Humanoid beetle
1885 Words
“There are a lot of things that we should consider when making a new route. First is that the monsters are uncontrollable. We can’t tell them where to go and not to go. Second is the place where the portal is located, it’s just below that mountain. If people really want to have a safe trip inside the portal then they should all start work together and somehow cover the portal. Third, we can’t control what your people like to do. I have seen a human’s greed myself so I don’t think they will try to listen to you. Fourth is the limited numbers of the things that people wants. Majority o f them are near where the large behemoths are roaming. Honestly, I don’t think human should run inside the portal doing commissions if they value their life.” Yusaf says while munching down the grilled fish that he caught.
Xerxes and the other elves are staring at him blankly for saying those words. “I ‘m surprised you can say that with a straight face Yusaf. But I agree to what you just pointed out. There really are indeed countless things to consider in making a new route.” Xerxes agree. He then remembers the tribe of humans that he wants to visit to learn what happened to the world after his death. “So, what do we need to do?” Rupert ask the two leaders of the group but none of them have any idea what really needs to be done to make a new route.
“What if we scout the recent used route and camps. That way, we can understand the new normal and make a better route.” Yusaf suggests but it took some time before Xerxes could agree. “Yes, that would be the proper way but we don’t need to go there ourselves. That is quite risky even for veterans like you. We can just use the telescopes. We have Rupert to write things off right?” Yusaf scratch his head in ignorance and flash a smile. “How could I forget about those things. Certainly it would raise our chances of not being harmed drastically. But we should be in the best spot to documents everything.”
Xerxes himself realize the danger of them using the telescope but just wipes it off from his head. ‘There is risk but our survival chance is high. Its better than walking in the actual place and camps after all.’ He says to himself . “What a perfect timing. I just brought a huge load of papers to write on.” Rupert ass as they all look at each other with smile on their faces knowing that the operation is decided.
They all the ready the things that they need for the operation. Xerxes then mentions the changes in the shelter. “Ah, Carleon insist to remodel the interior and did it himself. We did a little help but Carleon takes pride in everything he does, especially when it involves remodeling.” Faras explains as Carleon covers his face in embarrassment. “Did you really have to let it all out? You of all people know that I don’t like being embarrassed!” Carleon says. We burst in laughter as the poor elf crawls in the corner of the room.
“Its nothing to be embarrassed about Carleon. This is your passion right? You should be proud of it actually. I wish you can remodel our shop like this as well, this is really impressive.” Xerxes praise Carleon for his creativity, Rupert and Ramirez then added their thoughts. “yeah- and this is all mud right? Imagine what you can do if you can do if you have tools. I bet the results will be even more amazing.” Rupert added. Ramirez scratch his head and with meek words, he spoke of how Carleon is similar to Ferdrick. “I don’t know much about remodeling things but I envy you for having that passion. To be honest, we hired a craftsman that has much passion as you. He moves and shows his love for his work. Some of our companions said that he even skipped a few days of meal to the point that he drops to the ground but still continues to create his work.”
Carleon’s expression lightens up after hearing what Ramirez said. “That’s enough baby talk everyone. We need to focus on the task at hand. You all know what to do right?” Yusaf cuts their talk and reminds them of the work they need to do. “Let’s go in fewer numbers. That way we won’t attract the attention of other smaller creatures. Before going back, we should get familiar of the place that we are assigned in to before we leave. Please take note of the important things. I know all of you have an idea what those important things are.” He added.
They all went near the places where humans usually go to hunt or pick important ingredients or medicinal plants. They placed Rupert in the middle so that they can immediately tell him what they see through the telescope. “That place really looks deserted that no other living creature resides. Looks like the place where giant lizards are usually scene is deserted. Normally we can see them lying on the river bank but now it seems like they run away after those giant behemoths appeared.” Ramirez said after seeing through his telescope.
Rupert immediately writes down the things that come after what Ramirez just said. “Done.” Carleon looks through his telescope and sees that the place where most medical herbs and ingredients are located. ‘I have seen this place full of plants in the past but to think that it get reduced to this in just a matter of days. Those behemoths must have did their best to ruin this paradise. Carleon thought to himself as he clicks his tongue. He is about to report to Rupert the things he saw and was about to leave when all of the sudden he sees a behemoth appearing in the same place where that he just look through his telescope.
“Ah- that place is definitely a no go.” He mutters to himself and then leaves to tell Rupert what see saw. “That happened to that place? I guess we need to venture deeper if we want to look for a similar place to get medicinal herbs.” Ramirez says after hearing what Carleon reported. “The medicinal herbs grow anywhere but they are mainly found in that place so it would be hard to gather as much as the human commissioners want.” Carleon added but the two seem to have an idea about it.
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Ysa moves from tree to tree with great speed. And then reach the highest tree were she can observe the places where humans usually use as roads and finds that there are no other danger except for some other creatures that she is seeing for the first time. ‘What are those things? She mutters to herself and continues to observe. “Can those creatures be dealt with Xerxes’ weapons? No- wait, there are armors around them? Is it incorporated with their skin-! Are these beetles that evolved to humanoid figures?!” Ysa then covers her mouth after a single one of those creature turned to her direction.
‘Its not safe to stay here anymore. If their hearing sense is that sharp then we are in great trouble. Those armors don’t look like they can easily be pierced even with our arrows.’ She thinks to herself as she turns to go back but to her shock, a humanoid beetle is already standing behind her.
SHRIEK!
The beetle then made a screeching sound, immediately alerting the other beetles, before it can continue calling out to the others. Ysa swings her knife to the beetle’s head but her knife broke on her first attempt to eliminate the beetle. ‘What dense armor. My knife is completely useless-!’ Ysa ducks and barely manage to evade the beetle’s swipe and sees that the large branch beside her gets scratched easily with it’s razor sharp claws.
‘I don’t think this creatures are only a threat to humans. Even elves would easily be eliminated if we get hit by that swing once! I need to inform the others immediately!’ Ysa felt the urgency of her new mission that she left the beetle and jump off to a nearby tree and make a little detour so that she would not lead the beetles to the others but to her surprise, the beetle match up to her speed. ‘What in the world is-!’
BAM!
The beetle knocked Ysa to the ground in an instant with it’s giant claws. Luckily she was quick enough to use her scabbard to lessen her injuries but she still suffered a significant amount of injury. The beetle then dive towards her, seeing the creature. Ysa made her attempt to get away and tell the situation to the others.
BAM!
She evade the beetle’s attack after running to the woods but it’s sharp hearing help the beetle locate Ysa hiding behind the tree. Sensing that the creature figured out where she is hiding. Ysa left everything that weigh her down and jump off to the tree but her injuries are hindering her movements and prevents her from making any complex muscle movements.
SLIP!
Her feet slipped and right at that moment, she saw the beetle catching up behind her, ready to throw in another attack. ‘This is the end huh?’ she thinks to herself as she close her eyes and start to regret not to be able to see Yusaf ever again. ‘Yusaf- I love you.’ Tears flow from her eyes as she awaits her end but much to her disappointment, she hears a shot fired from a distance.
BANG!
The beetle’s attack gets redirected as it’s claws shatters. The others have caught up to her and is going for her rescue. She then felt arms holding her like a princess. She opens her eyes as her heart starts to beat very fast. “Looks like you really are a girl after all, Ysa.” Yusaf says with a huge smile on his face. Ysa then remembers the beetle but when she turns to it, it's head is already rolling on the ground.
“Freaking giant stag beetles. They are almost invincible but the gaps in their armor and limbs are their weakness. Thank goodness we decided to bring the katanas.” Xerxes says with disgust after seeing the new creature that they are seeing for the first time. Their reunion is short lived when they hear the air vibrating and more humanoid beetles appeared around them. “We are going to protect Yusaf since he carries Ysa. Take one katana with you and aim for the gaps. Also cutting the limb-like things on their heads will disable their communications and senses. Lets brace ourselves, because this is really dangerous.” Xerxes orders as they surround Yusaf and Ysa.
- Writer
