hadn’t been able to put a name to it

The blade whistled towards the sirens neck only to be caught by the prongs of a different siren’s trident. Luca took the counter force and twisted his body to flip off the trident to land stably on the ground. In the meantime Shade had somehow downed two and was working on his third. Not to be out down Ghost had one at his feet and was working on a second. Rӓv and Holly had teamed up and where handily dealing with another two. While Tails was playing defender in front of Declan’s trio as they lobbed magic at the sirens. That seemed to be almost at a standstill as the sirens were forced to dodge the magic while Tails just moved and struck at opening thus preventing them from moving forward.

Luca spun in place to dodge a trident strike while using the momentum to put the heel of his boot into the siren’s temple. The siren drops like a rock. Lightning then passed by either side of Luca and struck down four more. Suddenly not having anyone to deal with Luca looked the field over. The man he had just rescued had scrambled back and gotten to his feet. He had a pair of handguns and was shooting for vitals. Luca was more surprised that he had a firearm.

They weren’t normally considered competition acceptable. The use of the firearms did however trigger a remind to Luca as to who the man was. Not even in blood sports because it was interesting to watch if people just died. Not as interesting as a sword fight or close assassinations anyway. So a gunslinger was memorable and had earned him the name Cowboy.

As the man shot another siren one of the women exited the water. Instead of a trident she used a whip. What is it with these guys and reach? Luca wanted to lodge a complaint. It was not fair that the monsters also got reach in addition to their monster abilities. It was not balanced, needed to be nerfed.

Cowboy took three quick shots at her and while she defected two of them the third one struck her left shoulder. Luca would have been happy if she hadn’t just shrugged the hit off and struck out at Shade. Shade managed to dodge but in dodging he shifted to a closer proximity to three other sirens.