Of Dogs And Men

Rudy [pov]

The early drake gets the break. That's an expression in this world.

Or at the least that is Paul's excuse for waking so early.

We have been adventuring for several days now. By that I mean I've been adventuring while he 'supervises' my skill. Hard work builds character or something along those lines. I'm pretty sure I'm just doing his job.

At first the patrols were simple enough. Do a lap around the forest of the village, handle anything dangerous enough that will attack you, and call it a day. Then we started going deeper, deeper… and deeper, and because of that, we had to wake earlier, earlier, and earlier. It's annoying.

Being youthful has its advantages such as being able to pull an all-nighter, and go out hunting at the preset of dawn, but I have limits. I can only work on six hours of sleep, if I'm lucky, for so long so many days in a row.

I'll show you character…

Seriously though, I'm tempted to throw you in the sky.

"Why the hell did we have to wake up this early?!" I vented to Paul beneath me.

Currently I am flying over his head, and following his lead to the next haunting ground. We woke up a little earlier, which means it's a little bit further. Where? No idea. He probably told me, but I wasn't listening.

I'm sleepy, you know?

I don't know what's going through his head, but he's clearly planning something?

Everytime we go adventuring, he's looking at me while I fight. If I didn't know any better he's trying to figure out the best way to teach me, or something, but since I do know better I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop.

Probably wants me to smooth things over between him and Zenith… again.

Just conjecture though. The only thing I am sure of, is all this hesitation isn't really 'Paulesque' of him, and it's kind of confusing me. I wish he would just come and say whatever is on his mind so we could go back to the status quo.

By that I mean me in bed sleeping for at least two more hours

I am tempted of casting healing magic on myself, and getting rid of some of my fatigue, but… that's a dangerous road that I would rather not go down again.

Never again.

So it turned into a game of pick your poison; fatigue, or incapacitated. Getting on the horse with him, or enduring the fatigue just a bit more. I chose wisely.

I just wish the old man had at least a little more consideration. I was on baby duty all night, last night, you know?

…my babies…

"Hmm? I told you why."

Wasn't listening.

"No, I mean why 'this' early. The sun wasn't even up yet."

"But it's up now."

"Ever heard of something called beauty sleep?"

Give it!

"Yup. They're sleeping. What," he put up a smug face, "you're not going to tell me you're a beauty now are you?"

"I prefer handsome," I held my chin high, "and I'd like to stay that way thank-you-very-much."

"Ha ha, riiight. What are you even complaining about? You fell asleep at the same time I did."

Idiot says what.

"Doesn't mean we slept the same amount. I have responsibilities. Today was my turn for night shift duty. I was up in the middle of night for a couple hours."

"Norn?" Paul asked.

"Aisha."

"That does make sense…" Paul makes a complicated expression as he returns to the road. "You know… I could help around a bit more. Why not give me a turn at night?"

That would help me out, but… at the same time… I kind of don't want to. Tough one…

It's not that I don't want to let him give it a shot. It would help. It took a while, but he did figure out how to change a diaper.

I… I just kind of want to spoil them right now. It's been two weeks, and my feelings haven't subsided. The need to squeeze them into my heart is as grand as ever. I'm not fawning over them too much, at least in my opinion, but holding them in my arms just puts me at ease. It's a feeling I haven't had in… well, since before my death.

It's like everything that is right with the world is right there. All my worries just disappear, and it all just becomes so simple. It's therapeutic. Someone to love, and be loved by, without any worries of any kind. My heart is simply at ease.

Still… he is the father.

"...you can hold the babies whenever you want… but you can leave the night shift duty to me."

Or Lilia or Zenith for that matter. Having them at my side at times is also something I don't want to part with.

"You can hold the babies whenever you want during the day."

"Their mothers hog them most of the day."

Well he's not wrong.

"I'm pretty sure that moment has passed. Now they'll let anyone hold them. Just ask alice."

"...even Lilia?"

That… is… actually a good point. Regardless…

"She'll… probably let you. Your weird relationship aside. She does recognize you as the father, so I don't see any reason she wouldn't. I'll have a word with her just in case."

"...ha ha…" Paul looks off distantly to his side, his face cast down, "...my weird relationship he says. Recognized he says…" he grumbled.

"In any case just go for it."

"Yeah… just go for it."

"Paul?"

"Anyways! We're finally at the hunting ground," he changed the subject.

"Ah… right. Let's get to it… I guess."

"That's the adventuring spirit!" he yelled.

I'm right here you know?

"Today we're hunting assault dogs."

"So same old, same old?"

"Not quite. I got word from Laws that he saw a red colored one among them the other day. That means there's probably an alpha in their group. It's going to make things a little more difficult."

"It's still just a dog ain't it."

"I think you're taking alphas lightly. An alpha is an alpha. Always be on guard."

"Hai~"

He sighs, "jeez… Rudy, what do you think a monster's greatest weakness is?"

"Doesn't it depend?"

"Mostly. Except when it comes to intelligence. Most monsters are like feral beasts, even if they have the ability to use magic, that doesn't mean they have the know how to use it. An Alpha is a monster that's overcome that handicap… and can use their magic to a higher ability. That and combined with its prowess makes them natural born leaders. An Alpha of a pack species is something we can't allow."

"Makes sense. Why didn't Law's kill it?"

"I told him not to."

"Oy-"

"It was just yesterday! It's fine. I'm not risking anything. It's just been obvious that you haven't had a good challenge lately, and this felt like a good opportunity for me to see what you got."

Why do you gotta see anything?! Give me Sleep!

"Who's side are you on? Mine or the monsters?!"

"There's a difference?!"

Kill yourself!

"I'm flying ahead!" an updraft arises pushing me higher in the sky.

"Please don't! Intel!" he yelled. "You need intel!"

…that is true…

"Alright…" I floated back down to within earshot, "...I'm listening."

He looked at me with bulging eyes.

"What's with that look?"

"N-nothing. Anyways! Where was I… dogs! We'll be hunting down Assault dogs; tough, average intelligent, tendency to hunt at night, and particularly vicious. Same old same old. Where things diverge is that this time we are going into their territory. So they'll know the area better. We can't afford to play too long with them. So show me what you got, but don't be afraid of ending things early. That said; I am an S class adventurer, so if you want to mess around a little, be my guest."

"Well… I am stressed…"

"Final point; Assault dogs fight in packs, so don't get swarmed, if you do just fly, so no flying into the cave."

"You think I'm an amateur?"

That causes him to raise his brow, as he looks at me with a hint of humor.

"Whatever…"

"We'll scout the cave for now, and make a plan when we're there."

"Hai~" I flew ahead of him.

Paul [pov]

"There he goes," I muttered as I looked at his retreating form. "Flying blindly without a care in the world. I haven't even told him the cave's location. Sylphy was right; he doesn't think properly when he's fatigued. I owe her one."

What a superb daughter in law!

He's going to tire himself out at this rate, but that's fine. That is the plan after all.

'A tired Rudy is an easy Rudy.' Her words not mine.

I'm going with the Zenith plan. Which basically comes down to wearing down his defenses until he relents. A simple strategy, but effective, and if everything Sylphy told me is to be believed, it should work on Rudy as well… so long as he's tired enough.

Easier said than done. He has stamina and reserves that don't match his tiny build, but an alpha hunt should get it done.

If he honestly stopped for a second instead of dashing off blindly he would realize that there's no reason to wake up so early. The enemy is nocturnal. The fact that we're waking up this early is more out of convenience than anything else, but luckily for me he doesn't think when he's sleepy, tired, or stressed, all of which are in my favor.

I owe that girl one, but… I'll refrain from telling her about this situation. If she is even half as strong as my son, that will be troublesome.

Thinking back to our first day we set out, I thought it was going to be a simple endeavor. Wear him down, separate him from his mother, and then 'convince' him that going to the Boreas household would be the best thing for him. All the while showing off my expertise, and that I know what I am doing.

Then he set the forest on fire.

A change of plan was in order.

He is… stronger than I thought. I already knew he was strong, but he really blew my expectations out of the water. I've experienced a lever of skill, and power more on par with B rank adventures than anything else. I thought he was childish, but turns out when he's not playing around he can actually end things easily enough.

After the first fight didn't quite go how I wanted, I decided to increase the difficulty. Then I did it again, and again… and again. It has now been ten days.

He's a lot more stronger than I thought.

As for why I'm trying to tire him out, call it instinct or what have you, but my gut is telling me that things might take a turn if I'm not careful. Say the wrong thing, and he might just bite. My son has a bit of a vicious streak in him. The more times we've gone adventuring the more and more armor I've started packing on.

Feels like I've taken up a quest. Rank difficulty; S.

I thought of bringing up the topic with Zenith, and having her convince him, and just as quickly as it came I threw that thought away. She's too close to him. If I can't get her to get him out of her bed, she won't be kicking him out of the house. That makes things tricky.

I don't have the ability to convince Zenith that sending him away is what's best for the family, but… Rudy does. If I can convince him that leaving is the best thing for everyone, then I won't have to worry about any major damage to this family.

The unfortunate thing about dealing with someone like Rudy is that he has the ability to go against me. Meaning I could send him away, but If I can't convince him to go on his own volition, or that it's the only option, nothing is stopping him from coming back, and then…

What is even the point?

In any case the thought of him at least not getting a job of some kind over there is gone now. If teaching doesn't work, I can't imagine Phillip saying no to having another guard. Especially one you don't have to pay. My son never did learn the value of money.

I still haven't received a letter back, but considering the distance, it should come any day now. Combined with Phillips need for a tutor, it shouldn't be much time after where Rudeus would be going away. The only problem is I sort of did everything without going through him, I wasn't taking no for an answer, and now I just need him to say yes.

I am out of time.

"Time sure gets away from you," I muttered.

The Alpha is more or less my ace on the whole as there is no more trouble around a peaceful village like this. Hopefully I'm overthinking things, but I'm going to need that monster's added growth to wear him down, and see things my way, in case I need to use force. Hopefully I won't, but… I have an uneasy feeling.

…I sure hope Rudy didn't inherit my stubborn streak.

///

Rudy [pov]

"Is that…" I muttered. From behind some shrubbery both of us, me and Paul, are spying on the monsters, but got a little more than we expected. So did they if the signs of dog corpses littered by the cave entrance.

"Yeah…"

"That's a problem isn't it?"

"A little… but," he scratches his cheek, "we still have to take them down. It'll be a problem for the village otherwise."

"Yeah…"

Things never go according to plan.

After finding some tracks, we followed it to their hideout, but they most certainly weren't sleeping. One hour of traveling and we finally found the target, putting an end to our little merry go round, finding the beasts, emphasis on the s. Unfortunately, they were very much not asleep, and even feasting on what looked like a sabre-tooth tiger, but that's not the annoying part. The annoying part is that the tell-tale signs of an alpha is Red fur, at least among this species, and…

I see three of them.

Shit…

Alphas are sometimes born, but more often than not they are created. When a monster consumes enough mana, they can force an evolution. It's a happenstance thing, and not a guaranteed thing usually when a monster's mana reserves increases, it simply leads to a boost in abilities rather than an evolution. So of course they would evolve.

Just my luck.

"Well… what do we do now?"

"We wait."

"Losersayswhat?"

"We wait," Paul reiterated.

"I thought you just said one Alpha was a problem? What about three?"

"We're still going to cut them down, but we just need to wait. Just give it a moment. It'll happen any moment now," he looked away from the pack and to me instead.

Da hell is he-

Blast!

"Jesus! What was th- are they attacking each other?!"

"Rudy…" Paul whispered, "there's an expression out there; two heads can't share a body. This is why. Once there's a growth like this among a pack of monsters it's common for the former leader, or the upstart to kill the other, and now there's three. Well, just sit and wait."

Looking at three Red beasts blasting fireballs, and jumping to and through each other, I see we're not the only one's waiting. The rest of the pack is calmly waiting at the side, as the three beasts dig into each other.

"...it doesn't always in a bloodbath you know," Paul whispered, "sometimes one of the beasts runs away, and starts its own pack, but… you know… monsters."

Blast! "Rrrraarr!" "Grrr!"

"How long do we wait?"

"Do you want to jump into a battle with three Alphas, and a pack of hungry beasts?"

"...I can just blow everyone up can't I."

"Ah… that's right," he tapped his chin, "I guess you could do that. I kind of wanted you to build some experience, but won't that be a bit too much for you?"

Is that a challenge?

"Alright… Here I go," I steadied my breathing and started manipulating the mana in the air, preparing for one grand blast, "Oh great water spirit… whew…" closing my eyes I concentrate.

It has been a while since I've used this spell for some AOE damage.

Wait… is this a good idea? Metal attracts electricity so wouldn't the most likely ones to be striked… us?

"Hey Paul you sure-"

"Aoooo…"

"Rrrraar, roar rooo ooo arrgh!"

Hah? That sounded like it was… right…

Peeking from the bushes I see rows of beady eyes looking my, our, direction.

…right next to me.

"Ah, Rudy, what I said. Forget about it. Pull out your sword."

"...do you think they're still hungry?"

"Do you want to find out?"

"""Aooooo…"""

The top dogs in the back howl. Looking into the pack that is just eyeing us patiently, I see even the Alphas have stopped their fighting, and are looking at us from far back.

"Rawr!" at its behest several dogs in the pack jump forth.

Yeah-how 'bout no.

Burst. I plow through them.

Swinging my blade I cut at jaws in my immediate range. Slicing and dicing. Swinging and moving. Swing, and maneuver. Like water… flowing through, and cutting. Through the crowd… a follow through

BURST.

…and through I go.

Paul decides to help, and does the same in the opposite direction.

BURST!

"Rudy, I'll handle all the ones on the right, I'll give you-"

"Less talking, more fighting!" waving my hand, I summoned a wind, waving him off, and several dogs running at me, sending them flying several feet away.

"Rudy?!" he yelled, as he got some pushback as well.

"You'll be fine!" I yelled, it's just a light push. Now with some proper breathing room, I looked at the pack for a moment before deciding on my way of attack. The Alphas are resting in the back, jumping over the hill looming over everything like Cerberus passing judgment.

I dash in their direction intent on cutting off the command structure.

They truly are mindless beasts if they think I'm just going to be dog food.

Hell no!

Before any orders can be barked, bending my knees, I summon a wind and jump forth, shooting myself towards them.

Burst!

Rushing towards the alphas I aim to cut the middle one's head, before…

The other alphas line up, open their mouths, and shoot out a flame attack together, with me still in midair.

Shit!

Flipping my body in midair, I flip forward, turning my back towards the attack and block it with the shield strapped on me.

The block is successful, but the pressure of it pushes me back to the ground. Upside down my body falls down to earth.

Hot hot hot…

I'm also on fire.

Landing, I create a water bubble over myself, and let it 'plop' over myself, putting it out.

"Sssss…"

"""Aooo!""""

Body steaming I turn to see the alphas howling at the sky, and hear their minions running my way.

"How annoyingly loyal."

Blast Blast Blast.

From the alphas mouths three large fireballs head my way. Stomping on the ground beneath me I summon a much needed reprieve; the earth rising, a boulder sprouts forth, and takes the hit for me, weathering the inferno. As it crashes into it, it shakes three times, but holds.

"Grrrrr…" ALl the while the minions are slowly sneaking up behind me.

Looking around me, I see the mindless beasts have started stalking me. Creeping ever so slowly they keep a distance, too cautious to strike, but still waiting.

"What's wrong? Can't do much without mommy and daddy… and daddy," the thought of their being three alphas appears in my head. What a convoluted family. "Now then," I raise a sword and enter the Water God main stance, ideal for defense, "who wants to die first?"

Divide and conquer. With the leaders blocked away from the pack that gives me a few seconds to deal with pups, before they get tired of blasting their way through.

"Raar," one volunteer jumps at me, and so-

Swing.

Plop. bop… bop…

And so its head rolls soon after.

I have long since gotten over my gag reflex when cutting into one of these beasts. At first it was… unpleasant, even carving up a chicken or boar, dead of course, was easier, but killing something that bleeds like I do, feeling my blade go through something soft, and fleshy and… still breathing… and resisting… it's something else. The frailty of life really hit me.

That said…

Bite. Bite. Bite.

"grrrAHH!" I yell.

It hurts.

Such thoughts easily go away quickly when my own life is on the line.

It still feels like dirty business, but I no longer feel repulsion over killing my would be killers. They're just beasts after all. Just beasts…

Sacrificing their own, several others strike at me, and bite at my limbs. Some of them jumped over their own brethren to try and bite my face. Had it not been for my Green cloak spell I would be bleeding profusely. As it is I only feel unpleasant bruises over my skin as if they're nut crackers and I am the nut. Still hurts though.

I really have to come up with a name for that spell.

It isn't quite toki. Yet it doesn't qualify as a barrier. Forcefield sounds a little more powerful than what it actually is; just a modified barrier spell. I'll guess I'll call it Aura.

In any case-

"Die."

You live like a dog, you'll die like a dog.

Concentrating on the enemies before me I move the earth beneath me, and send several spears made of it shooting their way. Skewering them instantly.

"Hroo?!" A shocked yelp, and they are dead.

That is what death is. Instantaneous and unfair.

"Sorry… but you could have run away. Your fates are sealed."

As the pressure lessens I can recover, and refuel my aura spell, before they would have broken through. The flames behind me have finally stopped, meaning the alphas will be getting in my way soon. "Wooh…" gathering my breath, I try to think of a way to cull their numbers quickly, before the heads gather their bearings, and start directing the body. Looking around me I see four dead dogs, one without a head, and the rest with a skewer through their stomachs. The crowd at a distance.

"...rooo…"

Pierce. Creating an earth pillar I skewered one dog which unfortunately didn't die after one hit.

…now four bodies.

Sorry, but I'm still technically a beginner. I might not be able to kill you in one blow.

I apologized to it in my head, as I walked toward the crowd.

Unpleasant business.

I much prefer fighting bugs or tree monsters. The ones that don't bleed red, but beggars can't be choosers.

"Whew…" I calmed my breathing, as I thought of a new attack avenue. I can make out Paul's figure far in the back, and some howls in the distance, so he's busy at the time being. So it's just me all by my lonesome.

What else is new?

Earth pillar.

Shooting off a pillar, from the palms of my feet, I launch a corpse still into the crowd, in an effort to make some distance, disorient them, attacking them from a different angle, but… then I'm the one caught off guard.

Rawr rawr rawr.

Seeing a peculiar sight, the Assault dogs start… assaulting the corpse, like scavengers, devouring it quickly.

"Well… that's unexpected. Talk about survival of the fittest."

A few of them stand guarding the group, giving me the deadstare while they feast.

Also why are you looking at me like that? I'm not the one eating my brother. You monster!

With some breathing room at last I wonder how I should go about this?

Blast!

Then everything is on fire.

HOT!

While distracted by their cannibalism, the boulder behind me shatters, and explodes. If it wasn't for my mana going though, and over me, I would have some minor burns. Unfortunately, I can still feel the heat though. And they said fire never does anything in anime.

The three Alphas, predate towards me.

Annoying annoying annoying…

Less thinking, more fighting.

Burst.

Bursting through the remains of the boulder one of the Alpha grew impatient, and jumped past its brothers, its maw at my neck. Bringing my blade to cut I lean it towards my neck and intercept.

Bite. Clashing with its teeth I swing, intent on cutting it through its mouth, and…

Crack. It traps it in its maw, cracking my blade.

That's steel you know? Regardles…

Earth Javelin.

At such a close range I can not miss. Taking the shot, the earth beneath me forms, and pierces its belly, shooting it away and soaring into the sky. My blade, now free, is a little cracked, but it should be enough for the fodder.

"Grrr…" although the pack of assault dogs seemed to like their chances.

A dog's death…

""Aoooo!"" The Alphas as well. Having regrouped, and moved around to the back of the pack giving another howl once. At their behest two dogs come jumping in, both intent on ripping into me. Unlike their impatient leader, the former, they're not keen on fighting me directly.

""Rawr!""

Ice Armor.

Creating some impromptu ice appendages over my arm and leg where I would be bitten. Their teeth crash, and crack, against ice rather than flesh, getting stuck for good measure. They might or might not break through, but I have no intention of being a chew toy through the whole fight.

"Got more than what you asked for? Come now, don't be shy, you must be thirsty?"

With their mouths stuck on my appendages, I start condensating it, and shoot water down their gullets.

Blast!

Highly pressurized of course.

Burst!!!

…and then one of them explodes…

Oh… wow…

"Hurgh…" I keep something in.

I take it back. I still have a gag reflex. Apparently. That was… messier than I intended.

Note to self. Never do that again. Ever. It's… messy.

One of them… died, as for the other one… turning my head I see it's twitching form so it might be alive, but it's out of it.

Pierce.

At the very least it at least gave the rest of the mindless beasts pause, after watching one of their own get… eviscerated.

"Aoooo!"

But only for a moment. They gathered their bearings all too soon.

"Huh?" Turning to the source of it. I see an alpha with a hole in its stomach howling to the sky.

Didn't I kill you? There's a spear in your stomach you know? Couldn't you just run away? Are you trying to look cool for your girlfriend? Is your bitch here?

At the alpha's behest the field goes silent, and the sound of stomping is heard as the dogs come settling in, and…

Surrounding me in a circle.

…maybe this is a show.

"What a bitch…" I muttered. "Wait a minute… if that's the alpha I just pierced, and there's one looking from the far back…"

Where's the other one?

Blast Blast Blast Blast…

An innumerable amount of fireballs start flying at me.

Clash. Clash. Clash…

As much as I would like to worry about them. They won't give me a moment's rest. I hate being popular.

Earth Wall.

Acting towards their actions I block their attacks, and create a wall for one half as I worry about the other.

"ARRR" an image of red death appears before me, and the missing alpha comes jumping in.

And then there were three.

Blast Blast Blast…

All the while the rain of fireballs still continues, if less of them now. Unfortunately the alpha is resistant to fire.

Good for you. Also I hate you.

As we are fighting, and the alpha comes here and there, not risking a bite, we dance around each other, both intent on ending the other, but neither of us willing to lock jaws to sword. If I did it would die, but I would lose my blade. Instead we are in a stupid dance of flames and scratches. Dancing around each other nipping at the other.

Blast. Clash. Blast. Clash. Blast. Scratch Scratch Scratch…

It's annoying, but effective.

I notice a fireball or two hitting it, but it barely flinches as it's hit. As for me… I'm forced to weather it through.

Any moment it's going to break through my aura, and I won't have the breather to recover. Also, the heat… my blade is heating up, burnin my hands.

"Screw this…"

I'm tired. I'm hungry. But most importantly… I'm annoyed- Screw it, I'm angry.

Before my reserves end, I'm ending it.

They want a dog fight. I'll show you a dog fight.

Pop! Burst!

Creating a small, maybe not so small, air bubble I blast away several attacks while striking at the alpha. My blade shatters, but lacerates its face. Finally a moment to breathe, I take to the skies.

With some company.

Piercing the alpha into with broken blade in hand, I soar, and over over to the canopy of the forest.

Ice Spear. Pierce. Pierce Pierce…

Unable to dodge, it had no choice but to accept its fate, and died mid flight.

"Whew… and then there were two," I muttered, letting the body drop. Hovering over the canopy. I take a breath, and think. I am far enough to be out of most of their range of sight, but not far enough that I won't be able to sense them.

Blast Blast Blast Blast…

Several fireballs go flying in my direction, missing here and there.

Looking at my kite I see that they've done a wonder on it, as it is cracked as well. I am going to need a replacement, but first… some pest control.

Concentrating on the direction of the fireballs I try to focus where the mana is the heaviest, and take aim.

I can't cast saint class magic, while in the middle of it, I'm just asking to get hit. So I'll have to let it rain in a different sense.

"After this is over…" willing the temperature around me, several Ice spears start appearing,and growing. Ignoring gravity they hover in place, "I'm going to take a very veeeery long nap. You on the other hand," waving a hand up, I let it rain. "You can sleep forever."

Wshhh… Stab Stab Stab Stab, dodge… Stab Stab, dodge…

I start culling their numbers.

A few of them dodge here and there but many are unprepared and are skewered. Many more, simply run, and avoid the battle all together. As for the alphas…

Dodge dodge dodge.

They are annoyingly perceptive. Alpha's really are too sensitive.

Earth Pill-

"Rawr!"

Da-fuck?!

A flying dog comes behind me, and bites at the kite in my back.

How did it get this high?!

The alpha that was wounded attacked at my back. Scratching and biting at my neck, and shield.

Break!

…and that did it for my Aura spell, and consequently bleeding and burning me with its claws. Summoning a neck brace made of ice I protect my jugular, and do several flips and sways as I throw the thing off. Feeling the heat warming up I feel a dangerous spell on my back and so "Ice javelins!"

Crack. The ice brace around my neck holds, but barely.

I am in its grip, but so is it in mine.

Pierce. Pierce. Pierce…

"Arfoo?!" it wines as it lays still on my back. The heat stops and it's dead.

Heavy.

"That's one…"

Landing on the ground, I stand among a dirty battlefield. Dog corpses litter the field. Most of them dead, some struggling to get through, and a few stragglers that avoided everything. The field itself is muddy, with blood and water, and pockets of flames here and there. Overall, a total mess.

That's good… a moment to think…

Dropping the kite in one breath, I never take my eyes away from the last Alpha among the crowd, less it makes me regret it. Not bothering to look away. I am only vaguely aware of the remaining dogs moving further away. I can barely make them out, but not even their alpha can convince them to interfere anymore.

They lie in wait.

"Whew… that was unnecessarily difficult. I don't suppose you understand the words coming out of my mouth, but… can you die for me?"

"Grrrr…"

"Understandable…"

Honestly a part of me wishes they had just ran. This is more exercise than I need with five hours of sleep. I was already in a bad mood, now I am…

"...annoyed…"

If someone other than Paul or I had found them, it would have been a blood bath. Well… a different blood bath. I can't let it escape. That said, looking around this bloody field.

I suppose an Alpha couldn't command much respect if it left after the other heads died. It can't let me leave either.

Looking at the last Alpha, It opens its mouth, and starts making a fireball over its head the size of its body.

Yeah, I'd say the same too.

"Hah…" I entered a stance.

Wait…

"Where is Paul anyway?"

Blast! A huge fireball encompasses my vision as it plows ahead towards me.

It doesn't matter.

No rest for the weary.

"Honestly…"

///